Integrated Heating Electrode for dPCR Micro-Reaction Chips

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) technologies require external heating and cooling equipment, leading to bulkiness, complexity, and high costs, while also risking damage to components due to temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A detection chip with a heating electrode integrated on the substrate, allowing for precise temperature control of micro-reaction chambers without external heating equipment, thereby simplifying operations and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If external heating and cooling equipment is used for dPCR, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating electrode is integrated directly into the detection chip substrate, merging the heating function with the reaction chamber structure. This eliminates the need for separate external heating equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature control capability for PCR amplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/external heating systems with an electrical heating solution. The heating electrode converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy through Joule heating, substituting the need for complex mechanical heating and cooling equipment while achieving precise temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If external heating and cooling equipment is used for dPCR, then temperature control is achieved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating electrode is integrated directly into the detection chip substrate, merging the heating function with the reaction chamber structure. This eliminates the need for separate external heating equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature control capability for PCR amplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/external heating systems with an electrical heating solution. The heating electrode converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy through Joule heating, substituting the need for complex mechanical heating and cooling equipment while achieving precise temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If external heating and cooling equipment is used for dPCR, then temperature control is achieved, but component damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidcomponent damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating electrode is integrated directly into the detection chip substrate, merging the heating function with the reaction chamber structure. This eliminates the need for separate external heating equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature control capability for PCR amplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/external heating systems with an electrical heating solution. The heating electrode converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy through Joule heating, substituting the need for complex mechanical heating and cooling equipment while achieving precise temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 detection chip achieves high integration, simplicity of operation, and low production costs, while ensuring effective temperature control for accurate PCR amplification without damaging components.

Implementation Method 1

a heating electrode, being on the first substrate and closer to the first substrate than the micro-cavity defining layer, and configured to heat the plurality of micro-reaction chambers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250186994A1Detection chip, using method for the same, and reaction system

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 BEIJING BOE TECH DEV CO LTD

AI summary

A detection chip, a using method for the same, and a reaction system. The detection chip includes a first substrate, a micro-cavity defining layer, and a heating electrode. The micro-cavity defining layer is on the first substrate and defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The heating electrode is on the first substrate and is closer to the first substrate than the micro-cavity defining layer, and is configured to heat a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The orthographic projection of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers on the first substrate is within the orthographic projection of the heating electrode on the first substrate.