Device for continuous molecular testing

Abstract

A continuous molecular testing device according to the present disclosure includes a thermal module having a plurality of thermal units that operate thermally independently, each thermal unit including two or more reaction regions configured to accommodate a reaction vessel. The device further includes an optical module comprising a plurality of multi-channel optical units that operate independently, and a controller configured to individually control the operations of the multi-channel optical units. One multi-channel optical unit is assigned to each of the plurality of thermal units, and each multi-channel optical unit is configured to detect an optical signal from the assigned thermal unit. Each multi-channel optical unit sequentially detects optical signals generated from the two or more reaction regions included in the assigned thermal unit.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUS MOLECULAR TESTING

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous molecular testing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical part of a molecular testing device configured to enable continuous testing.

[0002] Molecular diagnostics is a method for determining the presence or absence of a disease or infection by analyzing biological markers contained in nucleic acids or proteins within a sample using molecular biological techniques.

[0003] When a specific infectious disease becomes prevalent, a large number of identical tests are required to be performed, and therefore a centralized model has typically been employed. In this centralized model, local clinics and public health centers collect specimens and rapidly transport them to large-scale testing centers equipped with high-throughput molecular testing systems.

[0004] To accommodate such a centralized testing structure, previously developed molecular testing automation systems have been designed to simultaneously process and extract nucleic acids from a large number of samples and to perform testing on all of them at once. However, this type of automation system―designed for simultaneous high-volume testing―is not suitable for regions with low population density or for small- and medium-sized hospitals and clinics, because the time required to accumulate a sufficient number of samples for batch processing is excessively long. Furthermore, when no single pathogen is dominant and testing for various diseases is required, operational efficiency decreases.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need to develop a testing device capable of continuously performing various molecular tests.

[0006] In view of the above background, it is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a continuous molecular testing device including a plurality of thermal units that operate thermally independently and a plurality of multi-channel optical units that operate independently.

[0007] Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an optical module including a plurality of multi-channel optical units that operate independently.

[0008] However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described objects, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0009] To achieve the above objects, one aspect of the present invention provides a continuous molecular testing device comprising:

[0010] (a) a thermal module comprising a plurality of thermal units that are thermally independently operable, each of the thermal units including two or more reaction regions configured to accommodate a reaction vessel;

[0011] (b) an optical module comprising a plurality of multi-channel optical units that operate independently; and

[0012] (c) a controller configured to individually control operations of the plurality of multi-channel optical units,

[0013] wherein one multi-channel optical unit is assigned to each of the plurality of thermal units;

[0014] wherein each of the multi-channel optical units detects an optical signal from the thermal unit assigned thereto; and

[0015] wherein each of the multi-channel optical units sequentially detects optical signals from two or more reaction regions of the assigned thermal unit.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the optical module may comprise a transport mechanism configured to independently operate the plurality of multi-channel optical units.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the transport mechanism may comprise a support body and a driving unit.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the support body may comprise through-holes corresponding to each of the reaction regions.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the controller may be configured to independently control each of the multi-channel optical units according to an individual protocol.

[0020] In exemplary embodiments, the multi-channel optical unit may comprise a multi-chip light emitting diode (multi-chip LED).

[0021] In exemplary embodiments, the multi-channel optical unit may comprise a multi-bandpass filter disposed between the multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel.

[0022] In exemplary embodiments, the multi-channel optical unit may comprise a multi-spectral photodiode.

[0023] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal module may be configured to accommodate a reaction vessel in a different one of the plurality of thermal units while a test is being performed in at least one of the thermal units.

[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of multi-channel optical units may be each configured to move independently in a first direction, and the plurality of multi-channel optical units may be arranged side-by-side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0025] In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of thermal units may be arranged side-by-side in the second direction, and the two or more reaction regions included in each of the plurality of thermal units may be arranged side-by-side in the first direction orthogonal to the second direction.

[0026] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal unit may comprise a thermal block configured to accommodate the reaction vessel.

[0027] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal unit may include a temperature control unit configured to control a temperature of the reaction vessel.

[0028] To achieve the above objects, another aspect of the present invention provides an optical module for detecting an optical signal of a reaction vessel, comprising at least one multi-channel optical unit, wherein the multi-channel optical unit comprises:

[0029] (i) a light source unit configured to irradiate excitation light to the reaction vessel, the light source unit including a multi-chip light emitting diode (multi-chip LED) configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and a multi-bandpass filter disposed between the multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands;

[0030] (ii) an excitation light-path element disposed between the multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to allow light generated from the multi-chip light emitting diode to reach the reaction vessel;

[0031] (iii) a multi-spectral photodiode configured to measure light emitted from the reaction vessel for each wavelength band; and

[0032] (iv) an emission light-path element disposed between the multi-spectral photodiode and the reaction vessel and configured to allow light emitted from the reaction vessel to reach the multi-spectral photodiode.

[0033] In exemplary embodiments, the optical module may include two or more multi-channel optical units, and the two or more multi-channel optical units may be configured to operate independently of one another.

[0034] In exemplary embodiments, the light source unit may be configured to selectively irradiate light of five wavelength bands.

[0035] In exemplary embodiments, the multi-channel optical unit may comprise a first light source unit and a second light source unit, wherein the first light source unit includes a first multi-chip light emitting diode configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and a first multi-bandpass filter disposed between the first multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands including at least a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band; and wherein the second light source unit includes a second multi-chip light emitting diode configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and a second multi-bandpass filter disposed between the second multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands including at least a third wavelength band and a fourth wavelength band.

[0036] In exemplary embodiments, the third wavelength band may be a wavelength band between the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band, and the second wavelength band may be a wavelength band between the third wavelength band and the fourth wavelength band.

[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the first to fourth wavelength bands may be distinct from one another.

[0038] In exemplary embodiments, the first wavelength band may be the shortest wavelength band among the first to fourth wavelength bands.

[0039] In exemplary embodiments, the first multi-chip light emitting diode may be configured to selectively irradiate light of three or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and the first multi-bandpass filter may be configured to selectively transmit light of three or more wavelength bands including the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and a fifth wavelength band, and the fifth wavelength band may be a wavelength band having a wavelength longer than that of the fourth wavelength band.

[0040] In exemplary embodiments, the excitation light-path element may include a lens and a beam splitter.

[0041] In exemplary embodiments, the emission light-path element may include a beam splitter.

[0042] A continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can accommodate different optical measurement schedules that arise when molecular testing processes are performed according to different protocols.

