Systems and Methods to Control Dissolved Gas

Abstract

A method of sensing nucleotide reactions includes flowing at least one nucleotide solution from a container of at least two containers of a sensor system. The sensor system includes a sensor sensitive to a byproduct of nucleotide incorporation. Each container of the at least two containers includes a different nucleotide solution. The sensor system enters an idle mode after flowing. The method further includes cycling the at least two containers through at least two cycles. Each cycle includes depressurizing the at least two containers for a first period and pressurizing the at least two containers for a second period. The method also includes pressurizing the at least two containers when the sensor system enters an active mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least two containers, each container of the at least two containers including a different nucleotide solution;   a degasser in fluid communication with a container of the at least two containers, the degasser to receive a nucleotide solution from the container of the at least two containers and to separate dissolved gas from the nucleotide solution received from the container of the at least two containers; and   a flow chamber in fluid communication with the degasser, a sensor disposed within the flow chamber, the sensor sensitive to a byproduct of nucleotide incorporation.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an ISFET sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the ISFET sensor is disposed within a reaction chamber disposed within the flow chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the reaction chamber has a volume in a range of 0.01 fL to 10 pL. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the degasser includes a gas permeable tubing in fluid communication with the at least two containers. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the gas permeable tube includes a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the byproduct influences pH. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow control device in fluid communication between the degasser and the flow chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow control device, the degasser in fluid communication between the flow control device and the flow chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum device operatively coupled to the degasser. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an inert gas system in fluid communication with the at least two containers. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least two containers, each container of the at least two containers including a different nucleotide solution;   a degasser in fluid communication with a container of the at least two containers, the degasser to receive a nucleotide solution from the container of the at least two containers and to separate dissolved gas from the nucleotide solution received from the container of the at least two containers; and   a flow chamber in fluid communication with the degasser, an ISFET sensor disposed within the flow chamber, the ISFET sensor sensitive to a change in pH resulting from nucleotide incorporation.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the ISFET sensor is disposed within a reaction chamber disposed within the flow chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the reaction chamber has a volume in a range of 0.01 fL to 10 pL. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the degasser includes a gas permeable tubing in fluid communication with the at least two containers. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the gas permeable tube includes a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a flow control device in fluid communication between the degasser and the flow chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a flow control device, the degasser in fluid communication between the flow control device and the flow chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a vacuum device operatively coupled to the degasser. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an inert gas system in fluid communication with the at least two containers.