Convective Probe Tip Heating for Sealed Container Reagents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated testing systems struggle to effectively heat penetrating probe tips used for aspirating and dispensing reagents from sealed storage containers, leading to temperature control issues and reagent wastage, as direct or indirect heating methods are incompatible with the design of these probes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize convective heating by circulating air within an enclosure to maintain the probe tip at a desired temperature, using a fan and heating device to control the temperature of the probe tip, allowing for precise temperature control of reagents during analysis while storing them at lower temperatures in sealed containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If direct or indirect heating methods are used to heat probe tips, then temperature control is improved, but the heating method becomes incompatible with the design of penetrating probes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary heating approach by heating the air surrounding the probe tip rather than directly heating the probe tip itself. The heated air serves as a mediator that transfers thermal energy to the probe tip through convection, enabling temperature control without direct thermal contact that would conflict with the penetrating probe design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic heating by using a fan to circulate air through a heating element and over the probe tip. This pneumatic system allows for indirect heating of the probe tip, maintaining compatibility with the penetrating probe structure while achieving the desired temperature control through forced air convection.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If reagents are stored at lower temperatures in sealed containers, then reagent lifetime is extended, but the reagents cannot be dispensed at the required temperature for analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating the air and probe tip before the reagent dispensing operation. The fan circulates heated air over the probe tip in advance, ensuring the probe tip reaches the required temperature before reagent transfer begins, thus enabling both extended storage and proper dispensing temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The heated air acts as an intermediary that transfers thermal energy from the heating element to the probe tip, allowing the reagent to be warmed during the dispensing process without requiring the storage container to be heated, thereby maintaining extended reagent lifetime while achieving required dispensing temperature.
3Temperature
If additional heating components are added to the target container, then temperature control is improved, but the testing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the target container system and relocates it to the probe assembly. By incorporating the heating element and fan near the probe tip, the system eliminates the need for additional heating components in the target container, thereby maintaining temperature control while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe assembly is given multi-functionality by integrating the heating element and fan into it, allowing the same component to serve both as the reagent transfer probe and as the heating device. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate heating components in the target container, simplifying the testing process while maintaining temperature control.
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 approach ensures reagents are dispensed at the required temperature for analysis, extends reagent lifetime, reduces wastage, and simplifies the testing process by eliminating the need for additional heating components in the target container.
Implementation Method 1
a fan positioned to circulate air within the enclosure to heat the tip of the probe
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for probe tip heating are disclosed. An exemplary system for probe tip heating can include an enclosure enclosing a probe tip, a heating device, and a fan. The probe tip can be configured to access an internal volume of a stoppered container and to aspirate or dispense a material from or to the internal volume of the stoppered container. The heating device can be configured to heat air circulating within the enclosure. The fan can be positioned to circulate air within the enclosure to heat the tip of the probe.