Patent ID: 6426215
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: B01L

Abstract:
A cover for retaining a sealing sheet on a surface of a PCR plate, wherein the PCR plate has sample wells depending from and opening through the surface and a peripheral wall surrounding the sample wells and connected to a base, the cover comprising:a substantially rigid sheet capable of maintaining the surface of the PCR plate in a pre-thermal-cycling shape during a PCR thermal cycling process; a resiliently compliable sheet cooperable with one side of the substantially rigid sheet to press the sealing sheet against the surface of the PCR plate to maintain a seal in the wells; a plurality of holes in the substantially rigid sheet and in the resiliently compliable sheet, each hole being of a size and shape capable of allowing optical access therethrough; and at least one retaining device attached to the substantially rigid sheet and engagable with the PCR plate to retain the substantially rigid sheet and the resiliently compliable sheet in a condition to press the sealing sheet against the surface of the PCR plate.