Lab-on-a-chip PCR Device Bubble Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current real-time PCR devices are large, costly, and struggle to accurately measure multiple small amounts of nucleic acid amplification products simultaneously due to reduced signal sensitivity caused by bubbles in miniaturized reaction vessels, hindering efficient and reliable detection of food-borne bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A micro PCR chip with a PCR reaction chamber capable of holding 10 μl or less liquid sample, featuring a light-transmitting cover and a heat-releasing unit, combined with a real-time PCR apparatus that includes heat blocks and a light-detecting module to detect optical signals from the PCR amplification products, minimizing the effect of bubbles on signal sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If real-time PCR devices are miniaturized to reduce size and cost, then portability and accessibility are improved, but signal sensitivity deteriorates due to bubbles in miniaturized reaction vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes bubbles from the optical detection path by designing a specific chamber structure where bubbles are separated from the reaction mixture and directed to a designated area away from the light path, thereby eliminating their interfering effect on signal detection while maintaining miniaturization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydrophobic coating as an intermediary layer on the chamber walls that selectively interacts with bubbles, causing them to adhere to specific surfaces rather than remaining suspended in the optical path, thus mediating between the miniaturized chamber and the detection system
2Productivity
If multiple samples are measured simultaneously to improve efficiency, then productivity increases, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent detection channels, each with its own light path and detection zone, allowing simultaneous measurement of multiple samples without cross-interference while maintaining high detection accuracy for each individual sample
3Measurement precision
If conventional PCR methods are used with gel electrophoresis to verify amplification products, then measurement precision is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gel electrophoresis system with an optical detection system that directly measures amplification products in real-time through fluorescence or absorbance changes, eliminating the need for gel preparation, electrophoresis running, and staining steps while maintaining accurate verification of amplification
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 rapid, accurate, and cost-effective simultaneous measurement of multiple small amounts of nucleic acid amplification products, ensuring reliable detection of food-borne bacteria and improving the efficiency of the PCR process.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmitting cover and a heat-releasing unit, combined with a real-time PCR apparatus that includes heat blocks and a light-detecting module to detect optical signals from the PCR amplification products
Implementation Method 2
a real-time PCR apparatus that includes heat blocks and a light-detecting module
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ultra-high speed real-time PCR device on the basis of a lab-on-a-chip for detecting bacteria that causes food poisoning pertaining to agricultural food and a food poisoning detection method using the same. The present invention can provide a micro PCR chip which can simultaneously accommodate a plurality of small-volume samples and concurrently secure maximum thermal contact efficiency with a heating block so as to secure rapid results, and accurately measure an optical signal emitted from a nucleic acid amplification product even without any separate filtering or processing. Further, on the basis of the PCR chip, the present invention can provide a real-time PCR device which can rapidly obtain a nucleic acid amplification result of which the reliability is secured even without a complicated light-signal measuring module.