Portable PCR Device Direct Heating and Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PCR systems are inefficient due to indirect heating methods, leading to long reaction times and large system sizes, and PCR chips face challenges with low repeatability and hydraulic driving systems, hindering their commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A portable real-time heating and detection device with a body, cover, and detection unit, featuring a thermostat, optical exciter, optical detector, and circuit board for direct temperature control and real-time detection, allowing for adjustable temperature gradients within detection tubes to facilitate PCR reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If indirect heating method using metal block is used to transfer heat to reaction tube, then heating and cooling can be performed, but reaction time becomes long and system size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the reaction tube directly from the metal block heating system and places it in a controlled environment where temperature can be rapidly changed. The tube is removed from the indirect heating path and subjected to direct temperature control, eliminating the thermal inertia of the metal block and enabling rapid heating and cooling cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a controlled environment (such as a temperature-controlled chamber or airflow system) as an intermediary between the heat source and the reaction tube. This intermediary enables rapid temperature changes by controlling the thermal environment around the tube without requiring direct contact with large thermal mass components.
2Volume of moving object
If PCR chip with micro channels is used, then size miniaturization and rapid temperature control can be achieved, but repeatability is low and hydraulic driving system is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the reaction tube from complex microfluidic systems and uses a simple, standalone tube design. This eliminates the need for complex hydraulic driving systems while maintaining miniaturization benefits. The simple tube geometry ensures consistent flow and heating characteristics, improving repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local temperature control by positioning the reaction tube in specific locations within the device where temperature can be precisely controlled. Different zones within the device can have different temperature characteristics, enabling rapid temperature cycling without requiring complex global temperature control systems.
3Productivity
If temperature gradient is created by heating bottom portion of test tube, then convection flow is induced for PCR reaction, but temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the natural convection currents that arise from heating the bottom portion of the test tube to drive the PCR reaction. The temperature gradient itself generates the flow patterns needed for effective mixing and reaction, eliminating the need for external pumping or complex flow control mechanisms. The system serves itself through thermally-driven convection.
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
This solution enables rapid, portable PCR testing with real-time detection results, reducing reaction time and system size, and improving the repeatability of PCR processes.
Implementation Method 1
apply a heating device to heat the bottom portion of the test tube to the denaturation temperature so as to produce a temperature gradient thereof for further inducing a convection flow thereinside
Implementation Method 2
produce a temperature gradient thereof for further inducing a convection flow thereinside
Implementation Method 3
an optical exciter... for performing corresponding stimulation radiation upon the at least one thermostat zone
Implementation Method 4
an optical detector... for performing corresponding real-time stimulation light source detection upon the at least one thermostat zone. The optical detector sends a detected detection signal to the control unit
Data Source
AI summary
A portable real-time heating and detection device includes a body, a cover and a detection unit. The body has an opening, and a base. The cover has a control unit and a fix unit. The detection unit is disposed on the base of the body and has a thermostat, an optical excitation, an optical detection, and a circuit board. The thermostat is disposed close to the opening and has at least one thermostat zone. The optical exciter is disposed between the thermostat and the base. The optical detector is disposed between the thermostat and the opening. The circuit board is electrical coupled to the control unit, the thermostat, the optical excitation, and the optical detector, respectively.