Biological Sample Heating Control for Low-Power LAMP Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for amplifying and detecting biological material, such as those using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) or PCR, face challenges in power management and sample heating, which limits their efficiency and portability, making them less suitable for rapid, independent, and cost-effective diagnostics, especially in point-of-care settings.
Innovation Solution
A device with a heating arrangement comprising two heating elements and controllers, which determines optimal power values by adjusting pulse widths and source voltage, using a method that ramps up power efficiently and maintains target temperatures through PID control, allowing for efficient and accurate heating with minimal power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating element is used in portable diagnostic devices, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision and heating efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heating arrangement is divided into two separate heating elements (first heating element and second heating element), each controlled by dedicated controllers. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each element's function - one for rapid heating and the other for precise temperature maintenance - thereby improving overall temperature control precision while keeping each individual element relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment through pulse width modulation (PWM) where the duty cycle is dynamically changed based on temperature feedback. The controllers adjust the power delivery to heating elements in real-time, enabling precise temperature control without requiring overly complex hardware configurations
2Speed
If high power is continuously supplied to heating elements, then heating speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed heating instead of continuous power supply. Current is delivered in controlled pulses with adjustable duty cycles, where the heating elements are activated intermittently rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains high heating effectiveness while significantly reducing average power consumption and energy waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing and feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the sample temperature and adjust the power delivery accordingly. When the target temperature is reached or exceeded, the feedback signal reduces or stops power supply to heating elements, preventing energy waste from overheating while maintaining rapid heating capability during the升温 phase
3Device complexity
If simple power management is used in portable devices, then device complexity is reduced, but power optimization and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of pulsed current delivery based on real-time temperature feedback and heating phase requirements. During rapid heating phase, higher duty cycles are used for efficient power utilization; during temperature maintenance phase, duty cycle is reduced to minimize energy consumption. This dynamic adaptation optimizes power efficiency without requiring complex power management hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (pulse width, duty cycle, frequency) of the heating elements based on the heating stage and temperature requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves optimal power efficiency across different operating conditions without adding significant complexity to the power management architecture
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 achieves efficient and accurate heating of biological samples, optimizing power use and reducing user intervention, enabling rapid and reliable diagnostics suitable for portable and point-of-care applications, while maintaining temperature stability and minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a heating arrangement for heating the sample, the heating arrangement comprising a first heating element, a second heating element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device to be used in amplifying and detecting biological material. In particular, the present invention relates to a device used for detecting methods, e.g., loop-mediated isothermal amplification, which may reveal the presence of a particular pathogen or molecule in a biological sample. The biological sample may be a human biological sample, but could also be a sample from an animal or plant.