PORTABLE RT-PCR DEVICE AND RT-PCR MEASUREMENT METHOD USING SAME

The present disclosure relates to a portable RT-PCR device and an RT-PCR measurement method that uses the portable RT-PCR device. The portable RT-PCR device includes: a base unit in which a mounting space is formed; a plurality of lower heating units mounted in the mounting space in the base unit; a lower optical measurement unit mounted in the base unit and arranged in a different position than the plurality of lower heating units and providing measurement light or receiving the measurement light; and a chamber assembly including a plurality of chambers that are seated on the plurality of lower heating units and the lower optical measurement unit, respectively, each chamber being provided in such a manner to be movable from one of the plurality of lower heating units to other one of the plurality of lower heating units or to the lower optical measurement unit, wherein each of the plurality of chambers includes: a chamber body for accommodating a chamber unit in which a specimen-unit accommodation space inside which a specimen unit is accommodated is formed; wherein the chamber unit includes: a chamber unit body in which the specimen-unit accommodation space is formed; and a cap unit covering the specimen-unit accommodation space in the chamber unit body from above, and wherein the specimen unit has an aspect ratio, that is, a height-to-width ratio, which is greater than 0 and smaller than 1.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a gene amplification (PCR) device and, more particularly, to a portable real-time PCR (RT-PCR) device and an RT-PCR measurement method that uses the portable RT-PCR device.

BACKGROUND ART

Usually, the DNA amplification techniques have been broadly utilized for research and development and diagnosis in the biological science, genetic engineering, and medicine fields. Particularly, the DNA amplification techniques that use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been widely utilized.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used when amplifying specific DNA sequences, as required, that are present in a genome.

The polymerase chain reaction is a method of possibly amplifying a DNA region between two primers to a large amount in a test tube. For DNA synthesis, a DNA polymerase needs a primer. From this primer, DNA is synthesized in the direction from 5' to 3'. Using this synthesis, the following cycle is repeated: ① Denaturation to single-stranded DNA, ② annealing of primers, and ③ synthesis of complementary DNA due to a polymerase. Thus, only a target gene region is proliferated in the test tube.

To this end, in the PCR, DNA denaturation is first performed. Double-stranded DNA can be separated by being heated. DNA resulting from the separation serves as a template.

Next, in the PCR, an annealing step is performed. In this step, the primers are bounded to template DNA. An annealing temperature is an important factor in determining the reaction accuracy. When the annealing temperature is set to be too high, the primers too weakly bonds to the template DNA. Thus, an amount of DNA resulting from the amplification is very small. In addition, when the annealing temperature is set to be too low, the primers are nonspecifically bounded to the template DNA. Because of this, undesired DNA can be amplified.

Next, in the PCR, an elongation step is performed. In this step, the heat-resistant DNA polymerase creates new DNA from the template DNA.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time (RT) RCR) is also referred to as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In the case of usual PCR, after the reaction is completed, the quantity of final products can be determined. In contrast, in the case of the RT-PCR, while the reaction proceeds, a process of amplifying a DNA molecule can be quantitatively observed.

When the RT-PCR takes place, a reporter probe bonds to the middle of DNA, but fluorescence still does not appear. In an RT-PCR amplification step, when the forward-direction primer is caused to extend, a Taq DNA polymerase meets the reporter probe. At this point, when the report probe is broken down by a function of enzyme breakdown from 5' to 3' that is retained by the Taq DNA polymerase, a fluorescent label is separated from a fluorescent quenching label. Thus, fluorescent appears.

This process is performed in a fluorometer that measures fluorescence. Therefore, when fluorescence is measured, the extent to which PCR proceeds can be measured. When the sufficient quantity of reporter probes is present, the reporter probe bonds to new DNA that is created time after time. Thus, the more increased an amplification period, the more increased the amount of fluorescence time after time.

