Sample block apparatus and method for maintaining a microcard on a sample block

• US 7,858,365 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fawcett, Adrian
• Primary Examiner(s): Beisner; William H
• Application Number:
  US12/249,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20090029454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 435/287.3, 435/288.4, 435/288.7, 435/303.1, 435/809
• US Class Current: 435/288.4
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1805 Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/523 for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/809 Incubators or racks or holders for culture plates or containers

Abstract

A thermal cycling device for thermally cycling samples of biological material contained in a microcard having a top and bottom surface. The thermal cycling device can include a sample block having an upper surface configured for engaging the bottom surface of a microcard, a vacuum device, and a temperature control system operatively connected with the sample block. The upper surface of the sample block may include a plurality of channels, the channels defining spaces between the sample block and the bottom surface of a microcard that may be positioned thereon. The vacuum device may be in fluid communication with the sample block for drawing gas out of the spaces defined by the channels in the sample block. The vacuum device may be configured for substantially maintaining a vacuum between the sample block and microcard so that a retention force is imparted on the microcard to urge the microcard toward the sample block. Methods of maintaining a microcard on a sample block of a thermal cycling device are also provided.

Claims

1. A thermal cycling device for thermally cycling samples of biological material, the thermal cycling device comprising:

a microcard having a top surface and a bottom surface, the microcard comprising a plurality of chambers each containing samples of biological material and at least one primer;

a sample block having an upper surface and a plurality of channels formed along the upper surface, the upper surface of the sample block being in contact with and supporting the bottom surface of the microcard such that the bottom surface of the microcard overlays the plurality of channels to form a sealed volume;

a temperature control system operably coupled to the sample block, the temperature control system cycling the sample block through a polymerase chain reaction temperature cycle; and

a vacuum device in fluid communication with the plurality of channels formed in the sample block, said vacuum device exerting and maintaining a vacuum within the sealed volume to urge the microcard toward the sample block to maximize thermal contact between the microcard and the sample block and permit generally uniform and consistent temperature cycling of the microcard.

2. The thermal cycling device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of channels comprise a plurality of perpendicularly intersecting grooves.

3. The thermal cycling device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of channels comprise a plurality of substantially parallel grooves.

4. The thermal cycling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a gasket positioned around an outer periphery of the plurality of channels in the sample block, the gasket configured to engage the bottom surface of the microcard when the microcard is positioned on the sample block.

5. The thermal cycling device of claim 4, further comprising:

an outer groove disposed about the outer periphery of the channels in the sample block, the gasket being positioned in the outer groove.

6. The thermal cycling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microcard carrier positioned above the microcard when the microcard is positioned on the sample block.

7. The thermal cycling device of claim 6 wherein the microcard carrier comprises:

at least one downwardly projecting rib engaging an outer periphery of the top surface of the microcard, the rib pressing downward on the outer periphery of the top surface of the microcard to assist in maintaining a vacuum within the sealed volume.

8. The thermal cycling device of claim 7 wherein the microcard carrier comprises:

at least one opening generally aligned with at least one of the plurality of chambers in the microcard.

9. The thermal cycling device of claim 7, further comprising:

a cover engaging and downwardly urging the microcard carrier.

10. The thermal cycling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microcard carrier in contact with the microcard when the microcard is positioned on the sample block, the microcard carrier being configured to press on the microcard.

11. The thermal cycling device of claim 10, further comprising:

a cover configured to contact the microcard carrier, the cover being configured to press on the microcard carrier.