Multi-Unit DSC Layout With Disposable Chips for High Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional differential scanning calorimeters (DSCs) have low sample throughput and require extensive cleaning between measurements, limiting their ability to analyze multiple samples efficiently due to the need to prevent cross-contamination, especially in biological analyses.
Innovation Solution
The development of a DSC instrument with multiple thermal units and disposable sample chips that allow for simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, using a temperature control plate with layered thermally conductive materials and thermoelectric devices to maintain uniform temperature and reduce thermal noise, along with a chip tray system for easy loading and unloading of samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional DSC instruments analyze a single sample during an instrument measurement period, then measurement precision is maintained, but sample throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into multiple independent measurement units (first measurement unit, second measurement unit, etc.), each capable of analyzing a sample simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple samples, significantly increasing throughput while maintaining the functional simplicity of individual measurement cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-sample sequential analysis to multi-sample parallel analysis by adding spatial dimensions. Multiple measurement units are arranged in different locations within the instrument, enabling simultaneous measurements across multiple samples rather than sequential single-sample analysis.
2Reliability
If calorimeter components are cleaned between measurements to reduce cross-contamination, then measurement reliability is improved, but analysis time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sample containers that are discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for cleaning calorimeter components between measurements, as each new sample uses a fresh container. The disposable nature ensures no cross-contamination while removing the time-consuming cleaning step entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample container is separated from the main calorimeter body as a removable, disposable component. By extracting the potentially contaminating element (the container holding the sample) from the permanent instrument structure, the system eliminates cross-contamination risks without requiring cleaning of the main instrument components.
3Temperature
If temperature control plate uses single-layer material, then manufacturing is simpler, but temperature uniformity across multiple DSC units is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control plate is constructed from multiple layers of different materials, each with specific thermal properties. This composite structure optimizes heat distribution across the plate surface, ensuring uniform temperature delivery to multiple DSC units simultaneously, while the layered design allows for tailored thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the temperature control plate utilize different materials optimized for their specific functions. The plate incorporates materials with varying thermal conductivities in different layers to ensure uniform temperature distribution across the surface, with each layer contributing specific thermal management properties to achieve overall temperature homogeneity.
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 solution significantly increases sample throughput by enabling the simultaneous analysis of multiple samples without the need for extensive cleaning, reducing sample aging effects and minimizing cross-contamination, while maintaining accurate thermal measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature control plate has a plurality of layers of thermally conductive material with at least one of the layers having a thermal conductivity that is different from a thermal conductivity of one of the other layers
Implementation Method 2
using a temperature control plate with layered thermally conductive materials and thermoelectric devices to maintain uniform temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) instrument capable of performing analyses of multiple samples at the same time. Some embodiments of DSC instruments described herein include a thermal substrate that provides a substantially uniform temperature across a surface of the substrate. A plurality of DSC units is in thermal communication with the substrate, for example, by mounting the units directly to the surface of the substrate. Each DSC unit includes a second thermal substrate for further thermal isolation, and a reference platform and sample platform to receive a reference cell and a sample cell, respectively. A thermoelectric device is disposed between each platform and the second thermal substrate. Optionally, the reference and sample cells may be disposable chips that can be discarded after measurement are performed, thereby reducing or eliminating the need to clean instrument components to prevent cross-contamination for subsequent instrument operation.