[0043] In a continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each thermal unit operates thermally independently, allowing different reaction protocols (e.g., different PCR conditions or temperature profiles) to be performed simultaneously. As a result, various test items can be processed in parallel within a single device, thereby significantly improving testing efficiency.

[0044] A continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a continuous loading structure. Therefore, even while a reaction is in progress in one thermal unit, a new sample can be immediately loaded into another thermal unit. This minimizes system idle time and greatly increases actual throughput.

[0045] In a continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-channel optical unit is assigned to each thermal unit to measure optical signals. Therefore, even if the number of units in which samples are loaded and reactions are being performed increases, the measurement time does not increase accordingly.

[0046] A continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is easy to maintain and manage due to its modular structure. Because each thermal unit and each optical unit are designed as independent modules, the entire system does not need to be stopped even if a particular module fails. Only the affected module can be replaced or serviced, thereby improving system uptime.

[0047] Furthermore, the number of thermal units and optical units can be flexibly adjusted, allowing the device to be configured according to the user's sample volume or testing requirements. This enables the device to be utilized in various environments, ranging from small laboratories to large-scale testing centers.

[0048] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and should be understood to include all effects that may be inferred from the detailed description of the present disclosure or from the configurations defined in the claims.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a thermal module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a multi-channel optical unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an optical path of a multi-channel optical unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a table illustrating wavelength bands of excitation light transmitted through a first multi-bandpass filter of a first light source unit and a second multi-bandpass filter of a second light source unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are provided solely for the purpose of more specifically describing the present disclosure, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by these embodiments.

[0057] In addition, reference numerals are assigned to components in the drawings such that the same reference numerals refer to the same components, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known structures or functions may be omitted when such descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention.

[0058] Terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)", "(i)", and "(ii)" may be used to describe various components of the present disclosure. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components by the terms themselves.

[0059] Structural or functional descriptions used in this specification are merely illustrative for describing embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described herein. All modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are intended to be included.

[0060] In this specification, when a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "attached" to another component, the component may be directly connected or coupled thereto, but it should also be understood that another component may be interposed therebetween. Likewise, when a component is described as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", or "directly attached", it should be understood that no additional component is interposed therebetween. Other relational expressions such as "between", "directly between", "adjacent to", or "directly adjacent to" are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

[0061] Terms used in this specification are intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments and not to limit the present disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "include", "comprise", and "have" indicate the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or elements, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or elements.

[0062] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Terms defined in generally used dictionaries are to be interpreted consistently with their meaning in the relevant technical field and are not interpreted in an overly idealized or excessively formal manner unless explicitly defined otherwise in the present application.

[0063] The terms "first", "second", and "third" may be used to describe various components, but such components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second or third component, and likewise, a second or third component may be referred to interchangeably.

[0064]

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a continuous molecular testing device comprising:

[0066] (a) a thermal module comprising a plurality of thermal units that are thermally independently operable, each of the thermal units including two or more reaction regions configured to accommodate a reaction vessel;

[0067] (b) an optical module comprising a plurality of multi-channel optical units that operate independently; and

[0068] (c) a controller configured to individually control operations of the plurality of multi-channel optical units,

[0069] wherein one multi-channel optical unit is assigned to each of the plurality of thermal units;

[0070] wherein each of the multi-channel optical units detects an optical signal from the thermal unit assigned thereto; and

[0071] wherein each of the multi-channel optical units sequentially detects optical signals from two or more reaction regions of the assigned thermal unit.

[0072]

[0073] The term "molecular testing" as used herein refers to an experimental method for identifying genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample that may be indicative of a particular disease or condition by using molecular biological techniques. It includes obtaining desired information by analyzing genetic information contained in a sample or biological markers contained in proteins by applying molecular biological techniques. A biological marker refers to a target analyte and may be, for example, a target nucleic acid sequence or an amino acid sequence. The desired information may be information on the presence, absence, or amount of the biological marker.

[0074] As used herein, the term "sample" may include biological samples (for example, cells, tissues, and fluids derived from biological sources) and non-biological samples (for example, food, water, and soil). The biological sample may be, for example, a virus, bacterium, tissue, cell, blood (for example, whole blood, plasma, and serum), lymph, bone marrow fluid, saliva, sputum, a swab, an aspiration, milk, urine, feces, ocular fluid, semen, brain extract, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, bronchial lavage fluid, ascites, or amniotic fluid. The sample may also include natural nucleic acid molecules isolated from a biological source and synthetic nucleic acid molecules. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sample may further include additional substances such as water, deionized water, physiological saline, a pH buffer, an acidic solution, or a basic solution.

[0075] The sample may include substances required for detection of a target analyte. For example, the sample may include an optical label. The optical label refers to a label that generates an optical signal depending on the presence of a target nucleic acid. The optical label may be a fluorescent label. In the present specification, the fluorescent label that can be used may include any molecule known in the art.

[0076] The target analyte refers to an analyte to be analyzed. The analysis may mean, for example, obtaining information on the presence or absence, amount, concentration, sequence, activity, or characteristics of an analyte in a sample. The analyte may include various substances (for example, biological substances and non-biological substances such as chemical compounds). Specifically, the analyte may include biological substances such as nucleic acid molecules (for example, DNA and RNA), proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, biological compounds, hormones, antibodies, antigens, metabolites, and cells. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the analyte may be a nucleic acid molecule.

[0077] A molecular testing device refers to a device configured to detect, quantify, or analyze a target analyte (e.g., a nucleic acid or a protein) using molecular biological techniques. Such a device may include functions such as thermal cycling, optical detection, fluidic control, and data processing, and may perform various biochemical reactions including PCR, real-time PCR (qPCR), isothermal amplification, and fluorescence- or luminescence-based assays.

[0078]

[0079] A continuous molecular testing device 10 refers to an automated molecular testing device configured to independently subject sequentially introduced samples to molecular biological analysis. The device may include a reaction module configured to perform nucleic acid amplification reactions or other molecular biological reactions within a reaction vessel, and a detection module configured to monitor the progress of the reaction in real time and detect resultant signals. The reaction module may include a plurality of reaction units that are independently configured to receive reaction vessels so that samples can be received continuously. The reaction module may be, for example, a thermal module, and the detection module may be an optical module. The device may include a plurality of thermal units that operate thermally independently, a plurality of multi-channel optical units assigned to respective thermal units to measure optical signals, and a controller configured to individually control their operations. The continuous molecular testing device can acquire optical signals from each thermal unit without delay even when different reaction protocols are simultaneously performed in the respective thermal units, and can initiate analysis for newly loaded samples while the device is in operation. Accordingly, the device enables high throughput and flexible test scheduling with minimal user intervention, and provides a versatile and scalable architecture applicable to various molecular diagnostic assays.

