Incubator Cooling Jacket and Segmented Access Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial incubators fail to provide effective cooling for heat-generated components, leading to temperature increases that damage cultured cells, and offer inadequate user access and protection from contamination and light exposure.
Innovation Solution
An incubator assembly with a cooling jacket assembly that vents hot fluid into the ambient environment and introduces cold fluid to maintain a homogeneous temperature, along with a movable sash for improved user access and a light-protective viewing window that adjusts between transparency and opacity modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If incubators use traditional heating-only systems, then temperature control is maintained, but heat generated by pumps and valves cannot be removed causing temperature increase that damages cultured cells
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter by introducing a cooling mechanism that actively removes heat from the incubator chamber. The cooling assembly includes a coolant circulation system that can lower the temperature inside the chamber, allowing the system to handle both heating and cooling requirements dynamically based on the operational state of internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by pumps and valves into a controllable parameter. By introducing a cooling system with thermal sensors and controlled coolant flow, the heat generation from these components becomes manageable rather than damaging, allowing the system to maintain optimal temperature despite internal heat sources.
2Productivity
If incubators are positioned at knee level or chest level for stacking, then space utilization is improved, but user access requires removing samples and placing them in a bio hood which is time-consuming and increases contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The access door is segmented into multiple sections including a lower door and an upper door that can be opened independently. This segmentation allows users to access samples at convenient heights without compromising the sealed environment, eliminating the need to move samples to a bio hood for simple operations like visual inspection or media refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The access door system is made dynamic with multiple opening configurations. Users can open only the lower door for knee-level access or only the upper door for chest-level access, or both depending on the sample location and user needs. This dynamic access system adapts to different operational requirements while maintaining environmental protection.
3Device complexity
If a monolithic access door is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but users and samples are not protected from each other increasing contamination and environmental exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic door is segmented into multiple independent access doors at different heights. Each door can be opened or closed independently, allowing selective access while maintaining the sealed environment. This segmentation provides protection against contamination by ensuring that the majority of the door remains closed during operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-door system acts as an intermediary between the user and the internal chamber environment. By requiring multiple doors to be opened simultaneously for full access, the system creates an additional layer of protection that reduces the likelihood of contamination compared to a single door system, while still providing necessary access capability.
4Ease of operation
If a glass viewing window is added to allow user inspection, then viewing capability is improved, but light-sensitive media and cells are exposed to damaging ambient light
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing window is equipped with a localized light-blocking mechanism that can be activated only when needed for viewing. The light-blocking panel can be positioned to block light from reaching light-sensitive components while allowing the user to view through the window. This localized control allows the system to provide viewing capability without exposing sensitive media and cells to damaging light.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-blocking mechanism is made dynamic and can be adjusted based on operational requirements. Users can activate the light-blocking panel when they need to view the chamber, and deactivate it when light protection is needed. This dynamic system allows the viewing window to serve dual purposes: providing visual access when needed and protecting from light damage when required.
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 solution enables efficient temperature control, enhances user access comfort, and protects sensitive components from light damage, significantly reducing cooling time and improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling jacket assembly that vents hot fluid into the ambient environment and introduces cold fluid to maintain a homogeneous temperature
Implementation Method 2
the vent is moved from a closed position to an open position to allow (a) hot fluid to exit the internal airspace into an ambient environment
Data Source
AI summary
An incubator assembly includes an incubator enclosure having an internal chamber in which a controlled environment is maintained and which is defined by one or more walls. The incubator assembly further includes a jacket assembly mounted adjacent to at least one of the walls and having an internal airspace in which an internal fluid is enclosed for maintaining a homogenous temperature within the internal chamber. The jacket assembly further has a vent movable between a plurality of positions including an open position in which the internal fluid is allowed to exit the internal airspace into an ambient environment.