Nucleic Acid Amplification Chip With Bubble-Suppressing Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCR methods face challenges in achieving high-speed solution movement without fluorescence detection and are prone to air bubble generation due to air entrainment and temperature-induced stagnation in microchannels.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid amplification chip with a flow channel design featuring protruding tubes and a tubular bridge section, aligned with gravity, combined with heaters and a gas transport device, facilitates rapid solution movement and bubble removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence detection is used to measure solution movement, then solution movement can be detected, but it requires adding unnecessary fluorescent dye or using additional detection methods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the fluorescence detection requirement entirely from the system. By using a microblower to actively transport the solution and protruding tubes to facilitate movement, the system achieves solution transport without any fluorescence detection, eliminating the need for fluorescent dyes and complex detection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The microblower provides self-service by actively pumping and transporting the solution through the microchannel without requiring external detection systems. The protruding tubes design enables the solution to move through the heating zones under its own momentum generated by the microblower, making the system self-sufficient.
2Productivity
If microchannels are used to reduce sample volume, then heat capacity is reduced and thermal cycling is faster, but air bubbles are generated and solution movement is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The microblower performs preliminary action by actively pumping the solution through the microchannel before thermal cycling begins and during the process. This active pumping prevents air bubble formation and ensures continuous solution flow, addressing the reliability issue before it can manifest during high-speed thermal cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles through the microblower to drive solution flow through the microchannel. The microblower creates pressure differential to move the solution, overcoming the air bubble generation problem that occurs in passive microchannel systems during rapid thermal cycling.
3Ease of operation
If air is entrained in the microchannel during fluid flow, then air bubbles are generated, but this causes stagnation and hinders solution movement
Solution Approach 1:
The microblower uses pneumatic pressure to actively drive the solution through the microchannel, preventing air bubble entrapment and ensuring continuous flow. The positive pressure generated by the microblower pushes air bubbles ahead of the solution front, preventing stagnation and maintaining reliable solution movement throughout the thermal cycling process.
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
Enables high-speed solution movement and suppresses air bubble generation, enhancing PCR efficiency by allowing thermal cycling without fluorescence detection.
Implementation Method 1
a heater, and a gas transport device... a first heater, a second heater
Implementation Method 2
a gas transport device... facilitates rapid solution movement
Implementation Method 3
protruding tubes and a tubular bridge section, aligned with gravity, combined with heaters and a gas transport device, facilitates rapid solution movement
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a nucleic acid amplification chip that enables high-speed movement of a solution more easily without measuring the movement of the solution by fluorescence detection, and suppresses the generation of air bubbles. The nucleic acid amplification chip is provided which includes a flow channel including, between a first connecting tube having a first opening and a second connecting tube having a second opening, a first protruding tube that is protruding in a first direction and communicates with the first connecting tube; a second protruding tube that is protruding in the first direction and communicates with the second connecting tube; and a tubular bridge section that allows fluid communication between the first protruding tube and the second protruding tube.