US 6,780,617 B2 · Sample processing device and method

Abstract

A device for processing a biological sample includes a processing unit having at least one opening to receive a sample vessel and a plurality of processing stations positioned along the opening. The processing stations each have a compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and thereby move the sample within the sample vessel among the processing stations. An energy transfer element can be coupled to one or more of the processing stations for transferring thermal energy to the sample at a processing station. The device can be used for PCR processing of nucleic acid samples. A sample vessel of the present invention can be a tubule flow-chamber having a plurality of segments separated by pressure gates. The sample vessel minimizes sample handling by providing a closed tubule in which distinct processing steps can be carried out in each of the segments of the tubule.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A thermal cycler comprising

a processing unit having an opening to receive a sample vessel containing a sample, the processing unit having a first processing station, a second processing station, and a third processing station positional along the opening,
the first processing station including a first compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a first energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the first processing station,
the second processing station including a second compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a second energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the second processing station, and
the third processing station including a third compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and a third energy transfer element for transferring energy to the sample at the third processing station, wherein compression of the sample vessel by of one of the compression members displaces the sample within the sample vessel between the processing stations.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sample processing device and method

Life of this patent

Sample processing device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49