[0080] The molecular testing device may be a nucleic acid detection device. The nucleic acid detection device allows a nucleic acid reaction to proceed in a sample and detects a target nucleic acid through the reaction. The nucleic acid detection device may be a device that performs a reaction accompanied by a change in temperature, the reaction generating an optical signal depending on the presence of a nucleic acid, and detects the generated optical signal.

[0081] A nucleic acid reaction refers to a series of physical and chemical reactions that generate a signal depending on the presence, absence, or amount of a nucleic acid having a specific sequence in a sample. The nucleic acid reaction may be a reaction including binding of a nucleic acid having a specific sequence in a sample with another nucleic acid or substance, replication, cleavage, or degradation of the nucleic acid having the specific sequence in the sample. The nucleic acid reaction may be a reaction accompanied by a nucleic acid amplification reaction. The nucleic acid amplification reaction may include amplification of a target nucleic acid and may be a reaction that specifically amplifies the target nucleic acid.

[0082] The nucleic acid reaction may be a signal-generating reaction capable of generating a signal depending on the presence, absence, or amount of a target nucleic acid in a sample. Such a signal-generating reaction may be a genetic analysis process such as PCR, real-time PCR, or a microarray.

[0083] The nucleic acid detection device may detect a signal by amplifying the signal accompanied by nucleic acid amplification. Alternatively, the nucleic acid detection device may detect a signal by amplifying the signal without nucleic acid amplification. Preferably, the signal is detected accompanied by nucleic acid amplification.

[0084] The nucleic acid detection device may include a nucleic acid amplification device. The nucleic acid amplification device refers to a device capable of performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction that amplifies a nucleic acid having a specific nucleotide sequence. Examples of methods for amplifying the nucleic acid include the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), transcription-mediated amplification, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), rolling circle amplification (RCA), and Q-beta replicase.

[0085] The nucleic acid amplification device may be a device that performs a nucleic acid amplification reaction accompanied by a change in temperature. For example, to amplify DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) having a specific base sequence, the nucleic acid amplification device may perform a denaturing step, an annealing step, and an extension (or amplification) step.

[0086] The denaturing step is a step of heating a solution including a sample containing double-stranded DNA as a template nucleic acid and reagents to a specific temperature, for example, about 95℃ to separate the double-stranded DNA into single-stranded DNA. The annealing step is a step of supplying an oligonucleotide primer having a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid to be amplified, and cooling the solution including the separated single-stranded DNA to a specific temperature, for example, 60℃ to allow the primer to bind to a specific nucleotide sequence of the single-stranded DNA, thereby forming a partial DNA-primer complex. The extension step is a step of maintaining the solution at a specific temperature, for example, 72℃ after the annealing step to form double-stranded DNA on the basis of the primer of the partial DNA-primer complex by a DNA polymerase.

[0087] By repeating the above three steps, for example, 10 to 50 times, DNA having the specific nucleotide sequence can be exponentially amplified. In some cases, the nucleic acid amplification device may perform the annealing step and the extension step simultaneously. In this case, the nucleic acid amplification device may complete one cycle by performing two steps including the denaturing step and an annealing / extension step.

[0088] FIG. 1 illustrates a continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, a continuous molecular testing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a thermal module 200, an optical module 100, and a controller 300.

[0089] The thermal module 200 is configured to receive a reaction vessel 400 containing a sample and to perform a molecular testing process. The thermal module 200 is a module configured to control the temperature of the reaction vessel 400 and includes a structure for performing PCR thermal cycling. The thermal module 200 may include a plurality of thermal units, and each unit may operate independently.

[0090] The optical module 100 refers to a module that irradiates excitation light to the reaction vessel 400 and detects optical signals generated from the sample. The optical module 100 may include a plurality of multi-channel optical units, filters, beam splitters, lenses, detectors, or mechanical components supporting these elements, and may be used for measuring signals such as fluorescence, luminescence, or absorbance. The optical module 100 supplies appropriate optical excitation to the reaction vessel 400 containing the sample and detects optical signals generated from the sample in response thereto. The optical signal may be luminescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, fluorescence, polarized fluorescence, or another colored or optically detectable signal. The optical signal may be generated in response to optical stimulation applied to the sample.

[0091] The reaction vessel 400 is used to receive a sample to be analyzed and may be various types of containers, for example, a tube, a vial, a strip in which a plurality of individual tubes are connected, a plate in which a plurality of tubes are connected, a microcard, a chip, a cuvette, or a cartridge. The reaction vessel 400 may be made of plastic, ceramic, glass, or metal. In addition, the reaction vessel 400 may be made of various materials as needed.

[0092]

[0093] FIG. 2 illustrates a thermal module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The thermal module 200 includes a plurality of thermal units 2000 that are thermally independently operable. The thermal unit 2000 may include a thermal block 2100 configured to accommodate the reaction vessel 400. The thermal unit 2000 may perform thermal cycling by applying heat to the thermal block 2100 in which the reaction vessel 400 is placed and cooling the thermal block 2100. Heat may be supplied from a temperature control unit 2200 to the thermal block 2100, and the heat may be transferred to a sample in the reaction vessel 400 placed on the thermal block 2100. Heat of the thermal block 2100 may escape to a heat sink of the temperature control unit 2200, thereby lowering the temperature of the sample in the reaction vessel 400.

[0094] The thermal block 2100 may be configured to accommodate one or more reaction vessels. The thermal block 2100 may include two or more reaction regions configured to accommodate reaction vessels.

[0095] The reaction region 2110 may be a recess. That the thermal block 2100 accommodates the reaction vessel 400 may mean that wells of the reaction vessel 400 are inserted into a plurality of recesses formed in the thermal block 2100. The thermal block 2100 may include a flat upper surface and recesses formed in the upper surface to accommodate wells of the reaction vessel 400. The recess may be a groove recessed from the upper surface of the thermal block or a hole penetrating the thermal block. A cross-sectional shape of the recess may be a bell shape or a cylindrical shape, and an inner surface shape of the recess may include a shape corresponding to an outer surface shape of the reaction vessel 400. As the contact area between the recess and the reaction vessel 400 increases, the heat transfer rate may also increase.

