Microfluidic PCR Chip with Metallic Thermal Wall

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current microfluidic sample chips for PCR and fluorescence analysis are complex and not easily industrialized, requiring improved thermal conductivity and optical accessibility while maintaining operational efficiency, especially for rapid diagnostic tests and emergency contexts.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic sample chip with a parallelepipedic shape, featuring a metallic lower wall for thermal conductivity and a transparent upper wall for optical access, along with a tab for easy handling and sealing, and polarizing means for correct chip positioning, which includes a sealing device and fluorescence imaging capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a microfluidic sample chip is designed with both thermal conductivity and optical accessibility, then rapid temperature equilibration and fluorescence measurement are enabled, but the chip structure becomes complex and difficult to industrialize

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidchip structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chip is divided into distinct functional walls: a first wall for thermal conductivity and a second wall for optical accessibility. This segmentation allows each wall to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall chip simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the chip have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The first wall uses materials with high thermal conductivity, while the second wall uses transparent materials, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction between thermal and optical requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If a microfluidic sample chip is designed with specialized walls for thermal and optical functions, then rapid PCR reactions are enabled, but the chip becomes difficult to handle and insert into test devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction speedVSAvoidchip handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A tab element is added in a third dimension (extending from the chip body) to provide a convenient handling interface. This dimensional addition does not interfere with the specialized first and second walls while providing easy grip and insertion capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If a microfluidic sample chip uses consumable containers for PCR reactions, then rapid cycling is enabled, but the containers cannot be reused due to DNA contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling speedVSAvoidcontainer reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chip is designed as a disposable consumable container, accepting that it cannot be reused due to DNA contamination. This approach prioritizes rapid cycling performance and ease of manufacture over reusability, with the chip being discarded after a single use to prevent contamination of the test device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Manufacturing precision

If a microfluidic sample chip is designed with sealing devices and polarizing means, then correct positioning and thermalization are ensured, but the chip structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechip positioningVSAvoidchip structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Polarizing means with asymmetric geometries are incorporated into the chip structure. These asymmetric features provide correct positioning and thermalization alignment while adding minimal complexity compared to symmetric designs, as the asymmetry naturally guides proper orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution simplifies and enhances the usability of the microfluidic sample chip, ensuring rapid temperature equilibration and accurate fluorescence measurement, facilitating rapid PCR reactions in minutes, thus meeting the demands of rapid diagnostic tests and emergency contexts.

Implementation Method 1

a first wall (or lower wall) made of a material with high thermal conductivity, preferably metallic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a second wall (or upper wall) made at least partially of a transparent material... allowing a very rapid variation in the temperature of the sample... while ensuring optical accessibility to the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical transparency: Light

Implementation Method 3

real-time PCR where DNA amplification is measured during the reaction by a fluorescence signal from a probe whose fluorescence depends on the progress of the reaction of amplification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20240033730A1PCR detection chip, associated test device and implementation analysis system

Publication Date: 2024.02.01 BFORCURE

AI summary

A system for testing a microfluidic sample chip to perform PCR and/or fluorescence type testing of the biological samples. The chip having the form of a hollow block including at least one chamber delimited by an upper wall and a lower wall. The chamber receiving a sample to be tested and the chamber being associated with thermalization element and with a sensor to measure the fluorescence. The system further includes a tab, preferably opaque and/or rigid or semirigid, positioned in the continuation of, and preferably in the same plane as, the walls.