Temperature control device for an analysis unit for analysing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge, analysis unit for analysing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge, and method for operating a temperature control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature control device (120) for an analysis unit for analysing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge (105). The temperature control device (120) comprises a provision apparatus (221) which is designed to provide a pneumatic working medium under positive pressure above ambient pressure. The temperature control device (120) also comprises at least one throttle apparatus (225) which is fluidically connected to the provision apparatus (221). The at least one throttle apparatus (225) is designed to output the provided working medium as a free jet into a temperature control region (125) of the analysis unit, in which temperature control region a portion of the microfluidic cartridge (105) to be temperature-controlled is arranged when the microfluidic cartridge (105) is coupled to the analysis unit.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title one in a

[0003] Microfluidic cartridge containing sample to a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge and method for operating a

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The invention is based on a device or method according to the class of the independent claims. The present invention also relates to a computer program.

[0006] Microfluidic analysis systems (so-called lab-on-chips, or LoCs for short) enable automated, reliable, fast, compact, and cost-effective processing of patient samples for medical diagnostics. By combining a variety of operations for the controlled manipulation of fluids, complex molecular diagnostic test sequences can be performed in a microfluidic device, also known as a lab-on-chip cartridge, or simply a cartridge or microfluidic cartridge. The processing of the lab-on-chip cartridge and the analysis of the patient sample can take place in a compact analysis device. This makes it possible, for example, to perform a PCR analysis in corresponding cartridges within the analysis device, where the sample material is cycled repeatedly between, for example, two temperature levels.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] Against this background, the approach presented here presents a temperature control device for an analysis device for analyzing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge, an analysis device for analyzing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge, a method for operating a temperature control device, furthermore a control device that uses this method, and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims. Advantageous further developments and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim are possible by the measures listed in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to embodiments, for an analysis device for analyzing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge, pneumatic thermal cycling of the cartridge can be enabled. More precisely, a cooling concept can be created for this purpose, for example, which is based on deflecting a gas free jet or impact jet, in particular on a chip underside of the cartridge that is to be temperature-controlled, wherein the free jet or impact jet can be designed such that it has a high characteristic speed. By deflecting the gas at the cartridge, a thermal boundary layer at the cartridge can be disturbed in such a way that heat exchange between fluid and cartridge is maximized. In other words, forced convection can be brought about at the cartridge. According to embodiments, it is thus possible, in particular, to cool a section of the cartridge or the chip underside of the cartridge that is to be temperature-controlled in a very short time.to reliably cool the material or sample to be processed. Consequently, fast and reproducible temperature cycles can be implemented for analyzing the sample contained in the microfluidic cartridge.

[0010] A temperature control device for an analytical device for analyzing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge is presented, wherein the temperature control device has the following features: a supply device configured to provide a pneumatic working medium pressurized above ambient pressure; and at least one throttle device fluid-mechanically connected to the supply device, wherein the at least one throttle device is configured to discharge the provided working medium as a free jet into a temperature control region of the analytical device, in which a section of the microfluidic cartridge to be temperature-controlled is arranged when the microfluidic cartridge is coupled to the analytical device.

[0011] The microfluidic cartridge can also be referred to as a microfluidic device or simply as a cartridge. The microfluidic cartridge can be suitable for use in a "lab-on-chip system." Such a microfluidic cartridge can be incorporated into a microfluidic analysis device. The at least one throttle device can also be referred to as a microthrottle or simply as a throttle. The at least one throttle device can be acoustically enclosed, housed, or insulated. A fluid-mechanical connection between the supply device and the at least one throttle device can be flexible, using pneumatic lines or the like. The working medium can be, for example, ambient air or another medium that is gaseous under standard conditions. The overpressure can, for example, be between -1 and 3 bar absolute.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a ratio of a length to a diameter of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device can be at most 5. In other words, the ratio can be less than or equal to 5. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the gas jet emerging from the at least one throttle device can have a high characteristic velocity in order to induce strong forced convection at the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be tempered.