[0096] The thermal unit 2000 refers to a thermal control unit configured to receive a reaction vessel 400 and perform independent temperature control. The thermal unit 2000 may include a thermal block 2100 and a temperature control unit 2200. The thermal block 2100 is a thermally conductive block that physically supports the reaction vessel 400 and thermally contacts the reaction vessel 400 and the temperature control unit 2200 to control the temperature of the reaction vessel 400. The thermal block 2100 may be manufactured from a material having excellent thermal conductivity. The thermal block 2100 may include one or more temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may measure the actual temperature of the thermal block 2100 in real time.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the thermal block 2100 of the thermal unit 2000 may be provided with a plurality of reaction regions 2110 in a regular arrangement. The reaction region 2110 may be a well- or hole-shaped recess. Hereinafter, the reaction region 2110 of the thermal block may also be referred to as a well of the thermal block. For example, the plurality of wells of the thermal block may be provided in a strip form in which the wells are arranged in a single column. The plurality of wells may be provided in various forms such as a 4-well of a 1x4 form, a 6-well of a 1x6 form, an 8-well of a 1x8 form, and a 12-well of a 1x12 form, but are not limited thereto.

[0098] According to an embodiment, the thermal unit 2000 may include a temperature control unit 2200 configured to control a temperature of the reaction vessel 400. The temperature control unit 2200 may be in thermal contact with the thermal block 2100 to supply heat to the thermal block 2100 or absorb heat from the thermal block 2100, thereby controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel 400.

[0099] The temperature control unit 2200 may include a Peltier element and a heat sink. The Peltier element is a thermoelectric device capable of performing both cooling and heating depending on the direction of the applied current, thereby enabling bidirectional temperature control to increase or decrease the temperature of the reaction vessel 400. The Peltier element may be disposed such that one surface thereof is in contact with the thermal block 2100, thereby supplying heat to or removing heat from the thermal block 2100. A heat sink may be disposed on the opposite surface of the Peltier element. The heat sink is a thermal dissipation structure configured to effectively release heat generated by the Peltier element.

[0100] When the Peltier element cools the surface in contact with the thermal block 2100 to lower the temperature of the thermal block 2100, the opposite surface of the Peltier element becomes heated. The heat sink absorbs the heat generated at the opposite surface and releases it to the surrounding environment to perform heat dissipation. Conversely, when the Peltier element heats the surface in contact with the thermal block 2100 to raise the temperature of the thermal block 2100, the opposite surface of the Peltier element becomes cooled. In such a case, the heat sink transfers the cooled thermal energy to the surrounding environment to facilitate cooling distribution. The heat sink may include a fin structure to maximize heat dissipation efficiency. The thermal module 200 may further include a cooling fan to assist in dissipating heat from the heat sink.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the plurality of thermal units 2000 may operate thermally independently. Heat may substantially not be transferred from one thermal unit to another thermal unit, or heat transfer may be limited to a level below a reference level. In addition, the temperature of each thermal unit 2000 may be controlled independently. A user may individually set a reaction protocol including temperature and time for each of the thermal units 2000, and each thermal unit 2000 may perform a reaction according to an independent protocol.

[0102] In addition, the thermal module 200 may be configured such that each thermal unit 2000 can independently accommodate a reaction vessel 400. For example, the thermal units 2000 may individually move in position to assume a state in which they can accommodate a reaction vessel 400.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the thermal module 200 may be configured to accommodate a reaction vessel in different one of the plurality of thermal units 2000 while a test is being performed in at least one of the plurality of thermal units 2000. Thus, in a single molecular testing device, a reaction vessel 400 containing a new sample can be loaded and a reaction can be started while the device is operating.

[0104] Since molecular testing is performed according to independent protocols in the respective thermal units 2000, and / or reaction vessels containing samples are accommodated independently so that molecular testing is started at different times, the timing of optical detection in each of the thermal units 2000 may be independent of each other.

[0105] To this end, the continuous molecular testing device of the present disclosure may include an optical module 100 including a plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 that operate independently.

[0106]

[0107] FIG. 3 illustrates an optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical module 100 of the present disclosure may include a plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000. The multi-channel optical unit 1000 refers to an optical assembly configured to selectively irradiate excitation light of multiple wavelength bands to a sample and to detect emission light of corresponding wavelength bands generated in response thereto. The multi-channel optical unit 1000 may be configured to sequentially or simultaneously detect optical signals generated from two or more reaction regions, and may include components such as a light source unit, optical filters, and an optical detector. One of the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 is assigned to each of the plurality of thermal units 2000. In other words, each multi-channel optical unit 1000 is arranged to detect an optical signal of a corresponding thermal unit 2000. Thus, each multi-channel optical unit 1000 can detect an optical signal according to a molecular testing protocol being performed in the corresponding thermal unit 2000.

[0108] The multi-channel optical unit 1000 of the present disclosure may be configured to sequentially detect optical signals generated in two or more reaction regions included in the assigned thermal unit 2000. The molecular testing device 10 can individually identify and accurately process optical signals generated in each reaction region. This minimizes signal interference between reaction regions and improves reliability.

[0109] That optical signals of two or more reaction regions are sequentially detected may mean that, in a first time period, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 is positioned at one reaction region to selectively detect an optical signal of the reaction region, and in a second time period, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 is positioned at another reaction region to selectively detect an optical signal of the other reaction region. For example, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may operate such that, after completion of signal detection in one reaction region 2110, it moves to a next reaction region and detects a signal therein.

[0110] According to an embodiment, the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 included in the optical module 100 are configured to operate independently. The plurality of thermal units 2000 may receive different samples and perform different reactions. Therefore, the multi-channel optical units 1000 assigned to the respective thermal units may need to operate according to different protocols in order to accurately measure optical signals from samples in reaction vessels received in the respective thermal units 2000 operating according to different protocols.

[0111] The plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 included in the optical module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are configured to operate individually under control of the controller 300.

[0112] Compared to a thermal unit including one reaction region, a thermal unit including two or more reaction regions requires more time to measure an optical signal. When a plurality of such thermal units including two or more reaction regions are provided and each of them operates according to a different protocol, it is very difficult for a single optical unit to measure in real time optical signals generated in all reaction regions.

[0113] A continuous molecular testing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that one multi-channel optical unit 1000 is assigned to one thermal unit 2000. Accordingly, optical signals generated in the plurality of reaction regions of each thermal unit can be measured by the multi-channel optical unit assigned to the corresponding thermal unit. For example, optical signals generated in a plurality of reaction regions of one thermal unit may be measured by one multi-channel optical unit, and optical signals generated in another thermal unit may be measured by a separate multi-channel optical unit.

