Cartridge with Integrated Quantification Chamber for Nucleic Acid Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid extraction and amplification technologies require manual operation, leading to inefficiencies and contamination risks, especially in mass testing or production line settings. Additionally, existing analysis cartridges with mechanical operation are complex and require expensive machinery for operation.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with at least one quantification chamber is designed for active quantitation during liquid transfer, featuring a main cover with a quantification chamber, fluid tunnel, gas tunnel, and storage chamber, along with a pipette and rotary valve for precise reagent handling and quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for nucleic acid extraction and amplification, then operation flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed to perform nucleic acid extraction and amplification automatically without requiring manual intervention. The integrated quantification chamber and fluid handling system enable the cartridge to self-regulate reagent volumes and execute testing protocols autonomously, thereby eliminating manual operation while maintaining flexibility through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated fluid handling system integrated into the cartridge. The system uses controlled fluid flow through defined channels and chambers, substituting manual pipetting and handling with automated liquid management mechanisms that reduce contamination risk and increase efficiency.
2Extent of automation
If existing analysis cartridges with mechanical operation are used, then automation is achieved, but device complexity increases and screening cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into functionally independent modules: a quantification chamber for volume measurement, a reaction chamber for nucleic acid processing, and integrated fluid handling pathways. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with minimal complexity, avoiding the need for complex integrated mechanical systems while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different nucleic acid testing protocols through standardized interfaces. The same basic cartridge structure with quantification chamber can be used for various applications by simply changing the reagents and protocols, eliminating the need for complex, application-specific cartridge designs and reducing overall system complexity.
3Extent of automation
If existing analysis cartridges with mechanical operation are used, then automation is achieved, but the need for expensive machinery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quantification and fluid handling functions are extracted from expensive external machinery and integrated directly into the cartridge itself. The quantification chamber and fluid pathways are built-in, eliminating the need for costly external equipment while maintaining automated operation capability. This extraction of functions reduces the overall system cost significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable, low-cost unit that performs all necessary functions. By making the cartridge itself the complete testing system with integrated quantification and fluid handling, the need for expensive reusable machinery is eliminated. The low-cost disposable cartridge approach reduces screening costs while maintaining automation through careful design of the disposable unit.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cartridge and a quantification method include a main cover, a container, a first pipette, and a rotary valve. The main cover has a first surface and a second surface opposite with each other, the first surface includes a first quantification chamber, a first fluid tunnel, a first gas tunnel and a storage chamber, wherein a first end of the first quantification chamber is connected to the first fluid tunnel, a first end of the storage chamber is connected to the first gas tunnel, and a second end of the first quantification chamber is connected to a second end of the storage chamber. The first pipette is disposed on the main cover and partially protruded from the second surface, wherein the first pipette is connected to the second end of the first quantification chamber and vertically extended into the container. The rotary valve is rotatably disposed on the second surface.