[0013] The diameter of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device can also be between 0.1 and 3 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the length of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device can be between 1 and 15 millimeters. Such an embodiment also offers the advantage that the gas jet emerging from the at least one throttle device can have a high characteristic speed in order to induce strong forced convection in the section of the microfluidic cartridge that is to be temperature-controlled. Furthermore, the distance between an outlet opening of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device and the section of the microfluidic cartridge that is to be temperature-controlled can be between 0.5 and 5 millimeters when the microfluidic cartridge is coupled to the analysis device. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the heat exchange between fluid andpneumatic working medium and cartridge can be reliably and precisely maximized.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the temperature control device can comprise a plurality of throttle devices that are fluidically connected to the supply device. Additionally or alternatively, the throttle devices can be arranged in an array in which the throttle devices are positioned in a square, circular, or offset triangular arrangement relative to one another. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the temperature control area, and thus the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be temperature-controlled, can be easily and reliably covered by an enlarged effective area of ​​the array.

[0015] In addition, the supply device can comprise a conveying device designed to apply the overpressure to the working medium. The conveying device can comprise a diaphragm pump or other pump for conveying the pneumatic working medium. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the overpressure can be generated reliably and precisely, particularly on demand.

[0016] The conveying device can be designed to supply the working medium directly to the at least one throttle device. In other words, the conveying device and the at least one throttle device can be fluid-mechanically connected to one another, with only a pneumatic line and / or a valve being connected between them. An additional safety valve can be provided in the high-pressure area. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the temperature control device can be implemented in a cost-effective and space-saving manner. Alternatively, the supply device can also comprise a pneumatic tank that is fluid-mechanically connected between the conveying device and the at least one throttle device.Here, the conveying device can be designed to supply the working medium to the pneumatic tank, and the pneumatic tank can be designed to supply the working medium to the at least one throttle device. The overpressure or system pressure in the pneumatic tank can be regulated using a pressure sensor. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a larger quantity of working medium can be stored and made available quickly.

[0017] The supply device can also have a shut-off valve that is fluid-mechanically arranged upstream of the at least one throttle device. Thus, the shut-off valve can be arranged between the at least one throttle device and a conveying device or a pneumatic tank of the supply device. The shut-off valve can be designed for a low pressure loss. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the output of the working medium can be controlled easily and reliably by means of the at least one throttle device.

[0018] Furthermore, an analytical device for analyzing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge is presented, wherein the analytical device has the following features: an embodiment of a temperature control device mentioned herein; and a receiving area for receiving the microfluidic cartridge, wherein the temperature control area is arranged adjacent to the receiving area.

[0019] In such an analysis device, an embodiment of a temperature control device mentioned herein can be advantageously employed or used to temperature-control, in particular to cool, the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be temperature-controlled. The analysis device or the temperature control device can further comprise a heating device that can be configured to heat the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be temperature-controlled. The heating device can be embodied as a heating foil, which can be round or rectangular and with low thermal mass, for example, on the chip underside of the cartridge, or as an optical heating device.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the at least one throttle device of the temperature control device can be arranged in the analysis device in a stationary manner or in a manner movable relative to the receiving area. If the at least one throttle device is arranged in the analysis device in a manner movable relative to the receiving area, the at least one throttle device can be moved toward the cartridge, in particular toward the chip or its underside, during operation of the analysis device, in particular during the so-called clamping process.

[0021] A method for operating an embodiment of a temperature control device mentioned herein is also presented, the method comprising the following steps:

[0022] Activating the supply device to provide the working medium and to discharge it as a free jet into the temperature control area of ​​the analysis device by means of the at least one throttle device in order to temperature control the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be temperature controlled; and

[0023] Deactivate the provisioning facility to stop tempering.

[0024] This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware, or in a hybrid form of software and hardware, for example, in a control unit. The time interval between the activation and deactivation steps can be predefined or controlled by sensor signals or measured values ​​representing a temperature at the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be tempered.

[0025] The approach presented here further provides a control unit configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a control unit also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently. The control unit can be part of the analysis device.

[0026] For this purpose, the control unit can have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting control signals to the actuator, and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, or the like, wherein the memory unit can be a flash memory or a magnetic storage unit.The communication interface can be designed to read in or output data wirelessly and / or wired, wherein a communication interface that can read in or output wired data can read this data, for example, electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line or output it to a corresponding data transmission line.

[0027] In this context, a control unit can be understood as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals depending on them. The control unit can have an interface that can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which contains a wide variety of functions of the control unit. However, it is also possible for the interfaces to be separate integrated circuits or to consist at least partially of discrete components. In a software implementation, the interfaces can be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.

[0028] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and is used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above, in particular when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.

[0029] Examples of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an analysis device;

[0031] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a tempering device;

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a tempering device;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a tempering device;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a schematic temperature profile diagram in connection with an embodiment of a temperature control device;

[0035] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a temperature control device; and

[0036] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control device for operating a temperature control device.

[0037] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, whereby a repeated description of these elements is omitted. First, however, the background and fundamentals of the embodiments will be briefly discussed. In an analysis device presented here, for example, molecular diagnostic analyses are carried out using specific cartridges. The cartridges are generally disposable cartridges which initially contain the chemicals and solutions required for processing and to which the material or sample material to be analyzed is added. The peripherals required for carrying out an analysis, such as the pressure supply, heater, optics and delivery mechanisms, are built directly into the analysis device.The division into disposable and permanent components was chosen not only for economic reasons but also with a view to reducing contamination. This makes it possible, for example, to perform a PCR analysis in corresponding cartridges in the analyzer, where the sample material is cycled repeatedly between two temperature levels. For selected biochemical detection reactions, for example, it is necessary to process the sample material to be analyzed reproducibly within strictly defined temperature and time windows and often periodically over longer periods. For example, for bio-MEMS processes, it is necessary to convert the cartridge's silicon chip from, for example, 56°C to 98°C (accuracy + / -1°C) and back to 56°C within a complete temperature cycle. This cycle should be repeatable multiple times, e.g., 40 times.With the temperature control concept presented here in the analyzer cartridge system, in which not only heating elements are pressed against the cartridge bottom or top and the temperature control of the sample to be analyzed is not only carried out through the cartridge wall, very fast and reproducible temperature control cycles cannot be achieved due to forced convection despite the thermal resistances, so that the conventional methodology can be improved.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an analysis device 100. The analysis device 100, which can also be referred to as a "lab on chip system," is designed in particular to analyze input samples, allowing, for example, PCR tests to be carried out. For this purpose, a cartridge or microfluidic cartridge 105, which is merely an example of a microfluidic device with a plastic housing and a microfluidic network for processing the sample, can be inserted into a receiving area 110 of the analysis device 100. The receiving area 110 is thus shaped to receive the microfluidic cartridge 105. The analysis device 100 is designed to analyze the sample contained in the microfluidic cartridge 105.

[0039] For controlling the temperature of a portion of the microfluidic cartridge 105, the analysis device 100 also includes a temperature control device 120. The temperature control device 120, which will be explained in more detail with reference to subsequent figures, comprises a supply device and at least one throttle device, which are not explicitly shown in the illustration of Fig. 1 for reasons of space. Adjacent to the receiving area 110 of the analysis device 100, a temperature control region 125 is arranged, on which the temperature control device 120 acts for temperature control. When the microfluidic cartridge 105 is coupled to the analysis device 100, a portion of the microfluidic cartridge 105 to be temperature-controlled is arranged in the temperature control region 125, in particular a chip underside of the microfluidic cartridge 105.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the at least one throttle device of the temperature control device 120 is arranged in a stationary manner in the analysis device 100. Alternatively, the at least one throttle device of the temperature control device 120 is arranged in the analysis device 100 so as to be movable relative to the receiving area 110.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the analysis device 100 optionally includes a display 115 with a touch function. Using the display 115, for example, settings for the desired analysis process can be manually entered. Furthermore, the display 115 is designed merely as an example to display analysis results.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a temperature control device 120. The temperature control device 120 corresponds to or is similar to the temperature control device from Fig. 1. Furthermore, a microfluidic cartridge 105 or a part thereof, in particular a silicon chip, is shown. Thus, the temperature control device 120 is provided for an analytical device for analyzing a sample contained in the microfluidic cartridge 105. The temperature control device 120 is designed to temperature-control, or more precisely, to cool, a portion of the microfluidic cartridge 105.

