Parallel Microfluidic PCR Cartridge for Independent Sample Lanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic analyses in the medical diagnostics industry face bottlenecks due to the need for specialized, expensive equipment and batch processing, leading to delays and inefficiencies in sample processing and result delivery, particularly in the automation of PCR and nucleotide detection steps.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic system that includes a receiving bay for a microfluidic cartridge with a heat source for PCR and a detector for nucleotide presence, controlled by a processor to manage thermal cycling and detection independently across multiple sample lanes, enabling high-throughput analysis and on-demand diagnostic results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If batch processing is used for diagnostic analyses, then equipment utilization is improved, but processing time and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sample processing into multiple independent lanes (e.g., 96 lanes) on a single cartridge, allowing parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously. Each lane can be independently controlled for PCR amplification and detection, transforming batch processing into parallel stream processing, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining high equipment utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from sequential batch processing to multi-dimensional parallel processing by implementing a cartridge with multiple sample lanes arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern. This spatial arrangement enables simultaneous processing of numerous samples across different lanes, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the processing capability and dramatically increasing throughput without proportionally increasing processing time.
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment is used for PCR and detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines PCR amplification and fluorescence detection functions into a single integrated microfluidic cartridge with multiple lanes. The cartridge includes reaction chambers for PCR and detection chambers with fluorescence detectors, allowing both functions to be performed in one device. This merging reduces the need for separate specialized equipment while maintaining detection precision through integrated optical detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic cartridge is designed as a universal platform that can process multiple different samples and detect various nucleotide sequences simultaneously across its lanes. The system can be configured to detect different polynucleotides by changing the probe sequences, making the equipment versatile rather than specialized for a single application, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining precision.
3Productivity
If multiple samples are processed in parallel, then productivity is improved, but control and measurement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time fluorescence detection in each lane during PCR amplification, providing continuous feedback on the amplification progress. This feedback allows the control system to monitor and adjust conditions for each lane independently, ensuring precise control even when processing multiple samples in parallel. The feedback mechanism enables automatic identification of positive and negative results without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lane in the cartridge is designed to be self-contained with its own reaction chamber, detection chamber, and fluorescence detection capability. The lanes autonomously perform PCR amplification and detection without requiring external intervention for each individual sample. The system automatically cycles through thermal conditions and collects fluorescence data from all lanes simultaneously, reducing the complexity of manual control while maintaining high productivity.
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 system allows for rapid, automated PCR and detection of polynucleotides in biological samples, reducing processing time and increasing efficiency by enabling simultaneous analysis of multiple samples without the need for specialized equipment, thus addressing the bottlenecks in diagnostic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat source thermally coupled to the cartridge and configured to carry out PCR on a microdroplet of polynucleotide-containing sample, in the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect presence of one or more polynucleotides in the sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology provides for an apparatus for detecting polynucleotides in samples, particularly from biological samples. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides. The apparatus includes a microfluidic cartridge that is configured to accept a plurality of samples, and which can carry out PCR on each sample individually, or a group of, or all of the plurality of samples simultaneously.