Multi-Functional Microfluidics Device for Nucleic Acid Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidics devices for biological sample screening lack integration of efficient nucleic acid extraction, purification, PCR performance, and in situ hybridization capabilities in a compact, portable format, particularly for resource-limited settings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional microfluidics device with integrated reagent chambers, a reaction chamber, detection chamber, and waste chamber, utilizing actuators for active fluid transfer and capillary passages for passive fluid transfer, capable of extracting, purifying, amplifying, and detecting nucleic acids through various biochemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple laboratory functions are integrated on a single microfluidics chip, then automation and high-throughput screening are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidics chip is divided into multiple distinct functional chambers including a reaction chamber, detection chamber, waste chamber, and multiple reagent chambers. Each chamber is designed to perform a specific laboratory function, allowing complex workflows to be segmented into manageable, specialized components that can be independently optimized and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidics chip integrates multiple laboratory functions into a single device, enabling it to perform sample processing, nucleic acid extraction, PCR amplification, and detection across different chambers. This multi-functional design allows one device to replace multiple separate laboratory instruments, achieving high-throughput screening while maintaining manageable complexity through functional integration.
2Quantity of substance
If microfluidics technology is used to handle extremely small fluid volumes, then reagent costs are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chip utilizes vertical stacking of multiple chambers and channels in three-dimensional space, allowing complex fluid handling pathways to be arranged in multiple layers. This dimensional approach enables precise control of extremely small fluid volumes through vertically stacked reaction and detection chambers, reducing reagent consumption while managing manufacturing precision through standardized multi-layer fabrication.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is designed for portability and compactness, then it becomes suitable for resource-limited settings, but the integration of multiple functions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional chambers and channels are nested within each other in a compact arrangement, with smaller channels and structures embedded within larger chamber spaces. The waste chamber, reagent chambers, and detection chamber are positioned in a nested configuration that maximizes functional density while minimizing the overall device footprint, making the system portable despite its multi-functional complexity.
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
Enables efficient extraction and amplification of nucleic acids, and detection of target fragments in a compact, low-cost, and portable format, suitable for resource-limited settings, with reduced sample and reagent volumes, and faster analysis times.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary passage configured to passively transfer fluid through capillary forces from the sample input to the reaction chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a multi-functional microfluidics device capable of isolation of nucleic acids, purification of nucleic acids, performance of Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCRs), in situ hybridization of nucleic acids, fluorescent signal detections and the like. The apparatus comprises an integration of a plurality of reagent chambers, a sample input, a reaction chamber, a detection chamber, and a waste chamber; wherein the plurality of reagent chambers is fluidly connected to the reaction chamber, and is configured to store a plurality of reagents; wherein the sample input is fluidly connected to the reaction chamber, and is configured to receive a sample; wherein the waste chamber is fluidly connect to the reaction chamber and is configured to receive a reaction waste from the reaction chamber.