US5176203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for repeated automatic execution of a thermal cycle for treatment of samples
Assignee: Ipsen Pharma SAS
•
Filing: 1990-07-31
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2010-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for repeated automatic execution of a thermal cycle for the treatment of a sample, especially a biological sample, comprises means (6) defining a pathway which is physically closed throughout the treatment and within which the sample is resident throughout the treatment. Means (3, 4, 11, 12) are provided to move the sample between different positions along the pathway and (7, 15, 16) to heat or cool the sample as a function of its position within the pathway. Preferably the pathway is a capillary tube, which may be in spiral, closed loop or linear form. Heating and cooling means are provided by thermostated zones which may provide a continuous thermal gradient regular or irregular, or be in a discontinuous arrangement. The preferred means of moving the samples is magnetic.
Inventors
- 👤 M. Daniel Larzul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:03
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L7/00; B01L7/52; B01L7/525; G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/08; B01L2300/00; B01L2300/08; B01L2300/0861; B01L2300/088; G01N2035/00346; G01N2035/00435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for the treatment of biological and microbiological samples comprising: (a) a pathway which is physically closed throughout the treatment; (b) means for introducing one of said biological or microbiological samples to the pathway prior to the commencement of treatment and for removing said sample subsequent to the completion of treatment; (c) means for physically closing the pathway during treatment so that nothing can be added thereto or withdrawn therefrom; (d) a plurality of thermal means positioned along the pathway for heating or cooling of said sample, said thermal means providing treatment of said sample at a temperature of from 4° C. to 150° C.; and (e) means for automatically and repeatedly, through a plurality of cycles, moving said sample between said different thermal positions along the pathway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for the treatment of biological and microbiological samples comprising: (a) a pathway which is physically closed throughout the treatment; (b) means for introducing one of said biological or microbiological samples to the pathway prior to the commencement of treatment and for removing said sample subsequent to the completion of treatment; (c) means for physically closing the pathway during treatment so that nothing can be added thereto or withdrawn therefrom; (d) a plurality of thermal means positioned along the pathway for heating or cooling of said sample, said thermal means providing treatment of said sample at a temperature of from 4° C. to 150° C.; and (e) means for automatically and repeatedly, through a plurality of cycles, moving said sample between said different thermal positions along the pathway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pathway comprises a capillary tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the capillary tube is of semi-rigid plastics material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the capillary tube has an internal diameter of from 0.1 to 4 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pathway is a spiral pathway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pathway is a loop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pathway is a linear pathway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for heating or cooling the sample comprises two or more thermostated zones through which the pathway passes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the thermostated zones are arranged discontinuously, each being separated from the next by a physical barrier crossed only by the pathway and each being provided with an autonomous heating or cooling system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the thermostated zones are arranged continuously along the pathway to provide a continuous and directional thermal gradient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the thermal gradient is irregular.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the sample comprises magnetic means including magnetic party within the pathway adjacent to the sample and an external magnet acting on the magnetic party to move it and hence the sample.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the magnetic party is a solid magnet or a suspension of magnetic microparticles in a liquid immiscible with the sample.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the sample comprises a pump acting on a gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the sample comprises the effect of thermal pumping created by the proximity of gaseous masses at different temperatures within the pathway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the means for moving the sample comprises passive capillary action.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the sample comprises a peristaltic pump.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for the treatment of biological and microbiological samples comprising: (a) a loop pathway which is physically closed throughout the treatment; (b) means for introducing one of said biological or microbiological samples to the loop pathway prior to the commencement of treatment and for removing said sample subsequent to the completion of treatment; (c) means for physically closing the loop pathway during treatment so that nothing can be added thereto or withdrawn therefrom; (d) a plurality of thermal means positioned along the loop pathway for heating or cooling of said sample, said thermal means providing treatment of said sample at a temperature of from 4° C. to 150° C.; and (e) means for automatically and repeatedly, through a plurality of cycles, moving said sample between said different thermal positions along the loop pathway.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for the treatment of biological and microbiological samples comprising: (a) a loop pathway which is physically closed throughout the treatment; (b) means for introducing one of said biological or microbiological samples to the loop pathway prior to the commencement of treatment and for removing said sample subsequent to the completion of treatment; (c) means for physically closing the loop pathway during treatment so that nothing can be added thereto or withdrawn therefrom; (d) a plurality of thermal means positioned along the loop pathway for heating or cooling of said sample, said thermal means providing treatment of said sample at a temperature of from 4° C. to 150° C.; and (e) means for automatically and repeatedly, through a plurality of cycles, moving said sample between said different thermal positions along the loop pathway.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |