Flowcell cartridge with floating seal bracket
A cartridge for use with chemical or biological analysis systems, as well as methods of using the same, is provided. The cartridge may include a floating microfluidic plate that is held in the cartridge using one or more floating support brackets that incorporate gaskets that may seal against fluidic ports on the microfluidic plate. The floating support brackets may include indexing features that may align the microfluidic plate with the seals.
1. A microfluidic cartridge comprising:
a frame;
a microfluidic plate positioned within the frame, wherein the microfluidic plate floats relative to the frame, the microfluidic plate comprising a first side, a first edge, and a plurality of first fluidic ports located in the first side;
a support bracket positioned within the frame, wherein the support bracket floats relative to the microfluidic plate and the frame, the support bracket comprising:
a plurality of seals supported by the support bracket, each seal of the plurality of seals positioned to interface with a corresponding first fluidic port of the plurality of first fluidic ports, and
a plurality of alignment holes corresponding to a first plurality of indexing features located on an analysis device, the plurality of alignment holes configured to align the plurality of seals with corresponding analysis device ports located on the analysis device; and
wherein the frame includes a plurality of apertures proximate the first edge of the microfluidic plate, the plurality of apertures corresponding to a second plurality of indexing features located on the analysis device, and
wherein the second plurality of indexing features engage the microfluidic plate and the first plurality of indexing features engage the plurality of alignment holes to align the plurality of first fluidic ports, the plurality of seals, and the second fluidic ports when the microfluidic cartridge is installed in the analysis device.
2. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of teeth extending from the support bracket, wherein the plurality of teeth engage with the frame and partially constrain movement of the support bracket in a direction parallel to the first edge and relative to the frame.
3. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein each seal of the plurality of seals has a through-hole passing through the seal to fluidically connect the plurality of first fluidic ports to the analysis device ports.
4. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of seals is received in the support bracket.
5. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of seals is co-molded with the support bracket.
6. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of retaining clips that hold the microfluidic plate and the support bracket within the frame.
7. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 6 , wherein:
the plurality of retaining clips comprises at least two opposing retaining clips spaced apart by a distance,
the microfluidic plate has a width in a direction spanning between the opposing retaining clips that is less than the distance.
8. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of alignment holes comprises an alignment hole having a countersink portion that narrows to direct a corresponding indexing feature of the second plurality of indexing features toward the center of the alignment hole.
9. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of alignment holes comprises a circular alignment hole to constrain movement of the support bracket along perpendicular axes of the microfluidic plate and an obround alignment hole to constrain movement of the support bracket along at least one of the perpendicular axes.
10. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 1 , wherein:
the frame has a substantially rectangular opening,
the microfluidic plate sits within the substantially rectangular opening,
the substantially rectangular opening has opposing side walls that face towards one another, and
the plurality of apertures comprises two apertures located in one of the opposing side walls.
11. The microfluidic cartridge of claim 10 , wherein the frame comprises an overlapping portion that overlaps a portion of the microfluidic plate.