39results about "Apparatus with spatial temperature gradients" patented technology

Variable temperature analytical assemblies are provided and / or methods for changing temperatures of a mass are provided. Low thermal conductance components and / or assemblies are also provided. Methods for thermally isolating a mass from a support structure are also provided.

A method and device are provided for performing temperature-controlled transport of relatively small temperature-sensitive payloads. The vacuum shipper can include a vacuum vessel and a PCM pack having an outer wall that roughly conforms to the vacuum vessel. The PCM pack includes a payload cavity and can be preconditioned at an effective charge temperature for an effective charge time. The temperature-sensitive payload is placed into the payload cavity. An insulating stopper is forced into the mouth of the vacuum vessel. The vacuum shipper can then be transported by commercial express cargo to its destination within the effective endurance time.

A centrifugal microfluidic technique for heat treating emulsion-divided independent reaction volumes (IRVs) within a centrifugal microfluidic chip, and displacing the emulsion into a monolayer presentation chamber (pc) for imaging. A deep treatment chamber (tc) is provided for the heat treatment, a nozzle having a hydrodynamic radius for forming the IRVs is provided for injecting a sample for the IRVs into the tc filled with a dense immiscible medium. The tc is adjacent a heat controlled element for collectively heat treating the IRVs within the tc, where the IRVs form a 3d packing arrangement. The tc is coupled to a presentation chamber (pc) by an opening through which the IRVs can be selectively displaced without collapsing. The pc is adjacent a window transparent to a wavelength for inspecting the pc.

The subject matter relates generally to performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in microfluidics devices and more particularly to a microfluidics system, device, and methods for performing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidics system including a microfluidics instrument housing a microfluidics cartridge (or device) along with any supporting components. Further, the microfluidics cartridge may be, for example, any fluidics device or cartridge, microfluidics device or cartridge, DMF device or cartridge, droplet actuator, flow cell device or cartridge, and the like.

A system for conducting one or more chemical, biochemical or biological reactions at one or more setpoint reaction temperatures in a disposable consumable comprising one or more wells, said system comprising:-at least one disposable consumable comprising one or more wells in a body, wherein the pores can act as containers for performing one or more chemical, biochemical or biological reactions requiring one or more defined reaction temperatures according to a defined procedure, the body comprising a flat bottom side that constructs a first heating surface capable of conducting heat uniformly into the pores; and a flat upper side comprising the opening of the hole, optionally sealed by means of a thin sealing foil, building a second heating surface capable of conducting heat uniformly in the hole; -one or more gradient temperature control units GTUx, each gradient temperature control unit comprising at least one temperature control block comprising at least two temperature-controllable Peltier elements in contact with the heat-conducting block, a flat surface area opposite the Peltier elements for positioning the at least one disposable consumable on the heat-conducting block, the temperature adjusting block is configured to generate a set linear temperature distribution in one or more holes of the disposable consumable when the temperature adjusting block is in contact with the heat conduction block; -a control unit comprising one or more processors configured to control one or more gradient thermoregulation units GTUx to implement a prescribed protocol for said one or more chemical, biochemical or biological reactions; wherein the gradient temperature control block having a set linear temperature distribution comprises at least one Peltier element that can be temperature-controlled at a first temperature T1 and at least one Peltier element that can be temperature-controlled at a second temperature T2, T1 being higher than T2, and both Peltier elements being in contact with the heat-conducting block outside the positioning region of the disposable consumable, thus, a linear temperature profile may be generated in the thermally conductive block between the two elements and conducted to the disposable consumable when the disposable consumable is in contact with the thermally conductive block. In particular, this solution can be used in a cellular thermal displacement assay # imgabs0 # purified protein thermal displacement assay (TSA) or any other protein denaturation or aggregation assay. The solution allows for high throughput reactions or assays.

A method for deparaffinizing formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) in a centrifugal microfluidic biochip 10 with a fluidic system including a plurality of chambers 20, the method comprising the steps of: a. placing the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) in a first chamber 20 of the fluidic system of the centrifugal microfluidic biochip 10; b. introducing a fluid 30 into the first chamber 20; c. melting the paraffin 40 by adjusting the temperature of the first chamber 20 to a temperature above the melting temperature of the paraffin 40; d. separating the molten paraffin 40 by rotating the centrifugal microfluidic biochip 10 around a rotation axis 50; e. solidifying the separated liquid paraffin 40 by adjusting at least a sub-region of the first chamber 20 to a temperature below the melting temperature of the paraffin 40; and f. discharging a liquid phase containing the tissue from which the paraffin 40 has been removed from the first chamber 20.

