Ultra-Fast PCR Thermocycler Using Conveyor and Dual Temperature Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PCR systems face limitations in rapidly performing successive cycles of alternate heating and cooling due to power limitations and slow temperature changes, especially when using Peltier effect devices for thermocycling.
Innovation Solution
A compact system comprising a microplate with metallic sides, barcode reader, and temperature blocks for denaturing and extension temperatures, along with a conveyor for rapid movement between sensing devices, enabling efficient thermocycling of nucleic acid samples with ultra-rapid fluorimetry measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If Peltier effect devices are used for thermocycling, then the system can achieve temperature cycling, but the temperature change is slow and power limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the thermal processing into separate stages: a rapid heating phase using a heating element to quickly raise temperature to denaturing temperature, followed by a cooling phase using a Peltier device to rapidly cool to extension temperature. This segmentation allows each component to operate optimally for its specific function, with the heating element providing rapid temperature increase and the Peltier device handling the cooling requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic alternation between heating and cooling cycles to perform multiple PCR cycles. The conveyor rapidly transports the microplate between heating and cooling zones, enabling repeated temperature cycling. This periodic action between heating, cooling, and rapid transport allows completion of 20-80 cycles in under 20 minutes, dramatically increasing productivity compared to single-phase heating/cooling approaches.
2Productivity
If conventional heating and cooling is used, then temperature control is achieved, but successive cycles of alternate heating and cooling are slow to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats the heating zone and pre-cools the cooling zone before the microplate arrives, so that when the microplate is transferred, temperature adjustment begins immediately without waiting for the zones to reach operating temperature. This preliminary action reduces the time required for each cycle and enables rapid successive cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces conventional single-zone heating/cooling with a dual-zone approach where a conveyor mechanically transports the microplate between separate heating and cooling zones. This mechanical substitution enables simultaneous heating and cooling operations to occur in different zones, allowing rapid successive cycles without waiting for a single zone to complete both heating and cooling phases.
3Speed
If rapid temperature changes are implemented, then thermocycling speed increases, but power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the thermal processing into rapid heating phase using a dedicated heating element, followed by rapid cooling phase using a Peltier device. Each component is optimized for its specific function, with the heating element providing high-power rapid temperature increase and the Peltier device providing efficient rapid cooling, thereby achieving high speed with controlled power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic alternation between rapid heating and cooling cycles with the conveyor rapidly transporting the microplate between zones. By distributing the high power requirements across multiple short cycles rather than continuous high power consumption, the system achieves rapid temperature changes while managing overall energy usage efficiently.
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 system enables completion of 20 to 80 thermocycling cycles in under 20 minutes, facilitating rapid transfer between temperature blocks and supporting various sample sizes, enhancing PCR efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature block configured to receive the microplate and/or provide a denaturing temperature to the one or more samples contained in the microplate
Implementation Method 2
The microplate comprises a first side and a second side. The first side comprises a metallic material
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system with (a) a microplate comprising a metallic material for heating one or more samples during thermocycling. The microplate comprises one or more barcodes on a side of the microplate. The system may comprise a barcode reader for reading the one or more barcode. The system may also comprise a first temperature block configured to receive the microplate and/ or provide a denaturing temperature to the one or more samples contained in the microplate, during the thermocycling. The system may also comprise a second temperature block configured to receive the microplate and/or provide an extension temperature to the one or more samples contained in the microplate, during the thermocycling. The system may also comprise a conveyor configured to move the microplate between a sensing device, the first temperature block, and the second temperature block, during the thermocycling.