Multiplex devices and methods for pathogen detection

A multiplex device for detecting nucleic acid from a nucleic acid source comprising:

• at least two parallel buffer units, wherein each buffer unit comprises a plurality of buffer wells arranged in a row, wherein each buffer well comprises a ball valve in a bottom of the well;
• wherein a nucleic acid source and a first buffer is provided to a first buffer well, a second buffer is provided to a second buffer well, a third buffer is provided to a third buffer well, and a fourth buffer is provided to a fourth buffer well;
• an amplification unit coupled to an end of each buffer unit, the amplification unit comprising a buffer well, wherein the coupling forms a singleplex unit;
• wherein if the nucleic acid source is DNA the amplification unit is a LAMP unit and if the nucleic acid source is RNA the amplification unit is an RT-LAMP unit;
• wherein an amplification buffer is provided to an amplification buffer well;
• a mixing unit associated with each singleplex unit, wherein the mixing unit comprises a mixing well and a pin, wherein the mixing unit is slidably connected to a bottom of the singleplex unit such that the mixing unit can be moved ag a length of the singleplex unit to align with each buffer well in turn beginning with the first buffer well and ending with the amplification unit, wherein when the mixing unit is aligned with a buffer well the pin engages with the ball valve to release buffer from the buffer well into the mixing well such that nucleic acid is produced in the mixing unit from the nucleic acid source after the mixing unit engages with the amplification unit;
• a detection unit removably coupled to the bottom of each mixing unit to receive buffer and nucleic acid from the mixing well, wherein the nucleic acid is collected and amplified in the detection unit;
• and
• a drain unit removably coupled to the bottom of each detection unit to extract buffer from the detection unit;
• and
• a heating unit to amplify the nucleic acid product wherein the heating unit comprises a seat for the detection unit, wherein the heating unit provides a temperature of 57° C. to 67° C.

A method for preparing a sample to be used for detecting nucleic acid from a nucleic acid source comprising:

• placing a first liquid sample in at least a first well of a first buffer unit of a nucleic acid detecting apparatus;
• placing at least a second, third and fourth liquid in at least second, third and fourth wells, respectively, of the first buffer unit of the nucleic acid detecting apparatus;
• placing a second liquid sample in at least a first well of a second buffer unit of the nucleic acid detecting apparatus;
• placing at least a second, third and fourth liquid in at least second, third and fourth wells, respectively, of the second buffer unit of the nucleic acid detecting apparatus;
• wherein a mixing unit is slidably coupled to a bottom of each buffer unit allowing a user to create relative movement between the mixing unit and the buffer unit by exerting a manual force on at least one of the buffer unit and the mixing unit;
• and
• exerting the manual force on at least one of the buffer unit and the mixing unit to slide the mixing unit along the buffer unit to cause the first, second, third and fourth wells to come into temporary alignment with the mixing unit for respective time periods;
• wherein a valve mechanism in each of the wells causes the first, second, third and fourth liquids to be released from the first, second, third and fourth wells, respectively, into the mixing unit, in turn, when the manual force is exerted to cause the second, third and fourth wells to come into temporary alignment with the mixing unit for respective time periods such that each liquid sample is prepared for nucleic acid amplification as it combines with the buffers from the wells in the mixing unit;
• and
• wherein a detection unit is coupled to a bottom of the mixing unit and receives fluid from the mixing unit.