Detection module and use method thereof
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202280099685.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-04
AI Technical Summary
In biochemical analysis, the detection throughput of existing detection systems is limited by the scale of the chip module array in a two-dimensional plane, resulting in limited throughput of a single module. Increasing detection channel density or scale to optimize costs faces physical limits and reagent consumption. Added challenge.
Using a three-dimensionally arranged detection module, at least two chip carrier boards are installed on different sides of the fluid tank, and a sensor chip is installed on each carrier board to form a multi-dimensional three-dimensional structure to increase the detection throughput without significantly increasing the amount of reagents. In this case, increase the detection channel size or density.
It effectively improves detection throughput and parallel detection capabilities, reduces detection costs, is suitable for applications such as gene sequencing and targeted gene diagnosis, and achieves efficient detection of biomolecules.
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Figure CN119768810A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Detection module and its usage Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of biochemical technology, and more particularly, to a detection module capable of improving detection throughput in biochemical analysis and a method for using the same. Background Art
[0002] In the field of biochemistry, various detection systems are often used to perform various tests on chemical or biological samples, such as component analysis or gene sequencing using microarrays. In these detection systems, increasing the detection throughput is often necessary to optimize the average cost of testing.
[0003] The parallel detection capability or throughput of the molecular detection system is limited by the array size of the detection chip module. Due to the characteristics of circuit technology and the capabilities of chip manufacturing technology, the detection array size of a single chip module in a two-dimensional plane is always limited, and the single module throughput is limited. If the detection array size and detection flux are expanded simply by increasing the chip area in a two-dimensional plane, the amount of reagents used will also increase by at least the same proportion, which does not have much benefit in balancing the flux and the unit cost of detection; and simply increasing the channel density within a single chip surface is also technically very challenging and has physical limits. Therefore, increasing the scale or density of detection channels within the surface without significantly increasing the amount of reagents used will be very meaningful and challenging for cost optimization of molecular detection.
[0004] Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present disclosure is proposed to overcome at least one of the above and other problems and drawbacks of the prior art.
[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an embodiment provides a detection module for performing biochemical analysis on a target sample, comprising: a fluid tank defining a fluid channel that allows a carrier reagent carrying a target sample to be detected to flow through; and at least two chip carriers, the at least two chip carriers being arranged on different sides of the fluid tank to be oriented in different directions, each chip carrier carrying a sensor chip, the respective sensor chips carried on the at least two chip carriers facing the same fluid channel of the fluid tank so that the target sample in the carrier reagent located in the fluid channel can be loaded onto the sensor chip, and each sensor chip is configured to measure characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon to generate characteristic data.
[0007] In some embodiments, the fluid reservoir further has an inlet and an outlet communicating with the fluid channel, so as to allow the carrier reagent to be injected into the fluid channel through the inlet, flow through the fluid channel, and be discharged through the outlet.
[0008] In some embodiments, at least one of the sensor chips forms an array of feature sites, each feature site being configured to allow a target sample to be loaded or attached at the feature site.
[0009] In some embodiments, one or more sensor chips are mounted on each chip carrier.
[0010] In some embodiments, at least one of the sensor chips includes an array of sensor elements for sensing properties associated with the loaded target sample.
[0011] In some embodiments, each sensor element includes: a photoelectric sensor for sensing a fluorescent signal generated in response to the loading and / or biochemical reaction of the target sample on the corresponding sensor chip to generate the corresponding characteristic data; or an electrical sensor for sensing an electrical signal generated in response to the loading and / or biochemical reaction of the target sample on the corresponding sensor chip to generate the corresponding characteristic data.
[0012] In some embodiments, the at least two chip carriers include: a first chip carrier, which is suitable for being sealedly assembled to one side of the fluid groove; and a second chip carrier, which is suitable for being sealedly assembled to the other side opposite to the fluid groove, so that the first chip carrier, the fluid groove and the second chip carrier are stacked in this order; and the sensor chip includes: a first sensor chip, which is mounted on the first chip carrier to be exposed to the carrier reagent in the fluid channel so that the target sample in the carrier reagent can be loaded onto the first sensor chip, and the first sensor chip is configured to measure characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon to generate first characteristic data; and a second sensor chip, which is mounted on the second chip carrier to be exposed to the carrier reagent in the same fluid channel so that the target sample in the carrier reagent can be loaded onto the second sensor chip, and the second sensor chip is configured to measure characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon to generate second characteristic data.
[0013] In some embodiments, the first sensor chip and the second sensor chip are located in the same fluid channel in a manner of facing or offsetting each other and being spaced apart in a stacking direction.
[0014] In some embodiments, the detection module is a component of a detection system including a data processor, and the detection module also includes: a first signal connector arranged on the first chip carrier board or the first sensor chip, and the first characteristic data is transmitted to the data processor via the first signal connector; and a second signal connector arranged on the second chip carrier board or the second sensor chip, and the second characteristic data is transmitted to the data processor via the second signal connector.
[0015] In some embodiments, at least one of the first signal connector and the second signal connector is adapted to be electrically connected to the data processor via wire or wirelessly.
[0016] In some embodiments, the first signal connector is disposed on a side surface of the first chip carrier or on a surface facing away from the fluid tank, and / or the second signal connector is disposed on a side surface of the second chip carrier or on a surface facing away from the fluid tank.
[0017] In some embodiments, the first signal connector is arranged on the first chip carrier, the second signal connector is arranged on the second chip carrier, and the detection module further includes a third signal connector, the third signal connector is arranged on the first chip carrier and electrically connected to the first signal connector, and the third signal connector is suitable for mating with the second signal connector to allow the second characteristic data to be transmitted to the data processor via the second signal connector, the third signal connector and the first signal connector in sequence.
[0018] In some embodiments, the first signal connector is disposed on a side surface of the first chip carrier, the second signal connector is disposed on a surface of the second chip carrier facing the fluid slot, and the third signal connector is disposed on a surface of the first chip carrier facing the fluid slot to mate with and connect to the second signal connector.
[0019] In some embodiments, at least one of the first signal connector, the second signal connector, and the third signal connector includes a plug connector, a socket connector, a conductive probe, a conductive contact piece, or a conductive contact point.
[0020] In some embodiments, at least one of the first chip carrier and the second chip carrier includes a circuit board electrically connected to the corresponding sensor chip mounted thereon or a substrate having a circuit board electrically connected to the corresponding sensor chip mounted thereon.
[0021] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an embodiment further provides a method for performing biochemical analysis on a target sample using a detection system including a detection module described in any embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising the following steps: introducing a carrier reagent carrying the target sample into the fluid channel; loading the target sample in the carrier reagent introduced into the fluid channel onto each sensor chip of the at least two chip carriers exposed in the same fluid channel; and in response to the loading and / or biochemical reaction of the target sample, measuring characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon by the sensor chip to generate characteristic data.
[0022] In some embodiments, the biochemical analysis comprises sequence detection of a target sample.
[0023] In some embodiments, the sequence detection comprises gene sequencing or protein sequencing.
[0024] In some embodiments, the characteristic data is generated by sensing a fluorescent signal or an electrical signal generated in response to the loading of the target sample thereon and / or a biochemical reaction by the sensor element of the sensor chip.
[0025] In some embodiments, the method further includes: transmitting the characteristic data to a data processor of the detection system via a signal connector arranged on the chip carrier board or the sensor chip; and analyzing and determining the biochemical characteristics of the detected target sample based on the characteristic data by the data processor.
[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The features and advantages of the present disclosure can be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way. In the accompanying drawings:
[0028] FIG1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a detection module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG2 is another cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a detection module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a detection module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a detection module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a detection module according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a detection module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a detection module according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0035] FIG8 is a flow chart schematically illustrating a method for performing biochemical analysis using a detection module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.
[0037] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments can be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the drawings.
[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a detection module for biochemical analysis is provided, which uses detection chips or sensor chips arranged three-dimensionally at different latitudes (for example, directly or staggeredly, stacked or face-to-face) in the same detection channel, which can effectively improve the detection flux or parallel detection capability, that is, increase the scale or density of the in-plane detection channels without significantly increasing the amount of reagents used, thereby achieving better cost optimization.