The present subject matter relates generally to performing polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) in microfluidic devices, and more particularly to microfluidic systems, devices, and methods for performing a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidic system comprising a microfluidic instrument housing a microfluidic cartridge (or device) and any support component. In addition, the microfluidic cartridge may be, for example, any fluidic device or cartridge, a microfluidic device or cartridge, a DMF device or cartridge, a droplet actuator, a flow cell device or cartridge, etc.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing temperature-controlled shipping of smaller temperature-sensitive payloads. The vacuum transporter may include a vacuum vessel and a PCM pack having an outer wall generally shaped to fit the vacuum vessel. The PCM package includes a payload cavity and may be pre-adjusted at an effective charge temperature for an effective charge time. A temperature sensitive payload is placed in the payload chamber. And the heat insulation plug is pressed into the opening part of the vacuum container. The vacuum transporter may then be transported to its destination by commercial delivery for an effective endurance time.

A system for conducting one or more chemical, biochemical or biological reactions in a disposable comprising one or more wells at one or more set point reaction temperatures, comprising: - at least one disposable comprising the one or more wells in a body, wherein the wells are capable of acting as vessel for the one or more chemical, biochemical or biological reactions requiring one or more prescribed reaction temperatures according to a prescribed protocol, said body comprising a flat bottom side building a first heating surface capable of homogeneously conducting heat into the wells and a flat upper side comprising well openings, optionally sealed by means of a thin sealing foil, building a second heating surface capable of homogeneously conducting heat in the wells; - one or more gradient tempering unit GTUx, each comprising at least one tempering block comprising at least two temperable Peltier elements contacting a thermoconductive block, opposite to the Peltier elements a flat-surfaced area for positioning the at least one disposable on the thermoconductive block, said tempering block being configured to generate a set linear temperature profile in the wells of the disposable(s) when contacting the thermoconductive block; - a control unit comprising one or more processors configured to control the gradient tempering unit(s) GTUx for the implementation of the prescribed protocol for the one or more chemical, biochemical, or biological reactions; wherein the gradient tempering block with set linear temperature profile comprises at least one Peltier element temperable at a first temperature T1 and at least one Peltier element temperable at a second temperature T2, wherein T1 is higher than T2, and both Peltier elements are contacting the thermoconductive block outside of the positioning area for the disposable so that the linear temperature profile can be generated in the thermoconductive block between the two elements and conducted to the disposable while contacting the thermoconductive block. In particular, the solution can be used for cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA®), purified protein thermal shift assays (TSA) or any other protein denaturation or aggregation assays. The solution allows high throughput reactions or assays.

a disposable including a well; one or more gradient tempering units, each comprising a tempering block including a plurality of temperable Peltier elements contacting a thermally conductive block opposite a Peltier element, the gradient tempering units having a flat surface area for positioning the disposable on the thermally conductive block, the tempering blocks generating a set linear temperature profile for the well upon contacting the thermally conductive block; and a control unit for controlling the gradient tempering units; wherein the gradient tempering block includes a Peltier element capable of tempering at a temperature T1 and a Peltier element capable of tempering at a temperature T2, T1 being higher than T2, and both elements contacting the thermally conductive block outside of the positioning area for the disposable such that a linear temperature profile can be generated in the thermally conductive block between the two elements and conducted to the disposable through contact with the thermally conductive block.

The invention provides a method of thawing a sample comprised in a container, the method comprising the steps of: a) calculating an agitation program as a function of either or both of the sample volume and the type of the container, and the ice fraction in the sample, and optionally the thermal conductivity of the sample container; b) agitating said sample according to the program to agitate at least one region of the sample; and c) changing the agitation program applied to at least one region of the sample in response to changes in the sample volume and / or sample ice fraction. The invention further provides a method of reducing shearing to cells during a method of agitation, and methods for thawing a sample wherein a sample container is differentially heated. An apparatus for use in the methods is also provided, as is an apparatus for thawing and / or cooling a sample which comprises a resilient vessel wall.

The subject matter relates generally to performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in microfluidics devices and more particularly to a microfluidics system, device, and methods for performing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidics system including a microfluidics instrument housing a microfluidics cartridge (or device) along with any supporting components. Further, the microfluidics cartridge may be, for example, any fluidics device or cartridge, microfluidics device or cartridge, DMF device or cartridge, droplet actuator, flow cell device or cartridge, and the like.

A method for deparaffinizing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) in a Centrifugal Microfluidic Biochip with a fluidic system comprising a plurality of chambers, characterized by the steps of: a. placing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) into a first chamber of a fluidic system of a Centrifugal Microfluidic Biochip, b. introducing a fluid into the first chamber, c. melting the paraffin by conditioning the first chamber to a temperature above the melting temperature of the paraffin, d. separating the melted paraffin by rotating the Centrifugal Microfluidic Biochip about an axis of rotation, e. solidifying the separated liquid paraffin by conditioning at least a sub-region of the first chamber to a temperature below the melting temperature of the paraffin, and f. discharging the tissue-containing liquid phase depleted of the paraffin from the first chamber.

