Transport device for experimental modules for biological samples

Abstract

Transport device (1) for biological samples comprising at least one experimental module (100) for the biological samples, a container (3) with a wall (5), a bottom (7) and a lid (9), wherein the container forms a receiving space (11) for the at least one experimental module (100) for biological samples, thermal insulation (12) for thermal insulation of the receiving space (11) from the environment of the container (3), an electric heating device (13) with a heating control device by which the temperature in the receiving space (11) can be controlled, an electrical power supply device (17) for the electric heating device (13), and a first voltage converter (19) by which a defined and controlled voltage can be provided for a power supply of the at least one experimental module (100) for biological samples.wherein the first voltage converter (19) is connected to the electrical power supply unit (17).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device for experimental modules for biological samples.

[0002] In measurement or experimental campaigns in biological research, for example, in research on reduced gravity or weightlessness, experimental modules are frequently used for the biological samples. These modules typically include a sample chamber for holding the biological samples, in which they are kept under constant environmental conditions. The experimental modules usually have a power source to ensure constant environmental conditions, such as a constant temperature, for the biological samples in the sample chamber.

[0003] The energy source can be, for example, a battery, or an external energy source can be provided by the experimental platform, such as a rocket or aircraft. However, there are strict limitations to using a battery as an energy source for the experimental hardware, as the mass it can carry and the available volume are restricted.

[0004] Therefore, attempts are usually made to keep the load on the battery as low as possible before the experiment.

[0005] Supplying power via the experimental platform has the disadvantage that it is only available after the experimental modules have been inserted into the platform. With such experimental module designs, passive insulation is usually used to try to keep the environmental conditions of the biological samples constant before insertion into the experimental platform, but this is only partially effective.

[0006] A particular problem is that delays can occur before the experiments, leading to longer waiting times before the experimental modules can be inserted into the experimental platform. This can result in unplanned battery drain or insufficient passive insulation for experimental modules without their own power supply, negatively impacting the experiment.

[0007] The experimental modules are typically exposed to three different phases, for example, a laboratory phase, a transport phase, and a phase in the experimental platform. Particularly during the transport phase, the experimental hardware can be exposed to adverse environmental conditions such as varying temperatures and weather, which must be prevented.

[0008] The above description is part of the applicant's general knowledge, but does not necessarily refer to a specific, published prior art.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to improve the transport and / or storage of experimental modules for biological samples.

[0010] To solve this problem, the invention provides a transport device for experimental modules for biological samples with the features of claim 1.

[0011] The transport device for biological samples according to the invention, comprising at least one experimental module for the biological samples, has a container with a wall, a bottom and a lid, wherein the container forms a receiving space for the at least one experimental module for biological samples, with thermal insulation for thermal insulation of the receiving space from the environment of the container, with an electric heating device with a heating control device by which the temperature in the receiving space can be regulated, with an electrical power supply device for the electric heating device, and with a first voltage converter that provides a defined and regulated voltage for a power supply of the at least one experimental module for biological samples, wherein the voltage converter is connected to the electrical power supply device.

[0012] The transport device according to the invention can thus accommodate one or more experimental modules for biological samples. The receiving chamber, in which the at least one experimental module for biological samples is held, can be temperature-controlled via the electric heating device, so that the experimental module for biological samples can be kept at a desired temperature. By providing thermal insulation for the receiving chamber, care is taken to ensure that external temperature influences on the receiving chamber are minimized. This prevents the sample held in the experimental module from cooling down.

[0013] Because the heating device is supplied with electrical energy via an electrical power supply unit of the transport device, it is unnecessary to regulate the temperature of the experimental module itself, for example via an internal energy source of the experimental module, thus keeping the load on the internal energy source of the experimental module low.

[0014] Furthermore, the first voltage converter can also supply power to the at least one experimental module, so that its internal power supply can remain completely unused during its stay in the recording room. It is even possible to charge an internal battery of the at least one experimental module via the first voltage converter.

