Rotating Heating Device for Uniform Biological Material Thawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for thawing biological materials are prone to contamination, lack reproducibility, and result in non-uniform heat dispersion, which can damage cells through re-crystallization, due to human variability and inadequate tracking of vials during the heating process.
Innovation Solution
A system with a rotatable heating device equipped with temperature sensors and separate heating elements, controlled by a processor to maintain precise temperature and agitation, minimizing human error and ensuring uniform thawing, while also using cooling devices for temperature regulation and a barcode reader for vial identification and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional water bath heating is used, then heating function is provided, but contamination risk increases due to multiple vials being placed in the same bath
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is divided into multiple independent heating chambers (first heating chamber, second heating chamber, etc.), each capable of holding and heating a single vial independently. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between multiple vials while maintaining the heating function, as each chamber acts as an isolated environment.
2Reliability
If manual heating with human operation is used, then flexibility in handling different vials is achieved, but heating reproducibility decreases due to human variability
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device incorporates automatic control mechanisms including temperature sensors, heating elements, and control circuits that enable the system to regulate its own heating process without human intervention. The device automatically maintains set temperatures and timing parameters, ensuring reproducible heating conditions across different operations while reducing the complexity burden on the operator.
3Stability of the object's composition
If static heating without movement is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but heat dispersion uniformity decreases leading to re-crystallization
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device incorporates a rotating mechanism that enables the vial to rotate during the heating process. This dynamic movement ensures uniform heat distribution around the vial by continuously changing the orientation of the vial relative to the heat source, preventing localized overheating and re-crystallization while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
4Manufacturing precision
If prolonged heating time is used, then complete thawing is achieved, but cell damage increases due to extended exposure to heat and agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device incorporates temperature sensors and control circuits that continuously monitor the heating process and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the device to automatically adjust heating parameters and terminate the process when the predetermined temperature and time conditions are met, ensuring complete thawing while minimizing cell damage from prolonged exposure.
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 enhances the reproducibility and uniformity of the thawing process, reducing cell damage and contamination risks, as demonstrated by improved cellular vitality post-thawing compared to traditional water bath methods.
Implementation Method 1
two heating elements located on opposite sides of the main body
Implementation Method 2
applying heat to the biological material via a heating device
Implementation Method 3
each cooling device comprises a heat sink and a fan
Implementation Method 4
two cooling devices for assisting temperature regulation located on opposite sides of the main body adjacent the heating elements
Implementation Method 5
two temperature sensors localized in two sides of the main body
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure is a system for heating a biological material in a vessel. The system can include a heating device configured to transmit energy to the vessel and a base moveably coupled to the heating device. The system can also include a processor configured to receive an input associated with a target temperature, and transmit a signal to controllably move the heating device relative to the base for a time period, wherein the time period is determined based on the target temperature and content volume.