Apparatus for thermal convection polymerase chain reaction
Inventors
Ou, Yu-Cheng • Chung, Cheng-Yueh • Liu, Wei-Hao • CHEN, Han-Yi
Assignees
Credo Diagnostics Biomedical Pte Ltd • Credo Biomedical Pte Ltd
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Publication Number
US-10688497-B2
Publication Date
2020-06-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention discloses an apparatus for performing PCR by thermal convection. The device includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a temperature sensing device, a power supplying device, a processor and an accommodation space. The device uses transparent conductive film to replace conventional thermostat metal stock to perform a heat process required in the PCR or RT-PCR process. The device further uses a reagent container whose bottom portion contacts the transparent conductive film and being heated by the transparent conductive film to establish a thermal circulation in the reagent container. The device can qualify or quantify the product of PCR or RT-PCR process by further incorporating specific probes, fluorescence material, light source, light receiver and light regulator.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus having a reagent container for performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by thermal convection. The reagent container has reactants and reagents including a fluorescent material or a probe, and the apparatus includes a light source to excite the fluorescence material or the probe and a light receiver to detect or receive a fluorescence signal.
The temperature-sensing device includes a glass having a film upper surface and a film lower surface, with a transparent conductive film disposed on the film upper surface or the film lower surface. A retaining groove connects the second perforation and is sized so the glass can be fixed into the retaining groove, while a temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the transparent conductive film.
An accommodation space is disposed between a first bracket and a second bracket and accommodates the reagent container, so the reagent container contacts the transparent conductive film through the perforations and the retaining groove. Thermal convection creates a temperature gradient inside the container for cycling temperatures during PCR or RT-PCR, and a power supplying device with a power regulator and processor stops supplying power when the transparent conductive film reaches a predetermined value.
Claims Coverage
The input provides two independent claims. The covered inventive features center on a thermal-convection PCR/RT-PCR apparatus with fluorescence excitation and detection, a transparent conductive film on glass for temperature sensing, and feedback-controlled power regulation that stops at a predetermined value.
Thermal convection PCR/RT-PCR reagent container with fluorescent material or probe
An apparatus with a reagent container for performing PCR or RT-PCR by thermal convection, where the reagent container comprises reactants and reagents including a fluorescent material or a probe, and the apparatus includes a light source configured to excite the fluorescent material or the probe and a light receiver configured to detect or receive a fluorescence signal.
Transparent conductive film on glass temperature sensing in a retaining groove
A temperature sensing device disposed in a retaining groove, comprising glass with a film upper surface and a film lower surface, a transparent conductive film disposed on the film upper surface or the film lower surface, and a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the transparent conductive film.
Feedback power regulation based on a predetermined transparent conductive film temperature value
A power supplying device supplies power to a contact node on the transparent conductive film, and a processor controls a power regulator using signals from the temperature sensor so that when the transparent conductive film reaches a predetermined value the processor controls the power regulator not to supply the power.
Reagent container placement through perforations to contact transparent conductive film
An accommodation space disposed between a first bracket and a second bracket accommodates the reagent container, and the reagent container is placed through a first perforation and a second perforation to contact the transparent conductive film.
Brackets with perforations and retaining groove for positioning the glass temperature sensor
A first bracket comprises a first perforation, a second bracket comprises a second perforation, and a retaining groove connects the second perforation for positioning the glass temperature sensor.
The claims cover thermal convection PCR/RT-PCR apparatus architecture with a reagent container between two brackets, perforations and a retaining groove, a transparent conductive film on glass for temperature sensing, feedback-controlled power regulation, and in one independent claim fluorescence excitation and detection for a fluorescent material or probe.
Stated Advantages
Provides thermal-convection PCR or RT-PCR with temperature control based on transparent conductive film temperature feedback and stopping at a predetermined value.
Enables detection or receipt of a fluorescence signal by exciting a fluorescent material or probe with a light source and receiving the fluorescence signal with a light receiver.
Documented Applications
Performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by thermal convection, including configurations using fluorescent material or probe for fluorescence signal detection.
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