Biosensor Thermal Management via Heat Sinks and Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biosensor technologies face challenges in combining biological and electronic components due to incompatible temperature requirements, leading to high fabrication costs and sensitivity to environmental temperature changes in thermal flow transducer systems.
Innovation Solution
A biosensor apparatus with a housing made of insulating material, heat sinks, and heat reflectors, along with Peltier elements, allows for thermal contact between the biosensor unit and transducer unit, enabling efficient heat management and reduced sensitivity to environmental temperature fluctuations, thus simplifying manufacturing and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrochemical transducer is used in biosensor, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sensitivity to environmental temperature changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal management system comprising heat sinks, heat reflectors, and Peltier elements that mediate between the biosensor unit and the environment. This intermediary system absorbs and regulates thermal energy, isolating the electrochemical transducer from environmental temperature fluctuations while maintaining the simplicity of electrochemical detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing active cooling elements (Peltier elements) and thermal management structures (heat sinks with specific thermal conductivity values). These parameter changes enable the system to maintain stable operating temperatures despite environmental variations, allowing the use of cost-effective electrochemical transducers.
2Measurement precision
If thermostatting is used to maintain temperature stability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management function into distinct components: heat sinks for heat absorption, heat reflectors for thermal isolation, and Peltier elements for active temperature control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving temperature stability without requiring a complex integrated thermostatting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or easily replaceable thermal management components that can be manufactured cost-effectively. The heat sinks and Peltier elements are designed to be simple, inexpensive components that provide adequate temperature control without the need for complex, expensive thermostatting equipment.
3Manufacturing precision
If high temperature fabrication is used for electronic components, then manufacturing precision is improved, but biological part fabrication becomes incompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the biosensor system into separate modules: a biosensor unit containing biological components fabricated at low temperatures, and a transducer unit with electronic components fabricated at high temperatures. These segmented modules are then combined through thermal contact interfaces, allowing each part to be manufactured under optimal conditions without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal management interfaces and coupling elements that act as intermediaries between the low-temperature fabricated biological components and high-temperature fabricated electronic components. These intermediaries enable thermal and mechanical coupling while protecting the biological parts from high temperature damage during fabrication and operation.
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 design reduces manufacturing complexity and enhances the biosensor's stability and signal-to-noise ratio by minimizing thermal disturbances, allowing for efficient heat transfer and accurate measurements with improved usability and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of Peltier elements thermally attached to said heat sinks, one element on each heat sink, on said facing surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The heat sinks are made of a material with heat capacity and heat diffusivity large enough to absorb and dissipate the heat flow from the enzymatic reaction quickly
Implementation Method 3
The heat reflectors are made of a material having a surface with very low emissivity and have a generally flat and thin disc shaped structure
Implementation Method 4
a housing consisting of two housing blocks made of a thermally insulating material
Implementation Method 5
Heat produced by the reaction between substrates in the fluid and enzymes is transmitted via the opposite large walls of the chamber to the respective Peltier element
Data Source
AI summary
In general terms the biosensor apparatus according to the invention comprises a housing (5, 6), a pair of heat sinks (11, 12) and a pair of heat reflectors (13, 14) thermally floating relative to the heat sinks, and a pair of Peltier elements (16) attached to and in thermal contact with the heat sinks (11, 12), one element (16) on each heat sink (11, 12). The housing is made of an insulating material, and the heat sinks (11, 12) are made of a material with thermal properties large enough to absorb the heat flow with only a very slight, negligible disturbance in its temperature, to render their envelope surface having a high heat emissivity. The heat reflectors (13, 14) are made of a material having a very low emissivity and have a generally flat and thin disc shaped structure and acts primarily as radiation shields.