PCR Validation Tubes Using Fluorophore Suspended in PMMA
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is currently no standard method for validating thermal cyclers used for measuring fluorescence, leading to untraceable measurements, which is undesirable especially in regulated environments where their use has increased.
Innovation Solution
A fluorophore suspended in a thermoplastic polymer matrix, specifically poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), is used to create a reference standard for validating thermal cyclers, providing a means for traceable fluorescence measurements by maintaining optical properties and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluorescence measurements are performed in thermal cyclers without a standard validation method, then productivity is improved by enabling widespread use in regulated environments, but measurement precision deteriorates due to untraceable measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the fluorescent dye from dissolved in liquid solution to suspended in solid polymer matrix. This parameter change enables the reference material to maintain stable fluorescence properties across temperature cycles while providing traceable validation for thermal cycler measurements, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining fluorescent dye with thermoplastic polymer matrix. This composite provides both the fluorescence properties needed for validation and the thermal stability required for use in thermal cyclers, enabling traceable measurements in regulated environments
2Ease of manufacture
If fluorescent dye is dissolved in liquid solution for validation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to temperature-dependent fluorescence and evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the reference material from liquid solution to solid matrix. This eliminates temperature-dependent fluorescence variations and evaporation issues while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple mixing and encapsulation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a stable, long-lasting reference material that can be used repeatedly for validation. The solid polymer matrix prevents degradation and maintains consistent fluorescence properties over time, improving reliability while remaining easy to manufacture
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 fluorophore suspended in PMMA matrix allows for efficient and traceable fluorescence measurements, offering a stable and long-lasting solution that improves the validation of thermal cyclers, ensuring accurate and reliable results over time.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorophore suspended in a thermoplastic polymer matrix, specifically poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), is used to create a reference standard for validating thermal cyclers
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
This invention relates to a PCR fluorescence reference standard and to a method for manufacturing a PCR fluorescence reference standard. The PCR fluorescence reference standard comprises a fluorophore suspended in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The PCR fluorescence reference standard of the invention has a greater shelf life than fluorophores dissolved in a solution and can advantageously be used to validate a fluorescence signal obtained in a thermal cycler.