Successive Optical Analysis System for NGS Flow Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) systems face challenges in detection accuracy due to complex configurations for optical signal detection and high noise levels, which also limit sequencing speed.
Innovation Solution
A successive optical analysis system is developed, featuring multiple optical analyzing units and stages that allow for sequential analysis of flow cells, simplifying the detection configuration and reducing noise. The system includes a conveying unit for aligning positions and a support unit for loading/unloading flow cells and supplying reagents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple optical analyzing units are used to simultaneously acquire signals from multiple bases, then sequencing speed is improved, but device complexity increases and detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical analysis function into multiple separate optical analyzing units, each dedicated to analyzing a specific base type. Instead of one complex unit handling all bases simultaneously, the system segments the analysis into sequential steps with dedicated units for each base, simplifying the optical configuration of each individual unit while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary separation and identification of different base types before detailed analysis. By pre-sorting and directing signals from different bases to their respective dedicated optical analyzing units, the system avoids the complexity of simultaneous multi-base analysis while maintaining sequencing speed.
2Productivity
If multiple optical analyzing units are used to simultaneously acquire signals from multiple bases, then sequencing speed is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical analysis into dedicated units for each base type, each unit can be optimized for its specific detection task, improving measurement precision for each base while maintaining overall sequencing speed through parallel processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each optical analyzing unit is configured with local optimization for its specific base type, using tailored optical filters and detection parameters suited to that particular base's fluorescence characteristics, thereby improving detection accuracy for each base individually.
3Ease of operation
If a long optical path is formed to acquire optical signals from specific bases, then signal acquisition is enabled, but detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the optical signal detection for each base type into separate optical analyzing units with dedicated optical paths. By taking out each base's signal acquisition into its own dedicated unit, the system avoids the need for long, complex shared optical paths while maintaining signal acquisition capability and improving detection accuracy through shorter, optimized paths.
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
The system improves detection accuracy by simplifying the optical signal detection configuration and reducing noise, while also enhancing analysis speed by enabling continuous optical analysis of flow cells.
Implementation Method 1
a light source which emits light
Implementation Method 2
an optical filter which allows an optical signal of a specific wavelength band to pass through
Implementation Method 3
an optical detector which detects the optical signal... When a reaction in which a complementary base binds to the base of the DNA fragment occurs, fluorescent light of the base is emitted
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a successive optical analysis system for optically analyzing a flow cell, including: at least one stage on which the flow cell is loaded; at least two optical analyzing units configured to optically analyze the flow cell loaded on the stage; and a conveying unit configured to convey at least one of the stage and the optical analyzing unit and align positions of the stage and the optical analyzing unit, and a successive optical analysis method using the same.