FLOW CELL ASSEMBLY SECUREMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
A flow cell and cartridge assembly may be loaded into a processing system, such as for genetic sequencing. The system locates the assembly and is then actuated to move the assembly to a desired reference position in both X- and Y-directions. Further actuation causes clamps to contact the flow cell, the cartridge, or both to exert a hold-down force during processing. Further hold-down forces may be provided by a vacuum chuck. Fluid connections are also made by manifolds that contact the flow cell. The hold-down forces counteract the forces needed for sealing the manifolds to the flow cell.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/359,848 filed Nov. 23, 2016. The entire content of the aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDMicroarrays are used increasingly for a number of purposes, particularly in the processing and detection of analytes of interest, such as in biological applications. In such settings, microarrays are formed on a substrate, and analytes, such as molecules of interest, may be formed or deposited at sites on the substrate. The microarrays may be employed for building, imaging, or analyzing biological material, such as strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), although many other analytes may be loaded and processed. When employed for DNA and RNA analysis, such microarrays may be used to bind, build (e.g., hybridize), and study fragments of these molecules. When the molecules originate from a test subject or patient, the processing may reveal sequences of the nucleic acids making up the fragments, and these may be pieced together to determine all of part of the genome of the subject.
In many applications, microarrays are located in an assembly called a flow cell for processing. The flow cell protects the microarrays and the molecules loaded on them, and allows for introduction of other chemistry into the environment of the microarray, such as for reaction with the loaded molecule. The flow cells also often allow for imaging of the sites at which the molecules are bound, and resulting image data is used for the desired analysis.
As this technology has improved, conventional flow cell designs, and the design of the equipment that allows them to be loaded and properly positioned for processing have evolved. In many instances, important in these designs are not only the reliability of the protection and robustness of the flow cells, but also the high degree of accuracy with which they allow positioning of the flow cells (and microarrays) with respect to processing and imaging components. Tolerances for such components may be demanding, particularly for imaging and, where movement is involved, displacement of the flow cells. Sealed fluid connections are also useful, and these may be made rapidly and accurately. Moreover, to improve throughput, many or all of these operations may be automated or semi-automated, including the securement and positioning of the flow cells, and the completion of the fluid connections.
There is, therefore, a continuing need for improved techniques for accommodating microarrays in processing and imaging equipment, and a particular need for reliable and efficient flow cell designs, and designs of systems that secure the flow cells into processing equipment.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure describes a flow cell securement system and method designed to respond to such needs. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a securement system for a microarray flow cell assembly may comprise a support that in operation receives the flow cell assembly, and securement arms actuatable to draw the flow cell assembly into engagement towards the support in a Z-direction perpendicular to a plane of the flow cell assembly. The system also includes a first driving element actuatable to urge the flow cell assembly into a first reference position in an X-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction, a second driving element actuatable to urge the flow cell assembly into a second reference position in a Y-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction and to the X-direction. An actuating system, in a single securement operation, actuates the securement arms to draw the flow cell assembly towards the support in the Z-direction, actuates the first driving element to urge the flow cell assembly into the first reference position in the X-direction, and actuates the second driving element to urge the flow cell assembly into the second reference position in the Y-direction.
Also disclosed is a securement system for a microarray flow cell assembly that may comprise a support that in operation receives the flow cell assembly, and a securement and locating assembly that, through a single operation, engages the flow cell assembly to urge the flow cell assembly towards the support in a Z-direction perpendicular to a plane of the flow cell assembly, and into a first reference position in an X-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction, and into a second reference position in a Y-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction and to the X-direction.
Also disclosed is a method for securing a flow cell assembly in a processing apparatus that may comprise disposing the flow cell assembly on a support of the processing apparatus, and actuating a securement and locating assembly that, through a single operation, engages the flow cell assembly to urge the flow cell assembly towards the support in a Z-direction perpendicular to a plane of the flow cell assembly, and into a first reference position in an X-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction, and into a second reference position in a Y-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction and to the X-direction.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Turning now to the drawings and referring first to
Once the sample is prepared in the flow cell and its cartridge, it can be placed in the sequencing instrument 14 as indicated diagrammatically in
The instrument will also include an imaging system and associated control circuitry 26. While many different technologies may be used for imaging, or more generally for detecting the molecules at the array sites, presently contemplated embodiments may make use of confocal optical imaging at wavelengths that cause excitation of fluorescent tags. The tags, excited by virtue of their absorption spectrum, in turn return fluorescent signals by virtue of their emission spectrum. The imaging system is adapted to capture such signals, to process pixelated image data at a resolution that allows for analysis of the signal-emitting sites, and to process and store the resulting image data (or data derived from it).
