Calibration Device for Thermal Cycler Temperature Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal cyclers face challenges in accurately monitoring and controlling temperature distribution across multiple sample wells, which affects reaction rates, and require calibration of optical detectors to ensure precise fluorescence detection without hardware upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A calibration device with ambient condition sensors and emission light generators that communicate with the thermal cycler's optical detector to map temperature and excitation light conditions, allowing for real-time adjustment and calibration of the optical system without additional interfaces, using existing optical detectors and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a thermal cycler uses a large reaction zone with multiple sample wells to increase productivity, then more samples can be processed simultaneously, but temperature distribution becomes non-uniform across different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing individual temperature sensors at specific positions within the reaction zone to detect local temperature variations. The control circuitry then adjusts heating parameters locally for different sample well positions, ensuring each position achieves its target temperature despite being in a large reaction zone.
2Measurement precision
If the thermal cycler uses fluorescent labels for detection, then reaction monitoring capability is improved, but optical system alignment and calibration become complex and require precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by including calibration features that are pre-positioned within the reaction zone before sample analysis. These calibration features allow the optical system to be aligned and calibrated in advance, establishing reference points for accurate fluorescence detection without requiring complex real-time adjustments during analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses calibration features as intermediaries between the optical system and the sample wells. These features serve as reference objects that facilitate alignment and calibration of the excitation light source and optical detector, simplifying the overall optical system configuration and reducing positioning complexity.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors and light sources are placed at different positions, then comprehensive monitoring is improved, but calibration complexity increases due to spatial mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges temperature sensors and light sources into integrated assemblies positioned at corresponding locations within the reaction zone. This integration ensures that each sensor-light pair operates at the same spatial position, eliminating calibration complexity associated with spatial mismatches while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities across multiple positions.
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 precise monitoring and control of temperature and excitation light distribution across the reaction zone, improving the accuracy of fluorescence detection and reducing the need for hardware modifications, thus enhancing the reliability of thermal cycling processes.
Implementation Method 1
one or more ambient condition sensors, each adapted to sense an ambient condition at a respective position within said reaction zone
Implementation Method 2
one or more emission light generators adapted to be in optical communication with the optical detector
Implementation Method 3
an optical detector... adapted to detect fluorescence signals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a calibration device and method for use in calibrating a thermal cycler having a reaction zone (140), an excitation light source (120) and an optical detector (110), the device comprising one or more ambient condition sensors (210″, 230″), each adapted to sense an ambient condition at a respective position within said reaction zone, one or more emission light generators (220″) adapted to be in optical communication with the optical detector (110), and control circuitry coupled to the one or more ambient condition sensors and to the one or more emission light generators, wherein the control circuitry is configured to alter the emission light generated by the one or more emission light generators based on the ambient condition sensed by the one or more ambient condition sensors.