Induction-Heated PCR Reaction Container for Fast Thermal Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal cycling in existing reaction containers for nucleic acid amplification is inefficient in terms of time and energy, and precise temperature control is often lacking, making it difficult to achieve uniform heating and accurate temperature changes during PCR processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of an inductively heatable susceptor material with low thermal mass in the reaction container walls, which is heated by an electromagnetic field, allowing for precise and accurate temperature control and uniform heating through induction heating, combined with a cooling arrangement for efficient thermal cycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heating methods are used in reaction containers, then heating can be achieved, but thermal cycling is inefficient in terms of time and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical heating methods (heating blocks, contact heaters) with electromagnetic induction heating. The susceptor material in the reaction container wall interacts with an alternating magnetic field generated by an induction coil, producing heat through electromagnetic induction rather than mechanical heat transfer. This substitution enables rapid, efficient thermal cycling with precise temperature control, directly resolving the contradiction between heating capability and thermal cycling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the reaction container by incorporating a susceptor material with specific magnetic properties into the wall structure. This material parameter change allows the container to respond to electromagnetic fields, enabling rapid induction heating and cooling cycles. The low thermal mass of the susceptor material further optimizes the thermal response time, achieving fast thermal cycling without excessive energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heating methods are used, then heating can be achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inefficient mechanical heating systems with electromagnetic induction heating, which directly generates heat within the susceptor material through electromagnetic field interaction. This eliminates energy losses associated with conventional heating methods (heat conduction through container walls, heat loss to surroundings), achieving high heating efficiency with low energy consumption. The induction heating system converts electrical energy to thermal energy with minimal loss, directly addressing the energy efficiency contradiction.
3Measurement precision
If conventional thermal cycling is used, then temperature changes can be achieved, but precise and accurate temperature control is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces imprecise mechanical temperature control systems with electromagnetic induction heating, which offers superior temperature control accuracy. The induction coil can be precisely controlled in terms of power, frequency, and duration, enabling accurate reproduction of desired temperature profiles. The low thermal mass of the susceptor material allows rapid thermal response with minimal temperature gradients, achieving both precise temperature control and uniform heating throughout the reaction volume.
4Temperature
If conventional heating methods are used, then heating can be achieved, but uniform heating of the biological sample is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating the susceptor material specifically into the reaction container wall that is in direct contact with the biological sample. This localized placement ensures that heating occurs precisely where needed, directly heating the sample through the container wall without creating temperature gradients. The alternating magnetic field penetrates the container wall and induces uniform heating throughout the sample volume, achieving both temperature uniformity and rapid heating simultaneously.
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 enables rapid induction heating with low energy consumption, precise temperature control, and efficient thermal cycling, reducing cycle time and improving the accuracy of nucleic acid amplification processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the wall comprises an inductively heatable susceptor material for heating the biological sample
Implementation Method 2
the induction coil is configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field that couples with, and inductively heats, the inductively heatable susceptor material
Implementation Method 3
the inductively heatable susceptor material has a low thermal mass enabling rapid induction heating in a generated electromagnetic field with low energy requirements
Implementation Method 4
Thermal cycling of nucleic acid amplification reactions in reaction containers according to examples of the disclosure is efficient because the inductively heatable susceptor material has a low thermal mass enabling rapid induction heating
Implementation Method 5
combined with a cooling arrangement for efficient thermal cycling
Data Source
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AI summary
A reaction container (10, 32, 34, 36, 40, 48, 50) for a nucleic acid amplification reaction of a biological sample. The reaction container (10, 32, 34, 36, 40, 48, 50) comprises a wall (12) having an inner surface (14) and an outer surface (16). The inner surface (14) defines a cavity (18) for containing the biological sample. At least part of the wall (12) comprises an inductively heatable susceptor material (20) for heating the biological sample.