Seal-Free Capillary Tempering for Extended Optical Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for temperature control of capillaries used in optical measurements suffer from evaporation issues at elevated temperatures, leading to disruptive flow and loss of liquid, which is exacerbated by sealing methods that can contaminate samples or alter molecules during welding, making long-term measurements impractical and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method that controls the temperature of capillaries without sealing, allowing simultaneous or sequential optical examination by positioning capillaries on a carrier with a temperature control element, ensuring only the central region is in contact for temperature control, thus minimizing evaporation and sample loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If capillaries are sealed with wax to prevent evaporation, then liquid loss is reduced, but sample contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sealing component (wax) from the system entirely. Instead of sealing the capillary ends, the invention uses a capillary holder that mechanically retains the capillary in position while allowing the liquid to remain unsealed, thus eliminating contamination from sealing materials while preventing liquid loss through the holder's retention mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary holder acts as an intermediary component between the capillary and the measurement system. It provides mechanical retention and positioning of the capillary without requiring direct contact or sealing with the liquid sample, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining liquid retention
2Loss of substance
If capillaries are welded to seal ends, then evaporation is prevented, but molecules are altered or destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the welding process entirely by using a capillary holder that mechanically retains the capillary without thermal contact. This removes the harmful high-temperature welding step that would alter or destroy sensitive molecules, while still preventing liquid loss through the holder's retention mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal/welding mechanism with a mechanical retention system. The capillary holder uses mechanical forces (clamping, friction, or geometric constraints) to retain the capillary and prevent liquid loss, substituting the harmful thermal field with a benign mechanical field that preserves molecule integrity
3Duration of action of moving object
If sealing methods are used to prevent evaporation, then measurements can be extended, but costs increase due to replacement needs
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary holder is designed to be reusable and maintenance-free, eliminating the need for regular replacement of sealing materials. The mechanical retention system serves itself continuously without degradation or contamination issues that would require replacement, thus extending measurement duration while reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive capillary holders that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than using expensive sealing materials like wax or requiring complex welding equipment. The simplicity of the mechanical holder reduces overall system cost while enabling extended use
4Loss of substance
If capillaries are sealed, then evaporation is reduced, but capillary breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes sealing materials from the capillary system, eliminating the stress concentration points and adhesion issues that weaken the capillary structure. The capillary holder provides external mechanical support and retention without applying stress to the capillary walls, thus reducing breakage risk while preventing evaporation
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 approach reduces the risk of capillary breakage, avoids contamination, and lowers costs by eliminating sealing steps, while enabling efficient and contamination-free temperature control and optical measurement over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
the capillaries are temperature-controlled in their central region by contact with the temperature control element
Implementation Method 2
At this temperature, significant evaporation of the liquid is typically observed at elevated temperatures
Implementation Method 3
capillaries can be filled with liquids independently through capillary action, eliminating the need for pumps
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for tempering a plurality of capillaries (10) arranged on a carrier (6), wherein the carrier (6), having a length (L), width (B) and height (H), accommodates the capillaries (1) across the width of the carrier (6). The carrier (6) has a recess (61) to accommodate a tempering element (5), such that the capillaries (10) can be tempered in their central region through contact with the tempering element (5). According to the invention, the ends (11, 12) of the sample-filled capillaries (10) are unsealed during the tempering.