How does the AccordEdge System-Quadruple Run achieve fully automated molecular diagnostics "from sample to result"?
Publish Time: 2025-12-29
With the increasing demand for precision medicine, on-site rapid testing, and biosafety control, traditional molecular diagnostic processes, due to their complexity, time-consuming nature, and reliance on specialized personnel, are insufficient to meet the needs of grassroots and emergency scenarios. The AccordEdge system was developed to address this need, successfully achieving truly automated "from sample to result" molecular diagnostics based on the core concepts of "fully automated, integrated, and miniaturized." Its underlying technological integration and engineering innovation are redefining the boundaries of point-of-care testing (POCT).
1. Fully Enclosed Microfluidic Chip: Integrating Multi-Step Biochemical Reactions in a Small Space
The core of the AccordEdge System-Quadruple Run lies in its independently developed fully enclosed thin-film microfluidic chip. This chip is formed by hot-pressing multilayer polymer films and incorporates pre-installed microchannels, reaction chambers, and valve structures. It integrates all the critical steps that previously required separate laboratory procedures—cell lysis, nucleic acid extraction, purification, elution, isothermal or PCR amplification, and fluorescence/colorimetric detection—into a single disposable chip. Users simply inject the raw sample into the inlet; all subsequent liquid handling, reagent release, and reaction control are automatically completed by the system, completely eliminating the risks and errors associated with manual pipetting and opening the cap.
2. Automated Control Platform: Intelligent Driven Seamless Integration of the Entire Process
Although the AE system host is compact, it integrates a precision temperature control module, a micro-pump and valve drive system, an optical detection unit, and an embedded control system. Once the chip is loaded and started, the system automatically executes its preset program: First, cells are lysed mechanically or chemically to release nucleic acids; then, the target DNA/RNA is captured using the chip's internal solid-phase adsorption material, followed by multiple washing and elution steps; next, the amplification stage begins—the system can precisely control the temperature cycle for both qPCR and LAMP technologies; finally, built-in LED light sources and photoelectric sensors perform real-time or endpoint detection of the amplification products, generating qualitative or quantitative results. The entire process requires no manual intervention and typically outputs a report within 30–60 minutes.
3. Strong Scene Adaptability: Flexible Deployment from Clinics to Farms
Thanks to its miniaturized, low-power, and easy-to-operate design, the AccordEdge System-Quadruple Run is particularly suitable for resource-constrained, decentralized scenarios. In community hospitals or doctors' offices, healthcare workers can quickly screen for pathogens such as influenza, COVID-19, or HPV; in emergency departments, it can be used for immediate assessment of sepsis markers or myocardial injury genes; at entry-exit inspection and quarantine points, it can detect animal and plant diseases on-site; even in shrimp farms, technicians can directly test farmed samples for white spot syndrome virus, enabling early detection and treatment of diseases. The system supports parallel processing of 1-4 samples, catering to both single-person rapid testing and small-batch screening needs, greatly improving testing efficiency and response speed.
4. Fully Enclosed Design Ensures Biosafety and Result Reliability
The fully enclosed chip not only simplifies operation but also fundamentally blocks the risks of aerosol contamination and cross-contamination. Once the sample enters the chip, it is no longer exposed to the external environment, and the amplification products are completely sealed within the chip, meeting biosafety level 2 or higher operating standards. Simultaneously, because all reagents are pre-lyophilized or encapsulated in the chip, errors from cold chain transportation and manual preparation are avoided, ensuring high repeatability and accuracy of test results.
AccordEdge System-Quadruple Run, through a three-pronged approach of "chip integration + intelligent control + closed operation," successfully compresses complex molecular diagnostic processes into a one-click operation. It is not only a technology integrator but also a key enabling tool for extending healthcare services to more accessible areas, advancing biosafety, and digitizing on-site industrial testing. As more testing items are developed and adapted, this platform is expected to become a crucial node in future distributed precision diagnostic networks.
