Sample Analysis Chip Solid Wax Storage for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gene diagnosis methods require separate equipment for each step, leading to high costs, contamination risks, and difficulties in rapid on-site analysis due to complex chip structures, low reproducibility, and manual operation, with issues like liquid wax leakage affecting analysis accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A sample analysis chip with integrated units for sample storage, capture, washing, cocktail introduction, eluent separation, and reaction, featuring a solid wax storage unit to prevent wax leakage, and automated operation for pretreatment, gene amplification, and analysis, using a disk with grooved patterns and silica bead membranes for enhanced capture efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid wax is stored in the oil loading unit and injected into the reaction chamber, then the reaction chamber can be sealed to prevent contamination, but the liquid wax leaks during chip rotation before the sample is introduced, causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the wax from liquid to solid by controlling the temperature in the wax storage unit. The wax is stored in a solid state at lower temperatures to prevent leakage during chip rotation, and then melted and injected into the reaction chamber when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and preventing contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary heating of the wax storage unit before injecting the wax into the reaction chamber. This preliminary action ensures the wax is in a suitable state for injection while preventing premature leakage during chip rotation, thereby maintaining both sealing reliability and preventing contamination
2Reliability
If conventional separate equipment is used for each gene diagnosis step, then each step can be performed with dedicated equipment, but high costs, large sample requirements, long analysis time, and high contamination risk occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple gene diagnosis steps (sample storage, capture, washing, cocktail introduction, eluent separation, and reaction) into a single integrated chip system. This consolidation reduces the number of separate equipment needed, lowers costs, decreases analysis time, and reduces contamination risk while maintaining diagnosis accuracy through controlled microfluidic processes
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated chip serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as a sample storage unit, capture chamber, washing unit, cocktail introduction system, eluent separation device, and reaction chamber all in one platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate equipment for each step, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
3Productivity
If conventional integrated gene analysis apparatus with complex chip structures is used, then all steps can be performed on one chip, but high manufacturing costs and low reproducibility occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated chip into distinct functional modules (sample storage unit, capture passage, washing liquid storage unit, cocktail storage unit, eluent storage unit, connection chamber, collection chamber, reaction chamber, and wax storage unit). Each module is independently designed and manufactured, which simplifies the manufacturing process and improves reproducibility while maintaining high productivity through integrated operation
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is used for sample analysis, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but low reproducibility and difficulty in rapid on-site diagnosis occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated operation where the chip itself performs the analysis steps through its designed microfluidic pathways and heating mechanisms. The system automatically moves samples through capture, washing, and reaction chambers, and controls temperature for wax melting and gene amplification, thereby achieving high reproducibility and rapid on-site diagnosis while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control
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
Enables all-in-one chip gene diagnosis with improved capture efficiency, automated processes, and on-site analysis capabilities, reducing contamination and cost, and allowing rapid diagnosis of pathogens like influenza and food poisoning bacteria.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane F configured to capture an analysis target material contained in the sample injected into the sample storage unit 110
Implementation Method 2
a wax storage unit 190 storing a solid wax therein positioned radially inward than the reaction chamber 180 and communicating with the reaction chamber 180
Implementation Method 3
a heating unit configured to heat the wax storage unit 190
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a chip for sample assay and a sample assay method using same, the chip being capable of assaying a target analyte included in a sample, even with a trace amount of the sample, due to improved efficiency in capture of the target analyte included in the sample.