[0015] The transport device according to the invention thus enables unplanned time delays to have virtually no influence on the at least one experimental module for biological samples, so that the temperature-related cell stress of the biological samples can be kept to a minimum before the experiment. This allows experiments to be carried out more effectively, as it prevents biological artifacts from being introduced into the experiment due to deviations from the target temperature.

[0016] The electrical power supply unit of the transport device according to the invention can, for example, comprise a battery. This makes the transport device according to the invention advantageously transportable independently of an external energy source.

[0017] The electric heating device may include a ventilation system for circulating air in the recording chamber. This ensures a relatively uniform temperature in the recording chamber.

[0018] For example, the receiving compartment may be separated from the other components of the transport device, for instance by thermal insulation. Only a few openings, such as those for connecting the ventilation system or for making electrical connections to the first voltage converter, need to be provided in the thermal insulation.

[0019] Of course, it is also possible that the wall, the base and the lid of the transport device are completely filled with the receiving space and that other components such as the electric heating device, the electrical power supply and the first voltage converter are also included in the receiving space.

[0020] The transport device according to the invention can also provide a second voltage converter for supplying a constant voltage, wherein a control signal can be transmitted to the at least one experimental module for biological samples via the second voltage converter. Thus, the at least one experimental module can be controlled via the transport device as long as it is located in the receiving chamber. This allows, for example, after the at least one experimental module has been inserted into the receiving chamber, the module to be controlled in such a way that it does not itself adjust the environmental conditions, but rather these adjustments are made exclusively externally via the transport device.

[0021] Preferably, the first voltage converter is a laboratory power supply. A laboratory power supply can provide a precise voltage, ensuring that the sensitive experimental module is not subjected to unwanted voltage spikes or damage.

[0022] The electrical power supply device can further comprise at least one power supply unit, preferably a switched-mode power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit has at least one power connection device for connection to an external power source, wherein the power supply unit, when connected to an external power source, supplies the electric heating device with electrical energy and / or charges the battery.

[0023] The transport device according to the invention can therefore also be supplied by an external power source in addition to or as an alternative to the battery.

[0024] The power supply may be designed to have multiple power connection points for connecting to external voltage sources with different mains voltages, with the power supply automatically and / or seamlessly switching between these connection points. For example, the power supply may have a connection point for a conventional 230-volt AC mains supply. Additionally or alternatively, the power supply may also have a connection to a 12-volt DC or 24-volt DC power source, such as those commonly found in automotive electrical systems. This allows the device to be used in various situations. For example, in a laboratory setting, it can be powered by a conventional 230-volt AC mains supply.During transport to the experimental platform, for example by motor vehicle, the transport device can be powered via the vehicle's electrical system. This allows for virtually uninterrupted external heating and / or battery charging.

[0025] It may also be provided that the electrical power supply switches automatically and / or without interruption between the power supply unit and the battery.

[0026] In principle, uninterrupted switching can be achieved via a UPS circuit.

[0027] The transport device can include a measuring device, which has sensors for determining the temperature and relative humidity in the receiving area, as well as for measuring current and / or voltage. Different control mechanisms can be implemented based on the individual measured parameters. For example, the electric heating device can be controlled by measuring the temperature and relative humidity in the receiving area. Current and voltage sensors can be used to determine parameters such as charging voltage, battery voltage, charging / discharging current, and charging / discharging power by measuring the corresponding currents and / or voltages and performing the necessary conversion.

[0028] The transport device can have a central control unit that manages the individual components. For example, the electric heating element and the first voltage converter can be controlled via the central control unit. The central control unit can also include a display unit that shows various values ​​and parameters of the transport device. For example, the target temperature, the actual temperature, operating hours since switching on, relative humidity, absolute humidity, charging voltage, battery voltage, charging / discharging current, charging / discharging power, battery capacity, and / or heating power in percent and watts can be displayed. The display unit can, for example, be a control screen whose last reading is retained even in the event of a power failure.

