Printed circuit board heater for an amplification module
Inventors
Andreyev, Boris • Ciopyk, Brian • Briones, Victor • Hong, Jonathan • Swenson, David • Loney, Gregory • De La Zerda, Adam • Chu, Steven
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Assignees
Member
Visby MedicalVisby Medical develops rapid at-home molecular diagnostic tests powered by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, focusing on accessible, private, and accurate screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The company offers the first FDA-authorized over-the-counter at-home PCR test for women’s sexual health and is expanding its diagnostics platform to address other infectious diseases for point-of-care and home use. Its technology enables results in approximately 30 minutes via a secure mobile app, with integrated telehealth services for positive results. Visby Medical emphasizes user privacy, scalable manufacturing, and partnerships to broaden access to high-quality diagnostics.
Visby Medical develops rapid at-home molecular diagnostic tests powered by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, focusing on accessible, private, and accurate screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The company offers the first FDA-authorized over-the-counter at-home PCR test for women’s sexual health and is expanding its diagnostics platform to address other infectious diseases for point-of-care and home use. Its technology enables results in approximately 30 minutes via a secure mobile app, with integrated telehealth services for positive results. Visby Medical emphasizes user privacy, scalable manufacturing, and partnerships to broaden access to high-quality diagnostics.
Publication Number
US-11529633-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus includes a substrate, a first heating element, and a second heating element. The substrate includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion that is between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is characterized by a first thermal conductivity, the second portion is characterized by a second thermal conductivity, and the third portion is characterized by a third thermal conductivity. The third thermal conductivity is less than the first thermal conductivity and the second thermal conductivity. The first heating element is coupled to the first portion of the substrate, and is configured to produce a first thermal output. The second heating element is coupled to the second portion of the substrate, and configured to produce a second thermal output. The second thermal output is different from the first thermal output.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a molecular-diagnostic amplification module in which a flow member defines a plurality of flow channels and includes an amplification portion that carries a sample through temperature regions for nucleic acid amplification. The flow member is coupled to a circuit board assembly that includes a substrate and a heater that heats the amplification portion to an amplification temperature.
Temperature zones are created by segmenting the heater into independently controlled heating elements or thermal zones and by using thermal barriers created by apertures or vias, thereby separating substrate portions and limiting thermal coupling between zones. The circuit board substrate is defined by a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures that separate a first portion from a second portion and the second portion from a third portion, with aperture geometry defined by lengths and widths such that the length is greater than the width and with connection portions between ends of adjacent apertures.
The module is integrated as part of a portable or disposable point-of-care diagnostic cartridge for amplification and downstream detection in a detection module. The amplification portion enables PCR thermal cycling or isothermal amplification, and a flow path may include a serpentine or switchback flow path that carries the sample through hot and cold regions for thermal cycling.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Each independent claim centers on an apparatus that couples a multi-channel flow member with an amplification portion to a circuit board heater assembly with a substrate apertured to create separated portions, and both configure the heater to heat the amplification portion to an amplification temperature.
A flow member with an amplification portion coupled to a circuit board heater assembly with apertured substrate
A flow member defining a plurality of flow channels within which a sample can flow, the flow member including an amplification portion, and a circuit board assembly coupled to the flow member, the circuit board assembly including a substrate and a heater. The substrate defines a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures that separate substrate portions, and the heater is coupled to the second portion between the substrate and the amplification portion, the heater configured to heat the amplification portion of the flow member to an amplification temperature.
A flow member with an amplification portion coupled to a circuit board heater assembly with apertures forming connected boundaries
A flow member defining a plurality of flow channels within which a sample can flow, the flow member including an amplification portion, and a circuit board assembly coupled to the flow member, the circuit board assembly including a substrate and a heater. The substrate defines a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures separating substrate portions, with adjacent apertures aligned lengthwise to form portions of boundaries and including connection portions between adjacent apertures with aperture lengths defined such that the first length differs from the second length; the heater is coupled to the second portion between the substrate and the amplification portion and configured to heat the amplification portion to an amplification temperature.
Across both independent claims, the core inventive concept is an apparatus that couples a multi-channel amplification flow member to a heater on a circuit board substrate whose apertures partition the substrate into separated portions, with the heater configured to heat the amplification portion to an amplification temperature.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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