Biological Sample Analysis Cartridge with Rotating Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic testing methods, such as RT-PCR and RT-LAMP, for detecting pathogens like COVID-19 and other rapidly spreading infections, are slow, leading to delayed results and increased infection risk, and there is a need for rapid genotyping and SNP analysis to provide timely insights into disease predispositions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that process biological samples using a disposable cartridge with a rotating chamber system, performing isothermal or thermo-cycled pre-amplification and amplification steps within the cartridge, allowing for rapid detection of biomolecules without the need for extensive equipment or technical expertise, using LAMP and PCR techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RT-PCR or RT-LAMP amplification is used to detect viral RNA, then sensitivity and specificity are improved, but analysis time increases to 15 minutes or more
Solution Approach 1:
The amplification process is divided into two distinct stages: a pre-amplification stage that performs initial amplification in a first plurality of wells, and a main amplification stage that completes the amplification in a second plurality of wells. This segmentation allows the system to achieve rapid results (reducing analysis time) while maintaining the sensitivity and specificity of traditional RT-PCR or RT-LAMP methods through the two-stage approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-amplification stage performs preliminary amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence before the main amplification stage. This preliminary action reduces the workload and time required for the main amplification, enabling rapid diagnostic results while preserving the detection sensitivity through the combined effect of both amplification stages.
2Ease of operation
If traditional sample preparation steps (lysing, washing, elution) are performed within the cartridge, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lysis step is extracted from the cartridge and performed externally by the user before sample introduction. This removes the complex lysis mechanism from the cartridge structure, simplifying the device while maintaining ease of operation through a simple external lysis step followed by direct sample loading into the cartridge for amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
Sample lysis is performed as a preliminary action outside the cartridge before the sample is introduced into the cartridge for amplification. This preliminary lysis step simplifies the cartridge structure by removing the need for internal lysis mechanisms, while the overall process remains easy to operate through a straightforward external lysis followed by cartridge insertion.
3Productivity
If results are received quickly to reduce infection spread, then public health impact is improved, but current testing methods are too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The amplification process is segmented into pre-amplification and main amplification stages that can proceed in parallel or sequential fashion, reducing the total testing time. This segmentation enables rapid result delivery (improving productivity) while maintaining the accuracy of pathogen detection through the two-stage amplification approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-amplification stage begins immediately upon sample introduction, with the main amplification stage following without significant delay. This continuous progression of useful actions (amplification steps) minimizes idle time and reduces total testing time, enabling rapid result delivery to improve public health response while maintaining detection accuracy.
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
This approach significantly reduces sample preparation time from 15 minutes to 1.5 minutes, enabling rapid genotyping and diagnostic testing, making it suitable for non-medical environments like homes and retail settings, while maintaining sensitivity and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
causing the analysis unit to perform isothermal or thermo-cycled pre-amplification on the first mixture in the first plurality of wells to generate a second mixture
Implementation Method 2
causing the analysis unit to perform isothermal or thermo-cycled pre-amplification on the first mixture in the first plurality of wells to generate a second mixture
Implementation Method 3
causing the analysis unit to perform an isothermal or thermo-cycled amplification stage on the second mixture within the second plurality of wells
Implementation Method 4
causing the analysis unit to perform an isothermal or thermo-cycled amplification stage on the second mixture within the second plurality of wells
Implementation Method 5
lysing the sample to obtain a lysed sample
Implementation Method 6
These techniques are similar to PCR and LAMP except that they first begin by performing reverse transcription of the RNA in order to obtain DNA
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analysing a sample containing biological cells to detect the presence of a plurality of biomolecules, or a plurality of sequences within a biomolecule or biomolecules. The sample is lysed and introduced in the chamber of a cartridge comprising multiple chambers and an analysis unit. The sample is displaced to the analysis unit where isothermal or thermo-cycled pre-amplification is performed on the sample. Pre-amplification is followed by isothermal or thermo-cycled amplification to identify the presence of said plurality of biomolecules or sequences, or of a plurality of second biomolecules or sequences derived from the first mentioned plurality of biomolecules or sequences in a short time frame.