GB2614905A - Temperature measuring container, system and method comprising the container - Google Patents

Temperature measuring container, system and method comprising the container Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2614905A
GB2614905A GB2200843.7A GB202200843A GB2614905A GB 2614905 A GB2614905 A GB 2614905A GB 202200843 A GB202200843 A GB 202200843A GB 2614905 A GB2614905 A GB 2614905A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
container
temperature
sensor
receiving
liquid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2200843.7A
Other versions
GB202200843D0 (en
Inventor
Lóránt Vér István
Tigovan Florin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stratec SE
Original Assignee
Stratec SE
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stratec SE filed Critical Stratec SE
Priority to GB2200843.7A priority Critical patent/GB2614905A/en
Publication of GB202200843D0 publication Critical patent/GB202200843D0/en
Publication of GB2614905A publication Critical patent/GB2614905A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/505—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes flexible containers not provided for above
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L7/00—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
    • B01L7/52—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/14—Process control and prevention of errors
    • B01L2200/143—Quality control, feedback systems
    • B01L2200/147—Employing temperature sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/02—Identification, exchange or storage of information
    • B01L2300/023—Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/02—Identification, exchange or storage of information
    • B01L2300/024—Storing results with means integrated into the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
    • B01L2300/0627—Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/12—Specific details about materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/12—Specific details about materials
    • B01L2300/123—Flexible; Elastomeric

Abstract

A container 1 for receiving liquids which will be analysed in an automated analyser system, the container comprising a cavity for receiving the liquid and a sensor 5 for temperature measurement wherein the sensor is located in a wall of the container. Ideally, the container is made of silicon or a polymer and comprises metal particles, metal powder or a metal coating for improving temperature conductivity. Preferably, the container is formed of a material comprising 50vol% silicone and 50vol% copper powder. The sensor may comprise an interface 3 for connection to an interface of the system. Alternatively, the container comprises wireless transmission elements for transmitting temperature data. The container may also comprise a battery, data storage device and control unit. The invention further relates to a system employing the container and a method using the container.

