GB2502585A

GB2502585A - Method and Device for Regulating the Temperature of a Sample

Info

Publication number: GB2502585A
Application number: GB201209711A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Claus Vielsack
Original assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Current assignee: Stratec Biomedical AG
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-31
Publication date: 2013-12-04
Also published as: GB201209711D0

Abstract

A method and a device for regulating the temperature of at least one sample. The device comprises a first fluid 10 at a first temperature and a second fluid 20 at a second temperature; a mixer 40 such as a pulse width modulated actuated valve for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid resulting in a third fluid 30 at a third temperature; a sample carrier 55 such as a bath, reservoir or chamber for circulating the third fluid around at least one sample 50; a temperature sensor 60 measures the third temperature before and/or after passing the at least one sample and transmits the temperature data to a controller 70; whereby the controller adjusts the mixing ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid such that the third temperature is equal to a target temperature. The first temperature is below a minimum target temperature and the second temperature is above a maximum target temperature. Preferably the fluids are any one of liquids, gases or aerosols. The third fluid is replaced at a flow rate equal to the sum of flow rates of the first and second fluids.

Description

Title: Device for regulating the temperathre of a sam

Field of the wenflrn

[0001] The fiSd of the invention relates to a device and a method for regulating the temperature of a sample.

UI

ndefthejnvention [0002] Automated analyser systems for use in clinical diagnostics and life sciences are produced by a number of companies. For example, the Stratee Biomedical AG, Birkenfeid, Germany, produces a number of devices for specimen handling and detection for use in automated analyser systems and other laboratory instrumentation.

[0003] The analysing of a sample, eg. of DNA, in a laboratory often requires exposing the sample to a defined temperature profile, Le. a defined succession of cooling and heating periods.

[0004] A known technique used in the analysis of DNA is the polyrnerase chain reaction PCR) PCR requires the sample of DNA to he heated and cooled repetitively. The heating and the cooling is often done with heating plates in thermal contact with a sample carrier comprising the sample.

[0005] Controlling a temperature by mixing two liquids of difièrent temperature is known in the air conditioning in aeroplanes. Bleed air is used to air condition the passenger cabinAlso central beatings use the i.ni.xing of cold and warm water to control the temperature of the water.

of the en tioo [0006] The present disclosure relates to a device for regulating the temperature of at least one sample. The device comprises a first fluid at a first temperature and a second fluid at a second temperature. The device further comprises a mixer for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid resulting in a third fluid at a third temperature, and a controller for adjusting the mixing ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid such that the third temperature is equal to a thrget temperature. The device further comprises a sample carrier for circulating the third fluid around the at east one sample,A temperature sensor measures the third temperature before and/or after passing the at least one sampk and transmits the temperature data to th.e controller, Flie first temperature is below the minimum target temperature and the second tempenture is above the maximum target temperature.

[O()(7J*?Ihe first fluid and the second fluid may he selected from the group comprising liquids, gases, and aerosols.

[0008] The third fluid is replaced at a. rate equal to the sum of a first flow rate of the first fluid and a second flow rate of the second fluid. The replacing of the third fluid being circulated around the at least one sample in the sample carrier keeps the third temperature S substantially constam.

)OO9j.ilie first flow rate and the second flow rate may he controlled by actuating at least one valve.

[00101 The at least one valve may be actuated* *Ly a pulsewidth modulated sigra1.

[00111 The lower of the first temperature and the second temçerature may be equal to room temperature.

[0012] A method for regulating the temperature of at least one sample is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing the first fluid at the first temperature and the second fluid at the second temperature, mixing the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixer resulting in the third fluid at the third temperature., measuring the third temperature and transmitting temperature data to the controller by the temperature sensor, transmitting control signals to the mixer by the controller.

[0013] The first fluid and the second fluid may he selected from the group comprising liquids, gases and aerosols to perform the method.

[0014] The third fluid may he replaced at a rate equal to the sum of a first flow rate of the first fluid nail a second flow rate of the second fluid.

[0015] The first flow rate and the second flow rate may be controlled by actuating at least one valve, wherein the at least one valve may he actuated by a pulsewidth modulated signal.

[0016] The method can. he performed, with the lower temperature being less or equal to room temperature.

[001 7 The use of the device as disclosed above is lined for regulating die temperature of at least one sample.

[0018] The use of th.e device as disclosed above is further intended in a diagnostic or S analytic system. flres

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a scheme of regulating the temperature of at least one sample according

to the disclosure.

