Patent ID: 6852986
Filing Date: 2005-02-08
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A combined fluorometer and thermal cycler, comprising: a plurality of low heat-generating light sources; a plurality of containers having caps; means for positioning said plurality of containers into optical communication with said plurality of light sources, wherein each of said light sources communicates with one of said containers; a thermally controlled base in close contact with said plurality of containers and a thermally controlled cover having a plurality of apertures, wherein each of said apertures corresponds with one of said containers and expands outward from said cap of said corresponding container; a first optical path means for guiding light from said plurality of light sources to said plurality of containers; an optical signal sensing means in optical communication with said plurality of containers; a second optical path means for guiding emitted light from any sample in said plurality of containers to said optical signal sensing means; and programmable control means for controlling the temperature of said plurality of containers according to a selected protocol.