×

Thermal cycler

  • US 5,616,301 A
  • Filed: 09/07/1994
  • Issued: 04/01/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A device for automatic performance of temperature cycles on a number of test tubes that are closed by piercable closures and contain a predetermined volume of a liquid reaction mixture, which comprises:

  • (a) a holder formed of a thermally conductive material and having an upper surface, a lower surface and a cylindrical outer wall, the holder having an array of chambers for holding test tubes equipped with piercable closures, the chambers being disposed along an arc with each chamber having an opening located in the upper surface of the holder, each chamber being configured and dimensioned to receive one test tube equipped with a piercable closure, the holder being configured and dimensioned so that when test tubes having piercable closures are held in the array of chambers, the piercable closures of the test tubes can be accessed by a pipetting needle;

    (b) a computer-regulated automatic control system;

    (c) means actuated by the automatic control system for cyclic alteration of the temperature of the holder;

    (d) a hinged lid having a heating element for heating closed test tubes having piercable closures when such test tubes are held in the array of chambers, the lid having an opening for each chamber so that a pipetting needle can traverse the opening to pierce a closure of a closed test tube having a piercable closure when such test tube is held in a chamber; and

    (e) a lifting-out device for facilitating removal of test tubes from the chambers in the holder, the lifting-out device comprising an ejection lever having one end connected to the hinge of the lid and the other end free.

View all claims
  • 4 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×