U.S. patent application number 12/553827 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for device and method for the adjustment of a temperature of a liquid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Roche Molecular System, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hans-Rudolf Bachmann, Renato Baumann, Roger Sandoz, Frank Ulrich Schubert.
Application Number | 20090320617 12/553827 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35986075 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090320617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sandoz; Roger ; et
al. |
December 31, 2009 |
Device and Method for the Adjustment of a Temperature of a
Liquid
Abstract
A device and a method for the adjustment of a temperature of a
liquid which is contained in one or more sample vessels are
specified, a control unit and a temperature adjustment unit being
provided, which acts on the liquid contained in the sample vessels.
Furthermore, the control unit is operatively connected to the
temperature adjustment unit. The liquid to be analyzed contains
absorption elements in order to accelerate the temperature
adjustment in the liquid to be analyzed.
Inventors: |
Sandoz; Roger; (Rotkreuz,
CH) ; Schubert; Frank Ulrich; (Munich, DE) ;
Bachmann; Hans-Rudolf; (Buttikon, CH) ; Baumann;
Renato; (Steinhausen, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.;Patent Law Department
4300 Hacienda Drive
Pleasanton
CA
94588
US
|
Assignee: |
Roche Molecular System,
Inc.
Pleasanton
CA
|
Family ID: |
35986075 |
Appl. No.: |
12/553827 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11226818 |
Sep 13, 2005 |
7600438 |
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12553827 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/863.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 2300/1872 20130101;
B01L 7/00 20130101; B01L 3/50851 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/863.11 |
International
Class: |
G01N 1/10 20060101
G01N001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 30, 2004 |
EP |
04023309.0 |
Aug 12, 2005 |
EP |
05017580.1 |
Claims
1. A method for the adjustment of a temperature of a liquid which
is contained in at least one sample vessel(s), the method
comprising: adding magnetic particles to the liquid, the absorption
elements having a heat conductivity that is greater than 0.6 W/m K,
and irradiating the sample vessel, wherein at least a part of the
radiation energy is converted into heat in the magnetic
particles.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rays lie in the
infrared wavelength range.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a temperature of the
liquid contained in the sample vessel(s) is measured and that the
radiation energy is adjusted to achieve a desired temperature.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to a device for the
adjustment of a temperature of a liquid and a corresponding
method.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] It is generally known that chemical analysis of samples and
chemical/physical processes must be performed at a predetermined
temperature in order to obtain accurate results. In particular for
a high number of chemical analysis within a relatively short period
of time, or for processes in which a temperature or different
temperatures must be adjusted, powerful and cost intensive
temperature adjustment units are required in order that these
demands can be met.
[0003] Different devices and methods for the adjustment of the
temperature are known. It is referred representatively to the
following documents: DE-42 03 202 A1, EP-0 160 282 B1, EP-0 318 255
A2, WO 98/38487, U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,882 und EP-0 345 882 A1.
[0004] The known teachings can basically be divided in two groups.
The so-called solid body incubators belong to the first group, for
which the samples are heated or cooled by the solid body, for which
a corresponding amount of time is needed depending on the heat
capacity. If the temperature of liquid samples must be adjusted,
one ore more of the following problems occur: [0005] Large thermal
masses must also be heated or cooled for a temperature change;
[0006] Diffusion limitations occur between a heated sample vessel
wall and the liquid (boundary layer creation); [0007] A direct
contact between the heat source and the heat sink, respectively,
and the sample vessels to be heated is required; a bad contacting
between temperature adjustment unit and sample vessel results in a
considerable delay for the temperature adjustment; [0008]
Contacting by sensor cables act as heat sinks and result in
additional losses.
[0009] Temperature adjustment units which are based on a radiation,
in particular on an IR-(infrared)-radiation, belong to the second
group. An improved behavior can indeed be confirmed compared to the
first group but also for this second group a number of
disadvantages to be taken into account occur, which disadvantages
result in a suboptimal heating behavior for liquids: [0010] Non
optimized absorption spectra of the reaction compounds to be
heated; [0011] Non optimized transmission spectra of the sample
vessels; [0012] Other system elements are unintentionally heated by
the IR-radiation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Therefore, the present invention is based on the object to
specify a device for the adjustment of a temperature of a liquid,
the device not having one or more of the above-mentioned
disadvantages.
[0014] In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for the
adjustment of a temperature of a liquid which is contained in a
sample vessel, the device comprising a control unit and a
temperature adjustment unit effective to act on the liquid
contained in the sample vessel, the control unit being operatively
connected to the temperature adjustment unit, wherein the liquid to
be analyzed contains heat absorption elements in order to
accelerate the temperature adjustment in the liquid to be analyzed,
the absorption elements having a heat conductivity that is greater
than 0.6 W/m K.