A cell thawing machine is provided. The cell thawing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a thawing unit including a heating block, a heater, an insulation block, and a support, the heating block including a first heating block and a second heating block which form a heating space for heating a container in which a predetermined amount of biological material including cells is stored, the heater being installed in the heating block to provide heat to the heating block, the insulation block being coupled to the heating block to surround the heater, and the supporter being disposed in the heating space to support the lower portion of the container; a driving unit for providing a driving force for linearly moving the first heating block and the second heating block in left and right directions; a sensing unit including a sensor for detecting the state of the container disposed in the heating space, and a mounting member on which the sensor is mounted and which moves in forward and backward directions in connection with the operation of the driving unit; and a control unit for controlling the operations of the thawing unit, the driving unit, and the sensing unit.

To provide a polymerase chain reaction heating device that reduces the thickness of the overall structure and prevents an electronic component from being damaged due to high temperature and a related polymerase chain reaction temperature control system.SOLUTION: A polymerase chain reaction heating device and a related system can include a circuit board, a heater, a first thermal conductive component and a second thermal conductive component. The circuit board has an opening structure. The heater is disposed inside the opening structure and partly exposed via the opening structure. The first thermal conductive component is disposed on the circuit board and includes a first reagent storage portion and a first heat conduction portion. The second thermal conductive component is disposed on the circuit board and includes a second reagent storage portion and a second heat conduction portion. The first reagent storage portion and the second reagent storage portion can be used to form a reagent holder. The first heat conduction portion and the second heat conduction portion respectively abut against two opposite surfaces of the heater for transmitting the heat generated by the heater towards the reagent holder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Laboratory equipment (1) for incubating liquid laboratory samples contained in sample containers (130), in particular an incubator or incubation shaker, comprising: • a chamber (2) having at least one chamber wall (38) and a chamber opening (2a) for placing and removing the sample containers (130) into an interior (3) of the chamber, wherein the chamber opening can be closed by a door (120), • a heating device (190) for heating the chamber and / or the door, wherein the heating device has at least one heating coil arranged on the outside of at least one chamber wall (38) and / or a door wall (121) of the door (120), characterized in that • the at least one chamber wall (38) and / or the door wall (121) has at least one first surface area in which the heating power emitted by the at least one heating coil is greater than in a second surface area.

The DNA replication method of the present invention involves rotating a sample carrier (4) having at least one cavity (20) containing a sample liquid containing DNA around a rotation axis (14) using a rotating device (2), heating the cavity (20) to a high temperature only on the heat input side (26) lying in the rotation plane using a heating device (30), generating convection of the sample liquid within the cavity (20) by heating, with a substantial flow portion directed perpendicular to the rotation plane, and the circulation period of the liquid particles along the convection flow path being set by the rotation speed of the sample carrier.

Methods and devices are provided for executing temperature-controlled shipment of relatively small temperature-sensitive payloads. A vacuum shipper may include a vacuum container and a PCM pack with an outer wall broadly form fitting to the vacuum container. The PCM pack includes a payload cavity and may be pre-conditioned at an effective charging temperature for an effective charging time. A temperature-sensitive payload is placed in the payload cavity. An insulated stopper is pressed into a mouth of the vacuum container. The vacuum shipper may then be conveyed by commercial express freight to its destination within an effective endurance time.

This disclosure describes various microfluidic devices that may be used in thermal cyclic fluid samples. Some of these devices may include a plurality of microwells that may be coupled by interconnected fluidic channels. These microwells may not be physically separated and yet may include features allowing for effective isolation of target molecules within each microwell. Other devices may include a plurality of microwells that may not be interconnected. The devices may also include mechanisms for causing a fluid to flow across the device. The devices may also include light-absorbing films for converting light energy to heat so as to allow for thermal cycling of samples within the microwells.

The subject matter relates generally to performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in microfluidics devices and more particularly to a microfluidics system, device, and methods for performing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidics system including a microfluidics instrument housing a microfluidics cartridge (or device) along with any supporting components. Further, the microfluidics cartridge may be, for example, any fluidics device or cartridge, microfluidics device or cartridge, DMF device or cartridge, droplet actuator, flow cell device or cartridge, and the like.

Variable temperature analytical assemblies are provided and / or methods for changing temperatures of a mass are provided. Low thermal conductance components and / or assemblies are also provided. Methods for thermally isolating a mass from a support structure are also provided.

