Patent ID: 7955841

Claim:
A device for performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a reaction chamber, comprising: a bladder assembly comprising: a first temperature-control bladder configured to receive a temperature-control fluid from a first inlet channel and expel said temperature-control fluid from a first outlet channel, wherein said first temperature-control bladder comprises a flexible, heat conductive surface that comes in contact with at least a portion of an exterior surface of a reaction chamber after receiving said temperature-control fluid; and a second temperature-control bladder configured to receive said temperature-control fluid from a second inlet channel and expel said temperature-control fluid from a second outlet channel, wherein said second temperature-control bladder comprises a flexible, heat conductive surface that comes in contact with another portion of exterior surface of said reaction chamber after receiving said temperature-control fluid; a first heat exchanger that is connected to both said first and second inlet channels via a first two-way valve and a first three-way connector, said first heat exchanger maintains said temperature-control fluid at a first temperature; a second heat exchanger that is connected to both said first and second inlet channels via said first two-way valve and said first three-way connector, said second heat exchanger maintains said temperature-control fluid at a second temperature; and a pump located between said bladder assembly and said heat exchangers, said pump is connected to said first and second outlet channels via a three-way connector and is connected to either said first heat exchanger or said second heat exchanger via a second two-way valve.