In a PCR device in the related art, it is not easy to perform control to maintain desired temperature by performing a method of raising and then lowering temperature in each step. Accordingly, there is a limitation in that the polymerase chain reaction does not smoothly proceed.

In addition, a specimen accommodation container accommodating a specimen needs to be formed in the shape of a tube that extends over a long distance in the upward-downward direction. Moreover, a separate pipette needs to be used in order to accommodate the specimen into the tube. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to directly preform PCR measurement in an external test environment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable RT-PCR device capable of easily performing temperature control and thus smoothly performing a polymerase chain reaction and an RT-PCR measurement method that uses the portable RT-PCR device.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable RT-PCR device capable of being easily used and an RT-PCR measurement method that uses the portable RT-PCR device.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a portable RT-PCR device including: a base unit in which a mounting space is formed; a plurality of lower heating units mounted in the mounting space in the base unit; a lower optical measurement unit mounted in the base unit and arranged in a different position than the plurality of lower heating units and providing measurement light or receiving the measurement light; and a chamber assembly including a plurality of chambers that are seated on the plurality of lower heating units and the lower optical measurement unit, respectively, each chamber being provided in such a manner to be movable from one of the plurality of lower heating units to other one of the plurality of lower heating units or to the lower optical measurement unit, wherein each of the plurality of chambers includes: a chamber body for accommodating a chamber unit in which a specimen-unit accommodation space inside which a specimen unit is accommodated is formed; wherein the chamber unit includes: a chamber unit body in which the specimen-unit accommodation space is formed; and a cap unit covering the specimen-unit accommodation space in the chamber unit body from above, and wherein the specimen unit has an aspect ratio, that is, a height-to-width ratio, which is greater than 0 and smaller than 1.

In the portable RT-PCR device, the chamber assembly may further include: a chamber movement unit for moving the plurality of chambers, wherein the plurality of chambers may be arranged around a rotational center formed in the base unit in such a manner as to be spaced a preset distance apart, and wherein the chamber movement unit may rotate the plurality of chambers around the rotational center in one direction at the same time.

In the portable RT-PCR device, the chamber movement unit may include: a plurality of connection brackets, first end portions of which are connected to the plurality of chambers, respectively; and a rotation shaft to which second end portions of the plurality of connection brackets are connected and which is provided in a manner that is rotatable about the rotational center, wherein the rotation of the chamber movement unit may be stopped for a maintenance time, and the chamber movement unit is rotated for a movement time, and wherein the maintenance time may be set to be longer than the movement time.

In the portable RT-PCR device, a first guide unit for guiding the rotation of each of the plurality of chambers may be formed to be positioned between one of the plurality of lower heating units and other one of the plurality of lower heating units or the lower optical measurement unit, the first guide unit may be formed in such a manner as to have a curvature corresponding to a curvature radius of an imaginary circle that is formed when the plurality of chambers are rotated, and a guide groove or a guide protrusion that is engaged with the first guide unit may be formed in or on a lower portion of each of the plurality of chambers.

In the portable RT-PCR device, a second guide unit that is connected to the first guide unit, has the same curvature radius as the first guide unit, and is selectively engaged with the guide groove in each of the plurality of chambers or the guide protrusion thereon may be formed to be positioned on upper surfaces of the lower heating unit and the lower optical measurement unit.

In the portable RT-PCR device, the lower heating unit may include: a first lower heating unit that operates at a first temperature; a second lower heating unit that operates at a second temperature; and a third lower heating unit that operates at a third temperature, the first lower heating unit and the third lower heating unit may be symmetrical about the rotational center, and the second lower heating unit and the lower optical measurement unit may be symmetrical about the rotational center.

In the portable RT-PCR device, the first temperature may be set to be higher than the third temperature, and the third temperature may be set to be higher than the second temperature, and the first lower heating unit, the second lower heating unit, and the third lower heating unit may be kept at their respective set temperatures.

