Patent ID: 8865457
Filing Date: 2014-10-21
Classification: B01L,F25B

Abstract:
1. An active thermal control subsystem for use with at least one of polymerase chain reaction testing, chemiluminescent immuno-assay testing, and bDNA testing, the thermal control subsystem being operative to thermally-control a sample-holding device and comprising: a fluidic circuit for transporting a heat-transferring fluid for heating and/or cooling; a first heat spreader having a second side that is thermally coupleable to a first portion of the sample-holding device; a first assembly including a controllable thermo-electric device and a heat removal device, the heat removal device fluidly coupled to the fluidic circuit, a first side of the thermo-electric device of the first assembly being thermally-coupled to a first side of the first heat spreader and a second side of the thermo-electric device, opposite the first side, being thermally-coupled to the heat removal device, so that said thermo-electric device distally and thermally separates said first heat spreader from said heat removal device, wherein said thermo-electric device is adapted and controllable to transfer heat from said first heat spreader to said heat removal device or from said heat removal device to said first heat spreader; a second assembly including a controllable thermo-electric device and a heat removal device, the heat removal device fluidly coupled to the fluidic circuit, a first side of the thermo-electric device of the second assembly being thermally-coupleable to a portion of the sample-holding device and a second side of the thermo-electric device, opposite the first side, being thermally-coupled to the heat removal device so that said thermo-electric device distally and thermally separates said sample holding device from said heat removal device; a pump that is fluidly-coupled to the fluidic circuit for circulating the heat-transferring fluid through said fluidic circuit; and