Devices for fast DNA replication by polymerase chain reactions (PCR)
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use in replicating DNA located in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fluid, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a flow path through which the reaction fluid may flow, the flow path including a set of reaction chambers comprising a plurality of capillaries into which fluid flowing through the flow path is divided to flow simultaneously before being recombined, such that a flow rate of the reaction solution through the parallel capillaries is lower than elsewhere in the flow path; and
heating apparatus that provides heat to the flow path such that at least three different temperatures affect the reaction solution, the solution being subjected to at least one of the three temperatures while simultaneously present in the capillaries.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention concerns instruments for fast, selective replication of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from biomaterial through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), working in individual duplication thermocycles. The invention consists of extremely brief cycle times of only a few seconds for the PCR reactions, generated, on the one hand, by reaction chambers for the reception of the reaction solution constructed of a pattern of fine capillaries in close proximity to heating and cooling elements in order to optimally accelerate the temperature setting in the reaction solution for the three temperature phases of the PCR duplication cycles and, on the other hand, by keeping the flow rates in the capillaries to a minimum during the amplification phase so that the polymerase reaction is not disturbed. The capillary pattern can be simply produced by means of microsystem technology.
151 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for use in replicating DNA located in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fluid, the apparatus comprising:
-
a housing having a flow path through which the reaction fluid may flow, the flow path including a set of reaction chambers comprising a plurality of capillaries into which fluid flowing through the flow path is divided to flow simultaneously before being recombined, such that a flow rate of the reaction solution through the parallel capillaries is lower than elsewhere in the flow path; and
heating apparatus that provides heat to the flow path such that at least three different temperatures affect the reaction solution, the solution being subjected to at least one of the three temperatures while simultaneously present in the capillaries. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. Apparatus for use in performing the steps of PCR melting, primer attachment and reconstruction for replicating DNA located in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fluid, the apparatus comprising:
-
a housing having a flow path through which the reaction fluid may flow, the flow path including a set of reaction chambers comprising a plurality of capillaries into which fluid flowing through the flow path is divided to flow simultaneously before being recombined, such that a flow rate of the reaction solution through the parallel capillaries is lower than elsewhere in the flow path;
heating elements adjacent to the fluid path to change the reaction solution temperature from the primer attachment temperature to the temperatures for PCR reconstruction and melting; and
gaseous, liquid or solid cooling means that can be brought into thermal contact with the flow path to reduce the temperature of the reaction solution in the flow path. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
Specification