The portable RT-PCR device may further include: a cover unit arranged over the base unit and covering the mounting space; a plurality of upper heating units each of which is arranged between each of the plurality of lower heating units and the cover unit and which are selectively brought into contact with upper surfaces, respectively, of the plurality of chambers; and an upper optical measurement unit facing the lower optical measurement unit, receiving the measurement light emitted from the lower optical measurement unit or providing the measurement light toward the lower optical measurement unit.

In the portable RT-PCR device, the plurality of upper heating units and the plurality of lower heating units may be formed in such a manner that a distance between each of the plurality of upper heating units and each of the plurality of lower heating units is variable, in a case where each of the plurality of chambers is arranged between each of the plurality of upper heating units and each of the plurality of lower heating units and is not moved for a maintenance time, the distance between each of the plurality of upper heating units and each of the plurality of lower heating units may correspond to a height of each of the plurality of chambers, and, in a case where the maintenance time expires and where the plurality of chambers are moved toward other upper heating units, respectively, and toward other lower heating units, respectively, the distance between each of the plurality of upper heating units and each of the plurality of lower heating units may be set to be greater than the height of each of the plurality of chambers.

In the portable RT-PCR device, the plurality of lower heating units each may be formed in the shape of a plate, lower surfaces of the plurality of chambers may be brought into full contact with the plurality of lower heating units, respectively, a chamber-unit insertion space into which the chamber unit is to be inserted may be formed in the chamber body of each of the plurality of chambers, and the chamber-unit insertion space may be formed in such a manner that a width thereof corresponds to a width of each of the plurality of chamber units.

In the portable RT-PCR device, a measurement solution may be accommodated in the specimen-unit accommodation space in each of the plurality of chamber units, and the specimen-unit accommodation space may be formed in such a manner that the aspect ratio thereof is greater than 0 and smaller than 1, and the specimen-unit accommodation space may be formed in such a manner that a volume thereof is 20 µl to 100 µl.

In the portable RT-PCR device, the specimen unit may be formed with a membrane structure formed of a porous material.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an RT-PCR measurement method that uses the portable RT-PCR device mentioned above, the method including: a specimen-unit input step of accommodating a plurality of chamber units, in each of which the specimen unit is accommodated, into the plurality of chambers, respectively; a heating and measurement operation starting step of performing a heating or measurement operation on the specimen unit in a state where the specimen unit is input; a chamber-assembly one-step movement step of moving the plurality of chambers by one step in a case where a maintenance time in the heating and measurement operation starting step is longer than a preset reference maintenance time; and a measurement result notification step of providing notification of a result of measurement in a case where a measurement cycle for the plurality of chambers is set to be longer than a preset reference cycle.

The RT-PCR measurement method may further include: a distance-between-heating-units increasing step of increasing a distance between each of the plurality of upper heating units that are arranged to face the plurality of lower heating units, respectively, and each of the plurality of lower heating units, before the chamber-assembly one-step movement step is performed, in a case where the maintenance time in the heating and measurement operation starting step is longer than a preset reference maintenance time; and a distance-between-heating-units decreasing step of decreasing the distance between each of the plurality of upper heating units and each of the plurality of lower heating units after the chamber-assembly one-step movement step is performed, wherein in the distance-between-heating-units increasing step, the plurality of upper heating units and the plurality of lower heating units are formed in such a manner that the distance between each of the plurality of upper heating units and each of the plurality of lower heating units is greater than a height of each of the plurality of chambers, and wherein in the distance-between-heating-units decreasing step, the distance between each of the plurality of upper heating units and each of the plurality of lower heating units corresponds to the height of each of the plurality of chambers.

In the RT-PCR measurement method, one measurement cycle may be defined as four steps by which each of the plurality of chambers is moved.

