Parallel DSC Architecture With Disposable Cells for High Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional differential scanning calorimeters (DSC) have low sample throughput due to the need to analyze samples sequentially, which can take several minutes to hours, and require cleaning between samples to prevent cross-contamination, significantly limiting the number of samples that can be analyzed.
Innovation Solution
A DSC instrument with a temperature control plate composed of multiple layers of different thermal conductivity materials, featuring a plurality of DSC units with uniform temperature control and disposable sample cells, allowing simultaneous analysis of multiple samples and eliminating the need for cleaning between measurements.
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 DSC units (first DSC unit, second DSC unit, etc.), each capable of analyzing a separate sample simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple samples in parallel, dramatically increasing throughput from one sample at a time to multiple samples concurrently, while each unit maintains its own measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-sample sequential analysis approach to a multi-sample parallel analysis approach by adding spatial dimensions. Multiple DSC units are arranged to operate simultaneously on different samples, effectively moving from one-dimensional sequential processing to multi-dimensional parallel processing, thereby increasing throughput without compromising measurement quality
2Reliability
If calorimeter components are cleaned between measurements to reduce cross-contamination, then measurement reliability is improved, but analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sample cells and reference cells that are discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for cleaning operations between measurements, as each new sample uses fresh, sterile cells. The disposable nature of these components ensures complete prevention of cross-contamination while removing the time-consuming cleaning step entirely
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of cleaning and reusing calorimeter components, the system discards used sample cells and reference cells after measurement. This approach prioritizes complete contamination prevention over resource conservation, accepting the cost of disposable components to eliminate both cleaning time and any risk of cross-contamination between samples
3Productivity
If multiple DSC units are implemented for simultaneous sample analysis, then sample throughput increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple DSC units share common infrastructure components such as the temperature control plate, heating elements, and control systems. Each unit performs the same measurement function but utilizes shared resources, reducing the overall complexity increase compared to having completely independent systems. The temperature control plate serves all units simultaneously, providing efficient resource utilization
4Temperature
If a temperature control plate with multiple layers is used to provide uniform temperature, then temperature uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control plate is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers of different materials, each layer contributing specific thermal properties. This composite design allows optimization of temperature distribution across the plate surface by combining materials with complementary thermal conductivities and other properties, achieving superior temperature uniformity that cannot be obtained with a single material
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 instrument enables high sample throughput by analyzing multiple samples simultaneously and reduces cross-contamination by using disposable cells, thereby increasing efficiency and eliminating delays associated with cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature control plate has a plurality of layers of thermally conductive material wherein at least one of the layers has a thermal conductivity that is different from a thermal conductivity of one of the other layers
Implementation Method 2
The layers are diffusion-bonded to each other
Implementation Method 3
Heat flows associated with heating or cooling a sample or with thermal transitions in samples may be determined
Data Source
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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.