The instrument further includes a fluidics system and associated control circuitry 28. The fluidics system permits specific fluids, which may include molecules that can be attached to the sites of the array to be introduced into the flow cell at appropriate times during the cyclical processing and analysis. The fluidics system may include valves for this purpose, as well as pumps or any other fluid pressurizing or conveyance components that access the desired fluids during the process, and cause them to be introduced in controlled ways through the flow cell. The fluidics system, or another of parallel system, may also control temperatures in the photocell, both by heating and cooling.
Block 30 in
The interface circuitry 36 may also allow the system to interface with external or remote systems and memory as indicated by reference numeral 40. Such external systems may be local to the instrument, or at remote locations. Moreover, many analysis tasks may be performed after processing of sample, and even at much later times or at different locations. The external memory may also include cloud-based data storage. The stored data and subsequent analysis may allow for reading of image data, processing of image data to identify molecules in the sample, storage and processing of data for sequencing and a compilation of extended lengths of molecules, genomic sequencing, and so forth.
In the embodiment illustrated in
Reference numeral 44 in
Fluidics control programming 46 allows for sequencing of fluidics elements, such as valves, pumps, pressure and flow sensors, manifold control elements, and so forth. In general, the fluidics control programming will be integrated with elements of the cartridge and flow cell securement programming to allow for initiation of fluidics control signals after the photocell and cartridge are secured in place and sealed connections are made to the fluidics manifolds.
Optics system control programming 48 allows the processing circuitry to move either the optics or the cartridge and flow cell, or both for imaging the sites of the array. In an example sequencing application, for example, once the appropriate molecules have been introduced and attached at the sites, the fluidics control programming may permit flushing of the flow cell, followed by movement of the flow cell to desired positions for imaging by the imaging system. Once imaging is completed in a particular cycle, further instructions can be issued to move the flow cell, to move the optical system, to introduce fluids and constituents for a successive operations of sequencing, and so forth until all desired sequencing has been completed.
As noted above, the processing circuitry, in conjunction with interface circuits not illustrated in
It may be noted that reference is made in the present disclosure to directions of a coordinate system in terms of X-, Y-, and Z-directions or axes. In this Cartesian coordinate system, the X- and Y-directions are those aligned with the length and width of the flow cell, and are orthogonal (perpendicular) to one another. Together, they define an X-Y plane corresponding to the plane of the flow cell, or a plane parallel to the plane of the flow cell. The Z-direction is orthogonal (perpendicular) to that X- and Y-directions. In many embodiments, imaging optics may be moveable in the X- and Y-directions to allow for imaging of different parts of the flow cell (or the flow cell may be moveable along the X- and Y-directions, or both the imagine components and the flow cell may be movable along the X- and Y-directions), and the imaging optics or the flow cell, or both, may be movable in the Z-direction to permit focusing of the imaging system on the sites of the flow cell.
In a location below the cartridge and flow cell is a vacuum chuck 98. The vacuum chuck allows for providing a negative pressure that, when the flow cell is mounted in the system, will draw the flow cell into closer engagement with the surface of the vacuum chuck. The resulting force aids in holding the flow cell in place, and in maintaining a flatter or more planar surface for processing and imaging.
A common-side securement assembly 100 is provided on the ingress side of the cartridge and flow cell, while a post-side securement assembly 102 is provided on the opposite end. Visible in
Turning to the structures of the securement assemblies, advantageously, many of the components on the common and post sides are identical, further reducing the number of different parts in the overall system. Both securement assemblies are designed to move to a loading or open position to accept a cartridge and flow cell, and may be actuated to carry a programmed and automated sequence of actions to move the cartridge and flow cell to X- and Y-reference positions, and to clamp the flow cell securely place for processing. Moreover, the sequence of operations carried out by the assemblies also allows for automatic sealed connections for fluids used during processing.