[0043] The temperature control device 120 comprises a supply device 221 and at least one throttle device 225. The supply device 221 and the at least one throttle device are fluid-mechanically connected to one another.

[0044] The supply device 221 is designed to supply a pneumatic working medium, for example, ambient air, pressurized above ambient pressure. The at least one throttle device 225 is designed to discharge the supplied working medium as a free jet into the temperature control area 125 of the analysis device, in which a section of the microfluidic cartridge 105 to be temperature-controlled is arranged when the microfluidic cartridge 105 is coupled to the analysis device.

[0045] According to one embodiment, and as shown in Fig. 2 merely by way of example, the supply device 221 comprises a conveying device 222 configured to apply the overpressure to the working medium. The conveying device 222 is designed, for example, as a diaphragm pump. The conveying device 222 is configured to supply the working medium to the at least one throttle device 225 directly or without intermediate storage.

[0046] According to one embodiment, and as also shown in Fig. 2 merely by way of example, the supply device 221 further comprises a shut-off valve 224. The shut-off valve 224 is fluid-mechanically arranged upstream of or from the at least one throttle device 225. The shut-off valve 224 is fluid-mechanically connected between the conveying device 222 and the at least one throttle device 225.

[0047] Furthermore, in the illustration of Fig. 2, a manometer 228, which is fluid-mechanically connected between the conveying device 222 and the shut-off valve 224, and a silencer 229, which is connected to the conveying device 222 or assigned to it, are added merely as an example.

[0048] According to one exemplary embodiment, a ratio of a length to a diameter D of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device 125 is at most 5. For example, the diameter D of the throttle bore of the at least one throttle device 225 is between 0.1 millimeters and 3 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, a length of the throttle bore of the at least one throttle device 225 is between 1 millimeter and 15 millimeters. The at least one throttle device 225 is thus also referred to as a microthrottle.

[0049] According to one embodiment, a distance H between an outlet opening of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device 225 and the section of the microfluidic cartridge 105 to be temperature-controlled is between 0.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters when the microfluidic cartridge 105 is coupled to the analysis device. Thus, the distance H is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, being, for example, 2 mm. The distance H also represents a height of the temperature-control region 125.

[0050] The section of the microfluidic cartridge 105 to be tempered is, for example, a chip underside or underside of a silicon chip of the microfluidic cartridge 105, for which a height h and a radius R are also shown in the illustration. Thus, the distance H between the outlet opening of the bore and the chip underside is given.

[0051] In other words, Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a temperature control device 120 without a tank. Here, the pump or conveying device 222 feeds the at least one throttle device 225 directly. In order to limit the maximum pressure that can be reached in the temperature control device 120, an additional safety valve can also be provided in the high-pressure region, which opens, for example, at 3 barA and releases the compressed air or the compressed pneumatic working medium. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a temperature control device 120. The temperature control device 120 in Fig. 3 corresponds to the temperature control device from Fig. 2 with the exception that the temperature control device 120 in Fig. 3 has a plurality of throttle devices 225 and the supply device 221 additionally has a pneumatic tank 323 or a pneumatic reservoir.

[0052] The plurality of throttle devices 225 are fluidically connected to the supply device 221. According to one embodiment, the throttle devices 225 are arranged in an array 326. In this array 326, the throttle devices 325 are positioned relative to one another, for example, in a square arrangement, a circular arrangement, offset in a triangular arrangement, or in another suitable arrangement.

[0053] The pneumatic tank 323 of the supply device 221 is fluidically connected between the conveying device 222 of the supply device 221 and the at least one throttle device 225, here the plurality of throttle devices 225 or the array 326 of throttle devices 225. The conveying device 222 is designed to supply the working medium to the pneumatic tank 323, and the pneumatic tank 323, in turn, is designed to supply the working medium to the at least one throttle device 225 or the plurality of throttle devices 225.

