# US 12,761,190 B2 · QCM apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,761,190 B2 - Document ID: US12761190B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/712,389 - Filed: 2022-12-01 - Published: 2025-01-09 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-12-03 - Assignees: Biolin Scientific AB - Applicants: Biolin Scientific AB - Inventors: Peter Svensson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12761190B2 ## CPC - G01N 29/326: {compensating for temperature variations} - G01N 29/022: {Fluid sensors based on microsensors, e.g. quartz crystal-microbalance [QCM], surface acoustic wave [SAW] devices, tuning forks, cantilevers, flexural plate wave [FPW] devices (microdevices per se B81B)} - G01N 29/032: by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves - G01N 29/222: {Constructional or flow details for analysing fluids (optoacoustic fluid cells G01N29/2425)} - G01N 2291/0256: Adsorption, desorption, surface mass change, e.g. on biosensors - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A QCM sensor apparatus comprising a sensor holder (2) having a compartment for receiving a QCM sensor, the compartment having a substantially planar extension, a first temperature sensor (14a) and a second temperature sensor (14b) arranged separated from each other along a line transverse to the planar extension; and a controller (13) configured to determine a temperature difference, ΔT, between the two sensors, and operating the QCM apparatus based on this temperature difference. By determining and monitoring not only the temperature in the compartment where a QCM sensor is arranged, but also the temperature difference ΔT, the controller may therefore improve measurement performance during use of the QCM sensor apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A quartz crystal microbalance, QCM, sensor apparatus comprising: a sensor holder having a compartment for receiving a QCM sensor, said compartment having a substantially planar extension; a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor arranged separated from each other along a line transverse to said planar extension; and a controller configured to determine a temperature difference between the two sensors, and to operate the QCM sensor apparatus based on this temperature difference. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to display said determined temperature difference on a display. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine when the temperature difference has stayed within a given range for a given amount of time, and, in response to this determination, provide an indication. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a thermoelectric element arranged in thermal connection with the sensor holder, said thermoelectric element being controlled by said controller. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sensor apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to control said thermoelectric element based on the determined temperature difference, so as to achieve a stable temperature difference. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The sensor apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the thermoelectrical element is a Peltier element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second temperature sensors are arranged on opposite sides of the compartment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an additional thermoelectric element arranged on an opposite side of the sensor holder with respect to the thermoelectric element. ### Claim 9 A quartz crystal microbalance, QCM, sensor apparatus comprising: a sensor holder having a compartment for receiving a QCM sensor, said compartment having a substantially planar extension; a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor arranged separated from each other along a line transverse to said planar extension; a controller configured to determine a temperature difference between the two sensors, and to operate the QCM sensor apparatus based on this temperature difference; a plurality of sample fluid containers; a fluid selector unit for selectively placing one of said sample fluid containers in fluid connection with a measurement cell formed above the QCM sensor, said fluid selector unit having: a plurality of inlet ports, each inlet port in fluid connection with a sample fluid container, a sensing outlet configured to be in fluid connection with said QCM sensor, and a valve arrangement for selectively connecting one of said inlets to said outlet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sensor apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said fluid selector unit is sandwiched between the fluid sample containers and the sample holder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sensor apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the thermoelectrical element is a Peltier element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The sensor apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a thermoelectrical element arranged on an opposite side of the sensor holder with respect to the sample fluid containers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The sensor apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sample fluid containers, fluid selector unit and sensor holder are arranged in a vertical stack arrangement. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The sensor apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a thermally insulating housing in which the sample fluid containers, fluid selector unit and sensor holder are contained, an interior of the housing having a substantially homogeneous temperature. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sensor apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sensor holder is removably mounted inside the housing, and wherein the housing has an openable lid to allow removal/insertion of the sensor holder.