Systems and modules for nucleic acid amplification testing

A system for thermal cycling of a test sample in nucleic acid amplification, the system comprising a consumable amplification module and a reader module for receiving the amplification module,

• (a) wherein the consumable amplification module comprises:
• a reactor vessel for containing a test sample;
• a heater comprising a heater element in thermal contact with the reactor vessel to heat the test sample;
• a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of at least one of the heater element and the test sample;
• and
• a heat spreading layer in thermal contact with the heater and adapted to transmit heat from the heater and from the reactor vessel in the amplification module to a heat sink in the reader module;
• and
• (b) wherein the reader module comprises:
• a heater controller arranged to selectively control the heater element in the amplification module between an on condition and an off condition in response to the determined temperature of the heater element, the test sample, or both the heater element and the test sample;
• a thermal interface adapted for thermal contact with the heat spreading layer in the amplification module when the amplification module is inserted into the reader module;
• an electrical heater interface arranged to connect the heater controller in the reader module and the heater in the amplification module when the amplification module is inserted into the reader module;
• and
• the heat sink in thermal contact with the heater and the heat spreading layer in the consumable amplification module through the thermal interface when the amplification module is inserted into the reader module, for removing heat from the heater and from the reactor vessel to cool the test sample.