Rotative Nucleic Acid Extraction Device with Sensor-Controlled Solution Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated nucleic acid extraction devices are large, inefficient, and prone to contamination, requiring excessive resources and time for processing multiple samples, often leading to unnecessary consumption of samples and inefficiencies in nucleic acid extraction.
Innovation Solution
A rotatively driven nucleic acid extraction device with a container system for cleaning and eluting solutions, a tube sensor for sample detection, and a pressurizing mechanism that aligns and synchronizes racks for efficient cleaning and elution operations, ensuring adequate solution availability and minimizing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional automated nucleic acid extraction devices are used to process multiple samples, then processing capacity is improved, but device size becomes larger and treatment time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional modules (sample loading, solution dispensing, centrifugal separation, and detection) into a single integrated rotative device. The first and second racks with multiple sample tube accommodation portions allow parallel processing of multiple samples within a compact footprint, eliminating the need for separate large-scale processing stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs rotative motion to dynamically position sample tubes between different functional zones (loading zone, solution dispensing zone, separation zone, detection zone). This dynamic repositioning enables multiple operations to be performed sequentially on each sample tube without requiring separate stationary stations, reducing overall device size while maintaining high throughput.
2Productivity
If conventional automated nucleic acid extraction devices process a large number of specimens, then processing volume is improved, but contamination between specimens occurs and treatment efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the processing system into distinct functional zones separated by partitions: sample loading zone, solution dispensing zone, centrifugal separation zone, and detection zone. Each zone handles specific operations independently, preventing cross-contamination between specimens while enabling parallel processing of multiple samples through the first and second racks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centrifugal separation mechanism as an intermediary step between solution dispensing and detection. This centrifugal force-based separation physically isolates nucleic acid-bound magnetic beads from other components in a controlled manner, preventing contamination between specimens while maintaining high processing efficiency.
3Productivity
If nucleic acid extraction is performed on multiple samples in one cycle, then extraction efficiency is improved, but consumption of cleaning solution, eluting solution, and samples increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates sensors (light sensor, water level sensor) that provide feedback on sample tube presence and solution levels. The operation initiation portion uses this feedback information to determine whether to start extraction operations and how many samples to process in each cycle, optimizing solution usage and preventing unnecessary sample consumption based on real-time system status.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary checks using sensors to detect sample tube accommodation and solution levels before initiating extraction operations. This preliminary action ensures that extraction is only started when adequate samples and solutions are available, preventing wasted consumption of resources and enabling efficient batch processing when conditions are optimal.
4Reliability
If conventional extraction methods use magnetic beads or column-based separation, then nucleic acid separation is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotative device structure serves multiple functions: it positions sample tubes, dispenses solutions, performs centrifugal separation, and facilitates detection all within a single mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate complex mechanical systems for each operation, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable nucleic acid separation capability through centrifugal force and magnetic bead interaction.
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 simplifies motion components, reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes resource consumption, and prevents contamination by ensuring necessary solutions are available for each cycle, enhancing processing speed and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizing portion which includes a pressurizing nozzle configured to transfer pressurized air to the sample tube
Implementation Method 2
a rotation-driving portion configured to rotate each of the first rack and the second rack
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention provides a nucleic acid extraction device. The nucleic acid extraction device includes a container which stores each of a cleaning solution and an eluting solution, a water level sensor configured to detect amounts of the cleaning solution and the eluting solution which are stored in the container, a tube sensor configured to sense a sample tube disposed on a sample tube accommodation portion, and an operation initiation portion configured to determine whether the cleaning solution and the eluting solution which are necessary for a nucleic acid extraction operation are provided on the basis of the number of such sample tubes which is sensed by the tube sensor and the amounts of the cleaning solution and the eluting solution which are sensed by the water level sensor.