[0039] The detection module provided according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied, for example, as a component of a detection system, to chemical or biomolecular detection, including but not limited to gene sequencing, targeted gene diagnosis, methylation research, mutation identification (SNP detection), microfluidics technology, etc. As an example, the provided detection module can be applied to gene sequencing characterized by single-molecule sequencing, in which each biomolecule (such as a DNA molecule) can be sequenced individually without PCR amplification.
[0040] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection module provided mainly includes a fluid tank and at least two chip carriers arranged three-dimensionally (rather than planarly) relative to the fluid tank (for example, arranged on different sides of the fluid tank), each chip carrier carrying a detection or sensor chip for detecting a target sample.
[0041] Figures 1-7 schematically illustrate the main structure of a detection module provided according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the detection module primarily includes a fluid tank 100, a first chip carrier 210, a second chip carrier 220, a first sensor chip 310 mounted on the first chip carrier 210, and a second sensor chip 320 mounted on the second chip carrier 220. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto; in other embodiments, the detection module may include more chip carriers.
[0042] As shown in Figures 1-7, the fluid tank 100 defines a fluid channel 101, and a carrier reagent carrying a target sample to be detected is allowed to flow through the fluid channel 101. Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 2, the fluid tank 100 also has an inlet 102 and an outlet 103 connected to the fluid channel 101, so as to allow the carrier reagent to be injected into the fluid channel 101 through the inlet 101, flow through the fluid channel 101, and be discharged through the outlet 103. For example, the carrier reagent can be driven to flow through the fluid channel by means of a micropump, voltage-driven electrophoresis technology, or the like.
[0043] As an example, the fluid tank 100 may also be referred to as a fluid housing or container, and may include a microfluidic chip or a portion thereof, such as a flow channel or reaction chamber used in microfluidic chip technology, to serve as the fluid channel 101. For example, the target sample may include a chemical sample or a biological sample, such as an inorganic molecule, a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) molecule, a protein, a cell, a peptide, or a metabolite, and the carrier reagent may include non-target sample molecules, such as a reaction reagent, in addition to the target sample.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, unlike conventional planar detection modules (e.g., where detection chips are only arranged on the same surface of a single planar carrier), the fluid tank and at least two chip carriers are arranged in a multi-dimensional stereoscopic manner (e.g., stacked), wherein at least two chip carriers are oriented in different directions, or are arranged on different sides or surfaces of the fluid tank, or are positioned in different planes, so that the detection or sensor chips carried thereon face the same fluid channel of the fluid tank, or are located or exposed in the same fluid channel, so that the target sample in the carrier reagent located in the fluid channel can be loaded onto each sensor chip, and each sensor chip is configured to measure characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon to generate characteristic data, thereby improving the detection throughput. As an example, each chip carrier can be mounted with one or more sensor chips, for example, located in the same mounting plane, to further improve the detection throughput.
[0045] It will be understood that, in this article, "the detection or sensor chip carried on the chip carrier faces the same fluid channel of the fluid groove, or is located or exposed in the same fluid channel" means that the detection surface or area of the detection or sensor chip used to detect the target sample (such as the surface provided with the sensor element described below) faces the same fluid channel of the fluid groove, or is located or exposed in the same fluid channel, so that the detection or sensor chips carried on at least two chip carriers arranged three-dimensionally can be used to detect the target sample in the same fluid channel of the fluid groove.
[0046] In some embodiments, at least one sensor chip can be formed with an array of characteristic sites, each characteristic site being configured to allow loading or attachment (such as capture) of a target sample at the characteristic site. As an example, only one target sample, such as a chemical or biological molecule, is loaded at each characteristic site. As an example, the sensor chip can be formed with a nanopore, such as a nanopore with an aperture that can just pass through a target sample (such as a nucleotide) molecule. Exemplarily but not restrictively, the "characteristic sites" mentioned herein include but are not limited to micropores, microcavities, grooves, microwells, protrusions, microbeads, or modified (such as with a nanocoating) area, etc., and are generally set to have a size suitable for attaching a target sample, such as length, width, or possible depth or height, etc.
