Analyzer Dispenser Indirect Probe Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers struggle to maintain a consistent fluid temperature over extended periods and varying dispense rates in high-throughput assays, leading to inaccurate results due to temperature fluctuations and inefficiencies in heating and reheating processes.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a first fluid pathway in thermal communication with a heat source and a probe that indirectly heats through the structure, maintaining the desired temperature range at the point of dispense without the need for back-drawing or purging fluid, ensuring precise temperature control across different dispense volumes and rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional dispensers pre-heat fluid in the probe, then the fluid can be dispensed at the desired temperature, but the probe and fluid cool to ambient temperature during idle periods requiring reheating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned to preheat the fluid in the reservoir before dispensing, ensuring the fluid reaches the desired temperature without requiring reheating during idle periods. This preliminary heating action eliminates the temperature fluctuation cycle that plagues conventional dispensers.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element maintains continuous thermal contact with the fluid pathway, ensuring uninterrupted heating action. This continuous heating prevents the fluid from cooling during idle periods, maintaining consistent temperature without interruption or reheating cycles.
2Temperature
If tube heaters are used to heat fluid, then the fluid temperature can be increased, but the desired temperature cannot be maintained throughout the dispenser including at the point of dispense
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is strategically positioned within close proximity to the dispense point, creating a localized heating zone. This ensures that the fluid maintains the desired temperature right at the point of dispense, eliminating the temperature gradient issue where the fluid cools as it travels through the dispenser.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive structure serves as an intermediary between the heating element and the fluid pathway. This intermediary efficiently transfers heat from the heating element to the fluid, ensuring uniform and precise temperature control throughout the dispense process.
3Temperature
If back-drawing or purging techniques are used to maintain fluid temperature, then the desired temperature can be maintained, but fluid is wasted and throughput is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element directly heats the fluid in the reservoir and pathway without requiring back-drawing or purging operations. The system serves itself by maintaining temperature through continuous, efficient heating, eliminating the need to waste fluid for temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element operates at optimized power levels to maintain fluid temperature without requiring excessive energy input or fluid movement. By carefully controlling the heating parameters, the system maintains temperature stability while minimizing energy consumption and fluid waste.
4Reliability
If reagents are stored at chilled temperatures and wash buffers at room temperature, then storage stability is maintained, but the dispensed fluids affect the assay reaction temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element preheats fluids from their storage temperatures (chilled reagents or room temperature wash buffers) to the desired assay temperature before dispensing. This preliminary heating ensures that when the fluid is dispensed, it does not cause temperature fluctuations in the assay reaction mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element dynamically adjusts its heating parameters based on the fluid type and initial temperature, efficiently bringing chilled reagents or room temperature buffers up to the precise assay temperature without overheating, thereby maintaining assay temperature consistency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dispenser effectively maintains fluid temperature consistency across varying dispense conditions, enhancing assay precision and reducing waste and costs associated with heating and reheating processes.
Implementation Method 1
The first structure can be in thermal communication with a heat source
Implementation Method 2
a probe that indirectly heats through the structure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Embodiments of a dispenser and a dispensing method for an analyzer are disclosed herein. The dispenser can include a first structure containing a first fluid path and a probe containing a second fluid path. The first structure can include a heat source that can heat the first structure and a fluid contained in the first structure. The first structure can be physically and thermally connected to the probe such that the probe is indirectly heated by the heat source via thermal energy transferred through the first structure. The heat source can be controlled to heat the first structure to a first desired temperature and/or temperature range, which can result in the heating of the probe and the fluid contained in the probe to a second desired temperature and/or temperature range.