Microdroplet Container Flat Surface and Peltier Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital PCR technologies face challenges with microdroplet uniformity, surface curvature in microdroplet containers, and slow temperature control, leading to inefficient nucleic acid amplification and detection.
Innovation Solution
A microdroplet container with a flat liquid surface, a polygonal frame design for oil reservoir management, and a temperature controlling device with a flexible circuit board and semiconductor couples for rapid temperature cycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional microdroplet containers with curved surfaces are used, then the container structure is simple, but the liquid surface becomes curved causing microdroplets to gather at the middle and interfering with fluorescence image obtaining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reverse of this principle by using a flat bottom surface instead of a curved one. The container bottom is designed with a flat surface that supports the microdroplets in a single layer, preventing them from gathering at the middle due to surface curvature, thereby improving fluorescence image quality without complicating the container structure
2Speed
If conventional temperature controlling devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the temperature increasing and decreasing speeds are small requiring long time for nucleic acid amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses semiconductor electric couples (Peltier elements) that can rapidly change temperature by controlling the direction and magnitude of electric current. This allows fast temperature increasing and decreasing speeds, significantly reducing the time required for nucleic acid amplification cycles while maintaining a relatively simple device structure
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional oil phase composition is used, then the composition is simple, but the physical properties such as viscosity change greatly affecting microdroplet volume uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the oil phase composition by adding specific surfactants and adjusting physical parameters to maintain stable viscosity and other physical properties throughout the microdroplet generation process. This ensures consistent microdroplet volume uniformity while keeping the composition relatively simple
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
Ensures uniform microdroplet generation, reduces fluorescence interference, and accelerates nucleic acid amplification, enhancing detection efficiency and reducing detection time.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of semiconductor electric couples disposed between the flexible circuit board and the first surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a microdroplet container and a method for manufacturing the same, a method for spreading microdroplets, a microdroplet-generating kit, a temperature-controlling device, an oil phase composition for microdroplet generating and a method for treating the same. The temperature controlling device includes a flexible circuit board a heating substrate, and multiple semiconductor electric couples. The semiconductor electric couples are disposed between the flexible circuit board and a first surface of the heating substrate, and are connected to each other.