Digital Microfluidic Nucleic Acid Detection Chip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital microfluidic chips face challenges in efficiently detecting nucleic acids in large-volume droplets (10 μl to 200 μl), leading to slow detection processes and low efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A digital microfluidic nucleic acid detection chip is designed with a first and second substrate assembled to form a cavity with a functional region. This region includes drive units arranged in an array to move droplets, allowing for nucleic acid detection, extraction, amplification, and hybridization color development within a single chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional digital microfluidic chips are used for nucleic acid detection in large-volume droplets, then the detection process is slow and inefficient, but increasing droplet volume improves detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The chip divides the detection process into multiple functional regions (nucleic acid extraction region, amplification region, detection region) with dedicated drive units for each. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different detection steps, improving overall efficiency while maintaining adequate droplet volumes for sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-region microfluidic chips to a multi-region integrated chip with distinct functional zones arranged in specific spatial configurations. This dimensional reorganization enables simultaneous optimization of droplet volume for sensitivity and process throughput for efficiency.
2Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection, then each function can be optimized, but the overall system becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection functions into a single chip with multiple functional regions. Each region has specialized drive units and structures optimized for its specific function, maintaining high detection accuracy while reducing system complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The chip serves as a universal platform that performs multiple nucleic acid detection functions (extraction, amplification, detection) in one device. The drive units and functional regions are designed to handle various detection protocols, reducing the need for multiple separate devices.
3Speed
If traditional microfluidic channels are used, then fluid manipulation is simple, but droplet control precision and movement speed are insufficient for efficient detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pump-valve systems with electrically controlled drive units consisting of electrode arrays. These drive units use electrical fields to manipulate droplets, enabling precise position control and faster movement speeds compared to mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive units can dynamically adjust electrical parameters (voltage, frequency, waveform) to control droplet movement characteristics. This parameter control enables optimization of both droplet movement speed and positioning precision for different detection stages.
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 enables fast and efficient nucleic acid detection by accurately controlling large-volume droplets, reducing detection time, and improving the overall efficiency of the nucleic acid detection process.
Implementation Method 1
the first substrate at least includes a plurality of drive units arranged in an array, the plurality of drive units are configured to drive the droplet to be detected to move
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a digital microfluidic nucleic acid detection chip, detection method, and detection apparatus. The digital microfluidic nucleic acid detection chip includes: a first substrate and a second substrate assembled with the first substrate, and a cavity formed between the first substrate and the second substrate includes a functional region (AC), which is configured to perform a nucleic acid detection processing on a droplet to be detected and obtain a hybridization color development signal for indicating whether a target gene exists in the droplet to be detected; the first substrate at least includes a plurality of drive units, which are configured to drive the droplet to be detected to move, a volume of the droplet to be detected is 10 μl to 200 μl, and a dimension of a drive unit is 2 mm to 100 mm in a moving direction of the droplet to be detected.