Magnetic Sample Preparation Cartridge for Nucleic Acid Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid isolation and purification methods face challenges in achieving optimal sample preparation, leading to suboptimal results in downstream applications due to variations in sample sources such as blood, plant tissue, and microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A sample preparation cartridge with a cylindrical structure and chambers, sealed by a cover, utilizing a cylinder housing with magnets for automated transfer of paramagnetic particles between chambers, and a motor for rotational mixing and positioning, enabling semi-automated or fully automated sample preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual sample preparation methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and consistency of nucleic acid isolation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sample preparation device is divided into multiple functional chambers (lysis chamber, binding chamber, washing chamber, elution chamber) within a single cartridge, allowing automated processing while maintaining modularity. Each chamber performs a specific function in the nucleic acid isolation workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is nested within a housing that contains magnets and motor mechanisms. The cartridge itself contains multiple chambers with paramagnetic particles nested within specific chambers, creating a hierarchical nested structure that enables automated operation.
2Reliability
If automated magnet transfer is implemented, then reliability of paramagnetic particle transfer is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet mechanism is extracted from the cartridge and placed in the external housing, allowing reliable magnetic particle manipulation without requiring complex internal magnet structures within the disposable cartridge. This separates the reusable magnetic actuation system from the disposable sampling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary between the operator and the cartridge, providing the magnetic field generation capability while the cartridge remains a simple container with predefined chambers. The motor in the housing mediates the rotation and positioning of the cartridge relative to the magnets.
3Productivity
If multiple chambers are integrated in one cartridge, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed as a single integrated structure with multiple discrete chambers formed within it, allowing all sample preparation steps to occur in one cartridge without requiring precise alignment of multiple separate components during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional chambers (lysis, binding, washing, elution) are merged into a single cartridge structure with interconnecting channels, enabling the entire nucleic acid isolation process to be performed in one integrated device rather than requiring precise coordination of multiple separate devices.
4Ease of operation
If motorized rotation is added for mixing and positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor rotates the cartridge periodically through specific angular positions to bring different chambers into alignment with the magnets in the housing, enabling automated mixing and particle transfer without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms within the cartridge itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mixing and particle manipulation operations are replaced by a simple motor-driven rotation system combined with magnetic fields, eliminating the need for complex mechanical mixing mechanisms within the disposable cartridge while achieving automated operation.
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
Enhances the efficiency and consistency of nucleic acid isolation by optimizing the sample preparation process, ensuring reliable transfer and aggregation of magnetic particles, thereby improving the quality of downstream analyses.
Implementation Method 1
The sample preparation device may include a magnet disposed therein and configured for transferring paramagnetic particles between chambers of the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
Certain embodiments also provide sample preparation devices that actuate rotation of a cartridge disposed therein using a motor
Implementation Method 3
a cover affixed over the exterior surface of the annular wall to cover and fluidically seal the open side of the chambers
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include sample preparation cartridges including a cylindrical structure and one or more covers. The cylindrical structure further includes a top, a bottom, an annular wall, a plurality of cavities in the annular wall that form a plurality of open-sided chambers on the annular wall and one or more interconnections providing fluidic communication between the plurality of chambers. The one or more covers cover the open side of the plurality of chambers. Also provided is a cylinder housing comprising one or more magnets. The sample preparation cartridge is removably disposed into the cylinder housing or adjacent to the cylinder housing. Methods of using the sample preparation device are also provided.