[0029] Individual parameters, such as the target temperature, can also be set via the central control unit. The maximum output power can also be limited via the central control unit.

[0030] Preferably, the transport device according to the invention has a safety plug for disconnecting the transport device from the power supply. The safety plug can, for example, be located on the central control unit. The entire transport device according to the invention can be disconnected from the power supply via the safety plug, so that the transport device can also be used in environments where electrical switching operations are prohibited, for example, during radio silence at (high-altitude research) rocket launches. Since the receiving chamber is thermally insulated, such situations in which the transport device according to the invention is disconnected from the power supply can be bridged before the transport device can be put back into operation at a time when electrical switching operations are permitted, and the temperature of the receiving chamber can be restored.

[0031] The transport device according to the invention can also be used advantageously after an experiment, for example, if the at least one experimental module is to be returned to the laboratory from the experimental carrier after the experiment. For example, immediately after the experiment has ended and the at least one experimental module has been removed from the experimental carrier, the at least one experimental module can be inserted into the receiving chamber and supplied with electrical energy by means of the transport device.

[0032] The thermal insulation can, for example, consist of a flexible thermal insulation material made of rubber. This has the further advantage of possessing a certain elasticity, so that shocks and vibrations acting on the transport device from the outside are only dampened and affect the at least one experimental module.

[0033] The at least one experimental module could, for example, be a biological incubator.

[0034] The transport device according to the invention has proven particularly advantageous for transporting experimental modules for biological samples. The at least one experimental module for biological samples can be transported with particular advantage using the transport device according to the invention, even under adverse weather conditions, and the external influence on the biological samples, and thus on the biological samples themselves, is minimized. This allows the cellular stress of the biological samples to be kept low before the start of the experiment, enabling very precise experiments to be carried out.

[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the following figure.

[0036] The single figure shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the transport device 1 according to the invention.

[0037] The transport device 1 is used for storing and transporting experimental modules 100 for biological samples.

[0038] The transport device 1 according to the invention comprises a container 3 consisting of a wall 5, a base 7 and a lid 9. The lid 9 is removable, allowing access to the interior of the container 3.

[0039] Container 3 contains a receiving chamber 11 in which the experimental modules 100 for biological samples are housed. In the embodiment shown in the single figure, two experimental modules 100 for biological samples are housed in the receiving chamber 11.

[0040] The receiving chamber 11 also has thermal insulation 12 for thermal isolation of the receiving chamber 11 from the environment of the container 3. The thermal insulation 12 can, for example, consist of a rubber layer which, due to its elastic properties, also provides a damping effect, so that external mechanical influences only act on the experimental modules 100 in a damped manner.

[0041] Furthermore, a heating device 13 with a heating control device is arranged in the recording room 11, by means of which the recording room 11 can be heated. The heating device 13 may also include a ventilation device 15, by means of which the air in the recording room 11 can be circulated.

[0042] The electric heating device 13 can be controlled via the heating control device, so that, for example, a constant temperature can be maintained in the recording room 11.

[0043] The transport device 1 further comprises an electrical power supply unit 17, which supplies the electric heating device 13 with electrical energy. A first voltage converter 19 is also arranged in the receiving compartment 11, via which a defined and regulated voltage can be provided for powering the experimental modules 100 for biological samples. The first voltage converter 19 is connected to the electrical power supply unit 17. The electrical power supply unit 17 can, for example, comprise a battery 21. The first voltage converter 19 can, for example, be a laboratory power supply.

[0044] The transport device 1 according to the invention further comprises a second voltage converter 21, which provides a constant voltage. A control signal can be transmitted to the experimental modules 100 for biological samples via the second voltage converter 23.