[0114] Thus, even when the plurality of thermal units of the thermal module perform different reactions according to different protocols, the optical module can measure without delay optical signals generated in the plurality of reaction regions of the plurality of thermal units.

[0115] To this end, the optical module 100 may include a transport mechanism configured to independently operate the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000. The transport mechanism allows the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 of the optical module 100 to move individually so that all optical signals generated in the plurality of thermal units 2000 that operate thermally independently can be detected. The transport mechanism may include a support body 1200 and a driving unit 1300. The driving unit 1300 provides driving force to move the multi-channel optical unit 1000. The transport mechanism may include a plurality of driving units 1300, and each driving unit 1300 may be configured to move a corresponding one of the multi-channel optical units 1000. The driving unit 1300 may include a servo motor or a linear motor. The driving unit 1300 may include a lead screw, a rack and pinion, or a belt and pulley system.

[0116] The support body 1200 supports the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 and guides the multi-channel optical units 1000 to move along a correct path. According to an embodiment, the support body 1200 may be configured to support a lower portion of each multi-channel optical unit 1000. According to an embodiment, the support body 1200 may include through-holes 1210 corresponding to each of the reaction regions 2110 of the thermal unit 2000. The through-hole 1210 corresponding to each reaction region 2110 refers to a through-hole that is positioned such that light generated in the reaction region 2110 can reach the multi-channel optical unit 1000 through the through-hole 1210. Through the through-hole 1210, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 can irradiate light to a sample located in the reaction region 2110 and detect an optical signal generated in response.

[0117] The support body 1200 may include a guide rail 1220. The guide rail 1220 guides a movement path of the multi-channel optical unit 1000 so that the multi-channel optical unit 1000 can always detect an optical signal at a predetermined position.

[0118] Each of the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 detects an optical signal of the assigned thermal unit 2000. Therefore, the multi-channel optical units 1000 and the thermal units 2000 may be arranged in the same direction. For example, the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 of the optical module 100 may be arranged side-by-side in a second direction. The second direction may be a direction D2 in FIG. 1. The plurality of thermal units 2000 of the thermal module 200 may also be arranged side-by-side in the second direction.

[0119] In addition, each multi-channel optical unit 1000 may sequentially detect optical signals from two or more reaction regions of the assigned thermal unit 2000. Therefore, the arrangement of the reaction regions 2110 of the thermal unit 2000 and the movement direction of the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may be the same. For example, the two or more reaction regions 2110 included in each of the plurality of thermal units 2000 arranged side-by-side in the second direction may be arranged side-by-side in a first direction orthogonal to the second direction. To detect optical signals from the reaction regions 2110 arranged side-by-side in the first direction, the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 arranged side-by-side in the second direction may each be configured to move independently in the first direction.

[0120] The multi-channel optical unit 1000 can selectively irradiate excitation light of a plurality of wavelength bands onto a sample and can distinguish and detect emission light of a plurality of wavelength bands generated in response thereto.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a multi-chip light emitting diode (LED) (multi-chip LED). The multi-chip LED 1110 is an LED designed to emit light in various wavelength bands and is formed by integrating a plurality of LED chips in a single package. According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a multi-bandpass filter disposed between the multi-chip LED and the reaction vessel. The multi-bandpass filter 1120 may be disposed between the multi-chip LED 1110 and the reaction vessel 400. The multi-bandpass filter 1120 is an optical filter that selectively transmits a plurality of specific wavelength bands within a single filter while blocking other wavelengths.

[0122] Typically, a molecular testing device provides excitation light of various wavelength bands by including a plurality of light sources or a plurality of filters corresponding to the respective wavelength bands and switching them according to the wavelength band to be measured. However, such a configuration can increase the size of the multi-channel optical unit 1000 itself and thus increase the size of a device using a plurality of multi-channel optical units. In addition, because the plurality of light sources or filters are replaced for each reaction region, a problem may arise in that the measurement time becomes long.

[0123] Because the multi-chip LED 1110 provides light of a plurality of wavelength bands from a single package and the multi-bandpass filter 1120 filters light of a plurality of wavelength bands using a single filter, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 using these components can be miniaturized and can shorten the measurement time.

[0124] In addition, according to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a multi-spectral photodiode 1130. The multi-spectral photodiode 1130 is a light sensing element capable of simultaneously or selectively distinguishing and detecting optical signals of various wavelength bands. The multi-spectral photodiode 1130 can distinguish and detect predetermined wavelength bands. When a multi-spectral photodiode is used, it is not necessary to use a plurality of emission filters that are typically used in a detector unit.

[0125] The continuous molecular testing device of the present disclosure includes a controller 300. The controller refers to any device, system, or portion thereof that controls at least one operation. The controller may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination of at least two of them. Functions associated with a particular controller may be centralized or distributed, either locally or remotely. The controller 300 of the present disclosure may generate signals for controlling or driving all modules of the continuous molecular testing device 10 of the present disclosure. The controller of the present disclosure may receive information from all modules of the continuous molecular testing device 10 and map this information to other information.

[0126]

[0127] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller 300 may control the thermal module 200 and the optical module 100. The controller 300 may independently control the plurality of thermal units 2000 included in the thermal module 200. FIG. 7 illustratively shows that the controller independently controls a first thermal unit 2000a and a second thermal unit 2000b, but the thermal units 2000 that can be independently controlled by the controller are not limited to the first and second thermal units.

[0128] The controller 300 may individually control mechanical operations of the thermal units. For example, while the first thermal unit 2000a is operating, the controller may control the second thermal unit 2000b so as not to operate. Alternatively, while the first thermal unit 2000a is performing molecular testing, the controller may control the second thermal unit 2000b, which is not operating, to move to receive a sample.

[0129] The controller 300 may individually control thermal operations of the thermal units 2000. For example, the controller may control the first thermal unit 2000a and the second thermal unit 2000b to operate according to different protocols. Specifically, the first thermal unit 2000a and the second thermal unit 2000b may be controlled to have different temperatures. Alternatively, while the first thermal unit 2000a is being heated, the second thermal unit 2000b may be controlled to be cooled.

[0130] The controller 300 may control the thermal module 200 and the optical module 100. The controller 300 may independently control the plurality of multi-channel optical units 1000 included in the optical module 100. FIG. 7 illustratively shows that the controller independently controls a first multi-channel optical unit 1000a and a second multi-channel optical unit 1000b, but the multi-channel optical units 1000 that can be independently controlled by the controller are not limited to the first and second multi-channel optical units.