From the open position shown in
Also visible in the figures are springs 140 that fit within the manifolds 106. These springs urge the manifolds upwardly into engagement with the flow cell. A notch and pawl arrangement is provided internally that catches the manifolds to pull them downwardly in opposition to the forces of the springs 140 when the cartridge and flow cell are disengaged in the open position of the securement assemblies. The pawl is visible in
Referring to
In the current implementation shown, the assembly is designed to move between three positions, the first being the open position illustrated in
Several points may be noted about the manifolds as they are employed in the illustrated embodiment. First, as noted, they are mounted to be biased into their engaged positions and are pulled downwardly from their engaged positions by pawls P that are moved by movement of the securement assembly mechanisms. The manifolds are loosely guided and “float” by virtue of their being mounted on the posts that are inserted into somewhat oversized elongated openings in each manifold. Moreover, the housing structures surrounding the manifolds are similarly oversized so at not to fit too closely around the manifold, allowing it to move freely and to self-align when engaging the gaskets of the flow cell. Also, the manifolds may be easily removed from the structure for cleaning or replacement. For this a thin tool may be inserted between the housing and the back of the manifold to depress the pawl (see, e.g.,
Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, each manifold is further aligned by engagement with the flow cell as it is engaged into its sealed position. For this, small pins “p” are provided on the cartridge (see
By actuating the motor, then, this gear train is caused to move to perform a number of movements. These include lateral sliding movement of the clamp arms along the shaft, under the influence of the spring 128 and the helical cam 130 and follower 132 to move the flow cell to the X-direction reference position; movement of the clamp arms to the “hover” position (and later to the clamped position in contact with the flow cell, the cartridge or both) by rotation of the clamp shaft 124; and movement of the spring crank 156 on the shaft 158 (with extension of the springs 136 to exert a force on the lever arms 126. It may be noted that the same actions are carried out on both sides of the cartridge and flow cell.
It may also be noted that the assemblies comprise a sensor for position feedback of the moving elements. In the illustrated embodiment, this includes a “home position” sensor 174 (such as an optical sensor) that detects the position or orientation of the “home sensor” or “flag” gear 168 (e.g., by detecting an edge formed in this gear). This feedback allows the control circuitry to confirm that the mechanism is in the initial or “home” position from which the movements to the “hover” and “clamped” positions are carried out.
It may be further noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the clamp shaft 142 carries followers 176 (see
Moreover, as noted above, in the illustrated embodiment the manifolds are biased by springs 140 towards an upwards or sealing engaged position. In an inner side of the manifolds a notch is formed that engages a pawl that is, in turn, moved upwardly and downwardly by one of the cam followers described above. The manifolds are thereby allowed to move upwardly at the appropriate time in the engagement process, and are moved downwardly, out of engagement, by the opposite motion of the mechanism.
As noted, the mechanism of the post-side securement assembly 102 is identical to that of the common-side securement assembly 100, but in the illustrated embodiment, the post-side assembly also provides for urging the cartridge and flow cell to a Y-direction reference position. The assembly 102, shown in greater detail in
The movements of the assemblies and their constituent parts follow a pre-established routine that allows for all of the multiple movements and engagements for properly locating and securing the cartridge and flow cell as outlined above. These are commanded by the control circuitry described, and based upon initiation of the process, which may be manually initiated, or that may be partially or fully automated, and based upon feedback, such as from the “home position” sensor mentioned. In the presently contemplated implementation, the engagement and locating operations are fully automated once the engagement and securement process has been initiated.
It may be noted that the securement of the flow cell, the location of the flow cell to the X-direction reference position, the location of the flow cell to the Y-direction reference position, and the engagement of the flow cell to the sealed fluid connections is performed in a single, automated securement operation. That is, once the engagement, locating, and securement operations are initiated, the operations are performed in an automated operation that does not require further intervention. In the illustrated embodiment this is performed by engagement or energizing three motors, the two main motors on the common- and post-sides for moving to the “hover” and clamped positions and for moving the flow cell to the X-direction reference position, and for releasing the manifolds, and the third motor on the one side only for moving the flow cell to the Y-direction reference position. The order of some of the operations may be altered, of course, as may certain of the structures without deviating from the single-operation approach outlined.
It may also be noted that in the illustrated embodiment the final engagements for securement, positioning, and fluid connections are stable and biased by springs. Indeed, the structure is stable in all three positions described, open, hover, and clamped. This is particularly advantageous insomuch as no motors need to be energized or active during sequencing, reducing the chance of movement or shaking due to vibrations that could be induced by the motors.
The components of the assemblies described above may be made of any suitable materials, and most of the mechanical parts (other than elements such as bearings and springs) maybe molded and/or molded and machined to their final configuration. However, certain materials may be desirable for making in certain of the components. For example, to reduce friction some of the parts may be made of or coated with a friction-reducing material. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the clamp shaft and helical cam may be coated with a polymer, for example a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating. In the same embodiment, the clamps themselves may be made of a PTFE-impregnated hard anodized material, particularly to provide for ease of displacement along the shaft (particularly the bores of the clamp parts). The hard anodized material may be, for example, a metal, a ceramic, or a composite thereof. Moreover, at least some of the housing parts may be made of a material that insulates the structures somewhat, such as a polymer such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK). In this embodiment, because the vacuum chuck may be heated and cooled to control the temperature of the flow cell, the use of such materials reduced the effect of the securement structures on the flow cell temperature regulation.
