Short Pulse Laser Cell Rupture for Nucleic Acid Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid extraction methods are inefficient, time-consuming, costly, and prone to contamination and errors, especially in mass testing or production line settings, due to their mechanical, physical, or chemical nature.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a short pulse laser to break cell membranes or walls by controlling the repetition rate and output power of the laser beam, with an optical lens system to focus the laser on a biological sample, facilitating efficient cell rupture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical methods (grinding, pressure, ultrasonic vibration) are used to release nucleic acid from cells, then cell rupture is achieved, but the operation becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical methods (grinding, pressure, ultrasonic vibration) with a laser-based system. The laser beam directly作用于细胞, using optical energy to induce internal pressure changes that rupture cell membranes, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical equipment and reducing operation time while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of energy delivery by using laser intensity and pulse duration to control cell rupture. By adjusting laser parameters (power, pulse width, frequency), the system achieves efficient cell lysis without mechanical intervention, significantly reducing operation time compared to traditional mechanical methods.
2Productivity
If physical methods (freezing and thawing with liquid nitrogen) are used to break cells, then cell structure is destroyed, but costly equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical method requiring liquid nitrogen and specialized freezing equipment with a laser system. The laser beam delivers optical energy that converts to thermal and mechanical effects within cells, achieving rupture without expensive cryogenic equipment, thereby reducing equipment costs while maintaining high cell rupture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam acts as an intermediary that transfers energy to cells without requiring direct contact with cryogenic materials or complex equipment. The optical energy is converted to internal pressure changes within cells, providing a simpler, more cost-effective pathway to cell rupture compared to physical freezing methods.
3Productivity
If chemical methods (reagents, osmotic pressure difference) are used to break cells, then nucleic acid is released, but manual operation leads to contamination and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical methods requiring manual handling of reagents with a laser-based physical method. The laser beam non-contactly delivers energy to cells, inducing internal pressure changes that rupture membranes and release nucleic acid without contamination risk from manual reagent handling, thereby improving reliability while maintaining efficient nucleic acid release.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam serves as a clean intermediary that transfers energy to cells without introducing chemical reagents. This non-contact energy transfer eliminates the contamination and error risks associated with manual chemical处理方法, while still achieving effective cell lysis and nucleic acid release through controlled internal pressure changes.
4Productivity
If traditional nucleic acid extraction methods are used, then cell rupture is achieved, but the process is complex and less efficient in mass testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step mechanical and chemical extraction protocols with a single laser irradiation step. The laser system directly induces cell rupture through optical-to-mechanical energy conversion, eliminating multiple operational steps and reducing device complexity while significantly improving efficiency for mass testing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser method performs cell rupture as a preliminary and sufficient action, eliminating the need for subsequent mechanical disruption steps. By achieving complete cell lysis through laser irradiation alone, the process simplifies operational complexity and improves throughput for mass testing compared to traditional multi-step methods.
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 and efficient cell disruption with high cell rupture rates, up to 90%, reducing operational complexity and minimizing contamination risks, thus enhancing nucleic acid extraction for mass testing and production line applications.
Implementation Method 1
the short pulse laser beam is converged when passing through the optical lens set, and then is focused on a focus, and the biological sample is subjected to the short pulse laser beam, so that cell membranes or cell walls of cells in the biological sample are broken
Implementation Method 2
a laser source which is electrically connected to a microcontroller is provided, wherein the laser source is configured to emit a short pulse laser beam
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for opening the external layer structure of cells using laser, wherein the short pulse laser beam excited from a laser source is converged via the optical lens and concentrated at a focus, a biological sample which is fixed on the focus or moves through the focus is treated with the concentrated short pulse laser beam, so that the cell membrane or cell wall of cells in the sample is broken.