Substrate-Based Liquid Transfer for Uniform Biochemical Reactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gene sequencing methods face high costs, inhomogeneous reactions, reagent wastage, and cross-contamination due to complex systems and mechanical handling, which limit throughput and sequencing performance.
Innovation Solution
A biochemical substance reaction device and liquid transfer method utilizing a substrate that moves over a reaction platform to precisely control liquid transfer, employing a controlled relative speed and sequence of reagents, including buffer reagents to minimize surface tension and prevent contamination, with temperature control and substrate materials optimized for uniform liquid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If flow cell technology is used with small gap between planar media, then reagent consumption is reduced, but assembly difficulty increases and surface acting forces dominate requiring more reagent for flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gap parameter from micrometer scale to millimeter scale (increasing by 1000 times), fundamentally altering the flow dynamics and eliminating surface acting forces dominance, while maintaining reagent efficiency through controlled fluid flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar 2D flow cell architecture to a 3D structured flow path system with channels and cavities, enabling optimized reagent flow and mixing while maintaining manageable gap dimensions for assembly
2Productivity
If flow velocity is increased to improve throughput, then sequencing speed increases, but upper plate may be broken by downward pressure and adsorbed onto chip damaging biological information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gap dimension from micrometers to millimeters, which fundamentally alters the pressure-velocity relationship, allowing high flow velocities without generating damaging downward pressures on the chip structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the flow cell structure with adequate gap spacing that inherently cushions against pressure buildup before it can reach damaging levels, preventing plate breakage and chip adsorption issues
3Loss of substance
If mechanical arm with dipping reagents is used to reduce reagent consumption, then cost decreases, but cross-contamination occurs and chips dry out due to uneven liquid thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dipping arm system with a controlled fluid flow system where reagents are delivered through defined flow paths, eliminating mechanical contact and associated cross-contamination risks while maintaining uniform liquid distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controlled fluid flow field as an intermediary between reagent storage and chip surface, enabling precise reagent delivery without direct mechanical contact, thus preventing cross-contamination while ensuring uniform thickness
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 approach reduces reagent consumption, minimizes cross-contamination, and enhances throughput by ensuring uniform liquid distribution and temperature control, thereby improving sequencing efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the substrate is controlled to pass over the reaction platform... A liquid is transferred between the moving substrate and the sample carrier by controlling a relative speed between them
Implementation Method 2
including buffer reagents to minimize surface tension and prevent contamination
Implementation Method 3
with temperature control and substrate materials optimized for uniform liquid distribution
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A liquid transfer device (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 81) for a liquid transfer with a sample carrier (32) of a reaction platform (3) is provided and includes a substrate (11, 21, 51, 61, 71), a driving device (14, 54, 64, 74), and a control device (17, 57, 67, 77). The control device (17, 57, 67, 77) is used to control the driving device (14, 54, 64, 74) to drive the substrate (11, 21, 51, 61, 71) to move towards the reaction platform (3). Such that the moving substrate (11, 21, 51, 61, 71) passes through the sample carrier (32) and transfers a liquid with the sample carrier (32). The liquid transfer refers to a transfer of a liquid carried by the substrate (11, 21, 51, 61, 71) to the sample carrier (32) and/or another transfer of the liquid on the sample carrier (32) to the substrate (11, 21, 51, 61, 71). A liquid transfer method, a biochemical substance reaction device (8), a biochemical substance analysis device (9a, 9b), and a biochemical substance analysis method are disclosed. A throughput of a biochemical reaction and analysis is improved, and a cost is lowered.