In the RT-PCR measurement method, in the chamber-assembly one-step movement step, the plurality of chambers may be rotated by a preset angle about a rotational center formed in the base unit, the plurality of lower heating units may include a first lower heating unit that operates at a first temperature, a second lower heating unit that operates at a second temperature, and a third lower heating unit that operates at a third temperature, the plurality of upper heating units that face the plurality of lower heating units, respectively, may include a first upper heating unit that faces the first lower heating unit and operates at the first temperature, a second upper heating unit that faces the second lower heating unit and operates at the second temperature, and a third upper heating unit that faces the third lower heating unit and operates at the third temperature, and the portable RT-PCR device may control the plurality of lower heating units and the plurality of upper heating units in such a manner as to maintain the temperatures at which the plurality of lower heating units and the plurality of upper heating units, respectively, operate.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In a portable RT-PCR device according to a proposed embodiment of the present disclosure, an abrupt change in temperature, such as an abrupt increase or decrease in temperature, does not take place. Thus, it is easy to perform temperature control, and a polymerase chain reaction can be smoothly performed.

In addition, the use of a membrane-type specimen unit having an aspect ratio of less than 1 decreases an entire height of the portable RT-PCR device. Thus, there is provided the advantage that the specimen unit can be input into the portable RT-PCR device in an easier manner.

BEST MODE

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and methods of achieving the advantages and the features will be apparent from embodiments that will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments that will be disclosed below and can be implemented in various different forms. The embodiments are only provided to make the present disclosure complete and to provide definite notice as to the scope of the present disclosure to a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The scope of the present disclosure should be only defined by claims.

Although used to describe various constituent elements, the terms first, second, and so on do not, of course, impose any limitation on the various constituent elements. These terms are used to distinguish one constituent component from one or more other constituent components. Therefore, a first constituent element that will be described below may of course be a second constituent element that falls within the scope of the technological idea of the present invention.

The same reference numeral throughout the specification refers to the same constituent element.

Features of various embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated or combined severally or as a whole. It would be sufficiently understood by a person of ordinary skill that various interworking operations or driving operations are technically possible. The embodiments may be implemented independently of each other or may be implemented in conjunction with each other.

Tentative effects that are not specifically mentioned in the present specification, but can be expected from the technical features of the present disclosure are regarded as being described in the present specification. The embodiments are provided in sufficient detail to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the present disclosure. Constituent elements may be illustrated in a more exaggerated manner in the drawings than they appear when the present disclosure is practiced. A detailed description of a constituent element, when determined to unnecessarily make the gist of the present disclosure obfuscated, will be omitted or be made to be brief.

FIG.1is a view illustrating a portable RT-PCR device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a view illustrating that chambers of the portable RT-PCR device inFIG.1are moved.FIG.3is a view illustrating a state of the portable RT-PCR device inFIG.1, when viewed from the III direction.FIG.4is a view illustrating a state where an upper heat unit of the portable RT-PCR device inFIG.3is lifted upward.FIG.5is a view illustrating a chamber unit and a specimen unit of the portable RT-PCR device inFIG.1.

With reference toFIGS.1to5, in the portable RT-PCR device1according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the chambers, each accommodating a specimen unit, are moved to a plurality of heating units, respectively, each having a fixed operation temperature, and are heated. Thus, the operation temperature of the heating unit may be more uniformly maintained. As an example, the chambers may be arranged in a manner that is rotatable about a rotational center formed inside the portable RT-PCR device1.

In addition, the specimen unit is formed in the shape of a flat membrane (for example, in the shape of a circular membrane). The specimen unit in which DNA or RNA extracted from a syringe-type portable nucleic acid extraction kit is present is simply input into the chamber unit in which a PCR solution is accommodated. With this configuration, the specimen unit may be easily input into the PCR device.

Therefore, with the portable RT-PCR device1according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to perform PCR measurement stably and smoothly in an external environment in which an urgent virus test is necessary, as well as in a laboratory environment.

The portable RT-PCR device1according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base unit100, lower heating units310,320, and330, a lower optical measurement unit500, a cover unit600, upper heating units410and420, and a chamber assembly200.

