Micro-Reaction PCR Chip With Integrated Heating Electrode Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing PCR technologies are bulky, costly, and complex, with silicon-based dPCR products being difficult to scale and requiring external heating equipment for temperature control, complicating operations and increasing production costs.

Innovation Solution

A detection chip with a heating electrode system, including a first electrode portion with higher resistance than a second portion, integrated into a substrate with micro-reaction chambers, allowing for efficient temperature control and amplification without external heating, compatible with semiconductor production lines for cost-effective large-scale manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If cell culture is performed in a conventional stirred tank bioreactor, then large-scale production is achieved, but shear stress damages the cells and homogeneous mass transfer is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction scaleVSAvoidshear stress damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bioreactor system is segmented into multiple independent reaction chambers (first reaction chamber, second reaction chamber, third reaction chamber) instead of using a single large stirred tank. Each chamber operates independently with gentle mixing, eliminating the high shear stress environment of conventional stirred tanks while maintaining large-scale production capacity through parallel operation of multiple chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If cell culture is performed in a conventional stirred tank bioreactor, then large-scale production is achieved, but homogeneous mass transfer is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction scaleVSAvoidhomogeneous mass transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the large-scale bioreactor into multiple smaller reaction chambers, each with improved mixing characteristics. This segmentation allows for better mass transfer homogeneity in each chamber while maintaining overall large-scale production capacity through the combined volume of all chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A common substrate supply chamber serves as an intermediary, distributing substrates uniformly to multiple reaction chambers. This intermediary structure ensures homogeneous mass transfer by providing consistent substrate delivery to all chambers, overcoming the mixing limitations of conventional single-chamber large-scale bioreactors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If separate bioreactors are used for each reaction step, then process control is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess controlVSAvoidnumber of bioreactors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple reaction chambers that would traditionally require separate bioreactors are merged into a single integrated bioreactor system. The first reaction chamber, second reaction chamber, and third reaction chamber are all housed within one bioreactor unit, reducing device complexity and space occupation while maintaining independent process control through separate chamber operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bioreactor system is designed with multi-functionality, where a single bioreactor unit performs multiple reaction steps (first reaction, second reaction, third reaction) that would traditionally require separate dedicated bioreactors. This universal design reduces the total number of devices needed while maintaining the ability to control each reaction step independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If separate bioreactors are used for each reaction step, then process control is improved, but space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess controlVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple reaction chambers are merged into a single bioreactor footprint, significantly reducing the space occupied on the production floor. The first reaction chamber, second reaction chamber, and third reaction chamber share the same physical housing and support infrastructure, eliminating the need for multiple separate bioreactor locations while maintaining independent process control for each chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4060014B1Test chip, preparation method therefor and method of use thereof, and reaction system
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4060014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4060014B1 patent drawingFigure 8

AI summary

A detection chip, a method for manufacturing a detection chip, a method for operating a detection chip, and a reaction system are disclosed. The detection chip (100) includes a first substrate (10), a micro-cavity definition layer (11), and a heating electrode (12). The micro-cavity definition layer (11) defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers (110). The heating electrode (12) is configured to release heat after being energized. The heating electrode (12) includes a first electrode portion (121) and at least one second electrode portion (122). Orthographic projections of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers (110) on the first substrate (10) are within an orthographic projection of the first electrode portion (121) on the first substrate (10), the orthographic projections of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers (110) on the first substrate (10) do not overlap with an orthographic projection of the second electrode portion (122) on the first substrate (10), and a resistance value of the first electrode portion (121) is greater than a resistance value of the second electrode portion (122). The detection chip (100) has good effect of temperature control and high efficiency of temperature rising and lowering, and is also compatible with the semiconductor production line and is low in production cost.