Genetic Test System with Segmented Vessel Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Genetic test analysis methods are time-consuming due to the need for prolonged specimen handling in devices that perform temperature cycles, limiting throughput and increasing device size.
Innovation Solution
A genetic test device equipped with heating/cooling means for individual reaction vessels, temperature monitoring, and light emission detection, connected to an additional preprocessing extraction device for enhanced functionality and automation, allowing for high-throughput and reliable analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single plate controls temperature evenly over the whole plate, then temperature uniformity is improved, but throughput is worsened because analysis cannot start on new samples until current analysis ends
Solution Approach 1:
The single plate is divided into multiple independently controllable reaction vessels (first reaction vessel, second reaction vessel, etc.). Each vessel can be controlled by its own heating/cooling means, allowing independent temperature control and parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously, thereby improving throughput while maintaining temperature uniformity within each vessel.
2Productivity
If multiple reaction vessels are processed simultaneously with different protocols, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for multiple temperature and time settings
Solution Approach 1:
Each reaction vessel is equipped with universal heating/cooling means that can adapt to different temperature protocols. The same heating/cooling means can adjust temperature and time parameters to accommodate various amplification protocols (e.g., PCR, LAMP) for different samples, eliminating the need for separate dedicated settings for each protocol type and reducing overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If temperature cycles are performed for nucleic acid amplification, then analysis accuracy is improved, but analysis time increases leading to lower throughput
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reaction vessels are processed simultaneously in parallel, each performing temperature cycles for nucleic acid amplification. This segmentation of the analysis process across multiple vessels allows the system to maintain high accuracy through complete temperature cycle execution while reducing total analysis time by conducting multiple analyses concurrently rather than sequentially.
4Device complexity
If batch mode operation is used with a single plate, then device simplicity is maintained, but temperature locality problems arise in the plate
Solution Approach 1:
The single plate is segmented into multiple reaction vessels, each with its own heating/cooling means. This segmentation eliminates temperature locality problems because each vessel is independently controlled, ensuring uniform temperature distribution within each vessel. The system maintains simplicity by using identical heating/cooling components in each vessel rather than requiring complex centralized control.
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 configuration enables faster analysis, increased throughput, and improved reliability, with the ability to handle multiple samples and protocols efficiently, enhancing the quality of analysis data and providing a fail-safe backup system.
Implementation Method 1
a heating/cooling means for accommodating a plurality of reaction vessels accommodating as target nucleic acid to be amplified and a component required for the amplification and performing temperature control for each accommodated position of the reaction vessel
Implementation Method 2
a heating/cooling means for accommodating a plurality of reaction vessels accommodating as target nucleic acid to be amplified and a component required for the amplification and performing temperature control for each accommodated position of the reaction vessel
Implementation Method 3
a light emission detection means for measuring light emission of reaction liquid in the reaction vessel
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a genetic test system provided with a dispensing means for dispensing a sample and a reagent to a reaction vessel and a vessel conveyance means for conveying the reaction vessel. The system further includes a plurality of nucleic acid amplification detection units, each including a temperature control means for accommodating a plurality of reaction vessels and performing temperature control for each accommodated position of the reaction vessel, a temperature monitoring means for monitoring a value of temperature to be controlled of the reaction vessel, and a light emission measurement means for measuring light emission of reaction liquid in the reaction vessel. At least one of the nucleic acid amplification detection units individually has a vessel conveyance means different from the above-mentioned vessel conveyance means.