Point-of-Care Biochemical Reaction Device with Segmented Thermal Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care (PoC) devices lack the capability for high-throughput, simultaneous performance of various biochemical reactions, including nucleic acid detection, immunoassays, and culture assays, due to limitations in sample preparation, heating and cooling rates, and optical detection capabilities, which restrict their automation and applicability in clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A PoC device with a hermetically sealed housing, a robotic dispenser for liquid transfer and mixing, a thermal control unit for efficient temperature management, and an optical system for colorimetric analysis, combined with a magnetic unit for nucleic acid extraction and a UV lamp for sterilization, allowing for simultaneous and automated performance of multiple biochemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a metal block with conical reaction tubes is used for thermal reactions, then heating and cooling can be achieved, but the heating and cooling rates are slow resulting in analysis times up to two hours
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal block is segmented into multiple independent heating zones, each capable of independent temperature control. This allows parallel thermal processing of multiple samples simultaneously, dramatically reducing total analysis time while maintaining precise temperature control for each reaction
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple assay types (PCR, ELISA, colorimetric, culture) into a single platform with a universal thermal block that can perform various biochemical reactions. The thermal block serves multiple functions including heating, cooling, and maintaining different temperature profiles for different assay types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices
2Measurement precision
If a mobile optical assembly is used for light intensity analysis, then sequential detection of reaction products is possible, but colorimetric analysis cannot be performed and the sequential movement is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system merges multiple detection capabilities (colorimetric analysis, fluorescence, luminescence) into a single integrated platform. The system combines stationary light sources, detectors, and filters that can simultaneously perform multiple types of optical measurements without sequential movement, enabling both colorimetric and kinetic analyses
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile mechanical optical assembly is replaced with a stationary optical system. The system uses fixed optical components with motorized filters or wavelength selection mechanisms that eliminate the need for physical movement of the optical assembly between samples, enabling simultaneous multi-parameter detection
3Reliability
If nucleic acid isolation is performed manually or by a separate robotic station, then high input material quality can be achieved, but the process is highly manual requiring around an hour of highly-skilled work or requires large separate equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges sample preparation (nucleic acid extraction) and biochemical reaction (PCR, ELISA) into a single integrated platform. The sample preparation module is combined with the reaction module, allowing automated processing within the same device without requiring separate robotic stations or manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service automated nucleic acid extraction through integrated magnetic bead-based purification systems. The system automatically performs lysis, binding, washing, and elution steps using magnetic beads and automated liquid handling, eliminating the need for manual skilled operations while maintaining high input material quality
4Reliability
If a single assay type is implemented in PoC devices, then the device can be optimized for that specific application, but the device lacks versatility for different biochemical reactions and clinical guidelines
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple assay types (PCR, RT-PCR, ELISA, colorimetric, culture assays) simultaneously. The system includes interchangeable cartridges, multi-type reagent storage, and flexible thermal profiles that accommodate different biochemical reactions while maintaining optimization for each specific assay type
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic, reconfigurable components including adjustable thermal profiles, variable optical detection parameters, and flexible cartridge configurations. The system can dynamically adapt its parameters and settings based on the specific assay being performed, maintaining optimization while providing versatility across different biochemical reactions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a point-of-care device for carrying out a variety of different biochemical reactions including the pre-treatment of an input material comprising a sample and/or a reactant to be subjected to a biochemical reaction. The device comprises a housing (10), which encloses a housing interior (12) accessible to an operator of the device and closeable in an airtight manner, the housing interior (12) comprising at least one compartment (16a, 16b) containing at least one socket (18a, 18b) adapted to receive a cartridge (36) comprising wells (50); a dispenser (24) arranged in the compartment (16a, 16b), said dispenser being designed to transfer a liquid between wells (50) of the cartridge (36) and optionally mix liquids for providing an input material in at least some of the wells, the dispenser (24) being arranged on a motion drive (42a, 42b) for its movement in at least two coordinate axes to displace the dispenser (24) in accordance with the coordinates of the location of each well (50) of the cartridge (36); at least one thermal control unit (32) comprised in the socket (18a, 18b) and comprising energy transfer elements (52) adapted to be brought into contact with at least one well (50) of the cartridge (36) via a thermal interface of the socket (18a, 18b); and an optical system (28) arranged in the compartment (16a, 16b) for the optical determination of the content of wells (50). The device further contains a magnetic unit (68) being arranged such to lie below the cartridge (36) in the state in which the cartridge is received in the socket (18a, 18b), said magnetic unit (68) comprising at least one magnetic element (70a, 70b) and being adapted to move the at least one magnetic element (70a, 70b) in relation to at least one of the wells (50) from a distal position to a proximal position, with the magnetic element being in closer proximity to the wall of the well (50) in the proximal position than in the distal position; and a UV lamp (30) for sterilizing the compartment (16a, 16b).