Pressure Accumulator Flow Control for Biological Assays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow-control systems for biological and chemical analysis face limitations in delivering reagents at high speeds due to system resistances, leading to pressure drops and increased risk of degasification, which can be challenging to offset with traditional pressurization methods.
Innovation Solution
A flow-control system incorporating a pressure accumulator positioned between the fluid reservoir and the system pump, which assists in offsetting pressure drops, maintaining pressure, and increasing the flow rate by controlling the operation of the system pump and pressure accumulator according to a predetermined schedule, including filling and pressure-assist operations, and enabling recycling of fluid back into the accumulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow rate of the fluid is increased to deliver reagents faster, then the productivity is improved, but the pressure drop increases causing degasification and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure accumulator is pre-filled with fluid before the sequencing run begins. This preliminary action ensures that pressurized fluid is already available in the accumulator, allowing the system to immediately deliver reagents at high flow rates without causing pressure drops that would lead to degasification during the actual sequencing process.
2Stress or pressure
If the reagent reservoir is pressurized to offset pressure drop, then the pressure is maintained, but the volume of fluid in the reservoir makes pressurization challenging and increases the risk of gassing
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid system is segmented into two distinct parts: a large unpressurized reservoir for storing bulk reagent fluid, and a small pressurized accumulator that contains a limited volume of pre-pressurized fluid. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high fluid pressure without needing to pressurize the entire large reservoir, thereby reducing the complexity of the pressurization system and minimizing the risk of gassing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure accumulator acts as an intermediary between the large unpressurized reservoir and the flow cell. It receives fluid from the reservoir, maintains pressurization in a controlled manner, and delivers the pressurized fluid to the flow cell when needed, thereby solving the pressurization challenge without directly pressurizing the entire reservoir system.
3Stress or pressure
If traditional pressurization methods are used to maintain pressure, then the pressure drop is offset, but the system complexity increases and the risk of gassing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure accumulator uses a small, limited volume of pre-pressurized gas (such as nitrogen or air) that is consumed over time as fluid is delivered. This approach replaces complex continuous pressurization systems with a simple, finite pressurized volume that naturally decompresses as it delivers fluid, thereby maintaining pressure without creating ongoing gassing risks associated with continuous pressurization mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables faster reagent delivery to flow cells, reducing cycle times in sequencing-by-synthesis protocols, minimizing the risk of gassing, and allowing for longer incubation times, while also being scalable and adaptable for various platforms.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure accumulator is configured to (a) offset a pressure drop in fluidic line(s) of the system between the pressure accumulator and the system pump; (b) maintain the pressure in the fluidic line(s); and/or (c) increase the pressure in the fluidic line(s)
Data Source
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AI summary
Flow-control system includes a fluid reservoir configured to store a fluid, a pressure accumulator in flow communication with and positioned downstream from the fluid reservoir, and a loading zone that is configured to receive and fluidly couple to a flow cell having a biological or chemical sample. The loading zone is in flow communication with and positioned downstream from the pressure accumulator. The flow-control system also includes a system pump in flow communication with and positioned downstream from the loading zone. The system pump is configured to induce a flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir and through the pressure accumulator and the loading zone. The pressure accumulator is configured to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir during a filling operation. The pressure accumulator is configured to impart pressure on the fluid and drive the fluid toward the loading zone during a pressure-assist operation.