CPC C12Q 1/686 (2013.01) [B01L 7/52 (2013.01); G01N 21/6452 (2013.01); B01L 9/06 (2013.01); B01L 2200/141 (2013.01); B01L 2200/142 (2013.01); B01L 2300/042 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0829 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0851 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1822 (2013.01); G01N 2021/6482 (2013.01); G01N 2021/6484 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. An apparatus for performing nucleic acid amplification reactions, the apparatus comprising:
a thermally-conductive receptacle holder comprising a plurality of receptacle wells, each of the receptacle wells being configured to receive a receptacle, and each of the receptacle wells having a through-hole extending from an inner surface of the receptacle well to an outer surface of the receptacle holder;
a cover rotatable between an open position and a closed position relative to the receptacle holder, wherein the cover does not obstruct access to the receptacle wells when the cover is in the open position, wherein the cover blocks access to the receptacle wells when the cover is in the closed position, and wherein the cover is configured to exert a force onto each of any receptacles in the receptacle wells when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the cover is affixed to a rigid rotatable member, the rotatable member being in movable communication with an electric motor, and wherein the cover comprises a plurality of flexible extensions attached to and extending laterally away from the rotatable member; and
a plurality of optical fibers, each of the optical fibers providing optical communication between one of the receptacle wells and at least one of an excitation signal source and an emission signal detector, wherein a first end of each of the optical fibers is disposed outside, within, or extends through the through-hole of a corresponding one of the receptacle wells, and wherein a second end of each optical fiber is in optical communication with the excitation signal source and/or the emission signal detector.
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