Method and apparatus for controlling reaction temperature in bio-chemical instruments

A method for controlling the reaction temperature of different substances mixed together in a reaction vessel, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) providing a heat-exchange block of thermally-conductive material, said block defining (i) a first cavity therein that is contoured to receive and support said reaction vessel so that the block is in intimate thermal contact with a side and/or bottom wall of said reaction vessel, and (ii) a second cavity that is adapted to support, in thermally-conducting relationship, a plurality of conduits for introducing substances into said reaction vessel;
• (b) positioning said reaction vessel in said first cavity of said block;
• (c) passing substances through said conduits and into said reaction vessel;
• (d) sensing the temperature of the thermally-conductive block and producing a control signal indicative of such temperature;
• and
• (e) in response to said control signal, heating or cooling the thermally-conductive block to maintain the temperature of the thermally-conductive block at a temperature adapted to maintain the respective temperatures of said reaction vessel and substances passing through said conduit and entering said reaction vessel within a desired reaction temperature range.