Thermal validation apparatus, assembly including a device for the thermal processing of biological samples and such an apparatus, and method for manufacturing such an apparatus

1. A thermal validation system comprising:

a thermal processing device comprising a body and a lid configured to have an open position and a closed position, the thermal processing device configured to heat or cool biological samples to one or more target temperatures intended to be delivered to one or more cavities of the thermal processing device;

an internal thermal validation apparatus comprising one or more sleeves, each sleeve delimiting a sink and configured to be inserted into a respective cavity of the thermal processing device configured to heat or cool biological samples, wherein each sleeve is made from plastic;

a respective temperature probe placed in each sink, each temperature probe being fastened to a first printed circuit card and configured to measure a temperature(s) in each sink;

an external processing module comprising a second printed circuit card connected to the first printed circuit card by an information exchange layer configured to pass between the lid in the closed position and the body of the thermal processing device, the information exchange layer extending as a continuation of conductive layers of the first and second printed circuit cards such that the information exchange layer and the conductive layers of the first and second printed circuit cards form a single piece; and

a computer connected to the second printed circuit card by a connector, wherein the computer is configured to calibrate the thermal processing device by receiving data of the temperature(s) measured by the temperature probe(s) in each sink and comparing the data of the temperature(s) to target temperature(s) intended to be delivered by the thermal processing device to the one or more cavities of the thermal processing device.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each sleeve is made from polypropylene.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each sleeve is configured to withstand repeated temperature variations between 20° C. and 100° C.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each sleeve has a thickness smaller than 0.7 mm.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a thermal material filling each sink, in which the temperature probe bathes, and wherein the thermal material has a temperature response identical to that of water to within 5%, at least for heating speeds between 3° C. per second and 5° C. per second.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the thermal material is a thermal fat.

7. The system according to claim 1 comprising:

a microplate comprising:

the main wall, and

the one or more plastic sleeves supported by the main wall and delimiting the plurality of sinks configured to receive biological samples emerging on an upper face of the main wall, the respective temperature probe being placed in at least one of the sinks, and a cover fastened on the upper face of the main wall and closing at least each sink in which the respective temperature probe is placed.

8. The system according to claim 7 , further comprising an upper outer surface, separated from the main wall by a distance smaller than 8 mm.

9. A method of making a thermal validation system according to claim 7 configured to heat or cool biological samples contained in a microplate comprising:

(a) obtaining the thermal processing device;

(b) obtaining the internal thermal validation apparatus; wherein the internal thermal validation apparatus comprises a microplate adapted to the thermal processing device, and comprising:

the main wall, and

the one or more plastic sleeves supported by the main wall and delimiting the one or more sinks configured to receive biological samples emerging on the upper face of the main wall,

(c) fastening of the at least one temperature probe on the cover,

(d) fastening of the cover on the upper face of the main wall in order to place each temperature probe in the respective sink, wherein each respective sink is closed

(e) obtaining the external processing module, and

(f) obtaining the computer.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 9 , further comprising before step (d):

(c2) filling of each sink configured to receive a temperature probe with a thermal material having a temperature response identical to that of water to within 5%, at least for heating speeds between 3° C. per second and 5° C. per second.

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 10 , wherein the thermal material is a thermal fat.

12. The system according to claim 7 , further comprising an upper outer surface, separated from the main wall by a distance smaller than 4 mm.

13. The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal processing device is a thermal cycler.

14. The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal processing device is an incubator.

15. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each sleeve is configured to withstand repeated temperature variations between 20° C. and 120° C.

16. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each sleeve has a thickness smaller than 0.5 mm.

17. A thermal validation system comprising:

a thermal processing device comprising a body and a lid configured to have an open position and a closed position, the thermal processing device configured to heat or cool biological samples to one or more target temperatures intended to be delivered to one or more cavities of the thermal processing device;

an internal thermal validation apparatus comprising one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves delimiting one or more sinks and configured to be inserted into a respective cavity of the thermal processing device, and

a respective temperature probe placed in each sink,

each temperature probe being fastened to a first printed circuit card,

wherein each sleeve is made from plastic,

an external processing module comprising a second printed circuit card connected to the first printed circuit card by an information exchange layer configured to pass between the lid in the closed position and the body of the thermal processing device, the information exchange layer extending as a continuation of conductive layers of the first and second printed circuit cards such that the information exchange layer and the conductive layers of the first and second printed circuit cards form a single piece; and

a computer connected to the second printed circuit card by a connector, wherein the computer is configured to calibrate the thermal processing device by comparing a temperature(s) measured by the temperature probe(s) in each of the one or more sink(s) to temperature(s) intended to be delivered to each of the one or more sink(s) by the thermal processing device to the one or more sinks of the thermal processing device, and wherein the thermal validation system comprises a thermal material filling each sink, in which the temperature probe bathes, and wherein the thermal material has a temperature response identical to that of water to within 5%, at least for heating speeds between 3° C. per second and 5° C. per second.

18. A method of making a thermal validation system comprising:

(a) obtaining a thermal processing device comprising a body and a lid configured to have an open position and a closed position;

(b) obtaining an internal thermal validation apparatus comprising a microplate adapted to the thermal processing device, the microplate comprising:

(i) a main wall,

(ii) a plurality of plastic sleeves supported by the main wall and delimiting a plurality of sinks configured to receive biological samples emerging on an upper face of the main wall,

(iii) a respective temperature probe being placed in at least one of the sinks,

(iv) a first printed circuit card form forming a cover, wherein the cover is fastened on the upper face of the main wall and closing at least each sink in which a temperature probe is placed;

(c) fastening of at least one temperature probe on the first printed circuit card;

(d) filling of each sink with a thermal material having a temperature response identical to that of water to within 5%, at least for heating speeds between 3° C. per second and 5° C. per second; and

(e) fastening of the cover on the upper face of the main wall in order to place each temperature probe in the respective sink, wherein each respective sink is closed,

(f) connecting the first printed circuit card to an external processing module comprising a second printed circuit card, wherein the first printed circuit card is connected to the second printed circuit card by an information exchange layer configured to pass between the lid in the closed position and the body of the thermal processing device, the information exchange layer extending as a continuation of conductive layers of the first and second printed circuit cards such that the information exchange layer and the conductive layers of the first and second printed circuit cards form a single piece; and

(g) obtaining a computer connected to the second printed circuit card by a connector, wherein the computer is configured to calibrate the thermal processing device by comparing a temperature(s) measured by the temperature probe(s) in each sink to target temperature(s) intended to be delivered to each sink by the thermal processing device.