Patent ID: 7851185
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: B01L,C12Q,G01N,G06T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In a system comprising a nucleic acid sample, a heating device, and an electromagnetic heating source, a method comprising: (a) controlling the heating device to cause a temperature of the sample to be at or about a first desired temperature for at least a first time period; (b) after expiration of the first time period, increasing the output of the electromagnetic heating source to cause the temperature of the sample to be at or about a second desired temperature for at least a second time period; (c) during said second time period, lowering the amount of heat the heating device provides to the sample; and (d) immediately after expiration of the second time period, lowering the output of the electromagnetic heating source and controlling the heating device to cause the temperature of the sample to be at or about a third desired temperature for a third time period, wherein the first temperature is less than the second temperature and the third temperature is less than the first temperature, wherein during step (c), the output of the heating device is lowered to the amount of heat necessary for the sample to be at or about the third desired temperature, and wherein steps (a) through (d) occur while the sample is flowing through a microfluidic channel.