Multiplex Fluid Cartridge for Rapid Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical and molecular diagnostic systems require significant sample handling and preparation, necessitating trained personnel and lengthy processes, which hinders rapid and efficient 'sample to answer' capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An integrated, multiplex system utilizing a microfluidic platform with a cartridge containing reagents and buffers, enabling sample extraction, amplification, and detection of nucleic acids through electrochemical methods, minimizing handling and personnel requirements, and allowing for rapid analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional diagnostic systems are used with separate sample handling and preparation steps, then detection accuracy can be maintained, but the process time increases and requires trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple diagnostic functions (sample extraction, nucleic acid amplification, and detection) into a single integrated microfluidic cartridge. The cartridge integrates the sample well, extraction chamber with lysis beads, reaction chamber for PCR amplification, and detection chamber with electrochemical sensors, eliminating the need for separate handling steps and reducing process time from hours to under an hour.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic cartridge is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple diagnostic functions within a single device. It performs sample reception, cell lysis, nucleic acid extraction, PCR amplification, and electrochemical detection all in one cartridge, making the system versatile for various diagnostic applications without requiring multiple specialized devices.
2Ease of operation
If manual sample handling and preparation are used, then flexibility in processing can be maintained, but the ease of operation decreases and requires trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic cartridge is designed to perform sample processing automatically once the sample is loaded. The integrated system self-regulates the extraction, amplification, and detection processes without requiring manual intervention or trained personnel to operate complex equipment. The cartridge essentially processes itself from sample input to diagnostic output.
3Productivity
If multiple separate tests are performed on different platforms, then test versatility can be achieved, but the productivity decreases due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is segmented into distinct functional chambers (sample well, extraction chamber, reaction chamber, detection chamber) that can operate simultaneously or in sequence. This segmentation allows different tests to be performed in parallel within the same cartridge, increasing throughput while maintaining the ability to perform multiple different diagnostic tests on a single platform.
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 provides rapid 'sample to answer' results within 45-90 minutes, reducing the need for trained personnel and enabling point-of-care diagnostics with the ability to run multiple tests on a single cartridge in a clinical lab setting.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable fluid chamber is configured to hold a fluid therein when in an undeformed state and to collapse upon application of an external compression force to expel at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid chamber
Implementation Method 2
The driven mixing apparatus is constructed and arranged to mix the contents of the mixing well
Implementation Method 3
the target analyte sample is extracted, amplified as necessary (for example, when the target analyte is a nucleic acid using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, although isothermal amplification methods can be utilized as well), and then detected using electrochemical detection
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.