Patent ID: 9683792
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: B01L,C12P,C12Q,F25B,F28F

Claim:
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, wherein the thermal actuation mechanisms consist essentially of insulative bearings, fasteners, and a spring, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force to drive the thermal control element toward one of the one or more thermal spreaders, wherein each fastener is a shoulder screw, and wherein each thermal actuation mechanism includes at least one polymer-based bearing, which travels up and down on the shaft of at least one of the shoulder screws that are attached to the framework and are pushed by the spring.