Microfluidic Device With Semiconductor Microchip For Nucleic Acid Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices face challenges in efficiently isolating and concentrating target substances from fluids, particularly in maintaining precise control over fluid interactions and temperature within microfluidic chambers for applications like nucleic acid extraction and purification.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device incorporating a semiconductor microchip with fluid active circuitry and transistor circuitry for onboard logic, combined with a bed of solid supports such as silica or paramagnetic particles, allows for selective retention of target substances while allowing secondary components to exit, using magnetic fields or filtration for efficient fluid processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a bed of solid supports is used for target substance retention, then purification efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bed of solid supports is integrated within the microfluidic chamber, which itself is defined by the semiconductor microchip. This nested configuration allows the purification function to be embedded within the existing device structure, improving purification efficiency while minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the bed of solid supports with the microfluidic chamber and semiconductor microchip into a single integrated device. The solid supports are positioned within the chamber, and the chamber is defined by the microchip, merging multiple functions (fluid handling, heating, purification) into one unified system
2Temperature
If semiconductor microchip with fluid active circuitry is used, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semiconductor microchip integrates fluid active circuitry (heating, cooling, mixing) and transistor circuitry (control logic) into a single component that also defines the microfluidic chamber. This merging of functions allows precise temperature control while reducing the number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor microchip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the microfluidic chamber geometry, provides heating through fluid active circuitry, enables cooling, offers mixing capabilities, and incorporates control logic via transistor circuitry. This multi-functionality achieves precise temperature control without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Quantity of substance
If microfluidic chamber is used for fluid processing, then sample quantity required is reduced, but fluid interaction control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic chamber is integrated with the semiconductor microchip, which provides onboard fluid active circuitry and control logic. This integration allows precise control of fluid interactions (heating, cooling, mixing) within the small chamber volume, making small sample processing as controllable as large-scale operations
Solution Approach 2:
The transistor circuitry on the semiconductor microchip provides onboard logic control that can monitor and adjust fluid processing parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of fluid interactions within the microfluidic chamber, maintaining ease of operation despite the reduced scale
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
This configuration enables precise control over fluid interactions and temperature, enhancing the concentration and purification of target substances like nucleic acids, improving the efficiency of subsequent processing steps such as amplification and purification.
Implementation Method 1
a bed of solid supports positioned within the microfluidic chamber... selective retention of target substances
Implementation Method 2
using magnetic fields or filtration for efficient fluid processing... paramagnetic particles
Implementation Method 3
semiconductor microchip including fluid active circuitry... precise control over fluid interactions and temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chamber fluidly coupled to an inlet port and an outlet port, a semiconductor microchip including fluid active circuitry and transistor circuitry, and a bed of solid supports positioned within the microfluidic chamber fluidly positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port. The transistor circuitry in this example provides onboard logic at the semiconductor microchip to control fluid active circuitry. The semiconductor microchip also defines a portion of the microfluidic chamber.