[0131] The controller 300 may individually control mechanical operations of the multi-channel optical units 1000. For example, while the first multi-channel optical unit 1000a is operating, the controller may control the second multi-channel optical unit 1000b so as not to operate.

[0132] The controller 300 may individually control optical operations of the multi-channel optical units 1000. The controller 300 may independently control each of the multi-channel optical units according to an individual protocol. For example, the controller may control the first multi-channel optical unit 1000a and the second multi-channel optical unit 1000b to operate according to different protocols. Specifically, the first multi-channel optical unit 1000a and the second multi-channel optical unit 1000b may be controlled to irradiate light of different wavelength bands onto a reaction vessel and to detect emission light.

[0133]

[0134] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an optical module for detecting an optical signal of a reaction vessel, the optical module including one or more multi-channel optical units, each multi-channel optical unit comprising:

[0135] (i) a light source unit configured to irradiate excitation light to the reaction vessel, the light source unit including a multi-chip LED configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and a multi-bandpass filter disposed between the multi-chip LED and the reaction vessel;

[0136] (ii) an excitation light-path element disposed between the multi-chip LED and the reaction vessel and configured to allow light generated from the multi-chip LED to reach the reaction vessel;

[0137] (iii) a multi-spectral photodiode configured to measure light emitted from the reaction vessel for each wavelength band; and

[0138] (iv) an emission light-path element disposed between the multi-spectral photodiode and the reaction vessel and configured to allow light emitted from the reaction vessel to reach the multi-spectral photodiode.

[0139]

[0140] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a multi-channel optical unit 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an optical path of a multi-channel optical unit 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a housing 1160. The housing 1160 protects optical components (for example, lenses, filters, and detectors) disposed inside the multi-channel optical unit 1000 from physical shock or vibration. The housing 1160 blocks interference from external light so that the multi-channel optical unit 1000 can detect accurate signals. In addition, the interior of the housing 1160 is designed to minimize scattering or reflection of light, and for this purpose, a matte black coating or a light-absorbing material may be applied to an inner surface. The housing 1160 may be made of a metal material such as steel, stainless steel, or an aluminum alloy, or a plastic material such as ABS resin. One side of the housing 1160 may be coupled to the driving unit 1300. An optical opening 1161 may be formed in a bottom surface of the housing 1160. The optical opening 1161 provides an optical path essential for molecular testing of a sample. Excitation light generated from the multi-chip LED 1110 may be delivered to the reaction vessel 400 through the optical opening 1161. In addition, emission light generated from the reaction vessel 400 may be detected by the multi-spectral photodiode 1130 through the optical opening 1161. The optical opening 1161 may be formed to face the reaction vessel 400. As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of through-holes 1210 of the support body 1200 may be formed with the same spacing as the reaction regions 2110 formed in the thermal block 2100. The multi-channel optical unit 1000 can detect an optical signal of the reaction vessel 400 while the optical opening 1161 of the housing 1160 moves so as to face the plurality of through-holes 1210 in sequence.

[0142]

[0143] According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a light source unit 1100. The light source unit 1100 may include the multi-chip LED 1110 configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel and the multi-bandpass filter 1120 disposed between the multi-chip LED 1110 and the reaction vessel 400.

[0144] The multi-chip LED 1110 is an LED designed to emit light in various wavelength bands and is formed by integrating a plurality of LED chips in a single package. The multi-chip LED 1110 may have a multi-chip structure capable of generating light of a plurality of wavelength bands. Each chip emits light of a specific wavelength band and may operate individually or simultaneously. The multi-chip LED 1110 may be, for example, a multi-chip LED capable of generating light of five wavelength bands. Alternatively, the multi-chip LED 1110 may be a multi-chip LED capable of generating light of two, three, or four wavelength bands.

[0145] The light source unit 1100 may further include the multi-bandpass filter 1120. The multi-bandpass filter 1120 may be disposed between the multi-chip LED 1110 and the reaction vessel 400. The multi-bandpass filter 1120 is an optical filter that selectively transmits a plurality of specific wavelength bands within a single filter while blocking other wavelengths. When the multi-chip LED 1110 selectively generates light of a specific wavelength band, the multi-bandpass filter 1120 selectively transmits light of some wavelength bands among the generated specific wavelength bands so that the transmitted light is irradiated to the reaction vessel. Although the multi-chip LED 1110 can selectively emit light of a specific wavelength band, light outside the desired wavelength band may also be generated to some extent due to diode characteristics. This phenomenon may excite optical labels other than the optical label to be measured and may generate an erroneous signal. In addition, some wavelength bands of excitation light generated from the multi-chip LED 1110 may overlap with wavelength bands of emission light that may be generated from an optical label. In such a case, excitation light generated from the multi-chip LED 1110 may be detected by the detector and may generate an erroneous signal. By additionally using the multi-bandpass filter 1120, optical crosstalk can be prevented.

[0146] The wavelength bands transmitted by the multi-bandpass filter 1120 may vary depending on the corresponding multi-chip LED, and, for example, the multi-bandpass filter 1120 may be a multi-bandpass filter that transmits light of five wavelength bands. Alternatively, the multi-bandpass filter 1120 may be a multi-bandpass filter capable of transmitting light of two, three, or four wavelength bands.

[0147] According to an embodiment, the light source unit 1100 may be configured to selectively irradiate light of five wavelength bands. In this case, the multi-chip LED 1110 of the light source unit 1100 may be a multi-chip LED capable of generating light of five wavelength bands, and the multi-bandpass filter 1120 may be a multi-bandpass filter that transmits light of five wavelength bands.

[0148] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a first light source unit 1101 and a second light source unit 1102. The first light source unit 1101 and the second light source unit 1102 may each be configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands.

[0149] The first light source unit 1101 may include a first multi-chip LED 1111 and a first multi-bandpass filter 1121. The first light source unit 1101 may be arranged such that light generated from the first multi-chip LED 1111 is delivered to the reaction vessel 400 through the optical opening 1161 via the excitation light path 1143. The first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be arranged such that light generated from the first multi-chip LED 1111 passes therethrough. For example, the first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be disposed between the first multi-chip LED 1111 and the reaction vessel 400.

[0150] The first multi-chip LED 1111 may be configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel 400. The first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands including a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band. According to an embodiment, the first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be configured to selectively transmit light of three or more wavelength bands including the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and a fifth wavelength band so that light of these wavelength bands is irradiated to the reaction vessel 400.

