Flow cell assembly securement system and method

Abstract

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.

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.