Description

TEMPERATURE MEASURING CONTAINER, SYSTEM AND METHOD
COMPRISING THE CONTAINER
DESCRIPTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates to a container for receiving liquids which will be analysed in automated analyser systems The invention further relates to a system employing the container and a method using the container.
Brief description of the related art
[0002] Automated analyser systems for use in clinical diagnostics and life sciences are produced by a number of companies. Such systems are used for the analysis of patient samples comprising body liquids for instance. The samples are handled in so called sample tubes which in turn are placed into racks for their handling.
[0003] Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermal cycling is a method for amplification of specific DNA target sequences. The reaction solutions comprise a reaction buffer, enzymes, primer and nucleotides. This mixture must undergo repeated changes of temperature to enable amplification of the desired DNA sequence. The repeated change of temperature is referred to as thermal cycling A quantitative analysis during PCR cycling may be achieved by measurement of fluorescence emission.
[0004] PCR thermal cyclers are widely used as laboratory standalone devices to amplify segments of DNA via the polymerase chain reaction. They usually have one thermal block with holes where single containers for receiving liquids like tubes, stripes of tubes, or micro plates holding reaction mixtures can be inserted.
[0005] Some of these commonly used heater blocks allow for performing thermal gradients over several containers at a time.
[0006] Thermal cycling (heating/cooling) inside the devices is usually performed by thermos-electrical devices (Peltier elements) and with electrical (resistive) heaters. Only a few other cyclers use different approaches like hot or cool air, previous types of cyclers used several oil or water baths with different temperatures.
[0007] Besides PCR there are other applications in automated analyser systems requiring a temperature change during biochemical assays like diagnostic assays for instance. PCR and such applications have in common that the temperature inside the container has to be controlled in order to ensure that the intended temperature is achieved for the correct time period.
[0008] There are wired temperature sensors known from the state of the art which are temporarily glued or clamped to the respective heating element. Such a solution has the disadvantage that the temperature of a container is not exactly measured because only the temperature of the block which is heated or cooled is measured what relates to a kind of an indirect temperature measurement of the temperature of a liquid inside a container, [0009] Thus, tere is a need for a container allowing to directly measure the temperature of a liquid inside a container.
Summary of the Invention
[0010] The present invention provides a container for receiving a liquid for processing in an automated analyser system, wherein the container has a cavity for receiving the liquid and a sensor for temperature measurement which is located in a wall of the container.
[0011] In a further aspect of the invention, the can be made of silicone or a polymer.
[0012] It is also envisaged that the container can be made of a material comprising metal particles, a metal powder or a metal coating for improving the temperature conductivity. A container can be made for instance from a material comprising 50 vol.-% silicone and 50 vol -% copper powder.
[0013] The sensor of a container may further comprises an interface for connecting to a counterpart for receiving the measured temperature.
[0014] The container may further comprise in an embodiment elements for transmitting wireless measured temperatures like an antenna and a power source.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, the container can comprise an element for storing measured temperatures.
[0016] It another embodiment it is further intended that the container comprises a control unit for sensing, storing and transmitting data [0017] Another object of the present invention is a system for sensing the temperature of a container and a liquid located in the container, comprising - a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and - a movable interface of an automated analyser system for connecting with the interface of the container for reading out a temperature.
[0018] Further, a system for sensing the temperature of a container and a liquid located in the container is an object of the present invention, comprising - a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising an element for a wireless transmission of measured temperature data; and - a receiving element of an automated analyser system for receiving wireless measured temperature data of the container's sensor.
[0019] Finally, a method for determining the temperature of a container in an automated analyser system comprising the step of measuring the temperature of the container with an sensor that is integrated in a wall of the container is an object of the present disclosure [0020] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating preferable embodiments and implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Summary of the Figures
[0021] The invention will be described based on figures. It will be understood that the embodiments and aspects of the invention described in the figures 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 be combined with a feature of a different aspect or aspects of other embodiments of the invention, in which: [0022] FIG. 1 shows schematically a container according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention and the Figures [0023] The technical problem is solved by the independent claims The dependent claims cover further specific embodiments of the invention.
[0024] The term container refers within the present disclosure to a device which provides at least one cavity, a receptacle or a recesses for receiving a fluid which can be a liquid like a patient sample for instance. The term fluid refers to a liquid or gas which both may comprises solids like magnetic particles. A patient sample may be any body liquid like whole blood, plasma, urine, lymph or saliva. The terms magnetic beads and magnetic particles are used synonymously.
[0025] The present invention provides a container with an integrated temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the container or its content, respectively.
[0026] In a first embodiment, the temperature sensor is attached as a wired sensor to the container which is made of a standard polymer material [0027] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a container made of a material that has been improved to transfer temperature changes. Such a material may be for instance a silicone or polymer with comprises copper particles for improving the response time and accuracy with respect to temperature changes inside the container where the liquid is located that has to be heated or cooled. In an embodiment of the present invention a molded silicone may comprise pure copper powder in a ration of 1:1 with respect to the volume which means 50 vol.-% silicone and 50 vol.-(14) copper powder.
[0028] Instead of a wire connected temperature sensor, a temperature sensor may be used with an external interface that connects to a respective counterpart located in the cavity into which the container will be placed for the respective assay.
[0029] The container according to the present invention may further comprise elements for a wireless transmission of the measured temperature by the integrated sensor. In connection with such elements a battery, a device for storing data, and a control unit for sensing, storing and transmitting data may be present.
[0030] It may further be intended that the automated analyzer system provides a mobile element for connecting with the temperature sensor of a container for reading out stored measured temperatures.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a container 1 in an embodiment as a conical sample tube with an integrated sensor 5 with cables 3.
[0032] The advantage of a container or system according to the present invention relates to its ease of use. Further, the container can be produced at low costs while providing the possibility to measure the temperature of a container and a liquid located in it, respectively. Using a container made of a copper tiled silicone or polymer provides the advantage of providing an instant sensor response.
[0033] The risk of damage of a container according to the present invention is minimal due to the used material which is shock resistant [0034] Alternative approaches may use a material for the container where copper is substituted with another metal providing a high thermal conductivity like silver, aluminum, etc using silicone as binding element.
[0035] The sensor may be integrated in other material types like an injection molded plastic combined with a high thermal conductive metal consumable which has a form that is identical to the form of the heating block's cavity.
[0036] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein.
Reference Numerals 1 container 3 cable sensor

Claims (1)

