Nucleic Acid Amplification Apparatus for Inhibition Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing cancer cell metastasis to lymph nodes are hindered by the time-consuming purification of target nucleic acids, leading to delayed diagnosis and inaccurate results due to inhibitory substances in unpurified samples.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid amplification apparatus and method that uses a measurement unit to amplify and measure target nucleic acids in both a sample and a dilution sample with a different dilution ratio, allowing for the judgment of amplification inhibition and providing accurate results without the need for extensive purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nucleic acid purification is performed before amplification, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary dilution of the measurement sample before amplification. By preparing a diluted sample (e.g., 1:10 or 1:100 dilution), the system pre-reduces the concentration of inhibitory substances while maintaining the target nucleic acid for subsequent amplification, thereby avoiding the need for time-consuming purification steps while ensuring accurate measurement results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the measurement sample through dilution. By adjusting the sample concentration to an appropriate level, the system optimizes the balance between having sufficient target nucleic acid for detection and reducing inhibitory substances that would interfere with amplification, thus achieving both speed and accuracy without purification.
2Loss of time
If measurement sample is used without purification, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inhibitory substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dilution ratio parameter to achieve the best measurement results. By carefully selecting the dilution factor (e.g., 1:10 or 1:100), the system reduces inhibitory substances to levels that do not interfere with amplification while maintaining enough target nucleic acid for accurate detection, thus achieving both speed and precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a diluted copy of the original measurement sample. This diluted copy serves as the actual measurement sample for amplification, effectively copying the original sample's characteristics while reducing the concentration of harmful inhibitory substances, thereby enabling rapid and accurate measurement without the need for purification.
3Measurement precision
If internal standard nucleic acid is used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the need for internal standard nucleic acid from the measurement system. By using dilution-based measurement, the system eliminates the complexity of adding, tracking, and calculating internal standards while still achieving accurate measurement of target nucleic acid concentration, thus simplifying the overall device and procedure.
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 prompt and accurate diagnosis of cancer cell metastasis by distinguishing between target nucleic acid presence and amplification inhibition, improving the speed and reliability of cancer diagnosis during operations.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement unit for amplifying the target nucleic acid in a measuring sample prepared from the living organism
Implementation Method 2
measuring a product of the amplification of the target nucleic acid
Data Source
AI summary
A nucleic acid amplification apparatus for amplifying a target nucleic acid derived from living organism, comprising: a measurement unit for amplifying the target nucleic acid in a measuring sample prepared from the living organism, and measuring a product of the amplification of the target nucleic acid; a measurement value obtaining unit for obtaining a measurement value related to an amount of the product of the amplification; and a judging unit for judging whether amplification inhibition of the target nucleic acid occur or not based on a first measurement value and a second measurement value, the first measurement value obtained from a first measurement sample and the second measurement value obtained from a second measurement sample having a difference dilution ratio from the first measurement sample.