Bioanalysis Chip Hydrophobic Confinement for PCR Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chips for biological analysis face issues with sample distribution and reaction uniformity due to the lack of hydrophobic confinement, leading to compromised reaction conditions and detection of amplification signals in real-time PCR processes.
Innovation Solution
A chip design featuring a hydrophilic layer with a hydrophobic coupling and surface-modification layer that creates through openings for precise confinement of biological samples, using a silicone-based paste to define reaction chambers, ensuring minimal wettability and effective containment of liquid samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a hydrophobic containment structure is arranged on a hydrophilic chip surface to define chambers, then sample confinement and reaction uniformity are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydrophobic containment function with the chip substrate itself by forming a hydrophobic layer directly on the hydrophilic substrate surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate containment structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining precise sample confinement through the combined hydrophobic-hydrophilic surface properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the chip substrate by applying a hydrophobic coating to specific regions. This parameter change creates the necessary hydrophobic-hydrophilic contrast for sample confinement without adding structural complexity, as the containment is achieved through surface property modification rather than structural addition.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a hydrophobic containment structure is used to define chambers, then reaction uniformity is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the hydrophobic layer during the chip manufacturing process itself, before the chip is put into service. This preliminary action ensures that the hydrophobic patterns are permanently integrated into the chip structure, providing consistent reaction uniformity without requiring additional assembly steps or complex post-manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface energy parameters of the chip substrate during manufacturing by applying a hydrophobic coating. This parameter change is integrated into the existing manufacturing workflow, avoiding the need for separate containment structure assembly and simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring uniform reaction conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the solution is allowed to distribute peripherally without hydrophobic confinement, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but reaction conditions deteriorate and signal detection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating hydrophobic regions at specific locations on the chip substrate where sample confinement is needed. This localized modification maintains the overall simplicity of the chip manufacturing while providing reliable reaction conditions only where required, without making the entire chip structure complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes localized parameter changes to the substrate surface energy at specific regions, creating hydrophobic zones that confine samples while leaving other areas hydrophilic. This selective parameter modification maintains manufacturing simplicity by only treating necessary areas, while ensuring reliable reaction conditions in the confined zones.
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
The chip achieves improved reaction uniformity and signal detection by maintaining sample confinement within defined areas, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs, while ensuring compatibility with biological materials and thermal control.
Implementation Method 1
A coupling and surface-modification layer (10), with characteristics of low wettability, namely, a hydrophobic layer, extends between the first die (3) and the second die (4) on the hydrophilic layer (8)
Implementation Method 2
A hydrophilic layer (8), for example of silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), extends over a front side (4a) of the second die (4)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2A
Figure 2B~4
AI summary
A chip (1) for biochemical reactions comprising: a first body (3) including a plurality of first through openings (5) arranged according to an arrangement pattern; a second body (4), having a hydrophilic surface (8), coupled to the first body (3) on the hydrophilic surface (8); and an intermediate layer (10), which extends over the hydrophilic surface (8) and forms a coupling interface between the first and the second bodies. The intermediate layer (10) is of hydrophobic material, extends continuously over the hydrophilic surface, and has a plurality of second through openings (12) through which respective regions (8') of the hydrophilic surface (8) are exposed. The hydrophilic regions (8') may be functionalized for carrying out a PCR.