[0054] In other words, Fig. 3 shows a variant of the temperature control device 120 with a plurality of throttle devices 225 in array design. In other words, Fig. 3 shows a cooling system of a pneumatic cycling device using an array 326 of micro throttles 225. The array 326 is connected to the cooling system via a valve or

[0055] Shut-off valve 224 can be switched on or off, whereby the pressure loss in the shut-off valve 224 should be as small as possible. The distance H of the throttle outlets to the chip of the microfluidic cartridge 105 is, for example, 2 mm here. To reduce possible outflow noise, the unit can also be designed with acoustic housing. The array 326 can be installed stationary in the analysis device or moved towards the chip during the clamping process. The connection between the individual components can be implemented flexibly, e.g., with pneumatic lines. The distance H of the outlet openings to the outside of the chip is well defined, as this is dimensioned during the design taking into account the throttle diameter D and the arrangement of the individual throttles 225 (spacing pattern, number). The pneumatic tank 323 is pressurized under system pressure, for example, between -1 and 3 bar absolute, e.g.2.4 barA, and is led via a line system to the array 326 of micro throttles 225, with a diameter between 0.1 and 3 mm, e.g., 0.4 mm. The array 326 is designed such that the holes are positioned, e.g., in a square, round, or offset triangular arrangement relative to one another. Air jets generated by the array 326 strike the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be tempered, in particular orthogonally. The length of the throttle holes can be, e.g., 1.4 mm. The number of throttles 225 is selected such that the effective area of ​​the array 326 corresponds to the base area of ​​the silicon chip of the microfluidic cartridge 105. The system pressure in the tank 323 can be set, e.g., using a diaphragm pump as the conveying device 222 and regulated via a pressure sensor, e.g., 228.

[0056] According to another embodiment, the temperature control device 120 shown in Fig. 3 can also be implemented without the pneumatic tank 323 and / or without the shut-off valve 224. Such a temperature control device corresponds to the temperature control device of Fig. 2, except that several throttle devices 225 are provided.

[0057] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a temperature control device 120. The temperature control device 120 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the temperature control device from Fig. 2 with the exception that the supply device 221 of the temperature control device 120 in Fig. 4 additionally has a pneumatic tank 323.

[0058] The pneumatic tank 323 of the supply device 221 is fluidically connected between the conveying device 222 of the supply device 221 and the at least one throttle device 225. The conveying device 222 is designed to supply the working medium to the pneumatic tank 323, and the pneumatic tank 323, in turn, is designed to supply the working medium to the at least one throttle device 225.

[0059] In other words, Fig. 4 shows an embodiment compared to Fig. 3 in which a single choke 225 is provided instead of an array, which is particularly useful for small chips, for example with an area of ​​less than 6 mm 2 (A<6mm 2 ), is advantageous. Thus, Fig. 4 shows a variant embodiment of a cooling system for achieving a thermal cycling process.

[0060] Fig. 5 shows a schematic temperature profile diagram 500 in connection with an exemplary embodiment of a temperature control device. The temperature profile diagram 500 is in connection with a temperature control device from one of the figures described above or a similar temperature control device.

[0061] In the temperature profile diagram 500, the time t in seconds [s] is plotted on the abscissa axis, and the temperature T in degrees Celsius [°C] is plotted on the ordinate axis. A maximum temperature TMAX and a minimum temperature TMIN are also marked on the ordinate axis. Furthermore, the temperature profile diagram 500 shows a first temperature profile 525, which was obtained for a single throttle or a single throttle device as in Fig. 2 or Fig. 4, and a second temperature profile 526, which was obtained for a throttle array or an array of throttle devices as in Fig. 3.

[0062] In other words, Fig. 5 shows schematic temperature profiles 525, 526 for the pneumatic cooling concept from the figures described above. For this purpose, Fig. 5 shows the exemplary temperature profiles 525, 526 of a silicon chip that is subjected to an impact jet according to the described principle. At time t = 0 s, the valve or shut-off valve is switched so that the gas can penetrate the throttle array or the individual throttle and via this reaches the underside of the chip as an impact jet. If the target cooling temperature is greater than TMIN (e.g., ambient temperature), the at least one throttle can also be closed prematurely. Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 600 for operating a temperature control device. The method 600 for operating can be carried out to operate the temperature control device from one of the figures described above or a similar temperature control device.The method 600 for operating comprises an activation step 601 and a deactivation step 603.

