Micro-calorimeter apparatus

Abstract

A micro-calorimeter apparatus includes a thermostated housing ( 3,4,5 ); a pair of essentially flat heat sinks ( 9,10 ), suspended in the housing ( 2 ) and thermally floating relative to the environment inside the housing ( 3,4,5 ). The heat sinks ( 9,10 ) are arranged with their surfaces facing each other. A pair of Peltier elements ( 11 ) are thermally attached to the heat sinks ( 9,10 ), one element ( 11 ) on each heat sink ( 9,10 ), on the facing surfaces, forming a gap between them for the accommodation of a generally flat biosensor unit ( 12 ).

1 . A generally flat biosensor unit, comprising:
 a holder portion ( 13 ):   a reaction chamber ( 14 ), provided as an integral part of the holder portion ( 13 ), and wherein the reaction chamber ( 14 ) is an essentially flat structure with two opposing surfaces between which the reaction chamber is formed;   two openings ( 15 ) in the holder for the inlet and outlet, respectively, of a fluid flow, said openings being in communication with the reaction chamber via fluid channels ( 16 ).   
     
     
         2 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is covered on each side by a thin foil. 
     
     
         3 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the thin foil is made of a polymeric material 
     
     
         4 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is a polyimide. 
     
     
         5 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one support material between the foils, on which an enzyme is immobilized, to form an active matrix. 
     
     
         6 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the thickness of the active matrix is less than 1 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the biosensor unit is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising an open structure in the holder in order to minimize thermal transportation through the holder. 
     
     
         9 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder has a generally “H”-shaped cross-section, the “H” having legs and a web, and where the web of the holder that joins the legs of the “H”, has an opening made in the web, and the web is covered on each side by a thin foil of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         10 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the polymeric material is polyimide. 
     
     
         11 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein there is provided a support material or beads between the foils on which one or more of the group consisting of an enzyme, antibodies and antigens can be immobilized, thereby forming an active matrix. 
     
     
         12 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein there are beads provided between the foils on which one or more of the group consisting of an enzyme, antibodies and antigens can be immobilized, thereby forming an active matrix. 
     
     
         13 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the active matrix in the reaction chamber is less than 1 mm thick. 
     
     
         14 . The biosensor unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the holder forms two opposing flat side surfaces oriented essentially perpendicularly with respect to the flat reaction chamber structure, and wherein there are through holes provided in the side surfaces, exiting inside the reaction chamber for the introduction of a flowing sample.