# US 2026/0085352 A1 · Pulsed recharging for nanopore devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2026/0085352 A1 - Document ID: US20260085352A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 19/315,251 - Filed: 2025-08-29 - Published: 2026-03-26 - Earliest claimed: 2024-09-26 - Assignees: Illumina, Inc. - Applicants: Illumina, Inc. - Inventors: Christian Urban; Birch Simpson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260085352A1 ## CPC - C12Q 1/6874: involving nucleic acid arrays, e.g. sequencing by hybridisation - G01N 33/48721: {Investigating individual macromolecules, e.g. by translocation through nanopores (Coulter counters in general G01N15/12; fabrication methods for nanoscale apertures B81B1/00; sequencing of nucleic acids C12Q1/68)} - C12Q 1/6869: Methods for sequencing - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Systems and methods for nanopore sequencing are disclosed. The systems and methods are related to using pulsed voltage waveforms to replenish depleted ions in nanopore unit cells. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of sequencing nucleic acids using an array of nanopore cells, each nanopore cell comprising a protein nanopore, a trans well and a trans electrode, the method comprising controlling at least one nanopore cell by: (a) applying a sequencing waveform across the protein nanopore of the at least one nanopore cell, resulting in depletion of electrolytes in the trans well of the at least one nanopore cell; and (b) applying a pulsed recharging waveform across the protein nanopore, resulting in replenishment of electrolytes in the trans well. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sequencing waveform is DC, stepped, pulsed, AC, sinusoidal, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sequencing waveform comprises a negative constant voltage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the minimum of the sequencing waveform is more negative than the gating threshold voltage of the protein nanopore. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein applying the pulsed recharging waveform across the protein nanopore results in conformational changes and/or changes in the conductance of the protein nanopore. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein applying the pulsed recharging waveform across the protein nanopore modulates gating of the protein nanopore. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sequencing waveform drives ionic current from the trans side to the cis side of the at least one nanopore cell and the pulsed recharging waveform reverses the ionic current flow. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sequencing waveform and the pulsed recharging waveform have opposite signs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the pulsed recharging waveform is a positive voltage pulse having a shorter duration than the sequencing waveform. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the pulsed recharging waveform has a rectangular shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (a) and step (b) are repeated. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein no polynucleotide or moieties attached thereto are near or in the nanopore during application of the pulsed recharging waveform. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a polynucleotide and/or moieties attached thereto are near or in the nanopore during application of the sequencing waveform. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sequencing waveform and/or the pulsed recharging waveform are applied in a controlled voltage mode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sequencing waveform and/or the pulsed recharging waveform are applied in a controlled current mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, claims, further comprising measuring an electrical signal in the at least one nanopore cell when a polynucleotide and/or moieties attached thereto are near or in the protein nanopore of the at least one nanopore cell to determine one or more nucleobases in the polynucleotide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the trans electrode of each nanopore cell is individually addressable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein each nanopore cell is independently controlled. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein only one nanopore cell in the array is recharged at a given time. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein multiple nanopore cells in the array are recharged simultaneously.