[0015] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
the adjustment of a temperature of a liquid which is contained in a
sample vessel, the method comprising [0016] adding absorption
elements to the liquid, the absorption elements having a heat
conductivity that is greater than 0.6 W/m K, and [0017] irradiating
the sample vessel, wherein at least a part of the radiation energy
is converted into heat in the absorption elements.
[0018] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention
are specified in further claims.
[0019] The invention has the following advantages: As the liquid to
be analyzed contains absorption elements which have a heat
conductivity greater than 0.6 W/m K, the temperature adjustment in
the liquid to be analyzed is considerably accelerated. By this, the
through put of samples per time unit can be increased
accordingly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device according to the
present invention as a so-called linear-IR-incubator.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to the
present invention as a linear-IR-Incubator.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
device according to the present invention as a so-called
rotor-IR-Incubator.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of a
device according to the present invention as a
rotor-IR-Incubator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in a
schematic view in which eight sample vessels 11 to 18 are arranged
essentially on one line, a transport unit 20 being provided to hold
the sample vessels 11 to 18 in position, on the one hand, and to
ensure an easy transport of the sample vessels 11 to 18, on the
other hand. Lateral to the sample vessels 11 to 18 or the transport
unit 20, a temperature adjustment unit 2 is provided, by means of
which the temperature of the liquid present in the sample vessels
11 to 18 can be adjusted. Thereto, a control unit 1 is provided
which is operationally connected to the temperature adjustment unit
2, i.e. a control signal is generated in the control unit 1, which
control signal results in a corresponding temperature radiation by
the temperature adjustment unit 2.
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 1
receives no feedback about the temperature generated in the sample
vessels 11 to 18.
[0026] In a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown
in FIG. 1, sensor elements 3 are provided in the area of the sample
vessels 11 to 18, with the aid of which the respective temperature
of the liquids present in the sample vessels 11 to 18 can be
determined. In one embodiment, a sensor element 3 is provided for
each sample vessel 11 to 18. In other embodiments, the temperature
may be measured in fewer than all of the sample vessels 11 to 18,
and it may be assumed that the measured temperature value is equal
in all other sample vessels 11 to 18.
[0027] The embodiments of the present invention with sensor
elements 3 allow the control of the temperature radiation of the
temperature adjustment unit 2, so that a desired temperature of the
liquids contained in the sample vessels can be set quickly and
precisely.
[0028] In FIG. 1, a system bus is designated by 5, via which the
device according to the present invention can be coupled e.g. to a
superior system, which takes over all controls of a process, for
example.
[0029] It has been found that an IR-(Infrared)-radiation unit is
particularly suitable as temperature adjustment unit 2. An
IR-radiation unit irradiates the liquid in the sample vessels 11 to
18 within the infrared wave length range. However, other wave
length ranges are also conceivable.
[0030] In one embodiment, the temperature adjustment unit 2 may be
a radiant panel heater (two dimensional) in thick film technology
or thin film technology.
[0031] In order that the adjustment of the temperature of the
liquids contained in the sample vessels 11 to 18 can be performed
quicker and more efficiently, it is suggested according to the
present invention to add absorption elements to the liquids
contained in the sample vessels. The absorption elements thereby
have the task to absorb the radiation energy emitted by the
temperature adjustment unit 2 and to emit it as heat to the liquids
contained in the sample vessels 11 to 18. The choice for an
absorption element therefore depends on the temperature adjustment
unit 2 or on the wavelength range of the radiation,
respectively.
[0032] The absorption elements should not chemically influence the
liquid to be analyzed or to be processed--i.e. they are inert with
regard to the liquid--, and, in addition, shall have, for example,
one or more of the following properties: [0033] High heat
conductivity, preferably greater than 0.6 W/m K; [0034] Low heat
capacity, preferably smaller than 4000 J/kg K; [0035] Magnetized or
magnetizeable; [0036] Low specific density, preferably smaller than
6 g/cm.sup.3.
[0037] One or more of the following effects can be achieved by the
absorption elements according to the present invention: [0038]
Higher efficiency; [0039] Higher heating speed of the liquids
contained in the sample vessels 11 to 18; [0040] Stronger
convection effects within the sample vessels 11 to 18 due to the
local heat input at the absorption elements; [0041] Better
homogeneity within the liquid to be heated as a result of the
increased convection effect within the sample vessels 11 to 18 (an
additional mixing of the liquids is not necessary).
