Thermocycler and sample port
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for introducing a volume of a liquid sample into a fluid carrier stream flowing through a continuous flow tube having an outlet and a common inlet into which said carrier stream and said liquid sample are both introduced, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a sample port comprising a reservoir for continuously supplying said common inlet with said fluid carrier, and an inlet for supplying said reservoir with fluid carrier, said reservoir adapted to maintain a substantially constant level of fluid carrier above said common inlet and fluidly engageable with said common inlet of said continuous flow tube;
fluidly engaging said inlet of said continuous flow tube with said reservoir; and
introducing said fluid carrier into said reservoir and introducing said liquid sample into said fluid carrier, wherein said fluid carrier is chosen such that its properties are sufficient to maintain the physical shape of the liquid sample and wherein said fluid carrier stream and said liquid sample are drawn through said continuous flow tube when said reservoir is at substantially atmospheric pressure.
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Abstract
The invention relates to continuous flow systems, in particular thermocyclers for the automated and continuous cycling of fluid between a plurality of temperature zones in the amplification of nucleic acids. The invention also relates to an improved sample port for introducing a volume of a liquid sample into a continuous flow system.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for introducing a volume of a liquid sample into a fluid carrier stream flowing through a continuous flow tube having an outlet and a common inlet into which said carrier stream and said liquid sample are both introduced, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a sample port comprising a reservoir for continuously supplying said common inlet with said fluid carrier, and an inlet for supplying said reservoir with fluid carrier, said reservoir adapted to maintain a substantially constant level of fluid carrier above said common inlet and fluidly engageable with said common inlet of said continuous flow tube; fluidly engaging said inlet of said continuous flow tube with said reservoir; and introducing said fluid carrier into said reservoir and introducing said liquid sample into said fluid carrier, wherein said fluid carrier is chosen such that its properties are sufficient to maintain the physical shape of the liquid sample and wherein said fluid carrier stream and said liquid sample are drawn through said continuous flow tube when said reservoir is at substantially atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for introducing a volume of a liquid sample into a fluid carrier stream flowing through a continuous flow tube having an outlet and a common inlet into which said carrier stream and said liquid sample are both introduced, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a sample port comprising a reservoir for continuously supplying said common inlet with said fluid carrier, and an inlet for supplying said reservoir with fluid carrier, said reservoir adapted to maintain a substantially constant level of fluid carrier above said common inlet and fluidly engageable with said common inlet of said continuous flow tube; fluidly engaging said inlet of said continuous flow tube with said reservoir; introducing said fluid carrier into said reservoir; immersing a liquid sample dispenser into said fluid carrier contained in said reservoir; and dispensing said liquid sample adjacent said inlet and manoeuvring said dispensed liquid sample with said liquid sample dispenser such that said dispensed liquid sample is introduced into said inlet and drawn through said continuous flow tube, wherein said fluid carrier is chosen such that its properties are sufficient to maintain the physical shape of the liquid sample and wherein said fluid carrier stream and said liquid sample are drawn through said continuous flow tube when said reservoir is at substantially atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification