Microfluidic Chip With Varying Microcavity Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic chips with uniform reaction cell volumes limit the dynamic range and sensitivity of digital PCR, requiring fixed sample dilutions and increasing the risk of cross-contamination due to multiple serial dilutions.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic chip with multiple microcavities of varying volumes, allowing for a larger selection range of sample dilution concentrations and reducing the need for fixed dilutions, thereby expanding the dynamic range and improving detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uniform reaction cell volumes are used in conventional microfluidic chips, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the dynamic range and sensitivity of digital PCR are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating microcavities with different volumes (first, second, and third microcavities with varying sizes) within the same microfluidic chip. This allows different regions of the chip to handle different sample concentrations simultaneously, expanding the dynamic range without requiring multiple separate chips or complex external dilution systems.
2Reliability
If fixed sample dilutions are required due to uniform reaction cells, then the manufacturing process is simple, but multiple serial dilutions increase cross-contamination risk and reagent waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a single microfluidic chip that can accommodate multiple sample concentrations simultaneously through its varied microcavity volumes. The chip serves multiple functions: it acts as both reaction vessels and dilution chambers, eliminating the need for separate serial dilution steps and reducing cross-contamination risks while minimizing reagent waste.
3Productivity
If multiple serial dilutions are performed to accommodate different concentrations, then the detection sensitivity can be improved, but the experimental efficiency decreases and reagent waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the microfluidic chip with microcavities of different volumes before the experiment begins. This allows sample solutions with different concentrations to be directly loaded into appropriate microcavities without requiring time-consuming serial dilution procedures during the experiment, thereby improving efficiency and reducing reagent consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a microfluidic chip including a plurality of microcavities, at least two of the plurality of microcavities have different volumes.