Patent ID: 6429007
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B01L,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A station for conducting a nucleic acid amplification reaction in a disposable test device having a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent and a second reaction chamber either containing or in fluid communication with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent, the station comprising:a support structure receiving said test device; at least one temperature control system for said test device, said temperature control system maintaining said first reaction chamber at a first temperature but simultaneously maintaining said second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature different from than said first temperature so as to preserve said second nucleic acid amplification reagent; and an actuator operative on said test device to place said first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other, said actuator operative on said test device after a reaction has occurred in said first reaction chamber at said first temperature; whereby a second portion of said nucleic acid amplification reaction may occur in said second chamber with said second nucleic acid amplification reagent being preserved by maintenance of said second nucleic acid amplification reagent at said second temperature while said first chamber and said first nucleic acid amplification reagent are maintained at said first temperature.