Christopher R Cotter

US Patent:

20130273644, Oct 17, 2013

Filed:

Mar 13, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/799275

Inventors:

Geoff A. McKinley - Duxbury MA, US
Fabio Gennari - Florence, IT
Michel Guy - Scituate MA, US
Christopher Cotter - Charlestown MA, US
Luigi Catazariti - Duxbury MA, US
Louis Graziano - Rockland MA, US
Bruno Colin - Marcy L'Etoile, FR
Cecile Paris - Lyon, FR
Jacque Dachaud - Besancon, FR

Assignee:

BIOMERIEUX, INC. - DURHAM NC

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68

US Classification:

4352872

Abstract:

An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device is provided. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature. A pneumatic system is also provided that assists in fluid transfer of a reaction solution from the first chamber to the second chamber.