Epistem genedrive
AssigneeEpistem Limited
InventorBen Cobb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
We describe a thermal cycler comprising a Peltier-type thermoelectric element used for cooling a sample block, and a non-Peltier-type heating device for heating the sample block. The cycler also includes a heat sink connected to the Peltier-type element by a heat pipe, which permits thermal energy to transfer from the Peltier-type element to the heat sink. This configuration operates more efficiently than conventional thermal cyclers which use Peltier-type elements for heating and cooling, and allows a more rapid cycling time as well as operation in a wider range of ambient temperatures. Certain embodiments utilise the Peltier-type element as a thermal gate to reduce thermal loss during heating when the Peltier-type element is switched off.
Claims24
A thermal cycler comprising:
- a) a sample block comprising:
- (1) a first opposing side with a first external surface and a first internal surface;
- and
- (2) a second opposing side with a second external surface and a second internal surface;
- the first and second opposing sides being connected to one another by a sample receiving side that includes one or more sample receiving ports arranged and constructed to receive a sample so that the sample extends longitudinally between the first and second internal surfaces;
- b) a Peltier-type thermoelectric element in thermal contact with the first external surface of the first opposing side and configured for cooling the sample block;
- c) a non-Peltier-type heating device in thermal contact with the second external surface of the second opposing side and configured for heating the sample block;
- d) a heat sink, separated from the sample block and Peltier-type element;
- and
- e) a heat pipe connecting the heat sink to the Peltier-type element and permitting thermal energy to transfer from the Peltier-type element to the heat sink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.