Thermal Chamber Control for Rapid Disc Assay Temperature Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems in diagnostic analyzers face inefficiencies due to temperature inhomogeneity, slow temperature shifts, and high energy consumption, particularly in systems using solid or gaseous media for heating and cooling consumables, which affect assay performance and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a circular disc-shaped container within a thermal chamber with forced convection heating and solid phase cooling, employing a combination of air and Peltier elements for rapid temperature changes, allowing the container to be rotated and vertically moved for efficient temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a metal disc holder is heated with radiation of light and cooled with ambient air, then the consumable can be temperature controlled, but the temperature inhomogeneity of the disc holder during cooling and heating causes increased costs for spare parts and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a forced air circulation system with heating and cooling elements to create a temperature-controlled environment for the disc holder. Air is circulated through the chamber using a fan, with heating elements providing thermal energy and cooling elements removing heat, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the disc holder surface and eliminating temperature inhomogeneity issues.
2Device complexity
If ambient air is used for cooling, then the system structure is simple, but variations in the ambient air temperature are leading to variations in cooling speeds and thus influence the assay or instrument performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temperature sensors to continuously monitor the temperature within the chamber and uses this feedback information to control the heating and cooling elements. This closed-loop control system adjusts the thermal output dynamically to maintain a consistent target temperature, compensating for variations in ambient air temperature and ensuring reliable, repeatable cooling speeds for assay performance.
3Temperature
If Peltier elements are used for heating and cooling in PCR devices, then the temperature of vials or chips can be controlled, but the edges of such devices are due to their increased surface related to a delayed reach of a temperature equilibrium so that systems using a solid phase for heat transfer are usually slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solid-phase Peltier elements with a forced air circulation system. A fan-driven airflow rapidly distributes thermal energy throughout the chamber, allowing much faster temperature changes compared to solid-phase conduction. The moving air contact with all surfaces of the disc holder simultaneously, eliminating the delayed thermal equilibrium and edge effects associated with solid-phase heat transfer, while achieving precise temperature control through regulated air flow and thermal elements.
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 fast and homogeneous temperature transitions with reduced energy consumption and space requirements, minimizing edge effects and ensuring precise temperature control for biochemical assays.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for air that is connected to the inlet and outlet of the thermal chamber's housing, such that heated air can be blown into the thermal chamber for raising the temperature
Implementation Method 2
a cold plate that is connected to a cooling element is arranged above the flat inner bottom surface inside the housing of the thermal chamber
Implementation Method 3
heated air can be blown into the thermal chamber for raising the temperature to a first temperature in the thermal chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for rapidly changing and controlling the temperature of diagnostic consumables and their contents in a diagnostic analyser system and provides a system for performing biochemical assays with a fluid, comprising a circular disc-shaped container with at least one compartment for taking up the fluid to be processed in the biochemical assay, wherein the circular disc-shaped container has a centrally arranged acceptance for an axis; a thermal chamber, comprising a housing for accommodating the circular disc-shaped container, wherein the housing comprises a flat upper surface and a flat inner bottom surface, and wherein a cold plate that is connected to a cooling element is arranged above the flat inner bottom surface inside the housing of the thermal chamber, and an inlet and an outlet for an air supply; and a drive comprising the axis with an upper end for its connection to the circular disc-shaped container by crossing a bottom surface of the thermal chamber's housing, wherein the axis is connected to a motor for rotating the axis, and wherein the axis is further connected to a motor for moving the axis vertically inside the thermal chamber.