It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A system, comprising:
- a support that receives a flow cell assembly, the support comprising an X-direction locator element; and
- a securement and locating assembly comprising a first driving element and a second driving element that, through a single operation, engages the flow cell assembly to urge the flow cell assembly towards the support in a Z-direction perpendicular to a plane of the flow cell assembly, and into a first reference position against the X-direction locator element in an X-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction using the first driving element, and into a second reference position against a Y-direction locator element in a Y-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction and to the X-direction using the second driving element.
2. The securement system of claim 1, wherein the securement and locating assembly comprises a first assembly on an inlet side of the flow cell assembly, and a second assembly on an outlet side of the flow cell assembly, wherein the first driving element comprises a pair of electric motors and the second driving element comprises a third motor, and wherein the single operation includes actuation of the pair of electric motors for moving the flow cell assembly towards the first reference position, and the third motor for moving the flow cell towards the second reference position.
3. The securement system of claim 1, further comprising elastomeric elements disposed on a surface of the flow cell assembly at an inlet side and an outlet side that mate with fluid passages of the flow cell assembly to establish sealed fluid flow paths with the flow cell assembly when the flow cell is positioned in the first and second reference positions.
4. A method, comprising:
- disposing a flow cell assembly on a support of a processing apparatus, the support comprising an X-direction locator element; and
- actuating a securement and locating assembly comprising a first driving element and a second driving element that, through a single operation, engages the flow cell assembly to urge the flow cell assembly towards the support in a Z-direction perpendicular to a plane of the flow cell assembly, and into a first reference position against the X-direction locator element in an X-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction using the first driving element, and into a second reference position against a Y-direction locator element in a Y-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction and to the X-direction using the second driving element.
5. The method of claim 4, comprising establishing sealed fluid paths with the flow cell assembly by moving manifolds against elastomeric elements on inlet and outlet sides of the flow cell assembly.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the flow cell assembly comprises a frame structure surrounding a flow cell, and wherein the securement and locating assembly comprises arms, and the first driving element and second driving element] only contact the flow cell and not the frame structure.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein actuating the securement and locating assembly comprises actuating a first assembly on an inlet side of the flow cell assembly, and a second assembly on an outlet side of the flow cell assembly.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the first driving element comprises a pair of electric motors and the second driving element comprises a third motor, wherein the single operation includes actuation of a pair of electric motors for moving the flow cell assembly towards the first reference position, and a third motor for moving the flow cell towards the second reference position.
9. A system comprising:
- a support configured to receive a flow cell assembly, the support comprising an X-direction locator element;
- a securement assembly having an arm, the arm actuatable to draw the flow cell assembly into engagement towards the support in a Z-direction to a plane of the flow cell assembly;
- a first driving element actuatable to urge the flow cell assembly into a first reference position in an X-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction against the X-direction locator element;
- a second driving element actuatable to urge the flow cell assembly into a second reference position in a Y-direction perpendicular to the Z-direction and to the X-direction against a Y-direction locator element; and
- an actuating system operatively connected to the arm, the first driving element, and the second driving element, the actuating system to, in a single securement operation, actuate the arm to draw the flow cell assembly towards the support in the Z-direction, actuate the first driving element to urge the flow cell assembly into the first reference position against the X-direction locator element in the X-direction, and actuate the second driving element to urge the flow cell assembly into the second reference position against the Y-direction locator element in the Y-direction.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a fluid connection configured to form a fluid flow path with the flow cell assembly when the flow cell assembly is positioned in the first and second reference positions.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the fluid connection comprises a manifold that is moveable by the actuating system to complete a sealed fluid connection with a first side of the flow cell assembly.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the manifold is to fluidically couple with an elastomeric element of the flow cell assembly for sealing the fluid flow path.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the fluid connection comprises a manifold to be positioned relative to a first side of the flow cell assembly.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the manifold is spring-biased upwardly via a spring against a force exerted by the arm.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the arm is configured to contact an upper side of the flow cell assembly on a first side of the flow cell assembly.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the actuating system includes a first electric motor for moving the flow cell assembly towards the first reference position, and a second motor for moving the flow cell towards the second reference position.
17. The system of claim 9, wherein the arm, the first driving element, and the second driving element are each configured to contact at least one of a frame structure of the flow cell assembly or a flow cell of the flow cell assembly when actuated by the actuating system when the flow cell assembly is received by the support.
18. The system of claim 9, wherein the first driving element comprises a helical surface configured to urge the flow cell assembly towards the first reference position.
19. The system of claim 9, wherein the arm is biased in a clamped position by a biasing spring.
20. The system of claim 9, wherein the support comprises a vacuum chuck.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 23, 2020
Publication Date: Oct 8, 2020
Inventors: Anthony John de Ruyter (San Diego, CA), Patrick Kehl (San Diego, CA), Thomas McGee (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 16/909,556