Continuous Flow Thermal Gradient PCR Microfluidic Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous-flow PCR devices face challenges in further miniaturization and simplification due to thermal 'cross-talk' between temperature zones, limiting the proximity of isothermal regions and complicating the reduction of the device footprint.

Innovation Solution

A microfluidic device with a serpentine channel sandwiched between two plates, featuring a spatial temperature gradient created by a heater, allowing for efficient nucleic acid amplification without the need for multiple isolated temperature zones, enabling faster cycling and lower energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple isolated temperature zones are used in continuous-flow PCR devices, then thermal separation between zones is improved, but device footprint and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal separationVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple isolated temperature zones into a single continuous temperature gradient channel. Instead of using separate heated and cooled zones with insulating features, the invention creates a unified channel where temperature varies continuously along the flow direction, eliminating the need for thermal isolation structures and reducing device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from static, discrete temperature zones to a dynamic continuous temperature gradient. The temperature profile changes gradually along the channel length, allowing different regions of the same channel to experience different temperatures simultaneously, which simplifies the device structure while maintaining thermal separation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If multiple isolated temperature zones are used in continuous-flow PCR devices, then thermal separation between zones is improved, but amplification time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal separationVSAvoidamplification time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple temperature zones into a single continuous gradient channel, the patent eliminates the need for the sample to travel between separate zones. The sample experiences all required temperature changes within one channel pass, reducing the total path length and time required for thermal cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous thermal cycling where the temperature gradient is maintained along the entire channel length. Instead of discrete heating and cooling phases in separate zones, the sample continuously experiences temperature variations that drive amplification, eliminating idle transition times between zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Temperature

If multiple isolated temperature zones are used in continuous-flow PCR devices, then thermal separation is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal separationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple heated and cooled zones into a single channel with a continuous temperature gradient. This eliminates the need for multiple independent heating and cooling elements, reducing the total energy required to maintain temperature zones while achieving the same thermal separation effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the thermal cross-talk that previously required isolation into a beneficial continuous gradient. Instead of viewing thermal interference between zones as a harmful effect to be blocked, the invention utilizes it to create a smooth temperature transition that improves amplification efficiency and reduces energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 rapid and efficient nucleic acid amplification with a smaller footprint, eliminating the need for multiple temperature zones and allowing for simultaneous amplification and detection of DNA fragments, reducing amplification time and increasing specificity.

Implementation Method 1

a heater for producing a spatial temperature gradient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature gradient: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The disclosed invention is in the general field of nucleic acid amplification and detection, and specifically in the field of amplification through continuous flow mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8975027B2Methods and compositions related to continuous flow thermal gradient PCR

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 UNIV OF UTAH RES FOUND

AI summary

Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification and detection of nucleic acid sequences based on continuous flow thermal gradient PCR.