[0020] The invention will now be described on the basis of the drawings. It will be understood that the embodiments and aspect.s of the invention described herein are only examples and do not limit the protective scope of the claims in any way. The invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. It will be understood that features of one aspect or embodiment of the invention can he combined with a feature of a different aspect or aspects and/or embodiments of the invention.

[0021] The present disclosure allows for the rapid and simple changing of a heat bath for regulating die temperature of at east one sample. The temperature of the heat bath is adjusted by mixing a first fluid at a first temperature and a second fluid at a second temperature resulting in a third fluid at a third temperalure. Th.e third fluid ibrms the heat bath.

[0022] The mixing ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid determines the third temperatureS The third temperature can be of an arbitrary value ranging between the lower and the higher of.. the first temperature and. the second temperature.

S

[0023] The first temperature and the second temperature need not be of an exact value. It is sufficient for the device according to the disclosure to function as desired if the lower of the first temperature and the second temperature is lower than a minimum target temperature, and the higher of the first temperature and the second temperature is higher than a maximum 0 target temperature.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a scheme of regulating the temperature of at least one sample according to the present disclosure. A first fluid 10 at a first temperature and a second fluid 20 at a second temperature mix in a mixer 40 forming a third fluid 30 at a third temperature. A controller 70 adjusts a mixing ratio of the first fluid 10 and the second fluid 20 thereby adjusting the third temperature.

[0025] The third fluid 30 is circulated. in a sample carrier 55 around the at least one sample comprised in the sample carrier 55. The third fluid 30 in the sample carrier 55 forms a heat bath of the at kast one sample. Heat is thereby conducted either from the third fluid 30 to the at least one sample 50, thereby heating the at least one sample 50, or Jorm the at least one sample 50 to the third fluid 30, thereby cooling the at least one sample 50.

[0026] A temperature sensor 60 measures the third temperature of the third fluid 30 in the sample carrier 55. The temperature sensor transmits the temperature data 61 to the controller 70. The controlLer 70 compares the temperature data 61 to a target temperature. The controller then transmits a COrItrO signal 71 to the mixer 40 indicating whether the mixing ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid needs to he adjusted.

Claims

S ClaSs1. A device fbi regulating the temperature of at least one sample, comprising a first fluid at a first temperature and a second fluid at a second temperature, a mixer for mixing the first fluid and the second. fluid. resulting in a third fluid at a third temperature, a controller for adjusting the mixing ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid such that the third temperature is equal to a target temperature, a sample carrier for circulating o the third fluid around the at least one sample, wherein a temperature sensor measures the third temperature before and!or after passing the at least one sample and transmits the temperature data to the controller, wherein the first temperature is below the mhimuln target temperature and the second temperature is above the maximum target temperature.
2. The device according to claim 1, the first fluid and the second fluid are selected from the group comprising liquids, gases, and aerosols,
3. The device according to the claim 1. or 2, wherein the third fluid is replaced at a rate equal to the sum of a first flow rate of the first fluid and a second flow rate of the second fluid.4 The device according to claim 3. wherein the first flow rate and the second flow rate are controlled by actuating at least one valve.5. The device according to claim
4. wherein the at least one valve is actuated. by a pu1se width modulated signal.6. The device according to any one of the above claims, wherein the lower temperature of the first temperature and the second temperature is equal to room temperature.7. A method for regulating the temperature of at least one sample, comprising the steps of providing the first fluid at. the first temperature and the second fluid at th.e second temperature.mixing the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixer resulting in the third fluid at the third temperature.measuring the third temperature and transmitting temperature &lati to the controHer by the temperature sensor, transmitting conirni signals to the mixer by the controller.8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are selected from the group comprising liquids, gases, and aerosols.9, The method according to dab 7 or 8, wherein the third fluid is repaeed at a rate equal to tie sum ofafrat flow rate of the first fluid and a second flow fate of the second fluid.10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first flow rate and. the second flow rate are controlled by actuating at least one valve.11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one vave is actuated by a pulsewidth. modulated signal.12. The method according to any one of the claims 7 to ii, wherein the lower temperature of the first temperature and second temperature is equal to room temperature.13. The use of the device according to any one of the claims Ito 6 for regulating the temperature of at least one sample.14. 1he use according of the device according to any one of the claims I to 6 in a diagnostic or anaLytic system.