Thermal Cycling via Movable Reaction Vessel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal cycler designs face inefficiencies in temperature cycling for nucleic acid amplification reactions due to time-consuming temperature ramping and the need for multiple heat sources, which increases complexity, cost, and space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A thermal cycling system that uses a single fixed-temperature heat source and a movable reaction vessel within a metal sleeve, controlled by a temperature sensor and algorithm to achieve and maintain multiple temperature settings, allowing for efficient transition between denaturation, annealing, and extension temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed-temperature heat blocks are used, then temperature cycling can be achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature cycling capabilityVSAvoidnumber of heat blocks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single heat block performs multiple temperature-related functions by combining heating capability with programmable control. The system uses one heat block instead of multiple fixed-temperature blocks, reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature cycling capability through software-controlled heating patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static fixed-temperature blocks to a dynamic single heat block with programmable temperature profiles. The heat block can dynamically adjust its output to achieve different temperatures at different times, enabling PCR cycling without requiring multiple physical blocks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed-temperature heat blocks are used, then temperature cycling can be achieved, but the instrument occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature cycling capabilityVSAvoidinstrument footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heat blocks are merged into a single heat block with programmable control. This consolidation reduces the physical footprint of the instrument while maintaining the ability to perform temperature cycling through software-controlled heating patterns rather than multiple physical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If heat block temperature is ramped, then temperature cycling can be achieved, but the process takes more time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature cycling capabilityVSAvoidramping time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-heats the heat block to a high temperature before the reaction vessel is inserted. This preliminary heating action eliminates the need for slow ramping during the actual PCR cycle, as the heat block is already at the required temperature to rapidly heat the reaction vessel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system skips the slow temperature ramping phase by pre-heating the heat block to the target temperature before insertion. This rushing through of the heating process reduces the overall time required for temperature cycling while maintaining the necessary temperature profile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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 approach reduces the number of heat sources needed, decreases power consumption, minimizes space, and enables faster temperature transitions, thereby enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of nucleic acid amplification processes.

Implementation Method 1

Heat is transferred to the reaction vessel by contact with the heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

temperature-sensing means operatively associated with the reaction vessel for controlling the altering of the relative position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentUS8945880B2Thermal cycling by positioning relative to fixed-temperature heat source

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 GENOMADIX INC

AI summary

The thermal cycling system for performing a biological reaction at two or more different temperatures comprises: a) a heat source for setting at a fixed temperature; b) a reaction vessel containing material upon which the biological reaction is to be performed; c) mechanically-operable structure for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that reaction vessel first achieves and maintains a desired first temperature in the reaction vessel for starting the carrying out of the biological reaction, and then for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that the reaction vessel then achieves and maintains a second temperature for continuing the carrying out of the biological reaction on the biological material, and d) temperature-sensing structure operatively associated with the reaction vessel for controlling the altering of the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that the reaction vessel achieves and maintains the desired second temperature in the reaction vessel.