Nucleic Acid Detection Device Magnetic Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lyophilized nucleic acid detection reagents often exhibit uneven concentration distribution when re-dissolved, leading to reduced reaction efficiency and inconsistent test results due to concentration gradients, which is not adequately addressed by conventional technologies.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid detection device incorporating a magnetizable element and a magnet within the illumination module, driven by a motor and lead screw system, to actively mix the reagents by moving the magnetizable element within the reaction tubes, ensuring uniform concentration distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lyophilized reagent is re-dissolved in water or buffer, then the reagent can be used for detection, but uneven concentration distribution occurs due to concentration gradient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies magnetic vibration by introducing a magnetizable element and applying a magnetic field to create vibrational motion in the solution. This mechanical vibration disrupts the concentration gradient and promotes uniform distribution of the reagent molecules throughout the solution, resolving the issue of uneven concentration after re-dissolving lyophilized reagent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical mixing methods (such as manual shaking or using mechanical stirrers) with a magnetic field-based mixing system. The magnetizable element responds to magnetic field changes, providing a non-contact mixing mechanism that is simpler, more reliable, and avoids contamination from mechanical parts.
2Ease of operation
If conventional mixing methods are used, then reagent mixing can be achieved, but reaction efficiency and result consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic vibration induced by the alternating magnetic field creates intense local mixing action that significantly improves reaction efficiency. The vibrational motion ensures rapid and uniform distribution of reactants, enzymes, and substrates, leading to more consistent and reliable detection results compared to conventional mixing methods.
3Volume of moving object
If the magnet is integrated into the illumination module, then equipment volume is reduced, but the magnet must be precisely positioned to align with tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnetic mixing function with the illumination module by integrating the magnet into the same housing. This consolidation reduces the overall device volume and eliminates the need for separate mixing apparatus, while the magnet is positioned to work in conjunction with the tube arrangement for effective mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic magnetic field activation to achieve mixing. The magnet is positioned to align with tubes during specific cycles of operation, and the magnetic field is activated periodically to induce vibration and mixing. This temporal separation of positioning and activation simplifies the mechanical positioning requirements while maintaining effective mixing.
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 device effectively promotes uniform reagent mixing, enhancing reaction efficiency and consistency of test results while reducing equipment volume and cost by integrating the magnetic mixing function with the illumination module.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetizable element in the aligned tube is attracted by the magnet to move from the first position to a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A nucleic acid detection device includes tube holders, an illumination module, a detection module and a driving module. The tube holders accommodates tubes, each containing a reagent and a magnetizable element. The illumination module includes light sources, a magnet and a casing, and the light sources and the magnet are installed on the casing. The driving module includes a motor, a lead screw and a slider. The lead screw is coupled to the motor and driven by the motor to rotate, and the slider is sleeved on the lead screw and has a reciprocating linear motion in response to a rotation of the lead screw. The illumination module is coupled to and moved together with the slider, so that the light sources and the magnet are synchronously driven by the motor and have reciprocating linear motions in a direction parallel to the lead screw. The magnetizable element in the tube maintains at a first position when the magnet is not aligned with the tube, while when the magnet is aligned with the tube, the magnetizable element is attracted by the magnet to move from the first position to a second position, thereby mixing the reagent in the tube.