Thermally Sealed Wax Valve for Nucleic Acid Assay Chamber Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological sample assays face challenges in efficiently isolating and fluidically connecting incubation and reaction chambers, particularly in nucleic acid amplification processes, which affect the accuracy and efficiency of determining sample characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a thermally sealed valve, comprising a wax valve channel and a thermally sealed valve, is used to isolate and fluidically connect an incubation chamber and downstream reaction chambers, enabling efficient mixing and nucleic acid amplification by modifying optical properties of the sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a thermally sealed valve is used to isolate and fluidically connect chambers, then the accuracy and efficiency of determining sample characteristics is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thermally sealed valve that changes its sealing state based on temperature parameter changes. The valve transitions between sealed and open states through thermal actuation, enabling precise control of fluid flow between chambers without complex mechanical mechanisms. This parameter-based control improves measurement precision while simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical valves with a thermally sealed valve system that uses thermal fields instead of mechanical actuation. The wax-based sealing mechanism responds to temperature changes to control fluid flow, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, motors, or sensors typically required in automated valve systems.
2Productivity
If a thermally sealed valve is used to control fluid flow between chambers, then the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of wax material to control valve sealing. The wax transitions from solid to liquid state through thermal heating, enabling reliable sealing and opening of the valve. This phase change mechanism provides robust sealing that is less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances compared to mechanical seals, as the wax automatically adapts to channel geometry through its melting and flowing characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally sealed valve uses temperature as a control parameter to manage sealing status. By adjusting thermal input, the valve reliably transitions between sealed and open states, providing consistent fluid flow control. This parameter-based approach reduces dependence on extremely tight manufacturing tolerances for seal geometry, as the thermal actuation provides a controlled, repeatable sealing mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If thermal heating is applied to the thermally sealed valve to open it, then the fluidic connection between chambers is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transitions of wax material to control valve sealing. The wax transitions from solid to liquid state through thermal heating, enabling reliable sealing and opening of the valve. This phase change mechanism provides robust sealing that is less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances compared to mechanical seals, as the wax automatically adapts to channel geometry through its melting and flowing characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally sealed valve system is designed to be passively actuated through thermal fields that can be generated by the assay environment itself or simple heating elements. The wax-based sealing mechanism automatically responds to temperature changes without requiring complex control systems, motors, or sensors, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining ease of 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 effectively isolates and connects chambers, allowing for accurate determination of nucleic acid amplification sample characteristics through modified optical properties, enhancing the efficiency and precision of biological assays.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally sealed valve to isolate and fluidically connect an incubation chamber and downstream reaction chambers
Implementation Method 2
The wax is dissolved to allow fluidic connection between the incubation chamber and downstream reaction chamber(s)
Implementation Method 3
a mixing heater configured to supply heat to the incubation chamber
Implementation Method 4
mixing the sample solution with a lytic agent using a mixing heater to apply heat to the incubation chamber, so as to enable thermal mixing
Implementation Method 5
heating a thermally sealed valve disposed within a wax valve channel in fluidic communication with the incubation chamber, so as enable the prepared sample solution to flow through the wax valve channel
Implementation Method 6
heating the thermally sealed valve to soften, melt, and dissolve the wax material
Implementation Method 7
heating the reaction mixture to promote a nucleic acid amplification reaction
Implementation Method 8
the incubation chamber comprises a selective venting element configured to allow any gas to be discharged from the incubation chamber while preventing the liquid from passing therethrough
Implementation Method 9
The selective venting element is a self-sealing porous polyethylene vent comprising an embedded hydrogel
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods for performing biological assays using a thermally sealed valve and/or incubation chamber. The systems and methods determine one or more characteristics of a nucleic acid amplification sample based on a modified optical property of the sample.