Custom Flow Cell Gasket and Assemblies and Methods Thereof
Various embodiments of a custom gasket for use in a flow cell assembly are disclosed. In various embodiments of a custom gasket for a flow cell assembly, the gasket may have a compressible wedge providing a fluid-tight seal at a gasket-fluid interface. In various embodiments of a custom gasket for a flow cell assembly, the gasket may provide a zero dead volume flow path in a flow cell, enabling features such as decreased fluid carry-over and decreased flow cell wash time in comparison to conventional flow cell gaskets.
1 . A gasket for sealing a flow cell assembly comprising:
a body comprising a foot for seating the gasket in the flow cell, and a spacer defining the flow cell volume;
a spacer lip orthogonal to the gasket body and oriented into the flow cell, wherein the spacer lip is adapted to provide a reduced dead volume flow path in the flow cell; and
a compressible wedge portion of the spacer lip, wherein the compressible wedge provides a seal for the flow cell.
2 . The gasket of claim 1 , further comprising a plate adapted to seat the gasket.
3 . The gasket of claim 2 , wherein the plate contains a gasket groove adapted to seat the gasket on the plate in a predetermined location and orientation.
4 . The gasket of claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises a material with substantially no intrinsic fluorescence.
5 . The gasket of claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises a non-inhibitory material so as to permit reactions for biological analysis to be conducted within the flow cell.
6 . The gasket of claim 1 , wherein the reduced dead volume flow path reduces fluidic carryover during flow cell washes.
7 . The gasket of claim 1 , wherein the reduced dead volume flow path comprises a substantially zero dead volume flow path.
8 . The gasket of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is pre-treated to alter its surface energy properties.
9 . A flow cell assembly comprising:
a plate, wherein the plate is adapted to seat a gasket;
the gasket comprising:
a body comprising a foot for seating the gasket in the flow cell, and a spacer defining the flow cell volume;
a spacer lip orthogonal to the gasket body and oriented into the flow cell, wherein the spacer lip is adapted to provide a reduced dead volume flow path in the flow cell;
a compressible wedge portion of the spacer lip, wherein the compressible wedge portion provides a seal for the flow cell; and
a cover, wherein the gasket is disposed between the plate and the cover so that the gasket provides a reduced dead volume seal in the flow cell assembly.
10 . The gasket of claim 9 , wherein the plate contains a gasket groove adapted to seat the gasket on the plate in a predetermined location and orientation.
11 . The gasket of claim 9 , wherein the gasket comprises a material with substantially no intrinsic fluorescence.
12 . The gasket of claim 9 , wherein the gasket comprises a non-inhibitory material so as to permit reactions for biological analysis to be conducted within the flow cell.
13 . The gasket of claim 9 , wherein the gasket is pre-treated to alter its surface energy properties.
14 . The gasket of claim 9 , wherein the reduced dead volume flow path reduces fluidic carryover during flow cell washes.
15 . The gasket of claim 9 , wherein the reduced dead volume flow path comprises a substantially zero dead volume flow path.
16 . A method for sealing a flow cell comprising:
providing a flow cell assembly comprising a plate, a gasket, and a cover, wherein the plate is adapted to seat a gasket;
mounting the gasket in the plate, wherein the gasket comprises:
a body comprising a foot for seating the gasket in the flow cell, and a spacer defining the flow cell volume;
a spacer lip orthogonal to the gasket body and oriented into the flow cell, wherein the spacer lip is adapted to provide a reduced dead volume flow path in the flow cell;
a compressible wedge portion of the spacer lip, wherein the compressible wedge portion provides a seal for the flow cell; and
sealing the plate, gasket, and cover wherein the gasket provides a zero dead volume compression seal for the flow cell assembly.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the plate contains a gasket groove adapted to seat the gasket on the plate in a predetermined location and orientation.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the gasket comprises a material with substantially no intrinsic fluorescence.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the gasket comprises a non-inhibitory material so as to permit reactions for biological analysis to be conducted within the flow cell.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the gasket is pre-treated to alter its surface energy properties.
21 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the reduced dead volume flow path reduces fluidic carryover during flow cell washes.
22 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the reduced dead volume flow path comprises a substantially zero dead volume flow path.