Nucleic Acid Analysis Device With Dual Translation-Rotation Stage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nucleic acid analysis devices face challenges in reducing device size without increasing the required movement amount, especially when handling multiple flow cells.

Innovation Solution

The nucleic acid analysis device employs a stage mechanism with two translation means installed on the upper and lower surfaces of a rotation means, allowing for simultaneous movement in the same direction, thereby reducing the required movement amount and device size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single translation means is used to move the flow cell, then the device structure is simple, but the device size increases when handling multiple flow cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestage mechanism structureVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The translation means is divided into a first translation means and a second translation means, which operate independently to move the flow cell in different directions. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple flow cells without requiring a single large-range translation mechanism, thereby reducing the overall device volume while maintaining the ability to position multiple samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rotational movement as an additional dimension to the traditional linear translation. By combining first and second translation means with rotational capability, the system can access multiple flow cells in a compact arrangement, reducing the linear travel distance required and thus minimizing device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If the required movement amount is reduced for handling multiple flow cells, then the device size decreases, but the operational efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of the first and second translation means, allowing them to operate independently and simultaneously. This dynamic operation enables efficient handling of multiple flow cells within a compact space, as the system can quickly reposition between samples without requiring large movement ranges, thereby maintaining high productivity in a reduced device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by introducing rotational movement in addition to linear translation. This parameter change allows the flow cell to be accessed from multiple directions within a compact workspace, maintaining operational efficiency while reducing the overall device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the device to maintain a compact size while efficiently handling multiple flow cells without increasing the required movement amount, enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the flow cell is irradiated with excitation light, fluorescence generated from each DNA fragment is detected by an imaging means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4160217B1Nucleic acid analysis device
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4160217B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4160217B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4160217B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a nucleic acid analysis device that, even when a plurality of flow cells is handled, does not require an increase in the required movement amount, and can be reduced in size by reducing the size of a stage mechanism. This nucleic acid analysis device is characterized by having a sample container containing a nucleic acid sample to be analyzed, an imaging means for observing the nucleic acid sample, and a stage mechanism for moving the sample container, and is characterized in that the stage mechanism has two translation means and at least one rotation means, one of the two translation means is disposed on the upper surface of the rotation means, and the other is disposed on the lower surface of the rotation means.