Portable Temperature Transfer Device for Lab Culture Plates

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for controlling the temperature of laboratory culture plates are cumbersome, requiring large apparatuses that are not portable and difficult to use in sterile environments, making it challenging to maintain proper temperature conditions for cell culture.

Innovation Solution

A portable temperature transfer device with a thermo conductive stage and base, designed to fit laboratory culture plates, allowing direct contact for efficient heat transfer and featuring a temperature control system, timer, and programmable unit for precise temperature adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional temperature control methods are used (incubator, oven, refrigerator, freezer), then temperature control is achieved, but the apparatus is large and not portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential temperature control function from large conventional apparatus and concentrates it into a small portable device that can be placed directly on the laboratory culture plate, providing temperature control without requiring a large incubator or refrigerator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a portable temperature transfer device as an intermediary between the temperature control system and the culture plate, using a thermally conductive stage to transfer thermal energy directly to the plate, eliminating the need for large conventional temperature control apparatus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If conventional temperature control apparatus are used, then temperature control is achieved, but they are not readily portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential temperature control function from large conventional apparatus and concentrates it into a small portable device that can be placed directly on the laboratory culture plate, providing temperature control without requiring a large incubator or refrigerator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from large three-dimensional temperature control apparatus to a compact, flat portable device that can be easily transported and positioned on culture plates, fundamentally changing the dimensional characteristics of the temperature control system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If conventional temperature control methods are used, then temperature control is achieved, but they are not quick or easy to conduct in a sterile environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidtime to control temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable temperature transfer device as an intermediary between the temperature control system and the culture plate, using a thermally conductive stage to transfer thermal energy directly to the plate, eliminating the need for large conventional temperature control apparatus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of large conventional temperature control apparatus with a streamlined portable device that uses direct thermal contact through a thermally conductive stage, eliminating mechanical complexity and reducing setup time in sterile environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables rapid and precise temperature control of laboratory culture plates, ensuring optimal conditions for cell culture while being compact and portable, suitable for use in sterile environments.

Implementation Method 1

the stage comprises a thermo conductive material adapted for rapidly transferring thermo energy from the temperature control device to the plurality of laboratory culture plate wells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8388912B2Temperature transfer devices

Publication Date: 2013.03.05 COOL LAB LLC

AI summary

A portable temperature transfer device for transferring thermo energy to and/or from a laboratory culture plate is provided as well as its methods of use. The temperature transfer device comprises a base and a raised stage that comprises a thermal conductive material. The raised stage allows direct contact between individual wells of the laboratory culture plate and the temperature transfer device.