Temperature control for multi-vessel reaction apparatus
First Claim
1. A temperature control block to support a plurality of reaction vessels in a rectangular arrangement while controlling the temperature of each vessel, said block comprising:
- a plurality of wells arranged in a rectangular array on one side of said block, each well sized to receive one such reaction vessel;
at least one Peltier effect thermoelectric module affixed to said block on a side opposite that of said wells;
a first wire heating element affixed to said block along one edge of said rectangular array; and
a second wire heating element affixed to said block along a second edge of said rectangular array opposite said first edge.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Temperature control in a rectangular array of reaction vessels such as a thermal cycler such as is used for PCR procedures is achieved by use of a temperature block that is in contact with a combination of Peltier effect thermoelectric modules and wire heating elements embedded along the edges of the block. The elements can be energized in such a manner as to achieve a constant temperature throughout the array or a temperature gradient. Further control over the temperature and prevention of condensation in the individual reaction vessels is achieved by the use of a glass (or other transparent material) plate positioned above the vessels, with an electrically conductive coating on the upper surface of the glass plate to provide resistance heating.
294 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A temperature control block to support a plurality of reaction vessels in a rectangular arrangement while controlling the temperature of each vessel, said block comprising:
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a plurality of wells arranged in a rectangular array on one side of said block, each well sized to receive one such reaction vessel;
at least one Peltier effect thermoelectric module affixed to said block on a side opposite that of said wells;
a first wire heating element affixed to said block along one edge of said rectangular array; and
a second wire heating element affixed to said block along a second edge of said rectangular array opposite said first edge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for conducting a plurality of chemical reactions simultaneously in individual enclosed reaction vessels while monitoring the reaction in each vessel, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of open-top reaction vessels;
a support block in which are formed a plurality of wells shaped to receive said open-top reaction vessels;
transparent lid means for enclosing the open tops of each of said reaction vessels;
a transparent plate arranged to press said transparent lid means against said open tops of said reaction vessels, said transparent plate coated with a transparent resistance heating film; and
means for supplying electric current to said resistance heating film. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for conducting a plurality of chemical reactions simultaneously in individual enclosed reaction vessels at a controlled temperature in each vessel while monitoring the reaction in each vessel, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of open-top reaction vessels;
a temperature control block into one surface of which are formed a plurality of wells arranged in a rectangular array, each well sized to receive one such reaction vessel;
at least one Peltier effect thermoelectric module affixed to said block on a side opposite that of said wells;
a first wire heating element affixed to said block along one edge of said rectangular array; and
a second wire heating element affixed to said block along a second edge of said rectangular array opposite said first edge transparent lid means for enclosing the open tops of each of said reaction vessels;
a transparent plate arranged to press said transparent lid means against said open tops of said reaction vessels, said transparent plate coated with a transparent resistance heating film; and
means for supplying electric current to said resistance heating film.
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Specification