Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.

Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.

Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.

Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.

Abstract: A cable management device traps and provides support for at least one electrical cable end connector which is located below an existing cable management hole through a work surface. In one embodiment, the cable management device includes a plate defining at least one aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector. The plate is mountable directly to an underside of the work surface across a portion of the existing cable management hole such that the electrical connector is accessible from the top side of the work surface. Another embodiment of the cable management device includes a cylindrical sleeve adapted for mounting in a standard size cable management hole in a work surface, the sleeve including a lip protruding outwardly at a first end, the lip retaining the sleeve in the cable management hole, and at least one aperture defined by the sleeve, the aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector.

Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.

Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.

Abstract: A cable management device traps and provides support for at least one electrical cable end connector which is located below an existing cable management hole through a work surface. In one embodiment, the cable management device includes a plate defining at least one aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector. The plate is mountable directly to an underside of the work surface across a portion of the existing cable management hole such that the electrical connector is accessible from the top side of the work surface. Another embodiment of the cable management device includes a cylindrical sleeve adapted for mounting in a standard size cable management hole in a work surface, the sleeve including a lip protruding outwardly at a first end, the lip retaining the sleeve in the cable management hole, and at least one aperture defined by the sleeve, the aperture adapted to releasably receive an electrical connector.

Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.

Abstract: A two-piece plastic holder for loosely holding microliter sample tubes of a preselected design, each tube having a cylindrically shaped upper section open at its top end, a closed, tapered lower section extending downwardly therefrom, and a circumferential shoulder extending outwardly from the upper section at a position on the upper section spaced from the open end thereof. The holder includes a one-piece tray member and a one-piece retainer. The one-piece tray member including a flat, horizontal plate section containing holes in a rectangular array, a first vertical tray sidewall section around the plate extending upwardly to a height greater than the height of a tube resting in one of the holes, and a second vertical tray sidewall section around the plate extending downwardly approximately to the bottom of the upper section of a tube resting in one of the holes. The one-piece retainer is releasably engageable inside the tray over any sample tubes resting in the tray.