Continuous polymerase chain reaction apparatus with multiple temperature stations
OwnerThomas W. Astleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a method of performing a reagent protocol using polymerase chain reaction, including: indexing patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through at least one step of reagent addition to the reagent wells; and then indexing the patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through a plurality of individual heat transfer stations, whereby at each of the individual heat transfer stations, the patterns of reagent wells are subjected to a unique temperature change to cause one amplification step, with the plurality of individual heat transfer stations providing total amplification required for the protocol.
Claims4
An apparatus for performing a reagent protocol using polymerase chain reaction, comprising:
- (a) means to index patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through at least one step of reagent addition to said reagent wells;
- (b) means to index said patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through a plurality of individual heat transfer stations, whereby at each of said individual heat transfer stations, said patterns of reagent wells are subjected to a unique temperature change to cause one amplification step, with said plurality of individual heat transfer stations providing total amplification required for said protocol;
- and
- (c) means to seal said reagent wells following said at least one step of reagent addition to said wells, wherein said patterns of reagent wells are sealed to provide a liquid tight but peelable seal as provided by pressure sensitive adhesive or heat seal methods.
An apparatus for performing a reagent protocol using polymerase chain reaction, comprising:
- (a) means to index patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through at least one step of reagent addition to said reagent wells;
- (b) means to index said patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through a plurality of individual heat transfer stations, whereby at each of said individual heat transfer stations, said patterns of reagent wells are subjected to a unique temperature change to cause one amplification step, with said plurality of individual heat transfer stations providing total amplification required for said protocol;
- (c) means to seal said reagent wells following said at least one step of reagent addition to said wells;
- and
- (d) separate heat exchanger compartments are clamped to a lower surface of a thermoplastic web containing said patterns of reagent wells to form a liquid tight seal around individual said patterns of reagent wells.
An apparatus for performing a reagent protocol using polymerase chain reaction, comprising:
- (a) means to index patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through at least one step of reagent addition to said reagent wells;
- (b) means to index said patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through a plurality of individual heat transfer stations, whereby at each of said individual heat transfer stations, said patterns of reagent wells are subjected to a unique temperature change to cause one amplification step, with said plurality of individual heat transfer stations providing total amplification required for said protocol;
- (c) means to seal said reagent wells following said at least one step of reagent addition to said wells;
- and
- (d) means to peel sealing material from a top of said thermoplastic web to provide access to said reagents by a single or multiple well pipettor, said means to peel including a heated pressure roller in contact with said sealing material to apply a line of heat across said thermoplastic web to soften bonding of said sealing material to said thermoplastic web to permit ease of removal by applying tension to said sealing material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.