Analyzing Apparatus Thermal Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microchip devices used in capillary electrophoresis face precision issues due to thermal effects, which cause deformation and reduce analysis accuracy, especially when analyzing temperature-sensitive samples like blood or proteins, and can lead to air bubble formation in the separation fluid channel.
Innovation Solution
An analyzing apparatus with a microchip supported by a thermal conductivity material and equipped with light guiding units that apply a force to the microchip to prevent deformation, using optical fibers to maintain constant optical distance and reduce thermal effects by positioning light-emission and light-reception units outside the shield wall to minimize heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light guiding units are positioned close to the microchip for effective optical detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but thermal effects increase causing microchip deformation and measurement precision deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A shield wall is introduced as an intermediary thermal barrier between the light guiding units and the microchip. The shield wall blocks direct heat transfer from the light guiding units to the microchip, reducing thermal-induced deformation while allowing optical detection to proceed effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The space around the microchip is segmented into thermal zones by the shield wall, creating a thermal barrier that separates the heat-generating light guiding units from the temperature-sensitive microchip, thereby reducing thermal coupling while maintaining optical functionality
2Measurement precision
If light guiding units apply force to the microchip to prevent thermal deformation, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding units serve dual functions: they perform optical detection and simultaneously apply mechanical force to prevent microchip deformation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate mechanical support structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal conductivity material is used to dissipate heat from the microchip, then thermal effects are reduced, but heat loss from the analysis system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal conductivity material is applied locally at the microchip support structure where heat dissipation is most needed, rather than throughout the entire system. This localized approach effectively reduces thermal-induced deformation at the critical microchip region while minimizing overall heat loss from the analysis system
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 solution effectively reduces thermal-induced deformation and maintains measurement precision by facilitating heat dissipation and stabilizing the microchip's temperature, thereby improving the accuracy of capillary electrophoresis analyses.
Implementation Method 1
a first light guiding unit that emits light to the separation fluid channel; and a second light guiding unit that receives light which has gone through the separation fluid channel
Implementation Method 2
a microchip supported by a thermal conductivity material
Implementation Method 3
a first elastic body which causes either the first light guiding unit or the second light guiding unit to abut the microchip and to push the microchip
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An analyzing apparatus (1) includes a microchip (20), a detecting unit (30) and an analyzing-measuring unit (40). The microchip (20) is formed of a light transmissive material formed with a separation fluid channel (21) that is a light measuring part. The detecting unit (30) includes an emitted-light guiding unit (31) that emits light to the separation fluid channel (21), and a received-light guiding unit (32) that receives light through the separation fluid channel (21). The emitted-light guiding unit (31) or the received-light guiding unit (32) placed at a position facing a microchip support table (41) via the microchip (20) abuts the microchip (20), and pushes the microchip (20) in a direction toward the microchip support table (41). The analyzing-measuring unit (40) includes the detecting unit (30), the emitted-light guiding unit (31) and the received-light guiding unit (32), and detects a constituent of a sample filled in the separation fluid channel (21).