Biochemical Reaction System Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical and biochemical reaction systems, particularly those using Peltier modules for thermal control in PCR and other reactions, face challenges such as power loss, mechanical issues due to asymmetric expansion and contraction, and uncontrolled thermal environments, leading to inaccurate and non-uniform temperature control.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a thermally conductive thermal mount with a rotationally symmetrical design, coupled with a thermoelectric module and heat sinks, and incorporates a heated lid with a compressible layer for uniform thermal control and precise temperature management, along with light waveguides and sensors for optical signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If Peltier modules are used for thermal control in PCR reactions, then temperature control capability is provided, but power loss and mechanical issues due to asymmetric expansion and contraction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal control system is divided into multiple independent heating zones corresponding to different reaction vessels. Each zone has its own heating element and temperature control, allowing localized thermal management rather than relying on a single Peltier module for the entire block, thereby reducing overall power loss and improving thermal efficiency.
2Temperature
If Peltier modules are used for thermal control, then heating and cooling capability is provided, but mechanical issues due to asymmetric expansion and contraction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical Peltier module system with a thermal conduction-based heating block system. Instead of using electromechanical Peltier elements that suffer from asymmetric expansion, the invention uses a passive thermal block with heating elements that conduct heat through thermal conduction, eliminating the mechanical reliability issues associated with Peltier module expansion and contraction.
3Temperature
If conventional thermal control systems are used, then temperature control is provided, but uncontrolled thermal environments lead to inaccurate and non-uniform temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The heating block is designed with spatially varying thermal properties, including localized thermal insulation layers and strategically positioned heating elements. Each reaction vessel position has optimized thermal characteristics to ensure uniform temperature distribution across all vessels, with particular attention to insulating edges and corners that would otherwise experience thermal losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors at multiple positions within the heating block to monitor temperature distribution in real-time. This feedback is used by the control system to adjust heating element outputs dynamically, compensating for thermal gradients and ensuring accurate, uniform temperature control across all reaction vessels.
4Measurement precision
If excitation light sources are used for fluorescent measurements, then detection capability is provided, but lack of source control and light coupling control results in inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The excitation light source and detection system are integrated into a unified optical module with synchronized control. The light source activation is coupled with the detection timing and positioning, ensuring that excitation light is delivered precisely when and where needed for fluorescent measurement, improving measurement accuracy while managing system complexity through integration.
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
This configuration provides improved thermal uniformity across reaction vessels, reduces mechanical and thermal issues, and enhances the accuracy and repeatability of temperature control, while allowing for precise monitoring of optical signals.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal module thermally coupled to the thermal mount for thermally controlling the thermal mount
Implementation Method 2
a thermal mount of a thermally conductive material, the thermal mount having a plurality of wells for receiving the reaction vessels
Implementation Method 3
coupled with a thermoelectric module and heat sinks
Implementation Method 4
coupled with a thermoelectric module and heat sinks
Implementation Method 5
a compressible layer arranged between the inner thermally conductive layer and the outer cover to bias the inner thermally conductive layer against the top seals of the reaction vessels
Data Source
AI summary
A chemical and/or biochemical apparatus (10) includes a thermal mount (14) having wells (26) for receiving reaction vessels (12), a thermal module (16) having a first side thermally coupled to the thermal mount (14), a first heat sink (18) thermally coupled to a second side of the thermal module, the heat sink (18) having a body and thermally conductive fins (32) extending outwards from the body of the first heat sink (18), and a printed circuit board (54) having electronic components for controlling at least the thermal module (16), an excitation light source (62), and a light sensor (52). A first set of light waveguides (60) delivers excitation light to a reaction vessel, and a second set of light waveguides (38) receives light from a reaction vessel and delivers the light to the light sensor (52). The printed circuit board (54), the excitation light source (62), the light sensor (52) and the light waveguides (38, 60) are arranged within an interior space (5) of the first heat sink (18).