Single piece droplet generation and injection device for serial crystallography

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11624718-B2
Application number	US-202015930313-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2020
Priority date	May 14, 2019
Publication date	Apr 11, 2023
Grant date	Apr 11, 2023

Abstract

A single-piece hybrid droplet generator and nozzle component for serial crystallography. The single-piece hybrid droplet generator component including an internally-formed droplet-generation channel, an internally-formed sample channel, a nozzle, and a pair of electrode chambers. The droplet-generation channel extends from a first fluid inlet opening to the nozzle. The sample channel extends from a second fluid inlet opening to the droplet-generation channel and joins the droplet-generation channel at a junction. The nozzle is configured to eject a stream of segmented aqueous droplets in a carrier fluid from the droplet-generation channel through a nozzle opening of the single-piece component. The pair of electrode chambers are positioned adjacent to the droplet-generation channel near the junction between the droplet-generation channel and the sample channel. The timing of sample droplets in the stream of fluid ejected through the nozzle is controlled by applying a triggering signal to electrodes positioned in the electrode chambers of the single-piece component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A droplet generator system for serial crystallography comprising:
a single-piece component including
an internally-formed droplet-generation channel extending from a first fluid inlet opening to a nozzle of the single-piece component, wherein the first fluid inlet opening is positioned on a first exterior surface of the single-piece component;
an internally-formed sample channel extending from a second fluid inlet opening to the droplet-generation channel, wherein the second fluid inlet opening is positioned on the first exterior surface of the single-piece component, and wherein the sample channel joins the droplet-generation channel at a T-junction;
the nozzle extending from a second exterior surface of the single-piece component, the second exterior surface opposite the first exterior surface, the nozzle configured to eject a stream of segmented aqueous droplets in a carrier fluid from the droplet-generation channel through a nozzle opening of the nozzle;
a first pair of electrode chambers formed in a third exterior surface of the single-piece component, the third exterior surface oriented perpendicular to the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, the first pair of electrode chambers positioned adjacent to a first side of the droplet-generation channel near the T-junction between the droplet-generation channel and the sample channel;
a first pair of electrodes, wherein each electrode is positioned in one of the first pair of electrode chambers;
a second pair of electrode chambers formed in a fourth exterior surface of the single-piece component, the fourth exterior surface opposite the third exterior surface, the second pair of electrode chambers positioned adjacent to a second side of the droplet-generation channel and opposite the first pair of electrode chambers;
a second pair of electrodes, wherein each electrode is positioned in one of the second pair of electrode chambers; and
a pressurized gas channel extending from a gas inlet opening to an internal chamber of the nozzle, wherein the gas inlet opening is positioned on the first exterior surface of the single-piece component.

2. The droplet generator system of claim 1 ,
wherein the sample channel includes a curved section configured to redirect a fluid flow towards the junction.

3. The droplet generator system of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the droplet-generation channel is positioned in the internal chamber of the nozzle proximate to the nozzle opening such that fluid leaving the droplet-generation channel is expelled through the nozzle opening as a jetted stream coaxially with a pressurized gas received in the internal chamber of the nozzle.

4. The droplet generator system of claim 1 , wherein, when a sample fluid is supplied to the single-piece component through the sample channel and an oil fluid is supplied to the single-piece component through the droplet-generation channel, the sample fluid flows with the oil fluid at the junction as a sequence of sample fluid droplets in a stream of oil fluid.

5. The droplet generator system of claim 4 , further comprising a signal generator configured to apply a triggering signal to the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes, wherein the triggering signal applied by the electrodes controls a timing of the sample fluid droplets moving through the droplet-generation channel towards the nozzle.

6. The droplet generator system of claim 1 , wherein the single-piece component is selected from a group consisting of a 3D printed component and an injection molded component.

7. A method of operating the droplet generator system of claim 1 for serial crystallography, the method comprising:
controllably providing a sample fluid to the single-piece component through the first inlet opening at a first flow rate;
controllably providing an oil fluid to the single-piece component through the second inlet opening at a second flow rate, wherein the sample fluid flows with the oil fluid at the junction as a sequence of sample fluid droplets in a stream of the oil fluid;
adjustably controlling a frequency of sample fluid droplets in the stream of oil fluid by adjusting the first flow rate and the second flow rate; and
synchronizing a timing of the sample fluid droplets with a pulse timing of a laser for serial crystallography by applying a triggering signal to electrodes positioned in the electrode chambers of the single-piece component.

8. The droplet generator system of claim 1 , further comprising
an oil fluid supply system coupled to the first fluid inlet opening and configured to supply an oil fluid to the single-piece component;
a sample fluid supply system coupled to the first fluid inlet opening and configured to supply an oil fluid to the single-piece component;
a pressurized gas supply system coupled to the gas inlet opening and configured to supply the pressurized gas to the single-piece component; and
an electronic controller configured to
generate control signals to the oil fluid supply system and the sample fluid supply system to controllably regulate a rate at which the sample fluid and the oil fluid are pumped into the single-piece component, wherein the sample fluid flows with the oil fluid at the T-junction as a sequence of sample fluid droplets in the oil fluid stream, and
controllably regulates an electrical signal applied to the droplet-generation channel by the electrodes to adjust a timing at which the sample fluid droplets are ejected through the nozzle opening of the single-piece component.

Assignees

• Ros Alexandra
• Kim Daihyun
• Doppler Diandra
• Cruz Villarreal Jorvani
• Kirian Richard
• Nazari Reza
• Gandhi Sahir
• Univ Arizona State

Inventors

• Ros Alexandra
• Kim Daihyun
• Doppler Diandra
• Cruz Villarreal Jorvani
• Kirian Richard
• Nazari Reza
• Gandhi Sahir

Classifications

• G01N23/20025 Primary

  Sample holders or supports therefor · CPC title

• G01N2223/30

  Accessories, mechanical or electrical features · CPC title

• B01L3/502715

  characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces · CPC title

• G01N2223/612

  biological material · CPC title

• G01N2223/604

  monocrystal · CPC title