[0047] In some embodiments, at least one sensor chip may include an array of sensor elements for sensing characteristics associated with the loaded target sample. The sensor elements may take various forms, such as photoelectric sensors or electrical sensors, depending on the specific application. For example, the sensor elements may be positioned at or near the location where the target sample is loaded, such as on the bottom or sidewalls of the microwell.
[0048] For example, in fluorescent sequencing applications, four nucleotides formed by different fluorescent labels can be sequentially loaded onto a DNA introducer located on a chip (e.g., located in the above-mentioned micropores), base extension is performed, and then the fluorescent signal of the extended primer is detected by fluorescence imaging technology to identify the base at the corresponding position on the template to be tested, and then the fluorescent group is removed, and the above-mentioned sequencing cycle is repeated in sequence to achieve the determination of the DNA sequence. In this process, a photoelectric sensor or a microscope can be used to record the intensity changes of different fluorescence in real time. A photoelectric sensor, such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, is used to sense the fluorescent signal generated in response to the loading and / or biochemical reaction of the target sample on the corresponding sensor chip, and convert the fluorescent signal into an electrical signal to generate corresponding characteristic data.
[0049] For example, in nanopore sequencing, electrophoresis can be integrated with the DNA unwinding reaction to drive individual DNA molecules through the nanopore one by one to achieve sequencing. Because the nanopore's diameter is extremely small, it only allows passage of single-stranded nucleic acid polymers. Since individual ATCG bases have different charge properties and physical dimensions, the type of base passing through can be detected by the difference in the electrical signal, thus achieving sequencing. For example, a nanopore can be formed or arranged in a membrane containing a pair of electrodes. A DNA helicase is bound to the target sample. Once the target sample is captured by the nanopore, the sample initiates the DNA unwinding reaction assisted by the electric field, and the unwound DNA single strands sequentially pass through the nanopore. Solutions or reagents containing ions are placed on both sides of the membrane. When a voltage is applied, a current is generated within the nanopore. When a DNA single strand passes through the nanopore, it blocks the nanopore, causing a change in the current. The base sequence of the corresponding DNA single strand can be inferred based on the change in the blocking current. Therefore, an electrical sensor can sense the current signal generated in response to the loading and / or biochemical reaction of the target sample on the corresponding sensor chip to generate corresponding characteristic data, such as a characteristic sequence current for each DNA molecule. As an example, the electrical sensors employed may include MOSFET sensors, CMOS charge integration sensors, and the like.
[0050] The structure and arrangement of the detection module provided according to multiple exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1-7. In some embodiments, the first chip carrier 210 and the second chip carrier 220 are adapted to be sealedly assembled to different sides of the fluid tank 100 so that the first sensor chip 310 and the second sensor chip 320 carried thereon face the same fluid channel 101 of the fluid tank 100 or are located or exposed in the same fluid channel 101. As an example, fasteners (not shown) such as bolts and adhesives can be used to assemble the respective chip carriers (the first chip carrier 210 and the second chip carrier 220 in the figure) to the fluid tank 100. In addition, a seal (such as a sealing ring, not shown) can be provided between each chip carrier and the fluid tank to provide an airtight seal and a liquid seal between the chip carrier and the fluid tank to prevent the passage or leakage of gas and fluid.
[0051] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first chip carrier 210 is sealingly assembled to the first side of the fluid tank 100 (such as the lower side in the figure), and the second chip carrier 220 is sealingly assembled to the opposite second side of the fluid tank 100 (such as the upper side in the figure). Therefore, the first chip carrier 210 carrying the first sensor chip 310, the fluid tank 100, and the second chip carrier 220 carrying the second sensor chip 320 are arranged in sequence (for example, in the upper and lower directions in the figure) to form a stacked structure, such as a sandwich structure. It will be understood that additional fasteners (such as bolts or clamps, etc., not shown) can be used to fasten the stacked or three-dimensional arrangement of the detection module together. In an embodiment not shown, if the installation space permits, the first, second or additional chip carriers can also be arranged on the side of the fluid tank.
