Development of chamber-based digital polymerase chain reaction: From chip to device

Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) is a powerful tool for nucleic acid detection. Chamber-based digital polymerase chain reaction (cdPCR), a specific implementation of dPCR, offers advantages such as high stability, enhanced accuracy, and improved chamber utilization. Despite its advantages, a comprehensive review of cdPCR remains lacking. This review summarizes cutting-edge research on cdPCR chips, equipment, and related Artificial intelligence (AI) image analysis algorithms. It introduces the structure and function of various cdPCR digital chips, including the integrated fluidic circuits (IFC) cdPCR chip, the microwell array cdPCR chip (lacking microchannel), and the SlipChip. Additionally, it highlights recent advancements in the mechanical design of cdPCR devices and enhancements in image processing techniques. Finally, the review concludes by summarizing the opportunities and key challenges in cdPCR, offering insights into prospects critical for the continued progress of this technology.