[0151] The second light source unit 1102 may include a second multi-chip LED 1112 and a second multi-bandpass filter 1122. The second light source unit 1102 may be arranged such that light generated from the second multi-chip LED 1112 is delivered to the reaction vessel 400 through the optical opening 1161 via the excitation light path 1143. The second multi-bandpass filter 1122 may be arranged such that light generated from the second multi-chip LED 1112 passes therethrough. For example, the second multi-bandpass filter 1122 may be disposed between the second multi-chip LED 1112 and the reaction vessel 400.

[0152] The second multi-chip LED 1112 may be configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel 400. The second multi-bandpass filter 1122 may be configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands including a third wavelength band and a fourth wavelength band.

[0153] The multi-chip LED 1110 is an LED designed to emit light in various wavelength bands and is formed by integrating a plurality of LED chips in a single package. The multi-chip LED 1110 may have a multi-chip structure capable of generating light of a plurality of wavelength bands. Each chip emits light of a specific wavelength band and may operate individually or simultaneously. Accordingly, a single multi-chip LED 1110 can generate light separated into a plurality of wavelength bands. However, the multi-bandpass filter 1120 is formed of a multilayer thin-film structure in which dielectric and metal thin-film layers are alternately stacked on a single substrate, and is configured to selectively transmit multiple wavelengths by designing the respective layers differently. Because the multi-bandpass filter 1120 filters light of specific wavelength bands by adjusting interference conditions (strong transmission or reflection) at specific wavelengths according to the thickness of each layer, the thickness of each thin film is finely adjusted on the order of nanometers. As the number of bandpasses increases, the number of thin-film layers included in the filter increases in order to selectively transmit each band, and the thickness and material of each layer must be calculated with higher precision during the design and simulation process. As the design becomes more complex, manufacturing becomes more difficult and costs increase.

[0154] Thus, by designing the system such that excitation light in wavelength bands required for molecular testing is distributed between two light source units, namely, the first light source unit 1101 and the second light source unit 1102, it becomes possible to use mass-produced multi-bandpass filters instead of customized high-performance multi-bandpass filters. As a result, manufacturing costs can be reduced while maintaining consistent optical quality among devices.

[0155]

[0156] FIG. 6 is a table illustrating wavelength bands of excitation light transmitted through the first multi-bandpass filter of the first light source unit and the second multi-bandpass filter of the second light source unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0157] For example, the first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be a multi-bandpass filter configured to selectively transmit light of the first wavelength band from 450 nm to 490 nm and the second wavelength band from 560 nm to 590 nm. In addition, the second multi-bandpass filter 1122 may be a multi-bandpass filter configured to selectively transmit light of the third wavelength band from 515 nm to 535 nm and the fourth wavelength band from 620 nm to 650 nm.

[0158] According to an embodiment, the first wavelength band of the first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be the shortest wavelength band among the first to fourth wavelength bands.

[0159] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third wavelength band may be a wavelength band between the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band, and the second wavelength band may be a wavelength band between the third wavelength band and the fourth wavelength band. By designing the wavelength bands handled by the first light source unit 1101 and the wavelength bands handled by the second light source unit 1102 to be alternately arranged in this manner, the interval between the wavelength bands transmitted by the first multi-bandpass filter 1121 and the wavelength bands transmitted by the second multi-bandpass filter 1122 can be widened, thereby making selection of the multi-bandpass filters much easier.

[0160] According to an embodiment, the first to fourth wavelength bands may be distinct from one another.

[0161] In addition, the first light source unit 1101 may be configured to selectively irradiate light of three wavelength bands. Specifically, the first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be configured to selectively transmit light of three or more wavelength bands including the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and a fifth wavelength band to the reaction vessel 400. The fifth wavelength band may be a wavelength band having a wavelength longer than the fourth wavelength band. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the first multi-bandpass filter 1121 may be a multi-bandpass filter configured to selectively transmit light of the first wavelength band from 450 nm to 490 nm, the second wavelength band from 560 nm to 590 nm, and the fifth wavelength band from 672 nm to 684 nm.

[0162] The first to fifth wavelength bands may be wavelength bands that do not overlap one another in their ranges.

[0163] According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include an excitation light-path element. The excitation light path refers to an optical path from the emission of light from the multi-chip LED through the multi-bandpass filter to the sample inside the reaction vessel 400. FIG. 5A schematically illustrates the excitation light path 1143 of the multi-channel optical unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The excitation light-path element 1140 refers to elements that control excitation light such that excitation light generated from the light source unit 1100 travels along the excitation light path 1143 and reaches the reaction vessel 400. The excitation light-path element 1140 may include, for example, a second beam splitter 1141. The second beam splitter 1141 may reflect light generated from the second multi-chip LED 1112 toward a direction in which the reaction vessel is located, and may transmit excitation light generated from the first multi-chip LED 1111 toward the direction in which the reaction vessel is located. The excitation light-path element 1140 may include, for example, a second lens unit 1142. The second lens unit 1142 may serve to converge excitation light generated from the first multi-chip LED 1111 and the second multi-chip LED 1112 so that the excitation light does not spread when reaching the reaction vessel 400.

[0164] According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a multi-spectral photodiode 1130. The multi-spectral photodiode 1130 is a light sensing element capable of simultaneously or selectively distinguishing and detecting optical signals in various wavelength bands. The multi-spectral photodiode according to an embodiment may distinguish and detect predetermined wavelength bands. According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include a single multi-spectral photodiode 1130 so that all optical signals detected by the multi-channel optical unit 1000 are detected by the single multi-spectral photodiode 1130. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the multi-channel optical unit 1000 includes two light source units 1101 and 1102, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may be configured such that all emission light generated from the reaction vessel 400 by irradiation of excitation light from the two light source units is detected by the single multi-spectral photodiode 1130. In this case, the optical path length of all excitation light is the same, and thus emission light can be detected under the same conditions.

[0165] The multi-spectral photodiode 1130 may, for example, distinguish and detect light of five or more wavelength bands. According to an embodiment, the number of wavelength bands that the multi-spectral photodiode 1130 of the present disclosure can distinguish and detect may be, for example, 5, 6, 7, or 8 or more, and may be 18, 19, or 20 or less.

[0166] According to an embodiment, the multi-channel optical unit 1000 may include an emission light-path element 1150. The emission light-path element 1150 refers to an optical path from light emitted from the reaction vessel 400 to its arrival at the multi-spectral photodiode 1130. FIG. 5B schematically illustrates the emission light path 1153 of the multi-channel optical unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The emission light-path element 1150 refers to elements that control emission light such that emission light generated from the reaction vessel 400 travels along the emission light path 1153 and reaches the multi-spectral photodiode 1130.

