Bidirectional Centrifugal Microchip for Repeatable Specimen Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The diffusion of a specimen drop on an analyzer chip varies, leading to inconsistent reaction times and degraded repeatability of quantity determination results for a particular component.
Innovation Solution
A microchip with a fluid circuit that includes a specimen introduction portion, a component separation portion, and a reagent reaction portion, utilizing centrifugal forces in different directions to separate and react components uniformly, combined with a rotation mechanism and optical detection unit for precise measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a drop of specimen is put on an analyzer chip, then quantity determination of a particular component can be performed, but the diffusion of the specimen drop varies depending on how it is put there, leading to varying reaction times and degraded repeatability of measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is divided into distinct functional sections: a specimen introduction portion, a component separation portion, and a reagent reaction portion. This segmentation ensures that the specimen is systematically processed through controlled stages, eliminating variability in diffusion patterns and ensuring consistent reaction times across multiple measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs centrifugal force as a dynamic mechanism to control fluid movement. By rotating the microchip at controlled speeds, the system dynamically directs the specimen through the fluid circuit in a consistent manner, ensuring uniform distribution and reaction conditions that improve repeatability of measurement results.
2Manufacturing precision
If centrifugal force is applied to separate component from specimen, then consistent component separation can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to rotation mechanism requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism serves multiple functions: it generates centrifugal force for component separation, controls the direction of fluid flow through the fluid circuit, and ensures consistent positioning of the specimen introduction portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise component separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the magnitude and direction of centrifugal force by adjusting rotation speed and orientation parameters. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system achieves consistent component separation without requiring complex mechanical structures, as the control is achieved through parameter modulation rather than additional hardware.
3Reliability
If the fluid circuit is designed with specific flow paths, then reaction consistency can be improved, but the design complexity of the microchip increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is segmented into distinct portions with specific functions: the specimen introduction portion receives the specimen, the component separation portion utilizes centrifugal force to separate the component, and the reagent reaction portion facilitates the reaction between the component and reagent. This segmentation creates consistent flow paths that improve reaction consistency while maintaining manageable design complexity through modular organization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves consistent and repeatable measurement results by controlling centrifugal forces to standardize the reaction process, ensuring accurate determination of component quantities.
Implementation Method 1
a component separation portion that, when a centrifugal force in a first direction occurs in the microchip, separates, under the centrifugal force in the first direction, a component contained in the specimen introduced into the specimen introduction portion
Implementation Method 2
a reagent reaction portion that has a carrier member carrying a reagent and that makes part of the component introduced from the component separation portion into the carrier member react with the reagent
Implementation Method 3
an optical detection unit that shines light on the reagent reaction portion of the microchip to receive light reflected therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A microchip (3) has a fluid circuit in it. The fluid circuit includes: a specimen introduction portion (31) into which a specimen is introduced; a component separation portion (32) that, when a centrifugal force in a first direction (D1) occurs in the microchip (3), separates, under the centrifugal force in the first direction (D1), a component contained in the specimen introduced into the specimen introduction portion (31); and a reagent reaction portion (33) that has a carrier member (330) carrying a reagent and that makes part of the component introduced from the component separation portion (32) into the carrier member (330) react with the reagent. When a centrifugal force in a second direction (D2) different from the first direction (D1) occurs in the microchip (3), the component separated in the component separation portion (32) is introduced, under the centrifugal force in the second direction (D2), from the component separation portion (32) into the carrier member (330).