The invention provides a heating device suitable for energetic material performance testing and a safe temperature control method, and relates to the field of material performance testing. The device mainly comprises a heat insulation shell, a heating module, a heat preservation layer and a temperature controller. The heat insulation shell is used for reducing heat exchange between the heating module and the external environment. The heating module can uniformly heat the to-be-tested sample at different temperatures; the heat preservation layer is arranged between the heat insulation shell and the heating module and is used for reducing heat loss; and the temperature controller is used for setting test conditions, programming a temperature rise gradient, monitoring and performing over-temperature alarm. The device has the advantages of being high in temperature control accuracy, small in temperature fluctuation, capable of working for a long period, high in safety and the like, can be widely applied to stability and aging tests of energetic materials, and can realize uniform heating, accurate temperature control and long-term stable working; the device is especially suitable for vacuum stability tests, methyl violet tests, Vieier tests, accelerated aging tests, differential heat and explosion point tests and the like.

A thermal cycler according to the present disclosure includes a thermal block on which a reaction vessel configured to accommodate a sample is seated, a thermal block heating flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) configured to, above the thermal block, heat the thermal block, thermoelectric elements configured to, below the thermal block, exchange heat with the thermal block, and a heat sink thermally connected to the thermoelectric elements, wherein the thermal block FPCB includes resistance heating elements that configure heating channels, and a block temperature sensor, and the heating channels are provided to be independently controllable.

A fluid thermal processing device may include a substrate, a platform projecting from the substrate, a fluid heating element supported by the platform, a temperature sensing element, distinct from the fluid heating element, supported by the platform and an enclosure supported by and cooperating with the substrate to form a fluid chamber about the platform. The fluid chamber forms a volume of uniform thickness conforming to and about the platform.

A polymerase chain reaction heating device and a related system can include a circuit board, a heater, a first thermal conductive component and a second thermal conductive component. The circuit board has an opening structure. The heater is disposed inside and partly exposed via the opening structure. The first thermal conductive component is disposed on the circuit board and includes a first reagent storage portion and a first heat conduction portion. The second thermal conductive component is disposed on the circuit board and includes a second reagent storage portion and a second heat conduction portion. The first reagent storage portion and the second reagent storage portion can be used to form a reagent holder. The first heat conduction portion and the second heat conduction portion respectively abut against two opposite surfaces of the heater for transmitting the heat generated by the heater towards the reagent holder.

A microscope slide staining system has a chamber, a plurality of slide support elements, a plurality of spreading devices positionable in association with microscope slides supported on the slide support elements so the spreading devices define a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide and so the spreading device and the microscope slide are movable relative to one another to spread at least one reagent on the microscope slide independent of the other spreading devices and microscope slides.

The invention discloses a wide-temperature-range extremely-low-temperature storage test device which comprises a high-low-temperature storage box, a temperature monitoring control system and a heating / cooling system. The high-low temperature storage box is used for storing samples; the temperature monitoring control system is used for monitoring the temperature of the high-low temperature storage box in real time and controlling the heating / cooling system to heat or cool the high-low temperature storage box; the heating / cooling system is used for heating or cooling the high-low temperature storage box; the heating temperature is room temperature to 200 DEG C, and the cooling temperature is room temperature to-180 DEG C; the multi-temperature storage can be realized, the utilization rate is improved, the cost is reduced, and the application is wider.

The invention relates to a device for nucleic acid amplification, comprising: a channel; a temperature regulation system; a droplet manipulation mechanism configured to flow a droplet along the channel; wherein: the channel comprises portions in contact with heating zones of the temperature regulation system alternating with portions in contact with cooling zones of the temperature regulation system, the heating zones being configured to be at a higher temperature than the cooling zones, and wherein: each heating zone comprises an upstream section and a downstream section relative to the direction of flow in the channel, the downstream section is configured to be at a uniform temperature TH, the upstream section is configured to be at a temperature which is higher than TH; and / or: each cooling zone comprises an upstream section and a downstream section relative to the direction of flow in the channel, the downstream section is configured to be at a uniform temperature Tc, the upstream section is configured to be at a temperature which is lower than Tc.

A microfluidic chip includes multiple microfluidic channels each in fluid communication with a corresponding inlet. The inlets have a first spacing along a first linear path, wherein a central region of the microfluidic channels has a second spacing along a second linear path. The first spacing is greater than the second spacing. A microfluidic chip cassette is also disclosed.

To provide a microfluidic chip for presenting reaction volumes (IRVs) in discretization, processing, and a monolayer without collapsing the IRVs.SOLUTION: A deep treatment chamber (tc) is provided for heat treating emulsion-divided independent reaction volumes (IRVs) within a centrifugal microfluidic chip, and a nozzle having a hydrodynamic radius for forming the IRVs is provided for injecting a sample for the IRVs into the tc filled with a dense immiscible medium. The tc is adjacent to a heat controlled element for collectively heat treating the IRVs within the tc, where the IRVs form a 3d packing arrangement. The tc is coupled to a presentation chamber (pc) by an opening through which the IRVs can be selectively displaced without collapsing. The pc is adjacent to a window transparent to a wavelength for inspecting the pc.SELECTED DRAWING: None