Integrated Nucleic Acid Extraction Cassette Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nucleic acid extraction modules are inefficient and prone to contamination due to separate waste-liquid compartments, leading to increased size and cost, and the magnetic bead extraction technology lacks purity and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An integrated extraction cassette with a liquid receiving module and an extraction module that includes a reaction compartment, filter, collection compartment, and dual waste-liquid compartments, connected by specific paths and pressure control to manage waste-liquid and eluent movement, preventing contamination and optimizing nucleic acid extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional separate waste-liquid compartment design is used, then waste-liquid can be collected, but the extraction cassette size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste-liquid collection capabilityVSAvoidextraction cassette size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the waste-liquid compartment with the reaction compartment into a single integrated structure. The waste-liquid compartment is positioned adjacent to the reaction compartment and shares common walls, eliminating the need for separate waste-liquid storage modules. This merging reduces the overall extraction cassette size while maintaining waste-liquid collection functionality through integrated fluid communication paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional separate module design is used, then waste-liquid compartment and reaction compartment can be independently designed, but the extraction cassette cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent module design flexibilityVSAvoidextraction cassette cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the waste-liquid compartment and reaction compartment into a single molded structure with shared walls and integrated fluid communication paths. This reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining design flexibility through the integrated configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated compartment structure serves multiple functions: the waste-liquid compartment collects waste fluid, the reaction compartment contains the extraction reaction, and the shared walls provide both structural support and fluid communication pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, lowering overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If conventional extraction module design is used, then nucleic acid extraction can be performed, but the efficiency and purity are unqualified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenucleic acid extraction efficiencyVSAvoidnucleic acid extraction purity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fluid paths into distinct channels: a first fluid communication path for waste-liquid removal and a second fluid communication path for eluent flow. This segmentation prevents mixing of waste-liquid with the eluent containing extracted nucleic acid, thereby improving extraction purity while maintaining efficient nucleic acid recovery through dedicated pathways for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 integrated design reduces the size and cost of the extraction cassette while ensuring efficient and pure nucleic acid extraction by controlling waste-liquid movement and preventing contamination, enhancing the overall extraction process.

Implementation Method 1

the filter captures nucleic acid from the mixed liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a positive pressure is provided via a second waste-liquid compartment pressure hole of the second waste-liquid compartment, and a negative pressure is provided via a collection compartment pressure hole of the collection compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11207681B2Method for extracting nucleic acid and extraction cassette thereof

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)

AI summary

The present invention provides an extraction cassette, which includes an extraction module. The extraction module includes an extraction module body, an expansion compartment, a reaction compartment, a filter, a collection compartment, a first waste-liquid compartment and a second waste-liquid compartment. The expansion compartment is formed on the extraction module body. The reaction compartment includes a reaction compartment inlet, a reaction compartment outlet and a reaction compartment notch, the expansion compartment is connected to the reaction compartment notch, and the reaction compartment notch is located between the reaction compartment inlet and the reaction compartment outlet. The filter is disposed in the reaction compartment and corresponding to the reaction compartment outlet. The collection compartment communicates with the reaction compartment outlet. The first waste-liquid compartment communicates with the reaction compartment outlet. The second waste-liquid compartment communicates with the reaction compartment outlet.