Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification Incubator with Phase Change Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point-of-care (POC) devices for isothermal nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) face challenges such as inconsistent energy output, toxicity of reactants, complexity, and expense due to reliance on microcontrollers and sophisticated equipment.
Innovation Solution
A portable, inexpensive POC device that maintains isothermal conditions using a heater, heat sinks, and phase change material (PCM) to incubate NAATs, eliminating the need for complex electronics and expensive equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If exothermic chemical reactions are used as heat source, then device cost is reduced and robustness is improved, but energy output consistency deteriorates and user expertise requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical heating system (exothermic reactions) with an electrical heating system (resistive heating element). This substitution eliminates the inconsistencies associated with chemical reactant performance while maintaining low device cost through the use of simple, reliable electrical components that can be precisely controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from chemical to electrical, allowing for precise control of heating parameters through a microcontroller. This enables consistent energy output by electronically regulating the resistive heating element, overcoming the variability inherent in chemical reactions while keeping the device simple and affordable.
2Measurement precision
If micro-controller is used to control heating, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating temperature control system where the phase change material automatically maintains isothermal conditions during phase transition. The microcontroller simply monitors and makes minor adjustments, allowing the system to self-regulate temperature without complex control algorithms or additional active components, thus achieving precise temperature control with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition at the target temperature, providing automatic thermal regulation. The PCM absorbs excess heat during melting and releases heat during solidification, creating a natural feedback mechanism that works with the microcontroller to maintain precise isothermal conditions without requiring complex control systems.
3Use of energy by moving object
If reaction volume is placed in microchip, then surface area for heating is maximized, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional microchip reactions to three-dimensional reaction tubes that can be placed vertically in the heating device. This dimensional change allows for adequate surface area contact with the heating element while enabling easy insertion and removal of standard PCR tubes, significantly improving ease of operation without sacrificing heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standard PCR tubes as reaction vessels, which are universally compatible with existing molecular biology equipment and protocols. This universal approach allows the device to accept any standard PCR tube without custom adapters or specialized containers, greatly enhancing ease of operation while the resistive heating element maintains efficient thermal contact with the tube surfaces.
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 provides a robust, user-friendly method for diagnosing infectious diseases in low-resource settings, ensuring timely and accurate treatment, and potentially slowing the spread of disease.
Implementation Method 1
A portable, inexpensive POC device that maintains isothermal conditions using a heater
Implementation Method 2
phase change material (PCM) adapted for regulating temperature of the reactions
Implementation Method 3
at least one heat sink disposed in the housing in thermal communications with heater, and configured to speed up heating
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a point-of-care (POC) device for isothermal nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). The POC device comprises a housing; a heater disposed in the housing; at least one heat sink disposed in the housing in thermal communications with the heater, and configured to speed up heating and hold reaction tubes containing the NAAT being incubated; and a phase change material adapted for regulating temperature of the reactions. The POC device is a point-of-care incubator for isothermal nucleic acid amplification tests (PIINT). The POC device is used for POC detection of Johne's disease (JD) in a subject.