Reagent Cartridge Temperature Chambers for Compact Multi-Temperature Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for analyzing macromolecules like proteins or peptides lack flexibility and efficiency in maintaining reagents and samples at desired temperature ranges, particularly in high-throughput testing, and require a space-efficient and ergonomic design for multiple temperature storage.
Innovation Solution
A reagent handling system with a temperature-controlled chamber created within the walls of the reagent cartridge, allowing multiple temperature-controlled chambers in a single cartridge, and using a thermoelectric cooler to maintain reagents and samples within a desired temperature range through a gaseous fluid circulation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional reagent cartridge is placed on a temperature-controlled plate, then temperature control is achieved, but the instrument footprint increases and flexibility for multiple temperatures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the temperature-controlled chamber directly within the walls of the reagent cartridge, nesting the thermal control function inside the cartridge structure itself. This eliminates the need for a separate external temperature-controlled plate, thereby reducing the instrument footprint while maintaining effective temperature control of reagents.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent cartridge is designed to incorporate multiple temperature-controlled chambers at different temperature zones within a single unit. This multi-functional design allows the cartridge to simultaneously store and maintain multiple reagents at different required temperatures, eliminating the need for multiple separate cartridges or external temperature control plates for each reagent type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple temperature-controlled chambers are integrated into a single reagent cartridge, then flexibility and space efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent cartridge is divided into multiple separate temperature-controlled chambers, each capable of maintaining different temperature zones. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for different reagent types while keeping the overall cartridge design modular and manageable, rather than requiring a single complex uniform structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions or walls of the reagent cartridge are designed with specific thermal properties to create distinct temperature zones. Each local area of the cartridge structure is optimized for its specific temperature control function, allowing multiple temperatures to be maintained simultaneously through localized thermal characteristics rather than a uniform design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If reagents are stored in a temperature-controlled chamber within the cartridge, then temperature stability is improved, but the cartridge design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control functionality is merged directly into the cartridge structure by incorporating the temperature-controlled chamber within the cartridge walls themselves. This integration combines the storage and temperature control functions into a single unified structure, improving temperature stability while avoiding the complexity of separate external control systems.
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 flexible and ergonomic storage of reagents at different temperatures, maintaining them within the desired range for extended periods, supporting high-throughput macromolecule testing and analysis without increasing instrument footprint.
Implementation Method 1
using a thermoelectric cooler to maintain reagents and samples within a desired temperature range
Implementation Method 2
through a gaseous fluid circulation system
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a reagent handling system configured to maintain reagents and/or samples within a desired temperature range. The reagent handling system comprises a temperature-controlled chamber that is created within the walls of the reagent cartridge by coupling the reagent cartridge with a temperature regulating device configured to cool or heat a fluid that is at least partially confined by internal surfaces of the temperature-controlled chamber. The temperature-controlled chamber is configured to maintain the cooled or heated fluid within the desired temperature range for a desired period of time. The reagent cartridge optionally includes two parts, a reagent tray and a carrier. The reagent tray may be configured in a variety of alternative formats to receive different combinations of sample tubes and/or reagent volumes. In some embodiments, the reagent handling system is used on an apparatus for testing and/or analyzing macromolecules, such as proteins and peptides, and the present disclosure also relates to a method and a kit for testing macromolecules.