Fully automated portable DNA detection system

A portable thermocycler comprising:

• a case;
• a rotary plate in the case;
• a plurality of heating blocks arranged in a geometric pattern disposed on the rotary plate;
• and
• at least one vessel adapted to move and contact at least two of the plurality of heating blocks;
• wherein at least some of the plurality of heating blocks comprise a heating element having opposing sides, one side contacting a heating plate and an opposing side contacting a thermally insulating material having a thickness greater than that of the heating plate;
• wherein each heating element is individually controlled by a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controlling circuit;
• wherein the thermocycler is powered by at least one battery;
• and
• wherein the rotary plate includes a plurality of rotating wheels adapted to rotate at least one of the vessels into contact with at least one of the plurality of center heating blocks and at least one of the plurality of outside heating blocks.

A portable thermocycler comprising:

• a case;
• a rotary plate in the case;
• a plurality of heating blocks arranged in a geometric pattern disposed on the rotary plate;
• and
• at least one vessel adapted to move and contact at least two of the plurality of heating blocks;
• wherein each of the plurality of heating blocks comprises a heating element having opposing sides, one side contacting a heating plate and an opposing side contacting a thermally insulating material having a thickness greater than that of the heating plate;
• wherein the thermocycler is powered by at least one battery;
• wherein the case comprises at least one photovoltaic cell;
• and
• wherein the rotary plate includes a plurality of rotating wheels adapted to rotate at least one of the vessels into contact with at least one of the plurality of center heating blocks and at least one of the plurality of outside heating blocks.

A portable thermocycler comprising:

• a case;
• a rotary plate in the case;
• a plurality of heating blocks arranged in a geometric pattern disposed on the rotary plate;
• at least one vessel adapted to move and contact at least two of the plurality of heating blocks;
• and
• a fluorescence detection system;
• wherein each of the plurality of heating blocks comprises a heating element having opposing sides, one side contacting a heating plate and an opposing side contacting a thermally insulating material having a thickness greater than that of the heating plate;
• and
• wherein the rotary plate includes a plurality of rotating wheels adapted to rotate at least one of the vessels into contact with at least one of the plurality of center heating blocks and at least one of the plurality of outside heating blocks.