Thermal cycling methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of thermal cycling, comprising:
- adding a sample to a sample vessel that comprises;
a sample-containing portion defined by at least one wall and having;
an interface to receive at least one sample, andat least a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment distal to the interface;
the first segment being in fluid communication with the interface and being so thermally conductive as to permit the transfer of thermal energy to and from the contents of the first segment, so compressible as to permit opposing wall portions of the first segment to touch one another when the first segment is compressed, and so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from the second segment when not so compressed;
the second segment being so thermally conductive as to permit the transfer of thermal energy to and from the contents of the second segment, so compressible as to permit opposing wall portions of the second segment to touch one another when the second segment is compressed, and so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from the first segment; and
the third segment being so thermally conductive as to permit the transfer of thermal energy to and from the contents of the third segment, so compressible as to permit opposing wall portions of the third segment to touch one another when the third segment is compressed, and so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from the second segment;
introducing the sample vessel into a thermal cycler, the thermal cycler comprisinga processing unit having an opening to receive the sample vessel, the processing unit having a first processing station, a second processing station, and a third processing station positioned along the opening,the first processing station including a first compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a first energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the first processing station,the second processing station including a second compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a second energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the second processing station, andthe third processing station including a third compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a third energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the third processing station;
wherein compression of the sample vessel by of one of the compression members displaces the sample within the sample vessel between the processing stations;
compressing the sample vessel with the first compression member;
transferring energy to the sample with the second energy transfer element;
transferring energy to the sample with the third energy transfer element;
compressing the sample vessel with the third compression member; and
transferring energy to the sample with the first energy transfer element.
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Abstract
A thermal cycling method may include adding a sample to a sample vessel, placing the sample vessel into a thermal cycler having a processing unit with three processing stations, compressing the sample vessel with the first compression member, transferring energy to the sample with the second energy transfer element, transferring energy to the sample with the third energy transfer element, compressing the sample vessel with the third compression member, and transferring energy to the sample with the first energy transfer element.
64 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of thermal cycling, comprising:
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adding a sample to a sample vessel that comprises; a sample-containing portion defined by at least one wall and having; an interface to receive at least one sample, and at least a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment distal to the interface; the first segment being in fluid communication with the interface and being so thermally conductive as to permit the transfer of thermal energy to and from the contents of the first segment, so compressible as to permit opposing wall portions of the first segment to touch one another when the first segment is compressed, and so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from the second segment when not so compressed; the second segment being so thermally conductive as to permit the transfer of thermal energy to and from the contents of the second segment, so compressible as to permit opposing wall portions of the second segment to touch one another when the second segment is compressed, and so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from the first segment; and the third segment being so thermally conductive as to permit the transfer of thermal energy to and from the contents of the third segment, so compressible as to permit opposing wall portions of the third segment to touch one another when the third segment is compressed, and so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from the second segment; introducing the sample vessel into a thermal cycler, the thermal cycler comprising a processing unit having an opening to receive the sample vessel, the processing unit having a first processing station, a second processing station, and a third processing station positioned along the opening, the first processing station including a first compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a first energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the first processing station, the second processing station including a second compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a second energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the second processing station, and the third processing station including a third compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a third energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the third processing station;
wherein compression of the sample vessel by of one of the compression members displaces the sample within the sample vessel between the processing stations;compressing the sample vessel with the first compression member; transferring energy to the sample with the second energy transfer element; transferring energy to the sample with the third energy transfer element; compressing the sample vessel with the third compression member; and transferring energy to the sample with the first energy transfer element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification