Pipette Tip Temperature Control for Biochemical Reaction Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature adjustment systems for biochemical and immune reaction apparatuses face challenges in controlling reaction temperatures within a short time frame, particularly when handling reagents at varying temperatures, leading to instability and inefficiency in temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A temperature adjustment system that includes a pipette tip temperature adjustment section, an environmental temperature sensor, and a control section that sets a temperature control target value for the pipette tip based on environmental and reagent information, allowing for precise temperature control during sample analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat block with large heat capacity is heated to desired temperature, then the reaction temperature can be maintained, but it takes too long to heat the heat block sufficiently within the reaction time
Solution Approach 1:
The control section calculates and sets the temperature control target value in advance based on environmental temperature before the reaction starts. This preliminary temperature adjustment ensures that the pipette tip is already at the appropriate temperature when the reaction begins, eliminating the need for time-consuming heating during the reaction process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating the entire heat block uniformly, the system applies temperature control locally to the pipette tip through gas heating. This localized approach heats only the specific area needed for the reaction, reducing overall heating time while maintaining effective reaction temperature.
2Productivity
If heating is attempted to be complete within a time period, then the reaction time is maintained, but the amount of heat to be applied increases resulting in deterioration of control stability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor the environmental temperature and pipette tip temperature, and the control section adjusts the temperature control target value dynamically based on this feedback. This closed-loop control maintains stability by compensating for environmental variations without requiring excessive heating power.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section modifies the temperature control target value as a parameter based on environmental temperature conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically rather than applying fixed high power heating, the system maintains both productivity and control stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cooling time is calculated based on environmental temperature, then the system adapts to room temperature changes, but the control temperature is not switched according to reagent type resulting in variation of reactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The control section determines the appropriate control temperature in advance based on both environmental temperature and reagent type before the reaction starts. This preliminary setting ensures that the temperature is optimized for the specific reagent being used, maintaining reactivity consistency while adapting to environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different temperature control strategies tailored to specific reagent types rather than using a universal approach. Each reagent receives customized temperature management based on its specific requirements, ensuring consistent reactivity across different reagent types while maintaining environmental adaptability.
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 system enables the control of reaction temperatures to a target temperature within a desired reaction time, improving control stability and ensuring consistent reactivity, even when environmental temperatures change.
Implementation Method 1
an environmental temperature sensor that senses at least an environmental temperature inside the analysis apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a pipette tip temperature adjustment section that performs temperature adjustment of the pipette tip
Data Source
AI summary
Temperature adjustment with a pipette tip temperature adjustment unit (7) and a drive unit (54) for raising and lowering a pipette tip (51), an environment temperature sensor (10) for sensing temperature inside an analysis apparatus (1A), a pump (53) for drawing a liquid into pipette tip (51) and discharging liquid in the pipette tip (51), and a control unit (6a) for setting, in advance, temperature control target value during sample analysis for unit (7) based on environment temperature sensed by sensor (10), and during sample analysis, drive unit (54) lowers pipette tip (51), pump (53) performs pumping wherein intake and discharge are repeated in a state in which unit (7) blows air, and unit (6a) sets, in advance, the temperature value for use during sample analysis for the pipette tip temperature adjustment unit (7) on the basis of analysis reagent information and the environment temperature sensed by e sensor (10).