A mounting space is formed in the base unit100, and the base unit100forms an exterior appearance of a lower part of the portable RT-PCR device1. At this point, the base unit100may be supported on a floor surface.

The lower heating units310,320, and330are mounted in the mounting space in the base unit100. The lower heating unit310,320, and330include a first lower heating unit310operating at a first temperature T1, a second lower heating unit320operating at a second temperature T2, and a third lower heating unit330operating at a third temperature T3.

The first lower heating unit310and the third lower heating unit320may be arranged in such a manner that they are symmetrical about the rotational center about which the chamber assembly200is rotated. The second lower heating unit320and the lower optical measurement unit500may be arranged in such a manner that they are symmetrical about the rotational center. In this case, the first lower heating unit310, the second lower heating unit320, the third lower heating unit330, and the lower optical measurement unit500are arranged around the rotational center in such a manner as to be spaced a preset space apart.

The first temperature T1is set to be higher than the third temperature T3, and the third temperature T3is set to be higher than the second temperature T2. Then, the first lower heating unit310, the second lower heating unit320, and the third lower heating unit330are kept at their respective set temperatures. That is, while performing the PCR measurement, the temperatures of the first lower heating unit310, the second lower heating unit320, and the third lower heating unit330remain unchanged.

In this case, as an example, the first temperature T1is set to approximately 97° C., and the second temperature T2is set to approximately 60° C. Lastly, the third temperature T3may be set to approximately 72° C.

The lower optical measurement unit500is mounted on the base unit100and is arranged at a different position than the lower heating units310,320, and330. The lower optical measurement unit500provides measurement light and receives the measurement light. The lower optical measurement unit500may emit the measurement light to the specimen unit250that is positioned at a measurement-target region510, and measure fluorescence of the specimen unit250. At this point, a plurality of measurement-target regions510may be formed, and the lower optical measurement unit500may be a light emitting device for emitting the measurement light or an optical sensor device for receiving the measurement light. In this case, the light emitting device may be a device, such as a UV LED, that is capable of emitting light in a preset wavelength band, and the optical sensor device may a device, such as a CIS or CCD, that receives light and generates an image.

Any one specimen unit250that contains a testingtarget specimen is moved to the first lower heating unit310, the second lower heating unit320, the third lower heating unit330, and the lower optical measurement unit500in this order. When a step of measuring the specimen unit250is finished in the lower optical measurement unit500, one measurement cycle for the specimen unit250is set to be ended.

In a case where the specimen unit250is heated by the first lower heating unit310that operates at the first temperature T1, a DNA denaturation step may be performed. In a case where the specimen unit250is heated by the second lower heating unit320that operates at the second temperature T2, a DNA annealing step may be performed. In a case where the specimen unit250is heated by the third lower heating unit330that operates at the third temperature T3, a DNA elongation step may be performed.

The specimen unit250is heated by the third lower heating unit330for a maintenance time Tm. Then the specimen unit250is moved toward the lower optical measurement unit500, and the PCR measurement is performed on the specimen unit250.

The chamber assembly200includes a plurality of chambers210and a chamber movement unit220. The plurality of chambers210are seated on the lower heating units310,320, and330and the lower optical measurement unit500, respectively. The chamber movement unit220serves to move the plurality of chambers210.

The chamber210is provided in a manner that is movable from one of the lower heating units310,320, and330to other one of the lower heating units310,320, and330or to the lower optical measurement unit500. The plurality of chambers210are arranged to be spaced a preset distance apart around the rotational center formed in the base unit100. The chamber movement unit220rotates the plurality of chambers210about the rotational center in one direction at the same time. In the present embodiment, as an example, the chamber movement unit220may rotate the chambers210clockwise, and the first lower heating unit310, the second lower heating unit320, the third lower heating unit330, and the lower optical measurement unit500may be arranged in this order in the clockwise direction.