[0042] Spherical particles, for example, of a size from 0.1 to 100
.mu.m, in particular from 0.5 to 5 .mu.m, are suitable as
absorption elements. These may be glass balls with encapsulated
magnetic pigments, for instance of iron oxide. Such absorption
elements are referred to as e.g. MGPs (Magnetic Glass Particles).
Furthermore, the absorption can be increased by using polymers (PS)
for the manufacturing of absorption elements. Finally, the heat
conductivity and therewith a heat input into the liquids can be
increased by adding absorption elements of other inert particles
(for example of aluminum, ceramics or carbon fibers).
[0043] Particulate solid bodies, as described e.g. in the known
teachings according to WO 96/41 811 (respectively U.S. Pat. No.
6,255,477 B1) or WO 00/32 762 (respectively US-6 545 143 Bi) or WO
01/37 291 (respectively U.S.-2003/224 366 A1) of the same applicant
are particularly suitable as absorption elements. The disclosures
of each of these patents and patent applications is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0044] As has already been pointed out, the absorption elements
primarily have the task to convert radiation into heat and to emit
it into the liquid to be heated in the sample vessel in order to be
able to reach a desired temperature of the liquid as quickly as
possible. Further embodiments may comprise particles used as
absorption elements, at which nucleic acid can be reversibly bound
as described in the previously mentioned international patent
publication WO 96/41 811. Thereby, the method consists in that
nucleic acid is bound to the particles in an isolation step. By
this step, an extremely efficient heat transfer can be obtained.
The liquid to be analyzed thereby is preferably aqueous, in
particular a sample containing nucleic acid, for instance a body
fluid or a liquid derived there from.
[0045] A further improvement of the efficiency and the heat input
into the liquid of the sample vessels 11 to 18 is achieved for the
device according to the present invention if the sample vessels 11
to 18 are made of a material with a low heat capacity and/or a
reduced absorption. For example, the use of COC
(cycloolefin-copolymer) is suitable instead of PP (polypropylene)
usually used for sample vessels.
[0046] Beside the selection of the suitable material for the sample
vessels in order to obtain the above-mentioned properties, a
further optimization is possible by suitable properties of the
chosen temperature adjustment unit. So, whenever an IR-radiation
unit is used its spectrum should be adapted to the material used
for the sample vessels 11 to 18. Thus an optimized overall system
is obtained.
[0047] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the introduction
of heat into the sample vessels 11 to 18 is performed by the
laterally arranged temperature adjustment unit 2. The measurement
of the instantaneous temperature by means of the sensor elements 3
is performed preferably, but not mandatory, from above i.e. via the
opening in the sample vessels 11 to 18. Thus, a direct measurement
of the temperature can be performed and no measurement
falsifications due to vessel walls located in between the sensor
element 3 and the liquid are to be expected.
[0048] Alternatively, the liquid in the sample vessels 11 to 18 can
be heated from below or from above. In this case, a temperature
measurement from the side is preferred.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the device according to
the present invention with a linear-IR-incubator. Instead of a
laterally arranged temperature adjustment unit, as for the
embodiment according to FIG. 1, the embodiment according to FIG. 2
comprises a rake-shaped temperature adjustment unit, which consists
of the temperature adjustment elements 2a to 2f substantially
arranged in parallel. The temperature adjustment elements 2a to 2f
can also be manufactured by using the mentioned thin-film
technologies or thick-film technologies. For this embodiment, the
possibility exists to regulate the temperature of the liquids
contained in the single sample vessels 11 to 15 individually.
Thereto, the control unit 1 is connected to each of the temperature
adjustment elements 2a to 2f.
[0050] Like for the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the temperature
measurement is performed via sensor elements 3, which are connected
to the control unit 1 (represented by a dotted line in FIG. 2). The
sensor elements 3 are preferably arranged above or underneath the
sample vessels 11 to 15.
[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the sensor elements 3' are
directly provided on the temperature adjustment elements 2a to 2f,
as it is representatively indicated for the first temperature
adjustment element 2a.
[0052] A further embodiment of the device according to the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. A so-called rotor-IR-incubator
is used in this embodiment, for which rotor-IR-incubator the sample
vessels 11 to 18 are arranged on a circle. Accordingly, the sample
vessels 11 to 18 are held in position by a circular transport unit
20. The temperature adjustment unit 2 is arranged in the centre of
the circular transport unit 20 so that the heat rays are emitted in
a radial manner, thereby impinging laterally on the sample vessels
11 to 18. As also shown for the embodiments according to FIGS. 1
and 2, a single or several sensor elements 2 are also provided for
the embodiment of FIG. 3 in order to measure the temperature of the
liquids contained in the sample vessels 11 to 18. In another
embodiment, again similar to the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
the control unit 1 may regulate the temperature via the temperature
adjustment unit 2.
