Compact Optical Nucleic Acid Amplification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid amplification methods require bulky tabletop equipment for thermocycling, increasing size and cost, and lack efficient real-time monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical system that uses a light source to both excite and heat nucleic acids, eliminating the need for dedicated thermal cycling equipment, and employs a detector to monitor temperature and fluorescence signals in real-time, allowing for precise thermocycling and rapid amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky tabletop equipment with onboard electronics is used for thermocycling, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source (LED) to perform both heating and fluorescence excitation functions simultaneously. The same optical path is used for both thermocycling and detection, merging what were traditionally separate functions into a single integrated system, thereby reducing device size while maintaining temperature control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The light source serves multiple purposes: it provides thermal energy for thermocycling and simultaneously acts as an excitation source for fluorescence detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating equipment and excitation light sources, significantly reducing the overall device size
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional thermocycling equipment is used, then temperature control precision is improved, but assay time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fluorescence detection continuously during the amplification process without interrupting the thermocycling. The light source remains active throughout, allowing real-time monitoring of amplification progress while maintaining temperature cycles, thereby reducing total assay time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical thermal cycling equipment with an optical-based system where LED puling controls temperature. This substitution enables faster heating and cooling rates compared to traditional mechanical thermocyclers, reducing assay time while maintaining temperature precision
3Reliability
If dedicated equipment for thermal cycling is used, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges thermal cycling control and fluorescence detection into a single integrated optical platform. The same LED and optical path are used for both heating and detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The light source and optical detection system serve dual purposes: thermal cycling and fluorescence measurement. This universality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the device architecture while maintaining full temperature control capability
4Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then detection sensitivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses optical detection throughout the amplification process without mechanical intervention or complex sampling mechanisms. Continuous optical monitoring provides high detection sensitivity while keeping the system simple through the use of basic optical components
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 system significantly reduces assay time and size, achieving high sensitivity and accuracy in nucleic acid amplification without bulky electronics, making it suitable for low-power devices and various nucleic acid detection applications.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit a first excitation light based on a control signal; the solution being configured to emit a second light in response to heating by the first excitation light
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect the second and third lights and to generate a temperature signal corresponding to the second light
Implementation Method 3
the solution being configured to emit a third light in response to amplification of the plurality of first NAs; a detector configured to detect the second and third lights and to generate a first fluorescence signal corresponding to the third light
Implementation Method 4
a lens module configured to focus the second and third lights onto the detector
Data Source
AI summary
A system for nucleic acid (NA) amplification includes a light source configured to emit a first excitation light based on a control signal, a reaction chamber configured to house a solution including a plurality of first nucleic acids (NAs), the plurality of first NAs being configured to amplify in response to the first excitation light, the solution being configured to emit a second light in response to heating by the first excitation light and to emit a third light in response to amplification of the plurality of first NAs, a detector configured to detect the second and third lights and to generate a temperature signal corresponding to the second light and a first fluorescence signal corresponding to the third light, and a lens module configured to focus the second and third lights onto the detector.