[0052] As shown in Figures 1-7, a first sensor chip 310 is mounted (e.g., by adhesive adhesion, wire bonding, flip-chip packaging, etc.) on a surface of the first chip carrier 210 facing the fluid reservoir 100 so as to be exposed to the carrier reagent within the fluid channel 101. This allows a target sample introduced into the carrier reagent (not shown) within the fluid channel 101 to be loaded onto the first sensor chip 310. The first sensor chip 310 is configured to measure a characteristic associated with the target sample loaded thereon to generate first characteristic data. Similarly, a second sensor chip 320 is mounted (e.g., by adhesive adhesion, wire bonding, flip-chip packaging, etc.) on a surface of the second chip carrier 220 facing the fluid reservoir 100 so as to be exposed to the carrier reagent within the fluid channel 101. This allows a target sample introduced into the carrier reagent within the fluid channel 101 to be loaded onto the second sensor chip 320. The second sensor chip 320 is configured to measure a characteristic associated with the target sample loaded thereon to generate second characteristic data.
[0053] One or more sensor chips can be mounted on each chip carrier, for example, located in the same or different mounting planes. As shown in Figures 1-3 and 6 , a first sensor chip 310 is mounted on the first chip carrier 210, and a second sensor chip 320 is mounted on the second chip carrier 220. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4-5 and 7 , multiple first sensor chips 310 are mounted on the first chip carrier 210, and multiple second sensor chips 320 are mounted on the second chip carrier 220. It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the sensor chips mounted on each chip carrier can be identical or different in type, size, number, arrangement, spacing, sensor elements, etc., and can be designed based on the specific application. When the first and second chip carriers 210 and 220 are assembled face-to-face and stacked on opposite sides of the fluid tank 100, the first and second sensor chips 310 and 320 mounted thereon can face or be located within the same fluid channel 101, facing each other or offset from each other and spaced apart in the stacking direction.
[0054] In some exemplary embodiments, the detection module may also include or be provided with a signal connector for transmitting the obtained characteristic data to a system host or a data processor (such as a central processing unit or a microprocessor) of the detection system, so that the system host or the data processor can analyze and determine the biochemical characteristics of the detected target sample based on the characteristic data, such as sample composition analysis or gene sequence analysis.
[0055] Exemplarily, the signal connector of the detection module can be electrically connected to the system host or data processor by wire or wirelessly, for example, a signal transmitter or transceiver can be included to send the characteristic data wirelessly to the system host or data processor, or an electrical connector can be included to be electrically connected to the matching connector of the system host or data processor so as to read the characteristic data generated by the detection module. In other examples, the sensor chip or chip carrier can also be powered or a control signal for controlling the detection operation can be applied via a signal connector or an additionally provided connector. In addition, in other embodiments, the various operations of the detection module can also be performed and controlled by an external setting or controller such as a system host or data processor via the signal connector, such as performing gene sequencing, characteristic measurement and control of the membrane, flow control of carrier reagents in and out of the fluid tank, unblocking blocked nanopores, checking faults such as short circuits, reading data, opening and closing of channels, self-calibration or user testing, etc.
[0056] The signal connector can be provided on the chip carrier and electrically connected to the sensor chip, or can be provided directly on the sensor chip to establish signal or electrical communication between the sensor chip and an external system host or data processor, thereby enabling data transmission or reading. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2-7, the detection module further includes a first signal connector 410 and a second signal connector 420. The first signal connector 410 is provided on the first chip carrier 210 to allow the first characteristic data generated by the first sensor chip 310 to be directly or indirectly transmitted to the system host or data processor 10 of the detection system via the first signal connector 410. The second signal connector 420 is provided on the second chip carrier 210 to allow the second characteristic data generated by the second sensor chip 320 to be directly or indirectly transmitted to the system host or data processor 10 via the second signal connector 420. It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this, and an appropriate number of signal connectors can be provided according to specific applications or requirements. For example, each chip carrier can be provided with one or more signal connectors, or one signal connector can be provided for one or more sensor chips, or there is a one-to-one correspondence between sensor chips and signal connectors.
