Rotating Nucleic Acid Amplification Apparatus with Ultrasonic Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid amplification and detection methods are prone to errors and are typically large, complex, and costly, with existing detection methods being inefficient and apparatuses being cumbersome for biomedical, environmental, and veterinary applications.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid amplification and detection apparatus that includes a rotatable support for reaction vessels, temperature control, measurement components for optical characteristics, and a sample position controller to position vessels for measurement, along with ultrasonic mixing and processing components to analyze assay results using second derivative analysis for accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing nucleic acid amplification and detection methods are used, then amplification can be achieved, but the apparatus is large, complex, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (amplification, detection, mixing, heating) into a single integrated microfluidic device. The reaction chamber integrates the amplification reaction, optical detection path, and ultrasonic mixing capability, eliminating the need for separate instruments for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs nested structures where the reaction chamber is integrated within a larger housing that contains the ultrasonic transducer, heating element, and optical components. The microfluidic channels are nested within the reaction chamber structure, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement.
2Reliability
If existing detection methods are used, then nucleic acid amplification can be performed, but the method is prone to errors and has reduced sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ultrasonic vibration at a resonant frequency to mix the reaction contents. The ultrasonic transducer generates mechanical vibrations that create acoustic streaming and cavitation, ensuring thorough mixing of reagents and uniform distribution of amplified products, which improves detection reliability and sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates real-time optical detection that monitors the amplification process continuously. The detection system provides feedback on the amplification progress, allowing for accurate determination of the endpoint and improving measurement precision through continuous monitoring rather than endpoint-only measurement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional apparatuses are used, then amplification and detection can be performed, but the apparatus is cumbersome for field applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple instrument functions into a single portable device that can be operated in field conditions. The combination of amplification, detection, and mixing functions in one unit eliminates the need to transport multiple separate instruments, making the system adaptable for field applications while keeping the weight manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic ultrasonic mixing that can be activated as needed during the amplification process. The ultrasonic transducer provides active mixing only when required, rather than requiring continuous mechanical agitation systems, reducing the overall weight while maintaining mixing effectiveness for field portability.
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 apparatus provides a compact, cost-effective, and reliable method for nucleic acid amplification and detection, enabling accurate analysis with improved sensitivity and reduced complexity, suitable for point-of-care diagnostics and field applications.
Implementation Method 1
The method relies on thermal cycling, consisting of cycles of repeated heating and cooling of the reaction for DNA melting and enzymatic replication of the DNA
Implementation Method 2
These thermal cycling steps are necessary first to physically separate the two strands in a DNA double helix at a high temperature in a process called DNA melting
Implementation Method 3
one or more measurement components configured to measure one or more characteristics of the nucleic acids within the reaction vessels
Implementation Method 4
an ultrasonic transducer component configured for selective coupling to a selected one of the reaction vessels to cause mixing of the contents of the selected reaction vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A nucleic acid amplification and detection apparatus, including: a support configured to receive a plurality of reaction vessels containing respective samples of one or more nucleic acids to be amplified, the support being rotatable about an axis of rotation and the reaction vessels being received in the support at respective receiving locations distributed about the axis of rotation; a temperature control component thermally coupled to the support and configured to control the temperature of the support in order to amplify the nucleic acids contained in the reaction vessels while received in the support; one or more measurement components configured to measure one or more characteristics of the nucleic acids within the reaction vessels at respective measurement locations distributed about the axis of rotation; an actuator coupled to the support and configured to rotate the support about the axis of rotation; and a sample position controller coupled to the actuator and being configured to rotate the support about the axis of rotation so as to position a selected one of the plurality of reaction vessels to a selected one of the measurement locations to allow a corresponding one of the measurement components to perform a corresponding measurement on the corresponding sample.