Solid-State Thermal Cycler with Independent TEC Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional PCR instruments are large, power-hungry, expensive, and require additional interfaces for power, control, and data storage, limiting their portability and accessibility for rapid thermal cycling applications.
Innovation Solution
A portable lab system integrating a solid-state thermal cycler with independent thermoelectric cooling elements and a thermally conductive substrate, allowing each well to operate at separate thermal set points and cycle durations, powered via a USB interface and controlled by a computing device for efficient and miniaturized PCR testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional PCR instruments are used, then reliable thermal cycling is achieved, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into multiple independent wells (first well, second well, etc.) that can operate simultaneously and independently. Each well contains its own thermoelectric cooling element and can be controlled separately, allowing parallel processing of multiple samples and reducing the overall instrument size while maintaining reliability through redundant thermal cycling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple thermoelectric cooling elements are integrated into a single substrate structure, combining the thermal cycling functions of multiple wells into one compact unit. The substrate serves as both the mounting platform and the thermal ground for all wells, merging structural support with thermal management functions to reduce device size.
2Reliability
If traditional PCR instruments are used, then reliable thermal cycling is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric cooling elements are directly coupled to the substrate which serves as the thermal ground, creating a self-contained thermal management system. The wells can exchange heat with the substrate independently, reducing the need for external cooling systems and lowering overall power consumption while maintaining reliable thermal cycling.
3Reliability
If traditional PCR instruments are used, then thermal cycling is achieved, but portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric cooling elements are nested within the substrate structure, with the substrate itself serving as the thermal ground. This nested configuration integrates multiple functions (structural support, thermal management, well mounting) into a single compact unit, dramatically reducing instrument size and improving portability while maintaining reliable thermal cycling capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If wells operate independently, then processing flexibility is improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is segmented into independent well-substrate connections, where each well can be controlled separately while all wells share the common substrate ground. This segmentation enables independent processing flexibility for each well without requiring completely separate thermal management systems for each well, thus reducing overall system complexity.
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, efficient, and cost-effective thermal cycling with reduced waste heat, allowing for independent sample processing and data collection, making PCR testing more accessible and affordable by transforming benchtop instruments into portable systems.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element coupled to the first well and the second well... to allow the TEC element to transfer energy from the first well to the second well when current flows through the TEC element in a first direction, and from the second well to the first well when current flows through the TEC element in a second direction
Implementation Method 2
a substrate comprising a thermally conductive ground configured to allow the first well and the second well to exchange heat with the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing a portable lab system for PCR testing. An example method for operating an integrated thermal cycling system includes depositing samples into the integrated thermal cycling system that includes a thermal cycling device and an electronic interface. The thermal cycling device includes multiple wells to receive the samples to be thermally cycled, a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element connected to the multiple wells, a substrate on which the TEC element is positioned, and a controller coupled to the TEC element. The multiple wells are positioned within the substrate that includes a thermally conductive ground positioned between adjacent wells. Supplying power to the integrated thermal cycling system, via the electronic interface, allows the multiple wells to exchange heat with the substrate and for each well to operate independently from other wells.