Self-contained Cartridge for Integrated Biochemical Assay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biochemical reactors for detecting infectious agents like Chlamydia trachomatis require multiple fluidic handling steps, making them complex and prone to erroneous results due to the need for skilled end users.
Innovation Solution
A sample processing cartridge with a hydrophobic and hydrophilic layer configuration, utilizing magnetic beads and an automated system for single-stream nucleic acid amplification, minimizing manual handling through a USB-controlled servo motor and lamination-based fabrication, enabling efficient DNA purification and amplification with a colorimetric readout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple fluidic handling steps are used to process samples in conventional platforms, then sample processing capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fluidic handling steps into a single integrated cartridge that performs sample processing, magnetic bead transport, and biochemical analysis in one device. The cartridge integrates a sample processing chamber, a channel with isolation medium, and an analysis section with reagents, eliminating the need for multiple separate fluidic handling operations while maintaining comprehensive sample processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed to be self-contained with pre-loaded reagents and isolation medium, allowing the system to perform multiple processing functions automatically without requiring skilled end users to manually handle fluids between different chambers or devices. The magnetic beads are transported through the isolation medium automatically via external magnetic force.
2Productivity
If multiple fluidic handling steps are required, then sample processing completeness is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous results
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all necessary processing steps into a single integrated cartridge with sealed chambers and defined fluid pathways, the system eliminates opportunities for user error in fluid transfer. The isolation medium continuously separates magnetic beads from the sample matrix throughout the entire process, ensuring complete and reliable sample processing without the errors that occur during multiple manual handling steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If skilled end users perform multiple fluidic handling steps, then processing flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed as a self-service device where all necessary reagents, isolation medium, and processing chambers are pre-loaded and integrated. Users simply load the cartridge into the device and initiate the assay, eliminating the need for skilled manual fluidic handling. The system automatically performs magnetic bead transport through the isolation medium and facilitates biochemical reactions without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
All fluidic pathways, reagent chambers, and isolation medium are prepared in advance during cartridge manufacturing. The magnetic beads are pre-positioned in the sample processing chamber, and the isolation medium is pre-loaded into the channel, eliminating the need for users to perform complex fluidic handling steps during operation.
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 system reduces user intervention to a single sample loading operation, enhancing isolation efficiency and reducing errors, while achieving high-sensitivity nucleic acid testing with low-complexity instrumentation, suitable for point-of-care applications.
Implementation Method 1
The channel can be at least partially filled with an isolation medium. At least one aqueous reagent can be disposed in the channel and may be isolated by the isolation medium. At least one biochemical reaction mixture can be disposed in the analysis section of the cartridge and may be isolated by a isolation medium.
Implementation Method 2
At least one magnetic bead can be disposed in the channel and is capable of being transported through the isolation medium and from the inlet section to the sample analysis section via, for example, an external magnetic force.
Implementation Method 3
The upper cartridge portion can include a first hydrophobic layer disposed on a first substrate, and the lower cartridge portion can include a second hydrophobic layer disposed on a second substrate.
Implementation Method 4
A portion of the at least one aqueous reagent pendant contacts one of the plurality of exposed hydrophilic surfaces of the first substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sample processing cartridge. The sample processing cartridge can include a housing and a channel disposed in the housing. The housing can include a sample inlet for receiving at least one biological sample. The channel can in fluidic communication with the sample inlet and can be defined by an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface can include a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The lower surface can include a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the channel can be configured to isolate at least one aqueous reagent.