Patent ID: 9724695
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: B01L,G01N

Claim:
1. An adaptable apparatus for performing a thermocyclic process comprising: a microfluidic chip having a fluid channel formed therein; and one or more thermal distribution elements, each of which is separate from the microfluidic chip; wherein the one or more thermal distribution elements are placed in thermal communication with an associated portion of said microfluidic chip, each said thermal distribution element being constructed and arranged to distribute thermal energy from an external thermal energy source, including at least one heater, substantially uniformly over said associated portion of said microfluidic chip, wherein each of the one or more thermal distribution elements is positioned between and in contact with the microfluidic chip and the at least one heater, wherein the size and positioning of the one or more heaters and thermal distribution elements in relation to the fluid channel creates two or more adaptable temperature zones on the microfluidic chip, thereby defining said associated portion as one of said temperature zones within said microfluidic chip, a detector configured to detect emissions originating from one or more locations within the channel, wherein the one or more heaters and thermal distribution elements positioned on the same side as the detector relative to the microfluidic chip obstruct optical communication between the detector and a fluid in the fluid channel passing through temperature zones in thermal communication with the thermal distribution elements, wherein fluid passing through a temperature zone not in thermal communication with the thermal distribution element is in optical communication with the detector, wherein the size and positioning of the one or more thermal distribution elements in relation to the microfluidic chip is changeable, wherein said channel is arranged such that the fluid flowing through the channel would enter and exit each of said temperature zones of the microfluidic chip a plurality of times.