Patent ID: 7754474

Claim:
A system for processing sample processing devices, the system comprising: a base plate operatively coupled to a drive system, wherein the drive system rotates the base plate about a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis defines a z-axis; thermal structure operatively attached to the base plate, wherein the thermal structure comprises a transfer surface exposed proximate a first surface of the base plate; a cover facing the transfer surface, wherein the cover comprises an inner compression ring and an outer compression ring; compression structure operatively attached to the cover to force the cover in a first direction along the z-axis towards the transfer surface, wherein the inner and outer compression rings contact and urge a sample processing device located between the cover and the transfer surface into contact with transfer surface; one or more resilient members operatively coupled to one or both of the cover and thermal structure, wherein the one or more resilient members provide a biasing force opposing the force of the compression structure forcing the cover towards the base plate, wherein the one or more resilient members couple the thermal structure to the base plate, and wherein the thermal structure is movable relative to the first surface of the base plate when a portion of a sample processing device located between the cover and the base plate is urged into contact with the transfer surface of the thermal structure; and an energy source adapted to deliver thermal energy to the thermal structure while the base plate is rotating about the rotation axis.