Method and apparatus for controlling reaction temperature in bio-chemical instruments
US7794666B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/00425
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of one or more reaction vessels in a bio-chemical analyzer comprises a heat-exchange block, preferably made of cast aluminum or the like, and a thermoelectric device for heating or cooling the block to within a desired temperature range. The heat-transfer block cradles one or more reaction vessels in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, and further supports, in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, one or more fluid conduits serving to transmit a liquid or gas to the interior of the reaction vessels. Preferably, the heat-transfer block is cast from aluminum, and the fluid conduits are disposed inside the casting. By supporting the reaction vessel(s) and fluid conduit(s) in a common block, a single thermoelectric device and controller can be used to simultaneously control the respective temperatures of multiple fluid reagents and/or gases, as well as one or more reaction vessels, thereby reducing the power requirements of the thermal control system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.