Sample Carrier Transport for High Throughput DNA Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DNA sequencers require a complex and costly arrangement of micro-channels, valves, and interfaces at the manifold, leading to lengthy and slow biochip-to-biochip processing times, even when processing multiple samples in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A sample processing system with multiple processing stations and a sample carrier support that moves sample carriers sequentially through these stations, each equipped with minimal manifolds for specific processing acts, allowing concurrent processing of multiple samples with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single biochip is processed sequentially through multiple processing sub-systems in one test position, then the device complexity at the manifold is reduced, but the processing time for each biochip becomes very lengthy and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single test position into multiple processing stations (first processing station, second processing station, etc.), each handling specific processing acts. The biochip is segmented across these stations, allowing simultaneous execution of multiple processing operations that were previously sequential, thereby reducing total processing time while keeping each station's manifold relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-position sequential processing approach to a multi-position parallel processing approach by adding the spatial dimension of multiple processing stations arranged along a carrier. This allows multiple processing acts to occur simultaneously at different stations, converting time-consuming sequential operations into parallel operations without increasing individual station complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple samples are processed in parallel on a single biochip, then the number of samples processed per unit time increases, but the biochip-to-biochip processing time remains lengthy and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the processing workflow into distinct processing acts distributed across multiple processing stations. Each station handles specific processing tasks, allowing different samples on the same carrier to undergo different processing acts simultaneously. This segmentation enables continuous throughput where while one sample is being processed at station 1, another sample can be processed at station 2, reducing the idle time between biochip batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous processing by having multiple processing stations operate simultaneously on different samples or different processing acts. As samples move through the carrier from one station to the next, processing actions continue without interruption across the system, eliminating the lengthy idle periods that occur when waiting for sequential processing to complete before loading the next biochip.
3Productivity
If multiple processing stations are used with sample carriers moving sequentially through them, then parallel processing of multiple samples is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing stations are designed with universal interfaces and standardized sample carrier compatibility, allowing each station to handle multiple types of processing acts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for highly specialized, complex equipment at each station, as they can be configured to perform different processing tasks while maintaining a relatively simple, standardized structure that can be replicated across multiple stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses identical or similar processing station designs that can be replicated and arranged in sequence. Rather than designing increasingly complex unique stations for each processing act, the same standardized station template is copied and deployed multiple times, each capable of performing the same or similar processing functions. This replication approach maintains simplicity while enabling parallel processing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sample processing system includes a sample carrier support configured to concurrently support multiple sample carriers in series, each sample carries carrying a respective sample to be processed. The apparatus also includes a plurality of processing stations located at different positions along the sample carry support, each processing station configured to perform a different processing act of a plurality of processing acts to be performed on each sample. The apparatus further includes a support mover that moves the sample support and hence the sample carriers sequentially from processing station to processing station for processing.