Integrated Cartridge for Automated Gene Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gene analysis methods require complex operations involving the transportation of cartridges or samples between devices, lacking full automation from nucleic acid extraction to electrophoresis.
Innovation Solution
An integrated cartridge and capillary electrophoresis device that automates all steps from nucleic acid extraction, amplification, labeling, and electrophoresis using a single device and cartridge, incorporating a capillary array, pump/buffer unit, thermostatic unit, and high-voltage power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional separate devices are used for pre-processing and electrophoresis, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but complex operations are required to transport cartridges or samples between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-processing device and electrophoresis device into a single integrated cartridge system. The cartridge contains all necessary components (reaction chambers, separation channels, detection elements) to perform both pre-processing and electrophoresis without requiring sample transfer between separate devices, thereby eliminating operational complexity while maintaining functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cartridge is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: nucleic acid extraction, amplification, labeling, and electrophoresis separation all within a single device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized devices while maintaining the reliability of each function through integrated design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual transport operations are used between devices, then device specialization is maintained, but automation is incomplete and work load increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all processing steps into a single integrated cartridge, the system achieves complete automation from sample input to electrophoresis output. The cartridge is designed to perform all operations internally without requiring manual intervention for sample transfer, thereby maximizing automation while maintaining the functional advantages of specialized processing stages.
3Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used, then each processing step can be independently optimized, but the overall system complexity and handling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cartridge is segmented into distinct functional modules: pre-processing section with reaction chambers, separation section with capillary channels, and detection section. Each module is optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a single compact device, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining processing optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design nests multiple functional components within a compact structure, with reaction chambers, separation channels, and detection elements arranged in a nested configuration. This allows the cartridge to perform multiple specialized functions within a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functional optimization.
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
Enables fully automated execution of gene analysis from pre-processing to electrophoresis, improving operability and reducing the complexity of manual handling.
Implementation Method 1
an electrophoresis stage of sequentially reading the base sequences of the nucleic acids after the pre-processing
Implementation Method 2
a pre-processing reaction stage including a step of extracting nucleic acids from a biological sample, a step of amplifying the extracted nucleic acids, and a step of labeling the nucleic acids, and (2) an electrophoresis stage
Data Source
AI summary
To allow fully automated implementation of all steps of from pre-processing up to electrophoresis. Provided is a pre-processing/electrophoresis integrated cartridge including one or more block structures corresponding to the individual steps of pre-processing. Each block structure includes (1) a first block having a reaction tank, a reagent tank, a plurality of flow channels that connect the tanks, a plurality of control valves arranged in the flow channels, and a flow channel that connects a reaction tank in a block structure located at a preceding stage and a reaction tank in a block structure located at a next stage, and (2) a second block having a phoretic solution tank, a cathode buffer solution tank, a wash solution tank, a flow channel that connects a carrier tank in the block structure located at the preceding stage and the phoretic solution tank, and a control valve for the flow channel.