Fluid Isolator Thermal System for Reaction Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for regulating slide temperature in laboratory instruments are prone to degradation due to chemical exposure, suffer from inefficiencies in heating and cooling, and experience instrument downtime due to reagent leakage and corrosion of thermal components.
Innovation Solution
A thermal system comprising a thermal generator, transfer layers, and a fluid isolator to control temperature within a reaction chamber, with features such as Peltier devices, ceramic heaters, and stress-relieving structures to enhance reliability and efficiency, and a fluid isolator to prevent reagent contact with thermal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heating element is bonded to a backing plate using adhesive, then contact between plate and heating element is enhanced, but fluid can still get under the heat spreader and impact heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid isolator is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating element and the reaction chamber. This fluid isolator prevents fluid from reaching the heating element while maintaining thermal contact through the backing plate, thus protecting heating efficiency from fluid interference
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid isolator is implemented as a thin film or shell structure that conforms to the heating element and backing plate interface. This thin film barrier effectively blocks fluid penetration while allowing the system to maintain intimate thermal contact between components
2Temperature
If fans are used to cool the sample on the slide, then cooling effect is achieved, but dehydration of the tissue sample occurs due to air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The backing plate serves as an intermediary thermal management component that conducts heat away from the sample without requiring direct air flow over the tissue. This eliminates the dehydration problem associated with fan-based cooling while maintaining effective temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan-based cooling system with a conductive cooling system using the backing plate. This substitution eliminates the need for air flow, thereby preventing sample dehydration while achieving the desired cooling effect
3Ease of operation
If heating and cooling elements are exposed to reagents, then temperature control is achieved, but deterioration and failure occur due to corrosive reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid isolator acts as a protective intermediary between the corrosive reagents in the reaction chamber and the heating/cooling elements. It allows thermal energy to pass through while blocking chemical contact, thus preventing deterioration of thermal components
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and cooling elements are extracted from direct exposure to the reaction chamber environment. By positioning these elements separately and using the fluid isolator as a barrier, the system maintains temperature control capability while removing the source of corrosion and failure
4Adaptability or versatility
If water and fluids are used in sample processing, then processing is enabled, but leakage under heat spreader causes heating element disassociation
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid isolator serves as a protective intermediary that prevents processing fluids from penetrating under the heat spreader. This maintains the structural integrity of the heating element bonding while allowing normal sample processing with water and other fluids
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 thermal system provides precise and efficient temperature control, reduces instrument downtime, and enhances the reliability of thermal components by preventing chemical degradation and improving heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermal generator for generating temperature changes
Implementation Method 2
one or more transfer layers for transferring temperature changes between the thermal generator and the sample on the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal system for controllably altering a temperature within a reaction chamber in a sample processing assembly is described. The reaction chamber is bounded by a substrate and cover member in the sample processing assembly. The thermal system includes at least one thermal generator for generating temperature changes, one or more transfer layers for transferring temperature changes between the thermal generator and the sample on the substrate and a fluid isolator for isolating the thermal generator from fluid dispensed into the reaction chamber.