  1. CLAIMSA container for receiving a liquid for processing in an automated analyser system, wherein the container has a cavity for receiving the liquid and a sensor for temperature measurement which is located in a wall of the container.The container of claim 1, wherein the container is made of silicone or a polymer.The container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is made of a material comprising metal particles, a metal powder or a metal coating for improving the temperature conductivity.The container of claim 3, wherein the container is made of a material comprising 50 vol -% silicone and 50 vol -% of a copper powder.The container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor comprises an interface for connecting to a counterpart for receiving the measured temperature The container of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container further comprises elements for transmitting wireless measured temperatures like an antenna and a power source.The container of claim 6, comprising an element for storing measured temperatures.The container of any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a control unit for sensing, storing and transmitting data A system for sensing the temperature of a container and a liquid located in the container, comprising - a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and - a movable interface of an automated analyser system for connecting with the interface of the container for reading out a temperature.A system for sensing the temperature of a container and a liquid located in the container, comprising - a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising an element for a wireless transmission of measured temperature data; and - a receiving element of an automated analyser system for receiving wireless measured temperature data of the container's sensor.11 A method for determining the temperature of a container in an automated analyser system comprising the step of measuring the temperature of the container with an sensor that is integrated in a wall of the container.
GB2200843.7A 2022-01-24 2022-01-24 Temperature measuring container, system and method comprising the container Pending GB2614905A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2200843.7A GB2614905A (en) 2022-01-24 2022-01-24 Temperature measuring container, system and method comprising the container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2200843.7A GB2614905A (en) 2022-01-24 2022-01-24 Temperature measuring container, system and method comprising the container

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB202200843D0 GB202200843D0 (en) 2022-03-09
GB2614905A true GB2614905A (en) 2023-07-26

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GB2200843.7A Pending GB2614905A (en) 2022-01-24 2022-01-24 Temperature measuring container, system and method comprising the container

Country Status (1)

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Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030170883A1 (en) * 2002-03-11 2003-09-11 Corning Incorporated Microplate manufactured from a thermally conductive material and methods for making and using such microplates
US20040248106A1 (en) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-09 Leonard Leslie A. Clinical array assays that include a sample quality evaluation step and compositions for use in practicing the same
WO2008140524A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2008-11-20 Stratagene Compositions and reaction tubes with improved thermal conductivity
CN207012991U (en) * 2017-07-14 2018-02-16 康众（北京）生物科技有限公司 A kind of temperature control triangular flask
US20180136246A1 (en) * 2016-11-15 2018-05-17 Quidel Corporation Device, instrument, and method for inductive heating of a sample for analyte detection
CN109201125A (en) * 2017-06-29 2019-01-15 雷红景 Chemical experiment vial with temperature sensor
WO2019175738A1 (en) * 2018-03-12 2019-09-19 Beckman Coulter Inc. Monitoring of reagents
US20200107541A1 (en) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-09 TMRW Life Sciences, Inc. Apparatus to preserve and identify biological samples at cryogenic conditions
CN211713094U (en) * 2019-12-31 2020-10-20 苏州合惠生物科技有限公司 PCR temperature detection test tube
US20210138456A1 (en) * 2019-11-08 2021-05-13 Ai Biomaterial Healthtech Ltd. Test Tube
CN215828764U (en) * 2021-07-19 2022-02-15 台州市第一人民医院 Improved generation PCR tubular construction

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030170883A1 (en) * 2002-03-11 2003-09-11 Corning Incorporated Microplate manufactured from a thermally conductive material and methods for making and using such microplates
US20040248106A1 (en) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-09 Leonard Leslie A. Clinical array assays that include a sample quality evaluation step and compositions for use in practicing the same
WO2008140524A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2008-11-20 Stratagene Compositions and reaction tubes with improved thermal conductivity
US20180136246A1 (en) * 2016-11-15 2018-05-17 Quidel Corporation Device, instrument, and method for inductive heating of a sample for analyte detection
CN109201125A (en) * 2017-06-29 2019-01-15 雷红景 Chemical experiment vial with temperature sensor
CN207012991U (en) * 2017-07-14 2018-02-16 康众（北京）生物科技有限公司 A kind of temperature control triangular flask
WO2019175738A1 (en) * 2018-03-12 2019-09-19 Beckman Coulter Inc. Monitoring of reagents
US20200107541A1 (en) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-09 TMRW Life Sciences, Inc. Apparatus to preserve and identify biological samples at cryogenic conditions
US20210138456A1 (en) * 2019-11-08 2021-05-13 Ai Biomaterial Healthtech Ltd. Test Tube
CN211713094U (en) * 2019-12-31 2020-10-20 苏州合惠生物科技有限公司 PCR temperature detection test tube
CN215828764U (en) * 2021-07-19 2022-02-15 台州市第一人民医院 Improved generation PCR tubular construction

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Publication number Publication date
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