Thermal bath systems and thermally-conductive particulate thermal bath media and methods

Abstract

Thermally-conductive laboratory bath media can be used to replace conventional wet media or dry solid blocks in existing thermal baths for heating or cooling samples with advantageous maintenance and microbial control benefits. The media is typically in the form of metallic or metallic-coated pellets that have rounded edges, hardened surface, a smooth polished finish, and are sized small for efficient thermal communication between pellets and samples. Laboratory bath improvements are disclosed with various advanced controls and adaptations for thermal control as well as infection control.

1 . A thermal bath medium for laboratory use capable of maintaining a relatively constant temperature, said medium comprising a plurality of pellets having a thermally-conductive composition. 
     
     
         2 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pellets comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pellets comprises copper. 
     
     
         4 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pellets comprises silver. 
     
     
         5 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pellets comprises a carbon polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pellets comprises a plastic polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the majority of the plurality of pellets are shaped such that at least one cross-section of the pellets is non-circular. 
     
     
         8 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the media comprises pellets having a substantially irregular shape. 
     
     
         9 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the media comprises pellets having a mixture of uniform shapes and sizes. 
     
     
         10 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the media comprises pellets having a mixture of different shapes and sizes. 
     
     
         11 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the media comprises pellets having a smooth and hardened surface. 
     
     
         12 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the media comprises pellets impermeable to moisture and gases. 
     
     
         13 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the media comprises pellets having a substantially small size of less than thirty millimeters in diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the pellets comprise an outer surface and a core, wherein the thermal conductivity of the core is distinguished from the thermal conductivity of the surface. 
     
     
         15 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the core is hollow. 
     
     
         16 . The pellets of  claim 7 , wherein the surface is permanently coated with antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         17 . The pellets of  claim 16 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic silver. 
     
     
         18 . The pellets of  claim 16 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises ionic copper. 
     
     
         19 . The pellets of  claim 16 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a bactericide. 
     
     
         20 . The pellets of  claim 16 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a fungicide. 
     
     
         21 . The pellets of  claim 16 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises an algaecide 
     
     
         22 . The pellets of  claim 16 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises an virucide 
     
     
         23 . A thermal control system for controlling the temperature of a sample in a vessel, comprising:
 a laboratory thermal bath having a tub and a thermal source;   thermally-conductive media comprising thermally-conductive pellets within said tub in thermal communication with said thermal source; and   thermally-conductive media being positioned in said tub in a manner such that sample vessels can be inserted within the media in thermal communication with the media.   
     
     
         24 . The thermal control system of  claim 23 , further comprising a supply of antimicrobial compound for decontaminating the surface of the pellets. 
     
     
         25 . The thermal control system of  claim 24 , wherein the antimicrobial compound comprises a liquid periodically applied to the surface of the pellets. 
     
     
         26 . The antimicrobial compound of  claim 25 , wherein the liquid comprises silver. 
     
     
         27 . The antimicrobial compound of  claim 25 , wherein the liquid comprises ammonium. 
     
     
         28 . The antimicrobial compound of  claim 25 , wherein the liquid comprises alcohol. 
     
     
         29 . The antimicrobial compound of  claim 25 , wherein the liquid comprises chlorine. 
     
     
         30 . A method for controlling the temperature of a specimen, comprising the steps of filling a thermal bath with thermally-conductive pellets, placing the specimen in the pellets after bringing the pellets to a desired temperature, and incubate the specimen for a desired period of time.