Unidirectional Sliding PCR Chip for Sequential Thermal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PCR devices face challenges in efficiently amplifying nucleic acids due to complex temperature control requirements, large sample size limitations, and prolonged PCR times, especially when trying to process multiple samples simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A PCR device featuring a thermal block with multiple heaters arranged in a linear fashion and a plate-type PCR chip with reaction chambers that slide unidirectionally over the heaters, allowing for sequential thermal contact and reducing the need for complex temperature control, while enabling real-time signal measurement through integrated optical or electrochemical detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single heater is used to process multiple samples, then sample density increases and structure is simplified, but PCR time increases and temperature control becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The single heater is segmented into multiple heaters arranged in a row, with each heater independently controlling temperature for different reaction chambers. This allows parallel processing of multiple samples without requiring repeated heating and cooling cycles, thereby reducing PCR time while maintaining high sample density.
2Loss of time
If multiple heaters with different temperatures are used, then PCR time is reduced, but device structure becomes complicated and flow channel length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction chambers are arranged in a linear row corresponding to the heaters, and the chip is moved unidirectionally through the heaters rather than flowing through a long serpentine channel. This dimensional change from flow-based to position-based processing reduces the required channel length and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining multiple temperature zones.
3Loss of time
If a flow channel system is used to pass samples through heaters, then PCR time is reduced, but sample density decreases and flow control becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static flow channel to a dynamic configuration where the chip can be moved unidirectionally through the heaters. This dynamic approach allows multiple samples to be positioned simultaneously at different heater locations, increasing sample density while maintaining reduced PCR time through parallel processing.
4Quantity of substance
If repeated heating and cooling of a single heater is used, then sample density increases, but PCR time increases and temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single heater is divided into multiple independent heaters, each capable of maintaining its own temperature independently. This eliminates the need for repeated heating and cooling cycles of a single heater, simplifying temperature control while allowing multiple samples to be processed simultaneously at different temperature stages.
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 configuration enhances PCR efficiency by minimizing radial thermal distribution, allowing for simultaneous amplification of multiple samples, reducing PCR time, and enabling real-time monitoring of nucleic acid amplification without the need for complex control modules, thus achieving miniaturization and integration of the device.
Implementation Method 1
PCR thermal blocks having two or more heaters repeatedly arranged on an upper surface of a substrate
Implementation Method 2
a plate type PCR chip having two or more reaction chambers repeatedly mounted in such a way as to meet the two or more heaters arranged on the PCR thermal blocks
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device including a PCR thermal block including a first substrate and heating units, a PCR chip including a second substrate and reaction chambers, and an unidirectional sliding driver for sliding the PCR chip relative to the PCR thermal block while maintaining a contact between the second substrate of the PCR chip and the first substrate of the PCR thermal block. The first and second heaters of each of the plurality of heating units are spaced apart from each other along a sliding direction, and the unidirectional sliding driver causes any reaction chamber in the PCR chip to have a sequential thermal contact from a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at one end of the PCR thermal block to a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at another end of the PCR thermal block.