[0167] The emission light-path element 1150 may include, for example, a first beam splitter 1151. The first beam splitter 1151 may reflect emission light generated from the reaction vessel 400 toward a direction in which the multi-spectral photodiode 1130 is located.

[0168] The emission light-path element 1150 may include, for example, a first lens unit 1152. The first lens unit 1152 may serve to converge emission light generated from the reaction vessel 400 so that the emission light does not spread when reaching the multi-spectral photodiode 1130.

[0169] The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present disclosure but to describe it, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted based on the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present disclosure.

[0170]

[0171] <Cross-Reference to Related Application>

[0172] The application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0201526, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 31, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0173]

[0174] <List of Reference Signs>

[0175] 10: continuous molecular testing device

[0176] 100: optical module

[0177] 1000: multi-channel optical unit

[0178] 1100: light source unit

[0179] 1101: first light source unit

[0180] 1102: second light source unit

[0181] 1110: multi-chip LED

[0182] 1111: first multi-chip LED

[0183] 1112: second multi-chip LED

[0184] 1120: multi-bandpass filter

[0185] 1121: first multi-bandpass filter

[0186] 1122: second multi-bandpass filter

[0187] 1130: multi-spectral photodiode

[0188] 1140: excitation light-path element

[0189] 1141: second beam splitter

[0190] 1142: second lens unit

[0191] 1143: excitation light path

[0192] 1150: emission light-path element

[0193] 1151: first beam splitter

[0194] 1152: first lens unit

[0195] 1153: emission light path

[0196] 1160: housing

[0197] 1161: optical opening

[0198] 1200: support body

[0199] 1210: through-hole

[0200] 1220: guide rail

[0201] 1300: driving unit

[0202] 200: thermal module

[0203] 2000: thermal unit

[0204] 2100: thermal block

[0205] 2110: reaction region

[0206] 2200: temperature control unit

[0207] 300: controller

[0208] 400: reaction vessel

Claims

1.A continuous molecular testing device comprising:(a) a thermal module comprising a plurality of thermal units that are thermally independently operable, each of the thermal units including two or more reaction regions configured to accommodate a reaction vessel;(b) an optical module comprising a plurality of multi-channel optical units that operate independently; and(c) a controller configured to individually control operations of the plurality of multi-channel optical units,wherein one multi-channel optical unit is assigned to each of the plurality of thermal units;wherein each of the multi-channel optical units detects an optical signal from the thermal unit assigned thereto; andwherein each of the multi-channel optical units sequentially detects optical signals from two or more reaction regions of the assigned thermal unit.2.The device of claim 1, wherein the optical module comprises a transport mechanism configured to independently operate the plurality of multi-channel optical units.3.The device of claim 2, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a support body and a driving unit.4.The device of claim 3, wherein the support body comprises through-holes corresponding to each of the reaction regions.5.The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to independently control each of the multi-channel optical units according to an individual protocol.6.The device of claim 1, wherein the multi-channel optical unit comprises a multi-chip light emitting diode (multi-chip LED).7.The device of claim 6, wherein the multi-channel optical unit comprises a multi-bandpass filter disposed between the multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel.8.The device of claim 1, wherein the multi-channel optical unit comprises a multi-spectral photodiode.9.The device of claim 1, wherein the thermal module is configured to accommodate a reaction vessel in different one of the plurality of thermal units while a test is being performed in at least one of the thermal units.10.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of multi-channel optical units are each configured to move independently in a first direction, and wherein the plurality of multi-channel optical units are arranged side-by-side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.11.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of thermal units are arranged side-by-side in the second direction, and wherein the two or more reaction regions included in each of the plurality of thermal units are arranged side-by-side in the first direction orthogonal to the second direction.12.The device of claim 1, wherein the thermal unit comprises a thermal block configured to accommodate the reaction vessel.13.The device of claim 1, wherein the thermal unit includes a temperature control unit configured to control a temperature of the reaction vessel.14.An optical module for detecting an optical signal of a reaction vessel, comprising at least one multi-channel optical unit,wherein the multi-channel optical unit comprises:(i) a light source unit configured to irradiate excitation light to the reaction vessel, the light source unit including a multi-chip light emitting diode (multi-chip LED) configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and a multi-bandpass filter disposed between the multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands;(ii) an excitation light-path element disposed between the multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to allow light generated from the multi-chip light emitting diode to reach the reaction vessel;(iii) a multi-spectral photodiode configured to measure light emitted from the reaction vessel for each wavelength band; and(iv) an emission light-path element disposed between the multi-spectral photodiode and the reaction vessel and configured to allow light emitted from the reaction vessel to reach the multi-spectral photodiode.15.The optical module of claim 14, wherein the optical module includes two or more multi-channel optical units, and the two or more multi-channel optical units are configured to operate independently of one another.16.The optical module of claim 14, wherein the light source unit is configured to selectively irradiate light of five wavelength bands.17.The optical module of claim 16, wherein the multi-channel optical unit comprises a first light source unit and a second light source unit,wherein the first light source unit includes a first multi-chip light emitting diode configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and a first multi-bandpass filter disposed between the first multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands including at least a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band; andwherein the second light source unit includes a second multi-chip light emitting diode configured to selectively irradiate light of two or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel, and a second multi-bandpass filter disposed between the second multi-chip light emitting diode and the reaction vessel and configured to selectively transmit light of two or more wavelength bands including at least a third wavelength band and a fourth wavelength band.18.The optical module of claim 17, wherein the third wavelength band is a wavelength band between the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band, and the second wavelength band is a wavelength band between the third wavelength band and the fourth wavelength band.19.The optical module of claim 17, wherein the first to fourth wavelength bands are distinct from one another.20.The optical module of claim 17, wherein the first wavelength band is the shortest wavelength band among the first to fourth wavelength bands.21.The optical module of claim 17, wherein the first multi-chip light emitting diode is configured to selectively irradiate light of three or more wavelength bands to the reaction vessel,and wherein the first multi-bandpass filter is configured to selectively transmit light of three or more wavelength bands including the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and a fifth wavelength band,wherein the fifth wavelength band is a wavelength band having a wavelength longer than that of the fourth wavelength band.22.The optical module of claim 14, wherein the excitation light-path element includes a lens and a beam splitter.23.The optical module of claim 14, wherein the emission light-path element includes a beam splitter.

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