Functionalized Heating Elements for Low-Concentration Nucleic Acid Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for nucleic acid amplification and extraction are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly at low concentrations, due to the reliance on Brownian molecular motion and diffusion, which limits the rapid assembly of target nucleic acids with functional nucleic acids or primers on heating elements, leading to prolonged processes and potential undetected or incorrectly characterized results.

Innovation Solution

A method and device involving a heating element conjugated with functional nucleic acids that generate relative movement with the sample or reaction liquid, facilitating the hybridization and extraction or amplification of target nucleic acids through accelerated contact and increased probability of binding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If Brownian molecular motion and diffusion are used for assembling target nucleic acid with functional nucleic acid on heating elements, then the process is simple, but the assembly speed is slow and the process time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidprocess time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies to generate acoustic streaming and cavitation in the surrounding liquid, which dramatically accelerates the transport of target nucleic acids to the functional nucleic acid binding sites, overcoming the slow diffusion-limited assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static heating element to a dynamically vibrating one, creating time-varying fluid flow patterns that continuously renew the liquid-heating element interface and enhance mass transfer rates for nucleic acid assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If heating elements are localized at discrete locations, then the device structure is simple, but the contact area with sample liquid is limited reducing extraction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidcontact area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By vibrating the heating element, the system creates dynamic fluid circulation that effectively increases the sampled volume of liquid contacting the heating element over time, compensating for the limited physical surface area and enhancing extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Acoustic streaming generated by ultrasonic vibration creates hydraulic flow patterns that continuously bring fresh sample liquid into contact with the heating element surface, effectively increasing the functional contact area beyond the physical dimensions of the element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If target nucleic acid concentration is low, then the sample represents complex real-world scenarios, but the assembly time increases significantly and detection reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Ultrasonic vibration generates intense local mixing and cavitation effects that dramatically accelerate the rare collision events between low-concentration target nucleic acids and functional nucleic acids, reducing assembly time and improving detection reliability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary concentration enrichment through enhanced assembly kinetics before detection, ensuring sufficient target nucleic acid-bound complexes are formed even from low-concentration samples, thereby improving detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enhances extraction and amplification efficiency, sensitivity, and reduces the time required for nucleic acid detection by favoring the hybridization of target nucleic acids with functional nucleic acids, even at low concentrations, using relative movement and localized heating.

Implementation Method 1

heating elements designed as heating wires are functionalized with oligonucleotides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLocalized heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

polymerase chain reaction is carried out by means of local heating in order to amplify a nucleic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal denaturation: Melting

Implementation Method 3

the target nucleic acid be in sufficiently close spatial proximity to the oligonucleotide, in addition to a suitable chemical environment and temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHybridization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12434247B2Method and device for extracting and/or reproducing a target nucleic acid

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 HP HEALTH SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

A method for extracting a target nucleic acid from a sample liquid includes providing a heating device having a heating element in contact with the sample liquid. The heating element is conjugated with at least one functional nucleic acid. The functional nucleic acid is adapted to hybridize to the target nucleic acid and bind the target nucleic acid to the heating element. Further, the method includes generating relative movement between the heating element and the sample liquid and extracting the target nucleic acid from the sample liquid by separating the heating element from the sample liquid.