Polymer Synthesizer Segmented Columns and Inert Cabinet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid synthesizers are inefficient in producing large numbers of oligonucleotides, prone to performance failures, and not suited for large-scale automated production due to complex plumbing and valving networks, leading to environmental contamination and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A polymer synthesizer with an airtight cabinet maintaining positive gas pressure, featuring synthesis columns connected to reagent containers via tip dispensers and a block with waste columns for efficient reagent dispensing and waste management, allowing simultaneous synthesis of multiple polymers with reduced inert gas usage and flexible reagent ordering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple reaction columns are added to increase oligonucleotide production capacity, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to increased plumbing and valving network
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the synthesis process into modular reaction columns that can be independently controlled, with each column having dedicated reagent delivery and waste evacuation pathways. This segmentation allows multiple columns to operate simultaneously without requiring a fully interconnected plumbing network, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the waste evacuation function from the reagent delivery system by providing separate waste columns and channels for each reaction column. This separation eliminates the need for complex valving networks to manage both reagent and waste flow, as waste can be evacuated independently through dedicated pathways, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high column capacity.
2Productivity
If reaction columns are increased to produce more oligonucleotides simultaneously, then productivity increases, but the system becomes less reliable due to increased susceptibility to contamination and performance failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waste evacuation function from the reagent delivery system by providing separate waste columns and channels for each reaction column. This separation eliminates the need for complex valving networks to manage both reagent and waste flow, as waste can be evacuated independently through dedicated pathways, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains an inert atmosphere within the synthesis chamber to prevent contamination of reagents and synthesized oligonucleotides. This inert environment reduces the risk of performance failures and environmental contamination, thereby improving reliability while maintaining high productivity through multiple simultaneous reaction columns.
3Device complexity
If a single supply line is used for all reagents to simplify plumbing, then device complexity decreases, but loss of time increases due to flushing and priming requirements between reagent additions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the reagent delivery system into separate supply lines for each reaction column, allowing independent reagent delivery to each column. This segmentation eliminates the need for flushing and priming between reagent additions, as each column can receive its specific reagent directly without requiring system cleaning, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining relatively simple plumbing through modular architecture.
4Productivity
If the synthesizer is designed for high throughput production, then productivity increases, but the footprint increases requiring more laboratory space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested architecture where multiple reaction columns are arranged in a compact configuration within a single synthesis chamber. The waste columns and channels are integrated into the same spatial structure as the reaction columns, allowing multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces. This nesting approach enables high throughput production capability while minimizing the overall footprint and laboratory space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a polymer synthesizer having a high efficiency production rate. The synthesis of the polymers, and more particularly of DNA and RNA, is done very quickly. Furthermore, it is possible to synthesize a plurality of polymers in the same batch without significantly increasing the time and the complexity of the process.