[0057] For example, the first signal connector 410 may be disposed on a side surface of the first chip carrier 210 (as shown in FIG3 and FIG5 ), or on a surface of the first chip carrier 210 facing away from the fluid tank 100 (as shown in FIG6 and FIG7 ); similarly, the second signal connector 420 may be disposed on a side surface of the second chip carrier 220 (as shown in FIG3 and FIG5 ), or on a surface of the second chip carrier 220 facing away from the fluid tank 100 (as shown in FIG6 and FIG7 ). However, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the various signal connectors may be appropriately arranged according to the specific structure of the signal connector, the specific form of electrical communication with an external device such as a system host or a data processor, the installation space requirements, etc.
[0058] In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 5-7 , the first chip carrier 210 and the second chip carrier 220 communicate with the system host or data processor 10 via the first signal connector 410 and the second signal connector 420, respectively. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 4 , the detection module may further include a third signal connector 430, which is disposed on the first chip carrier 210 and electrically connected to the first signal connector 410. The third signal connector 430 is adapted to mate with the second signal connector 420 on the second chip carrier 220 to allow the second characteristic data generated by the second sensor chip 320 to be transmitted or read to the system host or data processor 10 via the second signal connector 420, the third signal connector 430, and the first signal connector 410, in sequence. Meanwhile, the first characteristic data generated by the first sensor chip 310 is transmitted or read to the system host or data processor 10 via the first signal connector 410. Vice versa, the first characteristic data generated by the first sensor chip can also be transmitted or read to the system host or data processor via the signal connector provided on the second chip carrier or the second sensor chip. For example, in Figures 1 and 4, the second signal connector 420 is provided on the surface of the second chip carrier 210 facing the fluid tank 100, and the third signal connector 430 is provided on the surface of the first chip carrier 210 facing the fluid tank 100 to be mated and connected with the second signal connector 420, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the positions of the signal connectors to be mated and connected may be appropriately arranged according to specific applications.
[0059] The specific structure or form of the signal connector used to establish electrical connection or data communication between the chip carrier or the sensor chip mounted thereon and an external device such as a system host or data processor is not limited and may employ any suitable connector, including but not limited to a plug connector (e.g., a pin connector), a socket connector, a metal probe (e.g., a spring probe), a conductive contact pad or contact (e.g., a gold finger or metal contact), or the like. These signal connectors may be connectors on the chip carrier or sensor chip itself, or separately provided connectors. It will be understood that, optionally, the chip carrier and / or sensor chip may also include circuits (e.g., conductive lines) for establishing electrical connection between the sensor element and the signal connector, circuits for processing the sensed light or electrical signal (e.g., filtering, noise reduction, amplification, etc.), and memory for temporarily storing generated characteristic data.
[0060] As an example, the chip carrier may include or be a circuit board electrically connected to the corresponding sensor chip mounted thereon, or include or have a substrate having a circuit board electrically connected to the corresponding sensor chip mounted thereon, such as a semiconductor (e.g., silicon) substrate, a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, etc., without specific limitation.
[0061] In addition, as shown in Figure 8, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method for performing biochemical analysis on a target sample using a detection system including the disclosed detection module. The biochemical analysis performed includes but is not limited to sequence detection of the target sample, such as gene sequencing or protein sequencing, and may also include various non-sequence detections of the target sample, that is, biological / chemical detection or analysis other than sequencing performed using a chip.
[0062] 1-8 , the method mainly includes the following steps:
[0063] S11: introducing a carrier reagent carrying a target sample into the fluid channel 101 of the fluid tank 100 (eg, via the inlet 102 );
[0064] S12: Loading the target sample in the carrier reagent introduced into the fluid channel 101 onto the respective sensor chips 310, 320 of the at least two chip carriers 210, 220 exposed to the same fluid channel 101, such as loading the target sample into a detection site or area such as a nanopore; for example, in nanopore sequencing technology, the target sample (such as a DNA or RNA molecule) can be loaded into the nanopore of the sensor chip by applying a voltage; and
[0065] S13: In response to the loading of the target sample and / or the biochemical reaction on the sensor chip, the sensor chip measures characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon to generate characteristic data; illustratively, the sensor element of the sensor chip can sense a fluorescence signal or a current signal generated in response to the loading of the target sample and / or the biochemical reaction thereon to generate the characteristic data.
