Thermal cycler for PCR

US9044753B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Applied Biosystems, LLC · US

Inventors

• John G. Atwood · Redding, US
• Adrian Fawcett · Pleasanton, US
• Keith S. Ferrara · Stratford, US
• Paul M. Hetherington · Somers, US
• Richard W. Noreiks · Stratford, US
• Douglas E. Olsen · New Fairfield, US
• John R. Widomski · Shelton, US
• Charles M. Wittmer · Trumbull, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 17, 2007
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 12, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/1516
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover and an internal computer. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices and heat sink, clamped together. The sample block temperature is changed exclusively by the thermoelectric devices controlled by the computer. The sample block is of low thermal mass and is constructed of silver. The Peltier devices are designed to provide fast temperature excursions over a wide range. The heat sink has a perimeter trench to minimize edge losses and is adjacent to a continuously variable fan. A perimeter heater is used to improve the thermal uniformity across the sample block to approximately ±0.2° C. A heated platen pushes down onto the tube caps to apply a minimum acceptable force for seating the tubes into the block, ensuring good thermal contact with the block. The force is applied about the periphery of the tube caps to prevent distortion of the caps during thermal cycling. The platen is heated to provided thermal isolation from ambient conditions and to prevent evaporation from the surface of the sample into the upper portion of the sample tube. A control algori…