Sequencing Fluidics Degassing to Prevent Flow Cell Bubbles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas present in sequencing reagents and nucleic acid samples forms bubbles in the flow cell, affecting image quality and sequencing accuracy in high-throughput gene sequencing.

Innovation Solution

A fluidic system with a degassing device connected to a pipeline to remove gas from liquid, using a sealed chamber under negative pressure to degas the liquid before it enters the reaction device, and a control method to ensure the degassing device functions properly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas is present in sequencing reagents and nucleic acid samples, then the sequencing process can proceed normally, but bubbles form in the flow cell affecting image quality and sequencing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequencing accuracyVSAvoidbubble formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The degassing device performs preliminary removal of gas from the liquid before the liquid enters the flow cell. The system includes a degassing chamber where gas is extracted from the sequencing reagents and nucleic acid samples prior to they reaching the reaction site, preventing bubble formation during the sequencing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes gas from the liquid stream using a degassing device. The degassing chamber captures and separates gas bubbles from the liquid, allowing the gas to be removed while the degassed liquid continues to the flow cell, thereby eliminating the harmful bubbles that would otherwise form in the sequencing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a degassing device is added to remove gas from liquid, then bubble formation is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequencing qualityVSAvoidfluidic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The degassing chamber is integrated into the existing fluidic system architecture, merging the gas removal function with the liquid delivery system. The degassing device is positioned inline with the fluidic pathways, allowing gas removal without requiring separate independent systems, thus minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The degassing chamber serves as an intermediary component between the liquid source and the flow cell. It mediates the interaction between gas and liquid by providing a controlled environment where gas is removed from the liquid stream, acting as a buffer that prevents gas bubbles from reaching the sequencing process while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Reduces bubble formation in the reaction device, improving sequencing quality by ensuring gas is removed from the liquid, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of the sequencing process.

Implementation Method 1

the portion of the pipeline located within the sealed chamber is capable of, when the sealed chamber is under a negative pressure condition, allowing the gas in the liquid in the pipeline to permeate out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

allowing the gas in the liquid in the pipeline to permeate out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP4711038A1Fluidic system, control method, sequencing system, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 GENEMIND BIOSCIENCES CO LTD
  • EP4711038A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4711038A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4711038A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present application discloses a fluidic system, a control method, a sequencing system, and a storage medium. The fluidic system includes a reaction device, a pipeline, and a degassing device. The reaction device is configured to provide a site for carrying out biochemical reactions. The pipeline is in communication with the reaction device and configured to deliver liquid to the reaction device and/or receive liquid flowing out from the reaction device. The degassing device is connected to the pipeline and configured to remove gas from the liquid in the pipeline. In this way, by removing gas from the liquid in the pipeline using the degassing device, the formation of bubbles in the reaction device can be reduced.