Magnetic Particle Cartridge for Point-of-Care Nucleic Acid Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid refinement methods require significant manpower, time, and are limited by the need for laboratory settings, making them unsuitable for point-of-care testing and prone to contamination due to the lack of a suitable analyte collection device and method.
Innovation Solution
An analyte collecting device with a case and piston structure that uses magnetic particles to automate nucleic acid refinement, including partitioned sections for lysis, washing, and elution, and a system for controlled processing and collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional chemical and physical methods are used for nucleic acid refinement, then refinement can be achieved, but significant manpower and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (pipetting, vortexing, centrifugation) with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetic particles are used to bind nucleic acids, and a magnetic field applies mechanical force to separate and collect the bound nucleic acids automatically, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and significantly reducing processing time and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The refinement system is designed to perform multiple steps automatically without continuous human intervention. The magnetic particles self-bind to nucleic acids when in contact with the sample, and the magnetic field automatically directs and collects the particle-nucleic acid complexes, enabling the system to serve itself through automated magnetic actuation and separation.
2Productivity
If conventional refinement methods are used in laboratory settings, then nucleic acid can be refined, but the device size becomes large and mobility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple refinement functions (lysis, binding, washing, elution) into a single integrated cartridge containing all necessary reagents and magnetic particles. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate laboratory equipment and multiple containers, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining full refinement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic particle-based system performs multiple functions within a single device: cell lysis, nucleic acid binding, separation, washing, and elution. The magnetic field can be applied at different stages to achieve different functions, making the device universally capable of completing the entire refinement process in one unit, thereby reducing device size and improving mobility.
3Ease of operation
If manual refinement processes are used, then flexibility is maintained, but contamination risk increases due to repeated handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable cartridge system that is pre-filled with reagents and magnetic particles. The entire refinement process occurs within this single-use cartridge, which is discarded after one use. This eliminates cross-contamination between samples and eliminates the need for extensive cleaning and sterilization procedures, reducing contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the refinement process from the laboratory environment into a self-contained, portable cartridge. By taking out all necessary reagents, magnetic particles, and processing chambers into a single integrated unit, the system eliminates the need for repeated handling and transfer between multiple laboratory containers, thereby reducing contamination risk while preserving operational flexibility.
4Productivity
If conventional refinement methods are used, then nucleic acid can be collected, but the process requires multiple reagents and treatments for each stage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all refinement reagents (lysis buffer, binding buffer, washing buffer, elution buffer) and magnetic particles into a single integrated cartridge. The magnetic field serves as a universal tool for separation and collection throughout all stages. This merging of reagents, particles, and magnetic actuation into one system simplifies the overall process complexity while maintaining high collection efficiency.
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
The device enables automated, efficient, and cost-effective nucleic acid refinement with reduced contamination risk, allowing for point-of-care testing and consistent yield ratios.
Implementation Method 1
refining nucleic acid using magnetic particles
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to an analyte collecting device, an analyte collecting method and an analyte inspection system using the same. In one aspect, the device includes a case including an opening and an internal space. The device may also include a piston including one or more partition walls dividing the internal space into a plurality of internal spaces. The piston may be inserted into the internal space through the opening of the case to reciprocate in the internal space.