The chamber210includes a chamber body211for accommodating a chamber unit230inside which a specimen-unit accommodation space in which the specimen unit250is accommodated is formed. In this case, the chamber body211may be formed in the shape of a plate having a width greater than a height in the vertical direction, and a chamber-unit insertion space215into which the chamber unit230is to be inserted is formed in the chamber body211. The chamber-unit insertion space215is formed in such a manner as to have a width corresponding to a width of each of the chamber units230. In a state where the chamber unit230is inserted into the chamber-unit insertion space215in the chamber210, lower and side surfaces of the chamber unit230are completely brought into close contact with an inner wall of the chamber-unit insertion space215. In order to facilitate transfer of heat toward the chamber unit230, the chamber210may be formed of a material, such as a metal, that has a high heat transfer coefficient.

The chamber unit230includes a chamber unit body211in which the specimen-unit accommodation space232is formed, and a cap unit233that covers the specimen-unit accommodation space232in the chamber unit body211from above.

In this time, the specimen unit250is formed in such a manner as to have an aspect ratio, that is, a height-to-width ratio, which is greater than 0 and smaller than 1. As an example, the specimen unit250may be formed with a diskshaped membrane structure formed of a porous material.

A measurement solution that is the PCR solution is accommodated in the specimen-unit accommodation space231in each of the chamber units230. The specimen-unit accommodation space231is formed in such a manner as to have an aspect ratio that is greater than 0 and smaller than 1. That is, the specimen-unit accommodation space231is formed in such a manner as to have a width greater than a height in the upward-downward direction. The specimen unit accommodation space231is formed in such a manner as to have a volume of 20 µl to 100 µl. As an example, in the present embodiment, a measurement solution of approximately 50 µl is accommodated in the specimen-unit accommodation space231, and the specimen unit250is immersed in the measurement solution in such a manner as to be impregnated therewith.

The chamber movement unit220includes a plurality of connection brackets222and a rotation shaft221. First end portions of the plurality of connection brackets222are connected to the chambers210, respectively. The rotation shaft221is provided in a manner that is rotatable about the rotational center. Second end portions of the plurality of connection brackets222are connected to the rotation shaft221.

The rotation of the chamber movement unit220is stopped for the maintenance time Tmfor which the chambers210are seated on the lower heating units310,320, and330, respectively. The chamber movement unit220is rotated for a movement time Trfrom when the maintenance time Tmexpires to when a next maintenance time Tmstarts. In this case, the maintenance time Tmis set to be longer than the movement time Tr.

FIGS.3and4illustrate an internal configuration of the portable RT-PCR device1, when viewed from the side in a state where the cover unit600of the portable RT-PCR device1according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure covers the mounting space in the base unit100.

More specifically, the cover unit600is arranged over the base unit100, covers the mounting space in the base unit100from above, and forms an exterior appearance of an upper portion of the portable RT-PCR device1.

The upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) are arranged between the lower heating unit310and the cover unit600, between the lower heating unit320and the cover unit600, and between the lower heating unit330and the cover unit600, respectively. In this case, the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) are selectively brought into contact with upper surfaces, respectively, of the chambers210. The upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) are formed in such a manner that shapes thereof correspond to shapes, respectively, of the lower heating units310,320, and330. The upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) include a first upper heating unit410, a second upper heating unit420, and a third upper heating unit (not illustrated) that correspond to the first lower heating unit310, the second lower heating unit320, and the third lower heating unit330, respectively. The upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) operate after heated to temperatures, respectively, that are the same as those of their respective corresponding lower heating units310,320, and330. The chamber210is arranged between each of the lower heating units310,320, and330and each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) in a manner that is brought into close contact with the lower heating unit and the upper heating unit. Thus, the chamber unit230may be heated in a more stable state.

The upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and the lower heating units310,320, and330of the portable RT-PCR device1according to the first embodiment are formed in such a manner that a distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330is variable. That is, when a heated state of the chamber210is attained on a perstep basis, the chamber210is moved toward other upper heating units410and420and upper heating unit (not illustrated) and other lower heating units310,320, and330. Accordingly, the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330varies in such a manner as to facilitate movements to other upper heating units410and420and upper heating unit (not illustrated) and other lower heating units310,320, and330.

More specifically, in a case where each of the chambers210is arranged between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330and is not moved for the maintenance time, the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330corresponds to a height of each of the chambers210. That is, the chamber210is brought into close contact with each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330and thus heat may be stably supplied to the chamber unit230.

In a case where the maintenance time expires and where the chambers210are moved toward other upper heating units410and420and upper heating unit (not illustrated), respectively, and toward other lower heating units310,320, and330, respectively, the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating unit310,320, and330is set to be greater than the height of each of the chambers210. That is, the chamber210is no longer in contact with each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330. Thus, the movement of the chamber210is facilitated.

In the present embodiment, the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) may be formed in such a manner that they are connected to an upperheating-unit movement unit450that is arranged in a manner that is movable in the upward-downward direction and are movable at the same time in the upward-downward direction. In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a configuration may also be employed where the lower heating units310,320, and330are moved in the upward-downward direction and thus where the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330varies.

An upper optical measurement unit faces the lower optical measurement unit500. The upper optical measurement unit receives the measurement light emitted from the lower optical measurement unit500or provides the measurement light toward the lower optical measurement unit500. That is, the upper optical measurement unit and the lower optical measurement unit500are provided in a pair in such a manner that they correspond to each other. By emitting or receiving light, the upper optical measurement unit and the lower optical measurement unit500perform fluorescence measurement on the specimen units250that are accommodated in the chamber units230, respectively, that are arranged in the upper optical measurement unit and the lower optical measurement unit500.

In the present embodiment, a configuration may be employed where the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and the upper optical measurement unit are mounted in the cover unit600.

An RT-PCR measurement method according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure that uses the portable RT-PCR device will be described in more detail below.

FIG.6is a view illustrating the RT-PCR measurement method that uses the portable RT-PCR device inFIG.1.

With reference toFIG.6, in the RT-PCR measurement method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, first, a specimen unit input step S110of accommodating the chamber units230, in each of which the specimen unit250is accommodated, into the chambers210, respectively, is performed.

Next, in a state where the specimen unit250is input, a heating and measurement operation starting step S120of performing a heating or measurement operation on the specimen unit250is performed.

At this point, the lower heating units310,320, and330and the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated), respectively, are controlled in such a manner as to maintain temperatures at which they, respectively, operate. At this point, the first lower heating unit310and the first upper heating unit410operate at the first temperature T1, the second lower heating unit320and the second upper heating unit420operate at the second temperature T2, and the third lower heating unit330and the third upper heating unit operate at the third temperature T3. Then, a fluorescence measurement operation is performed on the chamber210that is arranged between the upper optical measurement unit and the lower optical measurement unit500.

Next, in a case where the maintenance time Tmin the heating and measurement operation starting step S120is longer than or the same as a preset reference maintenance time Tm,r(S130), a distance-between-heating-units increasing step S140of increasing the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330is performed.

In the distance-between-heating-units increasing step S140, the upper heating units410and420and the lower heating units310and320are formed in such a manner that the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and each of the lower heating units310and320is greater than the height of each of the chambers210. In the present embodiment, the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and each of the lower heating units310and320may be increased by lifting the upper heating units410and420.

Next, a chamber assembly one-step-movement step S150of moving the plurality of chambers210by one step is performed. In the chamber-assembly one-step-movement step S150, the chambers210are rotated by a preset angle about the rotational center formed in the base unit100. In the present embodiment, the chambers210are rotated clockwise by approximately 90°.

