Thermal Cycler for PCR
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a removable assembly configured to receive a plurality of vials and cycle the plurality of vials through a series of temperatures; and
a cover, the cover being configured to press against an upper portion of vials when the vials are disposed in the removable assembly;
wherein the removable assembly comprisesa sample block configured to receive the plurality of vials,a plurality of Peltier thermal electric devices,a heat sink, anda memory device that stores data related to the removable assembly, andwherein the removable assembly is configured to be removed from the apparatus and is configured to be attached to a different apparatus for cycling vials through a series of temperatures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover, and an internal computer, is provided. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices, and a heat sink, clamped together. A control algorithm manipulates the current supplied to thermoelectric coolers such that the dynamic thermal performance of a block can be controlled so that pre-defined thermal profiles of sample temperature can be executed. The sample temperature is calculated instead of measured using a design specific model and equations. The control software includes calibration diagnostics which permit variation in the performance of thermoelectric coolers from instrument to instrument to be compensated for such that all instruments perform identically. The block/heat sink assembly can be changed to another of the same or different design. The assembly carries the necessary information required to characterize its own performance in an on-board memory device, allowing the assembly to be interchangeable among instruments while retaining its precision operating characteristics.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a removable assembly configured to receive a plurality of vials and cycle the plurality of vials through a series of temperatures; and a cover, the cover being configured to press against an upper portion of vials when the vials are disposed in the removable assembly; wherein the removable assembly comprises a sample block configured to receive the plurality of vials, a plurality of Peltier thermal electric devices, a heat sink, and a memory device that stores data related to the removable assembly, and wherein the removable assembly is configured to be removed from the apparatus and is configured to be attached to a different apparatus for cycling vials through a series of temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of calibrating a removable assembly for cycling samples through a series of temperatures, the removable assembly comprising a sample block for receiving vials, a plurality of Peltier thermal electric devices, a heat sink, and a memory device capable of storing data related to the removable assembly, the method comprising:
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attaching the removable assembly to an instrument for cycling vials through a series of temperatures; applying power to the plurality of Peltier thermal electric devices, causing the removable assembly to cycle through a desired series of temperature excursions; measuring the actual temperature excursions; comparing the actual temperature excursions with the desired temperature excursions; adjusting the power applied to the plurality of Peltier thermal electric devices so that the actual temperature excursions match the desired temperature excursions; and recording data in the memory device for further utilization in obtaining the desired temperature excursions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification