In the field of medical diagnosis, joint testing of multiple pathogens can effectively determine the source of infection in patients and provide a basis for precise treatment. However, cross-interference between different test items during the joint testing process is a key issue that affects the reliability of the results. Accordedge System effectively responds to this challenge with advanced technology.
Accordedge System uses thin-film microfluidics technology to build independent microchannels and reaction chambers for each test item on the microfluidic membrane chip. These microchannels and chambers are manufactured through precision photolithography and other processes with precise dimensions and layouts. Each test area is separated by a physical barrier, such as the micro-wall structure inside the chip, whose height and width are optimized to prevent different samples, reagents and amplification products from diffusing with each other during the test process. Taking the joint testing of respiratory pathogens as an example, the detection reactions of pathogens such as influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are carried out in their own independent chambers. From the addition of samples to the entire process of nucleic acid amplification and detection, the projects are unrelated to each other, and cross-interference is eliminated from the physical level.
In the nucleic acid extraction stage, Accordedge System uses specific adsorption materials and elution conditions based on the nucleic acid characteristics of different pathogens. For example, when extracting viral nucleic acid, a silica gel membrane material with high affinity for viral nucleic acid and weak adsorption to other impurities and host nucleic acid is selected, and the target pathogen nucleic acid is accurately obtained by optimizing the composition of the elution solution and the elution process, reducing the residue of other substances. In the amplification stage, when using multiple PCR technology, the primers are carefully designed. The primers are highly specific and only complementarily bind to specific regions of the target pathogen nucleic acid, greatly reducing the nonspecific amplification of other pathogen nucleic acids. At the same time, the temperature, time and other parameters of the PCR reaction system are finely optimized to ensure that each pathogen nucleic acid is amplified under optimal conditions and reduce cross-interference caused by improper amplification conditions.
The system is designed with a strict anti-pollution mechanism. The entire experimental operation is carried out in a closed microfluidic chip to reduce the contact between the sample and the external environment and reduce the risk of introducing foreign contaminants. At the same time, the chip production process adopts an ultra-clean process to ensure that the chip itself is free of nucleic acid contamination. In addition, before each test run, the system automatically performs a blank control test to monitor whether there is contamination. If an abnormal signal appears in the blank control, the system immediately stops the test and prompts the risk of contamination to avoid erroneous results. During the detection process, parameters such as air pressure and fluid flow rate in the reaction chamber and microchannel are monitored and adjusted in real time to prevent liquid backflow and cross contamination between different detection items due to pressure difference or abnormal flow rate.
Accordedge system uses highly sensitive and specific fluorescence detection technology for signal detection. The detection probes of different pathogens are labeled with different fluorescent groups, and the emission spectra of these fluorescent groups are highly distinguishable from each other. During the detection process, the optical detection module accurately identifies each fluorescent signal to avoid interference caused by signal overlap. In the data analysis stage, complex algorithms are used to process the detection signals. The algorithm comprehensively considers multi-dimensional information such as signal intensity, fluorescence color, and amplification curve characteristics to judge the results of each detection item. By comparing with the built-in standard database, the target pathogen can be accurately identified, false positive results caused by non-specific signals or cross reactions can be excluded, and the accuracy of the detection results can be improved.
The system strictly standardizes the entire detection process. From sample collection, transportation, processing to final detection, each link has detailed operating specifications and quality control standards. When collecting samples, special sampling tools and preservation fluids are equipped to ensure that the pathogen nucleic acid in the sample is stable and uncontaminated. The transportation process follows the cold chain or specific conditions to maintain sample integrity. At the same time, the system is validated and evaluated for a large number of clinical samples. By comparing with traditional detection methods and testing mixed samples of known pathogens, the system performance is continuously optimized to ensure that the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of different pathogens are high when multiple pathogens are tested together, effectively avoiding cross-interference and providing a reliable basis for clinical diagnosis.
To continuously ensure the reliability of detection, the accordedge system requires regular maintenance. The maintenance includes calibrating the optical detection module to ensure accurate detection of fluorescent signals; checking the fluid control system of the microfluidic chip to ensure stable liquid transmission. At the same time, with the progress of pathogen research and changes in clinical needs, the system is constantly upgraded. On the one hand, the pathogen detection panel is updated to include emerging or rare pathogen detection projects; on the other hand, the detection technology and algorithm are optimized to enhance the detection capability of multiple pathogens in complex samples, further reduce the risk of cross-interference, and improve the reliability of results.
The professional level and standardized operation of operators are also important factors in avoiding cross-interference. The accordedge system conducts strict training for operators to make them familiar with the system principles, detection processes and quality control points. The training content covers sample processing skills, instrument operation specifications, and abnormal situation handling methods. In actual operation, operators strictly follow standard operating procedures to ensure that the sample processing process is pollution-free, the chip is loaded correctly, and the instrument parameters are set accurately. By standardizing personnel operations, cross-interference caused by human factors is reduced, and the reliability and repeatability of the test results are guaranteed.
