Temperature verification for polymerase chain reaction systems
First Claim
1. Apparatus for verifying the temperature of a thermal cycling system useful in conducting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and including a temperature-programmable sample block defining a plurality of substantially conical sample wells, each adapted to receive a mating substantially conical PCR reaction tube therein, and a sample block cover for pressing each reaction tube into intimate engagement with its respective sample well, which comprises:
- a substantially conical measurement probe tip formed of a heat transmissive material and having an external geometry closely matching the geometry of a PCR reaction tube, said measurement probe tip being adapted to fit within a selected one of said sample wells;
temperature sensing means within said measurement probe tip for providing an electrical signal representative of the perceived temperature of said sample block;
means carried by said measurement probe tip for engagement by said sample block cover to press said measurement probe tip into intimate engagement with its sample well;
means external of said sample block and cover for providing an output indicative of the temperature perceived by said sensing means; and
means for conveying said electrical signal to said output providing means wherein said conveying means is an electrical cable and wherein said conveying means additionally includes a dummy probe tip having an external geometry substantially identical to said measurement probe tip and adapted for insertion into another of said wells, said dummy probe tip enclosing a portion of said cable, whereby the temperature of said cable is affected by said block.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for verifying the temperature of a polymerase chain reaction system comprises a pair of conical probe tips which are shaped to fit the wells of the temperature-controlled sample block. One of the probe tips encloses a resistance thermometer device which is connected by cable to a meter outside the system. The cable passes through the other probe tip where it is warmed, thereby reducing measurement errors due to heat conductance to ambient. The probe tips are normally arranged to fit into adjacent wells of the sample block.
25 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for verifying the temperature of a thermal cycling system useful in conducting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and including a temperature-programmable sample block defining a plurality of substantially conical sample wells, each adapted to receive a mating substantially conical PCR reaction tube therein, and a sample block cover for pressing each reaction tube into intimate engagement with its respective sample well, which comprises:
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a substantially conical measurement probe tip formed of a heat transmissive material and having an external geometry closely matching the geometry of a PCR reaction tube, said measurement probe tip being adapted to fit within a selected one of said sample wells; temperature sensing means within said measurement probe tip for providing an electrical signal representative of the perceived temperature of said sample block; means carried by said measurement probe tip for engagement by said sample block cover to press said measurement probe tip into intimate engagement with its sample well; means external of said sample block and cover for providing an output indicative of the temperature perceived by said sensing means; and means for conveying said electrical signal to said output providing means wherein said conveying means is an electrical cable and wherein said conveying means additionally includes a dummy probe tip having an external geometry substantially identical to said measurement probe tip and adapted for insertion into another of said wells, said dummy probe tip enclosing a portion of said cable, whereby the temperature of said cable is affected by said block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for verifying the temperature of a thermal cycling system useful in conducting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and including a temperature-programmable sample block defining a plurality of substantially conical sample wells, each adapted to receive a mating substantially conical PCR reaction tube therein, and a sample block cover for pressing each reaction tube into intimate engagement with its respective sample well, which comprises:
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a substantially conical measurement probe tip formed of a heat transmissive material and having an external geometry closely matching the geometry of a PCR reaction tube, said measurement probe tip being adapted to fit within a first one of said sample wells; a first bushing mounted on said measurement probe tip defining a wiring space therein; a resilient first cap mounted on said first bushing for engagement by said sample block cover; a substantially conical dummy probe tip formed of a heat transmissive material and having an external geometry closely matching the geometry of a PCR reaction tube, said dummy probe tip being adapted to fit within a second one of said sample wells; a second bushing mounted on said dummy probe tip defining a wiring space therein; a resilient second cap mounted on said second bushing for engagement by said sample block cover; means for interconnecting said measurement and dummy probe tips at a preselected spacing distance corresponding to the distance between said first and second sample wells; temperature sensing means within said measurement probe tip for providing an electrical signal representative of the perceived temperature of said sample block; means external of said sample block and cover for providing an output indicative of the temperature perceived by said sensing means; and means for conveying said electrical signal to said output providing means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification