Patent ID: 7807449

Claim:
A nucleic acid reaction processing station for processing nucleic acid reactions occurring in a plurality of disposable test devices having a nucleic acid sample contained therein and comprising a first reaction chamber and a second reaction chamber and a valve connecting the first reaction chamber to the second reaction chamber, said station comprising a) a plurality of individual disposable test device receiving locations, each of said locations adapted for receiving an individual one of said disposable test devices; b) a plurality of actuators, one actuator per disposable test device, operative on the valve of said disposable test devices to open fluid communication between said first reaction chamber and said second reaction chamber; c) a pneumatic system including a source of vacuum connected to a vacuum enclosure moveable into a position to cover the disposable test devices and form a vacuum chamber for said disposable test devices, wherein the plurality of actuators are positioned within the vacuum enclosure, the pneumatic system operative to transfer a reaction solution contained in the first reaction chamber to the second reaction chamber after opening of the fluid communication between the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber; d) at least one thermal module comprising 1) a thermo-electric heat source, 2) a first thermal transfer structure positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of individual disposable test device receiving locations so as to be in direct thermal contact with said first reaction chamber of a disposable test device received in said disposable test device receiving location, and 3) a second thermal transfer structure positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of individual disposable test device receiving locations so as to be in direct thermal contact with said second reaction chamber of a disposable test device received in said disposable test device receiving location, e) a temperature control system operative of said thermo-electric heat source so as to produce a desired temperature profile to said first thermal transfer structure and thereby a first desired temperature profile to said first reaction chamber and a second desired temperature profile to said second thermal transfer structure and thereby a second desired temperature profile to said second reaction chamber, in accordance with a nucleic acid reaction to be performed on a sample contained in the disposable test device; and f) an optical reader assembly comprising an optical sensor positioned to detect a disposable test device received within an individual disposable test device receiving location.