Integrated Nucleic Acid Tube with Magnetic Bead Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid detection methods face challenges with large detection errors and operational difficulty due to temperature sensitivity and interference, particularly in nucleic acid detection tubes where solutions are separated by solid layers, requiring precise temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid integrated detection method using a detection reagent tube with multiple separation plugs and hydrophobic layers, where magnetic nanobeads move through magnetic bead channels without heating, separating and amplifying nucleic acid in branch tubes, and storing biochemical reagents in a sealed chamber protected by a hydrophobic layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid separation layers are used to separate solutions in detection tubes, then solution separation is achieved, but temperature control difficulty and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the solid separation layer from the detection tube, extracting the problematic element that caused temperature control difficulties. Instead, magnetic separation is used to achieve solution separation without requiring heating and melting operations, thereby simplifying the operational process while maintaining reliable separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical system (heating and melting solid separation layers) with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetic beads are used to separate solutions through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for temperature control and heating operations, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining separation reliability.
2Ease of operation
If heating is applied to melt separation layers, then magnetic beads can pass through, but nucleic acid stability is compromised due to temperature sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal system with a magnetic field system. An external magnet is used to guide magnetic beads carrying nucleic acid through the detection tube without heating, eliminating temperature-related damage to nucleic acid while maintaining smooth bead movement and extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic beads as intermediary carriers that can be manipulated by external magnetic fields. These beads transport nucleic acid through the detection tube without requiring heating of the separation layers, protecting nucleic acid from thermal damage while enabling controlled movement through the system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple solutions are separated in the same tube, then integrated detection is achieved, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical barrier (solid separation layer) that could potentially compromise contamination prevention. Instead, magnetic field-based separation is used, which creates clear spatial separation of solutions through magnetic bead manipulation, maintaining integrated detection capability while preventing cross-contamination through magnetic field-controlled isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical separation layers with magnetic field-based separation. This allows multiple solutions to coexist in the same tube without direct contact, as magnetic beads can be precisely positioned and controlled to prevent mixing, thereby maintaining contamination prevention while achieving integrated detection.
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 method reduces operational complexity, minimizes temperature interference, and enhances detection accuracy by concentrating reactions in one tube, reducing errors and preventing cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
driving, by an external magnet, the magnetic nanobeads carrying the nucleic acid to sequentially pass through each hydrophobic layer
Implementation Method 2
disposing a hydrophobic layer in a liquid or a solid phase at each separation plug
Data Source
AI summary
An nucleic acid integrated detection method is provided, the method includes separating a lysis solution, a cleaning solution and a reaction solution in a detection reagent tube by providing a plurality of separation plugs in an over-under arrangement and disposing a hydrophobic layer in liquid or solid phase on each separation plug; adding a sample into the lysis solution; extracting nucleic acid in the sample using magnetic nanobeads; and then driving the magnetic nanobeads carrying the nucleic acid to sequentially pass through each hydrophobic layer along a magnetic bead channel and into the cleaning solution and the reaction solution to realize a cleaning and amplification for the nucleic acid, and finally, detecting the nucleic acid of the sample by an external device using an optical detection method, thus realizing a plurality of steps of nucleic acid extraction, cleaning and amplification reactions in the same detection reagent tube.