Integrated Nucleic Acid Test Strip for Skill-Free Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing genetic testing methods require specialized knowledge and skills to accurately detect nucleic acids, relying on user expertise for mixing specimens and reagents.
Innovation Solution
A detection apparatus with a specimen placement member, test strip, amplification member, and supply line that automates the nucleic acid detection process, eliminating the need for user expertise by integrating reagents and heating mechanisms to amplify and detect nucleic acids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pipetting and mixing is used for nucleic acid detection, then the user can control the process, but the detection accuracy depends on user expertise and skill
Solution Approach 1:
The detection apparatus automatically performs pipetting, mixing, and detection operations without requiring user intervention for these critical steps. The system self-regulates the mixing of specimens and reagents, eliminates the need for user expertise in manual pipetting techniques, while maintaining or improving detection accuracy through consistent automated operation.
2Ease of operation
If automated detection apparatus is used, then user skill requirement is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions (specimen placement, reagent mixing, amplification, and detection) into a single integrated apparatus. The amplification member is disposed within the supply line, combining amplification and detection functions in one continuous flow path. This merging reduces the number of separate devices needed while providing automated operations.
3Productivity
If multiple pathogens are detected simultaneously, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to detect multiple types of pathogens simultaneously. The system can handle various specimens and reagents in a single operation, enabling parallel detection of different pathogens through the integrated amplification and detection mechanism, thereby increasing productivity without requiring separate devices for each pathogen.
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 accurate nucleic acid detection without relying on user skill, simplifying the process through automated mixing and heating, and allowing simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
a reagent for use in generating the amplified nucleic acid from the target nucleic acid is immobilized on the amplification member
Implementation Method 2
a supply line that supplies the amplified nucleic acid toward the test strip, in which the amplification member is disposed in the supply line
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a detection apparatus capable of detecting a nucleic acid without rely on the user's expertise or skill, a detection method using the detection apparatus, and a heating apparatus for heating the detection apparatus. The detection apparatus is a detection apparatus (1) that detects an amplified nucleic acid generated from a target nucleic acid contained in a specimen and the detection apparatus includes a specimen placement member (22) in which the specimen is placed, a test strip (29) used for detecting the amplified nucleic acid, and an amplification member (50, 51, 52, 53) on which the reagent for use in generating the amplified nucleic acid from the target nucleic acid is immobilized, and a supply line (19, 25, 26, 27, 28) that supplies the amplified nucleic acid toward the test strip, in which the amplification member is disposed in the supply line.