Integrated Cartridge for Nucleic Acid Isolation and Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid isolation and amplification systems are cumbersome, requiring multiple steps and human intervention, which can compromise sample integrity and are not suitable for high-volume applications or bench-top use, often necessitating different cartridges for various reactions and assays.
Innovation Solution
A modular cartridge system comprising an isolation module and a reaction module that allows for integrated nucleic acid isolation and amplification, with fluid communication between chambers, enabling real-time monitoring of PCR processes and flexibility in using different reagents and configurations for various reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple separate chambers and modules are used for nucleic acid isolation and amplification, then sample processing capability is improved, but device complexity and human intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate chambers (isolation chamber, amplification chamber, detection chamber) into a single integrated cartridge that can perform nucleic acid isolation, amplification, and detection in one continuous automated process, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design enables a single device to perform multiple functions (isolation, amplification, detection) through different chambers and reaction conditions, allowing one system to handle various nucleic acid assays without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each function
2Ease of operation
If manual transfer of samples between chambers is performed, then flexibility in sample handling is improved, but sample integrity is compromised due to contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sample transfer functions into the automated cartridge system with built-in fluid communication channels between chambers, eliminating manual transfer operations and preventing contamination while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable fluid control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses automated fluid handling mechanisms and sealed chamber designs as intermediaries to transfer samples between isolation and amplification chambers, replacing direct human contact with automated systems that maintain sample integrity while providing flexible handling through programmable operations
3Manufacturing precision
If different cartridges are used for different reactions and assays, then reaction specificity is improved, but device versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal cartridge platform with multiple configurable chambers that can accommodate different reaction types (PCR, reverse transcription, isothermal amplification) and assay formats by changing reagents and programming reaction conditions, thereby achieving both reaction specificity and device versatility through a single multi-functional system
Data Source
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AI summary
Cartridges for the isolation of a biological sample and downstream biological assays on the sample are provided. In one embodiment, a nucleic acid sample is isolated from a biological sample and the nucleic acid sample is amplified, for example by the polymerase chain reaction. The cartridges provided herein can also be used for the isolation of non-nucleic acid samples, for example proteins, and to perform downstream reactions on the proteins, for example, binding assays. Instruments for carrying out the downstream biological assays and for detecting the results of the assays are also provided.