Dynamic Light Scattering Sample Holder with Movable Clamping and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample holders for dynamic light scattering (DLS) are limited in their ability to accommodate various container sizes and compromise between efficient heat transfer and optical access, often failing to provide uniform heat transfer while maintaining adequate optical access.
Innovation Solution
A sample holder with a base and movable clamping member that can grip containers of different sizes, featuring heating/cooling elements integrated between walls and heat-conductive plates, along with finned heat sinks and fans for efficient cooling, and horizontal slots for enhanced optical access, allowing for versatile use in DLS systems with a single light source and multiple light collectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating/cooling elements are positioned to provide efficient heat transfer, then temperature control is improved, but optical access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions heating/cooling elements on the lateral walls of the sample holder rather than at the bottom, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide heat transfer while maintaining clear optical paths horizontally through the sample container. This spatial reconfiguration allows simultaneous achievement of efficient thermal control and unobstructed optical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample holder features localized heating/cooling zones on specific wall surfaces, with thermal elements positioned only where needed for heat transfer. This localized approach allows optical access to remain unobstructed in other critical viewing zones while maintaining effective temperature control where thermal elements are applied.
2Manufacturing precision
If sample holder is designed for specific container size, then holding precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sample holder employs adjustable clamping mechanisms with movable components that can dynamically adapt to different container diameters. The clamping force and position can be adjusted to precisely accommodate various container sizes, maintaining secure holding for each specific size while preserving versatility across multiple container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample holder is designed with universal features including adjustable clamping ranges, variable positioning mechanisms, and flexible sample container interfaces that enable it to securely hold multiple types and sizes of containers. This multi-functional design allows a single device to serve diverse container dimensions while maintaining appropriate holding precision for each.
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
Facilitates efficient and uniform heat transfer while maintaining optical access, enabling precise analysis of fluid samples across various sizes and types, improving the versatility and accuracy of DLS and QELS techniques.
Implementation Method 1
heating/cooling elements mounted on each wall between the wall and a heat-conductive plate
Implementation Method 2
finned heat sinks and fans to facilitate cooling of the sample
Implementation Method 3
Light scatters when it hits particles suspended in the fluid, such as platelets suspended in solution
Implementation Method 4
the scattered light fluctuates due to Brownian motion of the particles in solution
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample holder holds capillaries or cuvettes for use in dynamic light scattering (DLS) or quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS), such as in DLS of fluid samples such as platelet solutions, whole blood, colloids or the like. The sample holder has a base with a stationary backing member and a sliding, rail-mounted clamping member that is magnetically biased toward the backing member. The sample holder has Peltier-type thermoelectric heating/cooling elements that extend the full height of the clamping and backing members to optimize heat transfer efficiency. The sample holder further includes horizontal slots that enable collection of scattered light from various angles around the device. Finned heat sinks are mounted above and below the horizontal slots on the outwardly facing surfaces of the backing and clamping members to stabilize the temperature of the fluid sample in the sample holder without interfering with incident or scattered light.