Integrated Microfluidic Chip for Closed Digital PCR Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microdroplet digital PCR systems are cumbersome and difficult to operate in a closed manner, limiting their clinical application due to separate instruments for droplet formation, PCR reaction, and detection, which complicates the process and restricts clinical use.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic chip integrating sample storage, droplet formation, droplet storage, PCR thermal cycling, and droplet detection zones, with micro-channels and micropores for communication between zones, allowing for whole-process operation on a single device, reducing manual steps and enhancing clinical applicability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate instruments are used for droplet formation, PCR reaction and droplet detection, then each function can be optimized independently, but the operation steps become cumbersome and whole-process closed operation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates droplet formation, PCR reaction, and droplet detection functions into a single microfluidic chip. The chip includes a droplet formation zone with microchannels for generating droplets, a PCR reaction zone with thermal cycling capability, and a detection zone with optical detection components, all connected through integrated microfluidic pathways. This merging eliminates the need for separate instruments and enables whole-process closed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it forms droplets through microchannel flow control, performs PCR thermal cycling through integrated heating and cooling, and conducts optical detection through built-in detection zones. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple separate instruments while maintaining optimized performance for each function.
2Extent of automation
If multiple processing zones are integrated on a single chip, then whole-process operation is achieved, but the chip structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The chip is divided into distinct functional zones: a droplet formation zone with microchannels for droplet generation, a droplet storage zone for holding droplets before PCR, a PCR reaction zone with thermal cycling capability, and a detection zone with optical detection components. Each zone is clearly segmented but connected through integrated microfluidic pathways, enabling automated whole-process operation while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a thin membrane is used for heat transfer during PCR, then thermal efficiency is improved, but the membrane strength and sealing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chip employs a thin membrane structure specifically in the PCR reaction zone where heat transfer is critical for thermal cycling efficiency. The membrane is designed with locally optimized thickness and material properties to achieve high thermal conductivity while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through strategic reinforcement at connection points and support structures.
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 microfluidic chip simplifies the digital PCR process, reduces operation difficulty, and improves detection efficiency by integrating all necessary steps, enabling automatic clinical detection and simultaneous processing of multiple samples.
Implementation Method 1
a thin membrane for efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
the droplet detection zone is used to perform optical detection on the droplets after PCR reaction
Implementation Method 3
transforming the aqueous-phase sample into water-in-oil droplets
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a microfluidic chip, including a chip upper cover, a chip lower layer, a membrane, a sealing gasket and a sealing ring. The microfluidic chip is provided with a sample storage zone, a droplet formation zone, a droplet storage zone, a droplet detection zone and a waste liquid storage zone. The sample storage zone, the droplet formation zone, the droplet storage zone, the droplet detection zone and the waste liquid storage zone communicate by means of a micropore or a micro-channel. The droplet formation zone is used to transform the sample phase into tens of thousands to millions of droplets, the droplets undergo the PCR reaction in the droplet storage zone, the droplet detection zone is used to perform optical detection on the droplets after PCR reaction, and the waste liquid storage zone is used to collect and store the detected droplets and continuous phase.