Semi-Automated Microfluidic Device for POC Molecular Diagnostics
A biotech startup customer specializing in point-of-care molecular diagnostics, approached Gener8 requesting the development of a semi-automated PCR system. The customer requested Gener8 to use their patented infra-red LED technology to perform PCR.
Challenges
- Condensing a 28-step assay into a small point-of-care cartridge
- Designing an instrument-driven consumable with multiple reagents
- Including lyophilized beads, magnetic beads, wash buffers, lysis buffer, and binding buffer
- Ensuring the instrument can run four PCR reactions simultaneously
- Maximizing the lysed nucleic acid yield from the sample swab by fully resuspending the magnetic beads
- Effectively pulling down the beads without inhibiting the PCR cycling
- Maintaining optical clarity of the material on the bottom of the cartridge to meet detection requirements
Solutions
- Designing and developing a simple, easy-to-use cartridge for PCR applications
- Creating a self-contained 28-step assay within the cartridge
- Incorporating a mixing chamber and capture chamber to enable the flow of lysed samples attached to magnetic beads
- Implementing a magnet to hold the samples in the capture chamber and facilitate washing
- Including four PCR chambers with a metallized surface to enhance heat transfer through infra-red light
- Adding an optical window on the opposite side of the cartridge to enable fluorescence detection
