Sample Holder Pillar Design for Thermal Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample holders for thermal treatment in diagnostic laboratories face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution, leading to inaccurate test results due to inefficient internal working fluid return, which can result in false negative or false positive test outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A sample holder design incorporating a hollow body with an internal working fluid and a pillar connecting the inner bottom and top surfaces, along with thermoelectric elements for precise temperature control, enhances temperature uniformity and efficiency by facilitating the return of the internal working fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional sample holders with vapor chambers are used, then temperature uniformity is improved, but the time to reach uniform temperature and the efficiency of internal working fluid return are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sample holder is divided into multiple heating zones with independent thermoelectric elements, allowing each zone to be optimized for its specific thermal requirements. This segmentation enables parallel thermal processing across different regions, reducing the overall time to achieve uniform temperature throughout the entire sample holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoelectric elements operate in periodic cycles, alternating between heating and cooling phases to efficiently manage thermal distribution. This periodic operation allows the internal working fluid to return more effectively during cooling phases while maintaining temperature uniformity during heating phases, thereby reducing total processing time.
2Productivity
If multiple test samples are processed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but temperature uniformity across all samples becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The sample holder is divided into multiple heating zones with independent thermoelectric elements, allowing each zone to be optimized for its specific thermal requirements. This segmentation enables parallel thermal processing across different regions, reducing the overall time to achieve uniform temperature throughout the entire sample holder.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heating zone has independently controllable thermoelectric elements that can adjust local temperature parameters according to specific requirements. This local quality control ensures that even when multiple test samples are processed simultaneously in different zones, each sample receives the precise temperature treatment it needs, maintaining temperature uniformity across all samples while maximizing throughput.
3Measurement precision
If thermoelectric elements are added for precise temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric elements serve multiple functions: they can heat, cool, and maintain temperature at different levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate heating and cooling systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise temperature control. The same elements that provide precision temperature control also facilitate efficient internal working fluid return through periodic cooling phases.
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 design ensures rapid and uniform temperature distribution across multiple test samples, reducing the risk of inaccurate test results and improving the reliability of temperature-dependent reactions such as nucleic acid amplification.
Implementation Method 1
heat is absorbed at one side of the heat pipe (evaporator section), the internal working fluid is vaporized, creating a pressure gradient within said heat pipe. The vapor is forced to flow to the cooler end of the heat pipe (condenser section), where it condenses and dissipates its latent heat
Implementation Method 2
The sample holder and one or more thermoelectric elements. The one or more thermoelectric elements are in thermal contact with the hollow body
Implementation Method 3
The condensed internal working fluid returns to the evaporator section via gravity and/or capillary action within the inner wick structure
Implementation Method 4
The condensed internal working fluid returns to the evaporator section via gravity and/or capillary action within the inner wick structure
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the thermal treatment of test samples is presented. The device comprises a sample holder and one or more thermoelectric elements which are in thermal contact with the sample holder. The sample holder comprises at least two holding positions configured to hold test sample consumables. The sample holder comprises an internal working fluid and a hollow body with an inner bottom surface and an inner top surface connected to each other with a pillar. The pillar extends along a vertical axis perpendicular to the inner bottom surface and substantially in the middle of the distance between the at least two holding positions. A laboratory instrument and a method for the thermal treatment of test samples is also presented.