Microfluidic devices harboring unsealed reactors for real-time isothermal helicase-dependent amplification

High-throughput microchip devices used for nucleic-acid amplification require sealed reactors. This is to prevent evaporative loss of the amplification mixture and cross-contamination, which may occur among fluidically connected reactors. In most high-throughput nucleic-acid amplification devices, reactor sealing is achieved by microvalves. Additionally, these devices require micropumps to distribute amplification mixture into an array of reactors, thereby increasing the device cost, and adding complexity to the chip fabrication and operation processes. To overcome these limitations, we report microfluidic devices harboring open (unsealed) reactors in conjunction with a single-step capillary based flow scheme for sequential distribution of amplification mixture into an array of reactors. Concern about evaporative loss in unsealed reactors have been addressed by optimized reactor design, smooth internal reactor surfaces, and incorporation of a localized heating scheme for the reactors, in which isothermal, real-time helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) was performed.     

A completely automated sample preparation instrument and consumable device for isolation and purification of nucleic acids

Molecular diagnostic analysis and life science studies are dependent on the ability to effectively prepare samples for analysis. We report the development of a system that enables robust sample preparation of nucleic acids. To enable completely automated sample preparation, a consumable cartridge and consumable module system were developed to emulate every step of the sample preparation process. This included enzyme and reagent addition, temperature-controlled incubations, noncontact mixing of enzymes and reagents, buffer exchanges, and sample elution. Using this system, completely automated methods were developed for the purification of viral RNA and DNA from plasma and whole blood and of bacterial genomic DNA from water and whole blood. Extracted nucleic acids were detected and quantified using real-time PCR. The data indicate that automated viral DNA extraction was more efficient than sample extractions performed using a manual process, whereas automated total RNA extraction from the same samples was equivalent to controls. Additionally, we found that the process for bacterial genomic DNA extraction from either water or whole blood was equivalent to the manual extraction processes. We conclude the instrument, consumable cartridge, and reagent system enables easy, cost-effective, and robust sample preparation regardless of the experience of the operator.     

新型光学对中自动测量装置的设计

针对光学对中器采用面阵电荷耦合器件或者黑白线阵电荷耦合器件作为图像传感器的不足,设计了一种新型光学对中自动测量装置。测量装置由N型自发光目标、光学镜头、彩色线阵电荷耦合器件、处理电路、FPGA和电源模块组成。利用彩色线阵电荷耦合器件和N型自发光目标协同工作进行二维位置测量。通过实验,验证该装置在露天环境下工作,反射光等强干扰时,能区分有用目标信号和干扰信号。论文着重介绍了彩色线阵电荷耦合器件图像传感器的优点和N型自发光目标的尺寸设计。最后,对新型光电对中器的测量精度进行了实验验证和误差分析。在本设计中,图像传感器的选择分别采用黑白线阵CCD和彩色线阵CCD进行实验验证, X轴方向测量精度: ±0.649mm≤1.597mm;Y轴方向测量精度：±1.176mm≤3.940mm。实验结果表明：采用彩色线阵电荷耦合器件作图像传感器时,抗干扰性强,测量结果精确、稳定。     

基于B/S的电梯安全监控装置检测系统

针对当前电梯安全监控装置检测方式效率低下、检测记录维护困难的难题,提出了一种电梯安全监控装置自动化检测系统.设计了基于ARM和嵌入式Linux的检测仪硬件、软件系统,用于对监控装置的自动化检测.设计了基于B/S的Web服务器检测系统.通过以太网技术与检测仪进行通信,实现网上报检、检验信息的同步.该系统提高了电梯安全监控装置的检测效率,实现了检验记录的信息化管理.