Two-Stage Microfluidic Cartridge for Multiplexed Nucleic Acid Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic assays in the medical diagnostics industry face bottlenecks due to the need for specialized, expensive equipment that is not readily available on-demand, leading to delays and inefficiencies in processing biological samples, particularly in nucleic acid amplification and detection processes.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic cartridge with multiple sample lanes and a diagnostic apparatus that includes amplification and detection chambers, valves, and heat sources, allowing for real-time amplification and detection of nucleic acids in parallel, enabling high-throughput and multiplexed analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized diagnostic equipment is used for nucleic acid amplification and detection, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic system is divided into modular components: a microfluidic cartridge containing multiple independent sample lanes with integrated amplification and detection chambers, and a separate reader device. Each lane can process different samples independently, allowing the system to maintain high measurement precision through specialized chambers while reducing overall device complexity through modularity and standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic cartridge is designed as a universal platform that can simultaneously process multiple different nucleic acid amplification reactions across its lanes. The same cartridge structure and fluidic network can accommodate various amplification protocols and detection methods, enabling one device to perform multiple diagnostic functions, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized equipment types.
2Productivity
If batch processing is used for diagnostic samples, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic cartridge contains multiple independent sample lanes (e.g., 12 lanes) that can process different samples simultaneously in parallel. Each lane has its own amplification and detection chambers that operate independently, allowing the system to process multiple samples at the same time rather than sequentially, thereby dramatically increasing productivity without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous processing by loading multiple cartridges into the reader device, which can then process them sequentially without idle time. The microfluidic design allows for rapid fluidic operations and quick transition between samples, maintaining continuous useful action and minimizing downtime between processing batches, thus improving overall throughput.
3Productivity
If multiple samples are processed in parallel using the microfluidic cartridge, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic cartridge is segmented into multiple independent sample lanes, each with dedicated amplification and detection chambers. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple samples while keeping the fluidic pathways within each lane relatively simple and manageable. The modular lane structure prevents the overall system complexity from becoming unmanageable by dividing it into repeating, standardized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic cartridge merges multiple functions (sample loading, amplification, detection, and waste collection) into a single integrated device. By combining these functions in one cartridge that fits into a standardized reader, the system achieves high productivity through parallel processing while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple separate devices and operations.
4Measurement precision
If samples are transported to centralized diagnostic locations, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic cartridge reader is designed as a universal diagnostic device that can be deployed in various settings including point-of-care locations, remote clinics, and hospital laboratories. This universal device performs the same high-precision nucleic acid amplification and detection functions as centralized laboratory equipment, eliminating the need to transport samples to centralized locations while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic cartridge acts as an intermediary that brings laboratory-quality diagnostic capabilities to decentralized locations. The cartridge contains pre-loaded reagents and optimized reaction conditions, serving as a portable intermediary that enables high-precision diagnostics without requiring sample transportation to centralized facilities, thus eliminating transportation time and delays.
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
Facilitates efficient, on-demand processing of multiple biological samples simultaneously, reducing delays and costs associated with sample transportation and equipment availability, while improving the throughput and accuracy of nucleic acid amplification and detection.
Implementation Method 1
The amplification valves can include a temperature responsive substance that melts upon heating to seal a channel that communicates with the amplification chamber. The detection valves can comprise a temperature responsive substance that melts upon heating in order to seal a channel that communicates with the plurality of detection chambers.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices configured for the amplification and detection of multiple targets from a sample, and methods of using the same. The devices disclosed herein comprise microfluidic cartridges have a first stage (amplification) and a second (detection) stage. The two-stage design of the cartridges enables testing for multiple targets within a sample, i.e., from a single nucleic acid amplification reaction. Methods for the amplification and detection of a plurality of target nucleic acids from a sample are also disclosed herein.