[0063] In activation step 601, the supply device of the temperature control device is activated to supply the working medium and, by means of the at least one throttle device, to discharge it as a free jet into the temperature control area of ​​the analytical device. This tempers, or more precisely, cools, the section of the microfluidic cartridge to be tempered. Subsequently, in deactivation step 603, the supply device is deactivated to terminate the temperature control process. In this case, the delivery device and / or the shutoff valve of the supply device can be controlled in step 601 and / or step 603.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control unit 700 for operating a temperature control device. The control unit 700 comprises devices 701 and 702 designed to execute or control the steps of the method from Fig. 6.

[0065] Thus, the control unit 700 comprises an activation device 701 configured to activate the provision device 221. For this purpose, the activation device 701 is configured to output an activation signal 702 to the provision device 221. Furthermore, the control unit 700 comprises a deactivation device 703 configured to deactivate the provision device 221. For this purpose, the deactivation device 703 is configured to output a deactivation signal 704 to the provision device 221.

[0066] If an embodiment comprises an “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment has either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

Claims 1. A temperature control device (120) for an analytical device (100) for analyzing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge (105), wherein the temperature control device (120) has the following features: a supply device (221) designed to supply a pneumatic working medium pressurized above ambient pressure; and at least one throttle device (225) fluid-mechanically connected to the supply device (221), wherein the at least one throttle device (225) is designed to discharge the provided working medium as a free jet into a temperature control region (125) of the analytical device (100), in which region a section of the microfluidic cartridge (105) to be temperature-controlled is arranged when the microfluidic cartridge (105) is coupled to the analytical device (100).

2. Tempering device (120) according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a length to a diameter (D) of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device (225) is at most 5.

3. Tempering device (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a diameter (D) of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device (225) is between 0.1 and 3 millimeters and / or a length of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device (225) is between 1 and 15 millimeters.

4. Tempering device (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance (H) of an outlet opening of a throttle bore of the at least one throttle device (225) to the the section of the microfluidic cartridge (105) to be tempered is between 0.5 and 5 millimeters in the state of the microfluidic cartridge (105) coupled to the analysis device (100) 5. Temperature control device (120) according to one of the preceding claims, with a plurality of throttle devices (225) which are fluid-mechanically connected to the supply device (221), and / or wherein the throttle devices (225) are arranged in an array (326) in which the throttle devices (225) are positioned in a square, round or offset triangular arrangement relative to one another.

6. Tempering device (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply device (221) has a conveying device (222) which is designed to apply the overpressure to the working medium.

7. Tempering device (120) according to claim 6, wherein the conveying device (222) is designed to provide the working medium directly to the at least one throttle device (225).

8. Temperature control device (120) according to claim 6, wherein the supply device (221) has a pneumatic tank (323) which is fluid-mechanically connected between the conveying device (222) and the at least one throttle device (225), wherein the conveying device (222) is designed to provide the working medium to the pneumatic tank (323), wherein the pneumatic tank (323) is designed to provide the working medium to the at least one throttle device (225).

9. Tempering device (120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply device (221) has a shut-off valve (224) which is arranged fluid-mechanically upstream of the at least one throttle device (225).

10. An analysis device (100) for analyzing a sample contained in a microfluidic cartridge (105), the analysis device (100) comprising: a temperature control device (120) according to one of the preceding claims; and a receiving area (110) for receiving the microfluidic cartridge (105), the temperature control area (125) being arranged adjacent to the receiving area (110).

11. Analysis device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one throttle device (225) of the temperature control device (120) is arranged in the analysis device (100) in a stationary manner or movable relative to the receiving area (110).

12. A method (600) for operating a temperature control device (120) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method (600) comprises the following steps: Activating (601) the supply device (221) to provide the working medium and to discharge it as a free jet into the temperature control area (125) of the analysis device (100) by means of the at least one throttle device (225) in order to temperature control the section of the microfluidic cartridge (105) to be temperature controlled; and Deactivating (603) the supply device (221) to stop the tempering.

13. Control device (700) which is configured to execute and / or control the steps of the method (600) according to claim 12 in corresponding units (701, 703).

14. A computer program configured to execute and / or control the steps of the method (600) according to claim 12.

15. A machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 14 is stored.

Images