×

Nucleic acid amplification reaction apparatus

  • US 5,827,480 A
  • Filed: 03/25/1997
  • Issued: 10/27/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction in a reaction mixture in a capillary tube, the nucleic acid amplification reaction including denaturation, annealing and extension processes, the apparatus comprising:

  • (a) a first heat exchanger including a thermoregulating system for stabilizing the temperature of the first heat exchanger at a temperature in a range of temperatures suitable to cause the denaturation process to occur in the reaction mixture;

    (b) a second heat exchanger including a thermoregulating system for stabilizing the temperature of the second heat exchanger at a temperature in a range of temperatures suitable for causing the annealing and extension processes to occur in the reaction mixture;

    (c) the capillary tube being routed so as to have a first portion in thermal contact with the first heat exchanger and a second portion in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger;

    (d) a valve assembly having an input port coupled to the capillary tube for receiving said reaction mixture into the tube and an output port for delivering a finished reaction product from the tube, the valve assembly allowing injection of new reaction mixture in a first position, allowing the reaction mixture to circulate in the capillary tube between the first and second heat exchangers in a second position, and allowing ejection of finished reaction product in a third position; and

    (e) a pumping device fixedly disposed in one of the heat exchangers coupled to the capillary tube so as to circulate the reaction mixture in the capillary tube such that the reaction mixture passes sequentially and cyclically through the first and second heat exchangers.

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