Nucleic acid amplification reaction station for disposable test devices
First Claim
12. An amplification station for conducting a nucleic acid amplification reaction in a plurality of disposable test devices, said test devices having a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent and a second reaction chamber either containing or in fluid communication with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent, the amplification station comprising:
- a support structure adapted to securely receiving a plurality of said test devices;
a temperature control system for said test devices, said temperature control system, for each of said test devices, maintaining said first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintaining said second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than said first temperature so as to preserve said second nucleic acid amplification reagent; and
an actuator assembly operative on each of said test devices to place said first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other, said actuator assembly operative on said test devices after a reaction has occurred in said first reaction chamber at said first temperature;
whereby a second portion of said nucleic acid amplification reaction may occur in said second chamber with said second nucleic acid amplification reagent being preserved by maintenance of said second nucleic acid amplification reagent at said second temperature while said first chamber and said first nucleic acid amplification reagent are maintained at said first temperature.
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Abstract
An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature. A pneumatic system is also provided that assists in fluid transfer of a reaction solution from the first chamber to the second chamber.
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Citations
40 Claims
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12. An amplification station for conducting a nucleic acid amplification reaction in a plurality of disposable test devices, said test devices having a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent and a second reaction chamber either containing or in fluid communication with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent, the amplification station comprising:
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a support structure adapted to securely receiving a plurality of said test devices;
a temperature control system for said test devices, said temperature control system, for each of said test devices, maintaining said first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintaining said second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than said first temperature so as to preserve said second nucleic acid amplification reagent; and
an actuator assembly operative on each of said test devices to place said first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other, said actuator assembly operative on said test devices after a reaction has occurred in said first reaction chamber at said first temperature;
whereby a second portion of said nucleic acid amplification reaction may occur in said second chamber with said second nucleic acid amplification reagent being preserved by maintenance of said second nucleic acid amplification reagent at said second temperature while said first chamber and said first nucleic acid amplification reagent are maintained at said first temperature. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 32)
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20. An amplification station for conducting a plurality of nucleic acid amplification reactions in a plurality of unitary disposable test devices, the amplification station comprising:
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a support structure adapted to securely receive a plurality of said test devices;
a temperature control system for said test devices, said temperature control system maintaining the temperature of said test devices according to a desired profiles(s) for said nucleic acid amplification reaction. an actuator assembly operative on each of said test devices to open a fluid conduit in said test devices and thereby allow a reaction solution to flow from a first location in said test device to a second location in said test device; and
a pneumatic system operative on said test devices to draw a reaction solution from said first location to said second location after said actuator assembly has operated on said test devices to place said first and second portions in fluid communication with each other. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33)
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34. A station for conducting a nucleic acid amplification reaction in a disposable test device having a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent and a second reaction chamber either containing or in fluid communication with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent, the station comprising:
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a support structure receiving said test device;
a first temperature control system for said test device, said temperature control system maintaining said second reaction chamber at a predetermined temperature and preserving said second nucleic acid amplification reagent; and
an actuator operative on said test device to place said first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other, said actuator operative on said test device after a reaction has occurred in said first reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 31, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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37-1. The station of claim 34, wherein said test device comprises an elongate strip having (1) a reaction vessel comprising said first and second chambers and a connecting conduit linking said chambers, and (2) a plurality of wells.
Specification