Methods and compositions for rapid thermal cycling
US9170028B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24H1/10
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The rapid thermal cycling of a material is targeted. A microfluidic heat exchanger with an internal porous medium is coupled to tanks containing cold fluid and hot fluid. Fluid flows alternately from the cold tank and the hot tank into the porous medium, cooling and heating samples contained in the microfluidic heat exchanger's sample wells. A valve may be coupled to the tanks and a pump, and switching the position of the valve may switch the source and direction of fluid flowing through the porous medium. A controller may control the switching of valve positions based on the temperature of the samples and determined temperature thresholds. A sample tray for containing samples to be thermally cycled may be used in conjunction with the thermal cycling system. A surface or internal electrical heater may aid in heating the samples, or may replace the necessity for the hot tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.