Thermal cycler for PCR
US9776187B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2321/021
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover, and an internal computer, is provided. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices, and a heat sink, clamped together. A control algorithm manipulates the current supplied to thermoelectric coolers such that the dynamic thermal performance of a block can be controlled so that pre-defined thermal profiles of sample temperature can be executed. The sample temperature is calculated instead of measured using a design specific model and equations. The control software includes calibration diagnostics which permit variation in the performance of thermoelectric coolers from instrument to instrument to be compensated for such that all instruments perform identically. The block/heat sink assembly can be changed to another of the same or different design. The assembly carries the necessary information required to characterize its own performance in an on-board memory device, allowing the assembly to be interchangeable among instruments while retaining its precision operating characteristics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.