System and method including thermal cycler modules
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of thermal cycler modules, each thermal cycler module including;
a thermal block having a top surface and a receptacle, the receptacle tapered to conform to a reaction vessel;
a heater thermally coupled to the thermal block;
a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal block;
a temperature controller electrically coupled to the heater and to the temperature sensor and configured to cycle the thermal block between at least two temperatures independently of other thermal blocks in other thermal cycler units;
an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly configured to pass excitation light to the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block;
an emission optics assembly, the emission optics assembly configured to receive light from the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block; and
a lid coupled to the thermal block;
wherein the lid is capable of being in an open position and a closed position, and wherein the lid is configured to displace the reaction vessel from the thermal block as it moves from the closed position to the open position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of thermal cycler modules, each thermal cycler module including; a thermal block having a top surface and a receptacle, the receptacle tapered to conform to a reaction vessel; a heater thermally coupled to the thermal block; a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal block; a temperature controller electrically coupled to the heater and to the temperature sensor and configured to cycle the thermal block between at least two temperatures independently of other thermal blocks in other thermal cycler units; an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly configured to pass excitation light to the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block; an emission optics assembly, the emission optics assembly configured to receive light from the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block; and a lid coupled to the thermal block; wherein the lid is capable of being in an open position and a closed position, and wherein the lid is configured to displace the reaction vessel from the thermal block as it moves from the closed position to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a gantry; a slide lock manipulator coupled to the gantry and comprising an actuator and a gripping feature at an end of the actuator; and a plurality of thermal cycler modules, each thermal cycler module including; a thermal block having a top surface and a defining a receptacle, the receptacle tapered to conform to a reaction vessel; a heater thermally coupled to the thermal block;
a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal block;a temperature controller electrically coupled to the heater and to the temperature sensor and configured to cycle the thermal block between at least two temperatures; an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly configured to pass excitation light to the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block; an emission optics assembly, the emission optics assembly is configured to receive light from the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block; a detector optically coupled to the emission optics assembly of each of the plurality of thermal cycler modules, the detector configured to detect light received by each emission optics assembly, a lid arranged about the thermal block, the lid capable of being in an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position covers the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is disposed in the receptacle, and wherein the lid is configured to be opened and closed by the gripping feature of the slide lock manipulator. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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18. A system comprising:
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a plurality of thermal cycler modules, each thermal cycler module including; a thermal block having a top surface and a defining a receptacle, the receptacle tapered to conform to a reaction vessel; a heater thermally coupled to the thermal block; a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal block; a temperature controller electrically coupled to the heater and to the temperature sensor and configured to cycle the thermal block between at least two temperatures; an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly configured to pass excitation light to the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block; an emission optics assembly, the emission optics assembly is configured to receive light from the reaction vessel when the reaction vessel is located in the receptacle in the thermal block; a detector optically coupled to the emission optics assembly of each of the plurality of thermal cycler modules, the detector configured to detect light received by each emission optics assembly; and a movable lid, wherein the movable lid overlaps with the thermal block, wherein the movable lid further comprises a spring shutter, the spring shutter capable of being positioned within the emission optics assembly when the movable lid is in an open position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification