FLOATING THERMAL CONTACT ENABLED PCR

摘要

The present invention generally pertains to a system which utilizes floating thermal contact to enable PCR, in a thermal management device. Comprised of multiple thermal zones attached to a framework, each zone an individually actuated, isolated sub-assembly. The actuation of each zone ensures physical contact with an uneven, yet flat microfluidic chip to achieve effective, conductive heat transfer. The isolation of each zone serves to insulate the thermal zones from each other and minimize undesired heat transfer between adjacent zones, so that each zone is at a proper, uniform temperature.

主权项

1. A thermal management device enabling PCR reactions in a microfluidic channel, the device comprising:
a framework; one or more thermal zone sub-assemblies coupled to the framework, each thermal zone sub-assembly having a thermal control element, and wherein each thermal zone sub-assembly is coupled to the framework by one or more thermal actuation mechanisms; and one or more thermal spreaders configured to contact the thermal control elements of the one or more thermal zone sub-assemblies.