US 12,287,299 B2 · Single piece droplet generation and injection device for serial crystallography

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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A sample ejection system comprising:

a first fluid channel;
a first reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel, the first reservoir configured to contain an oil;
a first pump in fluid communication with the first reservoir, the first pump configured to move the oil from the first reservoir through the first fluid channel to a nozzle, the first pump configured to regulate a rate of oil pumped from the first reservoir into the first fluid channel;
a second fluid channel intersecting the first fluid channel at a T-junction;
a second reservoir in fluid communication with the second fluid channel, the second reservoir configured to contain a volume of a crystal sample suspended in an aqueous fluid;
and
a second pump in fluid communication with the second reservoir, the second pump configured to move the crystal sample from the second reservoir through the second fluid channel to the nozzle, the second pump configured to regulate a rate of crystal sample pumped from the second reservoir into the second fluid channel;
wherein the crystal sample and the oil combine at the T-junction forming a combined fluid stream.

5 more elements

A sample ejection system for serial crystallography, the system comprising:

a gas dynamic virtual nozzle;
a housing including
a first fluid channel in communication with the nozzle,
a first reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel, the first reservoir configured to contain an oil fluid,
a first pump in fluid communication with the first reservoir,
a second fluid channel intersecting the first fluid channel at a T-junction;
a second reservoir in fluid communication with the second fluid channel, the second reservoir configured to contain a sample fluid, and
a second pump in fluid communication with the second reservoir;
and
an electronic controller configured to
generate an output stream by activating the first pump to move the first fluid from the first reservoir through the first fluid channel to the nozzle, and by activating the second pump to move the sample fluid from the second reservoir through the second fluid channel to the nozzle, wherein the output stream includes a series of droplets of the sample fluid in the oil fluid,
activate a laser source to generate a laser beam to interact with the output stream, and
process image data from an imaging sensor, the image data including diffraction data of the laser beam interacting with the output stream, to determine a molecular structure or other property of the sample fluid.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Single piece droplet generation and injection device for serial crystallography

Life of this patent

Single piece droplet generation and injection device for serial crystallography

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20