[0053] In order the sensor units 3 are not affected by heat emitted
from the temperature adjustment unit 2, the sensor units 3 must be
suitably positioned. For the embodiment of FIG. 3, with a centrally
arranged temperature adjustment unit 2, an arrangement of the
sensor unit 3 above the sample vessels 11 to 18 is particularly
suitable, whereby a direct influence by the temperature adjustment
unit 2 is excluded.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the device according to
the present invention with a rotor-IR-incubator. The embodiment of
FIG. 4 comprises a temperature adjustment unit 2 arranged
underneath one of the sample vessels 11 to 18. In another
embodiment according to FIG. 4, a temperature adjustment unit 2 may
be arranged underneath several or underneath all sample vessels 11
to 18.
[0055] In an arrangement with a single sample vessel containing 100
.mu.l water and 6 mg MGPs and starting from room temperature, a
water temperature of 80.degree. Celsius was reached after ca. 40
seconds when using a 90 Watt halogen lamp as temperature adjustment
unit. The sample vessel is concentrically arranged above a halogen
lamp as the temperature adjustment unit, the halogen lamp being
arranged before a rotationally symmetrical mirror. In order to
reduce the part of visible rays, a wavelength filter is further
arranged between the temperature adjustment unit and the sample
vessel. In order to be able to achieve a precise and quick
temperature adjustment a contactless temperature sensor is provided
to which the control unit and the temperature adjustment unit are
operationally connected.
[0056] It is explicitly pointed out that a temperature adjustment
unit 2, which generates rays in the infrared range, is particularly
suitable for all explained embodiments according to the present
invention. However, temperature adjustment units are also
conceivable which generate rays in other wave length ranges.
Whatever wavelength range is chosen, it should correspond to the
materials used for the absorption elements and for the sample
vessels 11 to 18.
[0057] As sample vessels, conventional so-called tubes are
suitable, which consist of a cylindrical portion and run out e.g.
in a taper towards the closed end.
[0058] Alternatively, so-called flat cells are suitable which
essentially consist of one or several chambers with a low depth
(some hundreds .mu.m) in a carrier material.
[0059] It has been found that so-called Eppendorf tubes or other
tubes with a capacity of 300 .mu.l to 2.5 ml are suitable.
Furthermore, hollow cylinders and capillary tubes are also suitable
as sample vessels.
[0060] Basically, the capacity of the sample vessels, however they
are designed, can amount up to approximately 5 ml. In some
embodiments, the capacity of the sample vessels may be in the range
from 0.1 to 5 ml. In other embodiments, the capacity of the sample
vessels may be in the range from 0.3 to 2.5 ml.
[0061] For an alternative embodiment of the sample vessels as flat
cells, a depth is selected of e.g. 0.1 to 1 mm. In some
embodiments, the capacity of the sample vessels may be from 0.3 to
0.7 mm. The capacity may be in the range from 0.1 to 100 .mu.l, or
may be in the range from 0.3 to 50 .mu.l, or may be in the range
from 0.5 to 0.9 .mu.l or in the range from 30 to 40 .mu.l.
[0062] For a further embodiment of the present invention with flat
cells as sample vessels, the cells are Olive-shaped, i.e. a
cross-section of a cell is oval with a maximal width of 6 mm and a
maximal length of 14 mm, the cell depth being approximately 0.65
mm. Besides an oval cross-section, a circular cross-section is also
conceivable. In this case, the cell corresponds to a cylindrical
cavity that has a diameter of 1.5 mm, for example, and a height of
also 1.5 mm. For these embodiments of a flat cell, the information
with regard to the capacity in relation to the above-mentioned flat
cells is valid correspondingly.
[0063] The present invention may be used, without limitation for
the following instruments: incubators, thermocyclers, and other
instruments in connection with an energy introduction.
[0064] While the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be clear
to one skilled in the art from a reading of this disclosure that
various changes in form and detail can be made without departing
from the true scope of the invention. For example, all the
techniques and apparatus described above can be used in various
combinations. All publications, patents, patent applications,
and/or other documents cited in this application are incorporated
by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent
as if each individual publication, patent, patent application,
and/or other document were individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference for all purposes
* * * * *