[0066] After the detection is completed, the waste liquid in the fluid channel 101 can be discharged through the outlet 103 of the fluid tank 100, and then other target samples can be introduced, loaded, and detected.
[0067] As shown in FIG8 , the method may further include the following steps:
[0068] S21: Transmitting characteristic data generated by the sensor chip to a system host or a data processor of the detection system, for example, via a signal connector provided on the chip carrier or the sensor chip;
[0069] S22: The system host or data processor processes and analyzes the characteristic data to determine the biochemical characteristics of the detected target sample, such as performing gene sequence analysis.
[0070] In this document, unless otherwise specifically stated or as is apparent from the discussion, terms such as "process" or "compute" or "calculate" or "determine" refer to the actions and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that operates or steps on data represented as physical electronic quantities in the computer system's registers and memories and transforms it into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0071] The illustrative embodiments are described above with reference to actions and symbolic representations of operations or steps (for example, in the form of flowcharts), which can be executed as program modules or functional processes. The program modules or functional processes include programs, programming, objects, components, data structures, etc., and perform specific tasks or execute specific abstract data types and can be executed using existing hardware.
[0072] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure includes devices related to one or more of the functions of the methods, steps, operations, or modules described herein. These devices may be specifically designed and manufactured for the desired purpose, or may include known devices in general-purpose computers. These devices have computer programs stored therein that are selectively activated or reconfigured. Such computer programs may be stored in a device (e.g., computer) readable medium or in any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and coupled to a bus, including but not limited to any type of disk (including floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash memory, magnetic cards, or optical cards. In other words, a readable medium includes any medium that can store or transmit information in a readable form by a device (e.g., a computer).
[0073] The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The terms "comprise," "include," etc. used herein indicate the presence of the features, steps, operations, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, or components.
[0074] In this document, although terms such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various elements, components, and / or parts, these elements, components, or parts are obviously not limited by these terms, and these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, or part from another element, component, or part. Therefore, within the technical spirit of the present disclosure, for example, a first device, a first component, or a first part may be a second device, a second component, or a second part.
[0075] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A detection module for performing biochemical analysis on a target sample, comprising: a fluid tank (100) defining a fluid channel (101) for allowing a carrier reagent carrying a target sample to be detected to flow therethrough; as well as At least two chip carriers (210, 220), the at least two chip carriers being arranged on different sides of the fluid tank so as to be oriented in different directions, each chip carrier carrying a sensor chip (310, 320), the respective sensor chips carried on the at least two chip carriers facing the same fluid channel of the fluid tank so that a target sample in the carrier reagent in the fluid channel can be loaded onto the sensor chip, Each sensor chip is configured to measure characteristics associated with a target sample loaded thereon to generate characteristic data.
2. The detection module according to claim 1, wherein The fluid reservoir also has an inlet (102) and an outlet (103) in communication with the fluid channel, so as to allow the carrier reagent to be injected into the fluid channel through the inlet, flow through the fluid channel, and be discharged through the outlet.
3. The detection module according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the sensor chips is formed with an array of feature sites, each feature site being configured to allow a target sample to be loaded or attached at the feature site.
4. The detection module according to claim 1, wherein One or more sensor chips are mounted on each chip carrier.
5. The detection module according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the sensor chips includes an array of sensor elements for sensing properties associated with a loaded target sample.
6. The detection module according to claim 5, wherein each sensor element comprises: a photoelectric sensor for sensing a fluorescent signal generated in response to the loading of a target sample on the corresponding sensor chip and / or a biochemical reaction, so as to generate the corresponding characteristic data; or The electrical sensor is used to sense the electrical signal generated in response to the loading of the target sample on the corresponding sensor chip and / or the biochemical reaction, so as to generate the corresponding characteristic data.