After the chamber-assembly one-step movement step S150is performed, a distance-between-heating-units deceasing step S160of decreasing the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and the upper heating unit (not illustrated) and each of the lower heating units310,320, and330is performed. In the distance-between-heating-units deceasing step S160, the distance between each of the upper heating units410and420and each of the lower heating units310and320corresponds to the height of each of the chambers210. In the present embodiment, the upper heating units410and420may descend.

Next, in a case where a measurement cycle for the plurality of chambers210is set to a preset reference cycle or above (S170), a measurement result notification step S180of providing notification of a result of measurement is performed. At this point, one measurement cycle is defined as four steps by which the chamber210is moved.

In a case where the maintenance time in the heating and measurement operation starting step S120is shorter than a preset reference maintenance time (S130), the heating and measurement operation starting step S120is performed.

In addition, in a case where the measurement cycle for the plurality of chambers210is shorter than a preset reference cycle (S170), the heating and measurement operation starting step S120is re-performed.

According to the proposed embodiment, the temperature is easy to control, and the polymerase chain reaction may be smoothly performed. In addition, the use of a membrane-type specimen unit having an aspect ratio of less than 1 decreases an entire height of the portable RT-PCR device. Thus, there is provided the advantage that the specimen unit can be input into the portable RT-PCR device in an easier manner.

The configuration where the chamber210is directly connected to the rotation shaft221and is connected to the linearly formed connection bracket222is described as being employed in the first embodiment. However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a configuration may also be employed where the chamber210is rotatably arranged using a chamber connection bracket connecting the chambers210to each other and a connection member connecting the chamber connection bracket to the rotation shaft221.

In addition, in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a configuration may also be employed where a first end portion of the rotation shaft221is rotatably connected to the base unit100, where a second end portion thereof is connected to the cover unit600detachably and rotatably, and thus where the rotation shaft221is more stably rotated.

FIG.7is a view illustrating a portable RT-PCR device1according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

A configuration of the portable RT-PCR device1according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the portable RT-PCR device1illustrated inFIGS.1to6, except that a guide unit for guiding the movement of the chamber210is arranged. Therefore, a constituent element of the portable RT-PCR device1according to the third embodiment that has a characteristic feature will be mostly described below.

With reference toFIG.7, the portable RT-PCR device1according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a guide unit700for guiding rotational movement of the chamber210.

More specifically, the guide unit700includes a first guide unit710and a second guide unit720. The first guide unit710is arranged to be positioned between one of the lower heating units310,320, and330and other one of the lower heating units310,320, and330or the lower optical measurement unit500and serves to guide the rotation of the chambers210. The second guide unit720is formed to be positioned on upper surfaces of the lower heating units310,320, and330and the lower optical measurement unit500.

The first guide unit710is formed in such a manner as to have a curvature corresponding to an a curvature radius of an imaginary circle that is formed when the chambers210are rotated. A guide groove or a guide protrusion that is engaged with the first guide unit710is formed in or on a lower portion of each of the chamber210. The first guide unit710may be formed in the shape of a protrusion or groove in such a manner as to correspond to the guide groove in each of the chambers210or the guide protrusion thereon.

The second guide unit720is connected to the first guide unit710and has the same curvature radius as the first guide unit710. The second guide unit720is formed in a manner that is selectively engaged with the guide groove in each of the chambers210or the guide protrusion thereon.

In the proposed embodiment, the guide unit700guides the rotation of the chambers210. Thus, there is provided the advantage that the chambers210are stably rotated.

The desired embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications are possibly made to the embodiments of the present disclosure from the claims, the detailed description of the present invention, and the accompanying drawings. The resulting embodiment should also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Mode for Invention

A mode for practicing the present disclosure is described above under Best Mode.

Industrial Applicability

The present disclosure relates to a portable RT-PCR device and an RT-PCR measurement method that uses the portable RT-PCR device. The portable RT-PCR device has operability and industrial applicability in the medical field.