[0045] The electrical power supply unit 17 further comprises a switched-mode power supply 25, which can be connected to one or more external voltage sources via two power connection devices 27. The power connection device 27 can, for example, be designed for connection to an external voltage source of 230 volts AC and an external voltage source of 12 or 24 volts DC. The switched-mode power supply 25 switches automatically and without interruption between the power connection devices 27. When connected to an external voltage source, the switched-mode power supply 25 can also be used to charge the battery 21.

[0046] The individual electrical and electronic components of the transport device 1 according to the invention are controlled via a central control unit 29. This can, for example, provide the heating control device and furthermore have a measuring device 31 which, by means of sensors, measures, for example, the temperature in the receiving chamber 11, the relative humidity in the receiving chamber 11, or also different currents and voltages.

[0047] The transport device 1 can be de-energized via a safety plug 33 by pulling the safety plug 33 from the outside. This allows the transport device 1 to be easily de-energized before being moved into an area with radio silence, such as on a rocket launch pad shortly before rocket launch.

[0048] The control unit 29 can also be equipped with a display unit 35, which displays various values, such as actual and target temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity, or various currents and voltages. The central control unit can also provide settings for adjusting the target temperature or similar parameters.

[0049] The transport device 1 according to the invention allows experimental modules 100 for biological samples to be transported advantageously. The transport device 1 can be transported independently of an external energy source via the electrical power supply unit 17, which includes a battery 19. The experimental modules 100 can be supplied with energy via the first voltage converter 19. This allows the use of different experimental modules 100, for example, experimental modules without their own power supply or experimental modules with integrated batteries, which are then not subjected to any load during transport. Reference symbol list

[0050] 1 Transport device 3 Container 5 Wall 7 Base wall 9 Lid 11 Receiving chamber 12 Thermal insulation 13 Heating device 15 Ventilation device 17 Power supply device 19 First voltage converter 21 Battery 23 Second voltage converter 25 Switching power supply 27 Power connection device 29 Control unit 31 Measuring device 33 Safety plug 35 Display unit 100 Experimental module

Claims

1. Transport device (1) for biological samples comprising at least one experimental module (100) for the biological samples, a container (3) with a wall (5), a bottom (7) and a lid (9), wherein the container forms a receiving space (11) for the at least one experimental module (100) for biological samples, with thermal insulation (12) for thermal insulation of the receiving space (11) from the environment of the container (3), with an electric heating device (13) with a heating control device by which the temperature in the receiving space (11) can be controlled, with an electrical power supply device (17) for the electric heating device (13), and with a first voltage converter (19) which provides a defined and controlled voltage for a power supply of the at least one experimental module (100) for biological samples, wherein the first voltage converter (19) is connected to the electrical power supply device (17).

2. Transport device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the electrical power supply device (17) includes a battery (21).

3. Transport device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the electric heating device (13) includes a ventilation device (15) for circulating air in the receiving space (11).

4. Transport device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a second voltage converter (23) for providing a constant voltage, wherein a control signal can be transmitted via the second voltage converter (23) to the at least one experimental module (100) for biological samples.

5. Transport device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the first voltage converter (19) is a laboratory power supply.

6. Transport device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact thatthe electrical power supply device (17) comprises at least one power supply unit, preferably a switched-mode power supply unit (25), wherein the power supply unit comprises at least one power connection device (27) for connection to an external voltage source, wherein the power supply unit, when connected to an external voltage source, supplies the electrical heating device (13) with electrical energy and / or charges the battery.

7. Transport device according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the power supply unit has multiple power connection devices (27) for connection to external voltage sources of different nominal voltages, wherein the power supply unit switches automatically and / or continuously between the multiple power connection devices (27).

8. Transport device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bya measuring device (31) wherein the measuring device (31) comprises sensors for determining the temperature in the recording room (11), for determining the relative humidity in the recording room (11), for measuring current and / or for measuring voltage.

9. Transport device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a safety plug (33) for disconnecting the transport device (1) from the power supply.

10. Transport device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a central control unit (29).

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