7. The detection module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The at least two chip carriers include: a first chip carrier (210) adapted to be sealingly assembled to one side of the fluid tank; and a second chip carrier (220) adapted to be sealed and assembled to the other side opposite to the fluid tank, such that the first chip carrier, the fluid tank, and the second chip carrier are stacked in this order; and The sensor chip comprises: a first sensor chip (310) mounted on the first chip carrier to be exposed to the carrier reagent in the fluid channel so that a target sample in the carrier reagent can be loaded onto the first sensor chip, the first sensor chip being configured to measure a characteristic associated with the target sample loaded thereon to generate first characteristic data; and A second sensor chip (320) is mounted on the second chip carrier to be exposed to the carrier reagent in the same fluid channel so that the target sample in the carrier reagent can be loaded onto the second sensor chip, and the second sensor chip is configured to measure characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon to generate second characteristic data.
8. The detection module according to claim 7, wherein The first sensor chip and the second sensor chip are located in the same fluid channel in a manner of facing each other or being offset from each other and spaced apart in a stacking direction.
9. The detection module according to claim 7, wherein The detection module is a component of a detection system including a data processor (10), and The detection module also includes: a first signal connector (410) provided on the first chip carrier (210) or the first sensor chip, wherein the first characteristic data is transmitted to the data processor via the first signal connector; and A second signal connector (420) is provided on the second chip carrier (210) or the second sensor chip, and the second characteristic data is transmitted to the data processor via the second signal connector.
10. The detection module according to claim 9, wherein: At least one of the first signal connector and the second signal connector is adapted to be electrically connected to the data processor via wire or wirelessly.
11. The detection module according to claim 9, wherein The first signal connector is arranged on a side surface of the first chip carrier or on a surface facing away from the fluid tank, and / or The second signal connector is disposed on a side surface of the second chip carrier or on a surface facing away from the fluid tank.
12. The detection module according to claim 9, wherein The first signal connector is arranged on the first chip carrier. The second signal connector is disposed on the second chip carrier, and The detection module also includes a third signal connector (430), which is arranged on the first chip carrier and electrically connected to the first signal connector, and is suitable for being connected with the second signal connector to allow the second characteristic data to be transmitted to the data processor via the second signal connector, the third signal connector and the first signal connector in sequence.
13. The detection module according to claim 12, wherein: The first signal connector is arranged on a side surface of the first chip carrier board, The second signal connector is provided on a surface of the second chip carrier facing the fluid tank, and The third signal connector is disposed on a surface of the first chip carrier facing the fluid tank to be mated and connected with the second signal connector.
14. The detection module according to claim 12, wherein: At least one of the first signal connector, the second signal connector, and the third signal connector includes a plug connector, a socket connector, a conductive probe, a conductive contact piece, or a conductive contact point.
15. The detection module according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein: At least one of the first chip carrier and the second chip carrier includes a circuit board electrically connected to the corresponding sensor chip mounted thereon, or a substrate having a circuit board electrically connected to the corresponding sensor chip mounted thereon.
16. A method for performing biochemical analysis on a target sample using a detection system comprising the detection module according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the following steps: introducing a carrier reagent carrying a target sample into the fluid channel; Loading the target sample in the carrier reagent introduced into the fluid channel onto the respective sensor chips of the at least two chip carriers exposed to the same fluid channel; as well as In response to the loading and / or biochemical reaction of the target sample, the sensor chip measures characteristics related to the target sample loaded thereon to generate characteristic data.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The biochemical analysis includes sequence detection of target samples.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The sequence detection includes gene sequencing or protein sequencing.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein The characteristic data is generated by sensing a fluorescent signal or an electrical signal generated in response to the loading of a target sample thereon and / or a biochemical reaction by the sensor element of the sensor chip.
20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising: transmitting the characteristic data to a data processor of the detection system via a signal connector provided on the chip carrier or the sensor chip; as well as The data processor analyzes and determines the biochemical characteristics of the detected target sample based on the characteristic data.