Smartphone PCR device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a thermocycling unit for use with a conventional smartphone, as well as a method for the amplification of nucleic acid by using the same. The thermocycling unit makesuse of several built-in features of the smartphone and thus requires relatively lower complexity on the thermocycling unit itself.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention is in the field of analysis of biological samples, such as samples suspected of containing pathogens. In the field, it relates to an apparatus and method for performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in conjunction with a conventional smartphone. Background technique [0002] In recent years, point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics have become increasingly important and interesting. In many cases, it is advantageous to obtain diagnostic results in a faster and more efficient manner than the often time-consuming and logistically demanding transport of patient samples to central laboratories, even in e.g. hospitals Samples are collected at such locations. One example is point-of-care diagnostics—from taking a patient sample to submitting a diagnosis—in a doctor's office using an affordable and relatively easy-to-operate PoC device. This method also eliminates the hazards associated with what would otherwise be necessary to transport sam...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although the device utilizes some components of conventional smartphones, it still exhibits a level of sophistication that may contradict widespread use

For example, certain elements of the device disclosed in this reference may make it too expensive to be used as a standard PoC device by the patients themselves rather than by medical personnel in a doctor's office

Ease of use can also be a limiting factor in practice

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