Clamp for fast pcr heating

Abstract

This disclosure provides a thermocycler system for performing polymerase chain reaction. The thermocycler system can comprise a plurality of bus bars, a microplate, a clamp and a current application device in electrical communication with the bus bars. The clamp is suitable for forming a low resistance electrical connection between the microplate and an individual bus bar of the plurality of bus bars. In some instances, the clamp includes a spring-loaded pivot and a ram. Operation of the clamp forces the microplate into contact with the bus bar, or vice versa, to provide an electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bar. The microplate can comprise a substrate having a metallic material for heating samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate.

1 .- 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A thermocycler, comprising:
 a current application device configured to provide an electrical current to a microplate through bus bars in electrical contact with the microplate;   a clamp, comprising a handle coupled to a spring-loaded pivot and configured to provide electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bars; and   a motor, configured to actuate the clamp.   
     
     
         56 . A clamp configured to provide a low resistance electrical connection between a microplate and a bus-bar of a thermocycler, comprising:
 a handle coupled to a spring-loaded pivot; and   a ram coupled to the spring-loaded pivot, wherein the ram provides a force suitable to tightly adhere finger-like projections of a microplate to high conductivity bus bars of a current application device, wherein movement of the handle forces the microplate into contact with the bus-bar.   
     
     
         57 . A clamp configured to provide a low resistance electrical connection between a microplate and a bus-bar of a thermocycler, comprising:
 a handle coupled to a spring-loaded pivot; and   a domed ram coupled to the spring-loaded pivot, wherein the domed ram provides an annular ring of contact, configured to deliver high contact force and a contact area suitable for providing repeatable low-resistance connections.   
     
     
         58 . The clamp of  claim 57 , wherein the domed ram permits wiping of the microplate. 
     
     
         59 . A clamp configured to provide a low resistance electrical connection between a microplate and a bus-bar of a thermocycler, comprising:
 (a) a handle coupled to a spring-loaded pivot; and   (b) a ram coupled to the spring-loaded pivot, wherein the ram provides a clamp force suitable to provide substantially ohmic contact between finger-like projections of a microplate to high-conductivity bus bars of a current application device, wherein movement of the handle forces the microplate into contact with the bus-bar.   
     
     
         60 . A method for operating a thermocycler, comprising:
 using a current application device, providing an electrical current to a microplate through bus bars in electrical contact with the microplate;   using a clamp comprising a handle coupled to a spring-loaded pivot, providing electrical contact between the microplate and bus bars; and   using a motor, actuating the clamp.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising using a computer processor to execute machine-executable code to provide electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bars. 
     
     
         62 . A clamp configured to provide a low resistance electrical connection between a microplate and one or more bus-bars of a thermocycler, comprising:
 (a) a handle coupled to a spring-loaded pivot; and   (b) one or more rams coupled to the spring-loaded pivot, wherein at least one of the one or more rams provides a clamp force of at least about 500 Newtons upon movement of the handle, wherein the movement of the handle forces the microplate into contact with the one or more bus-bars.   
     
     
         63 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the clamp is an over center toggle type clamp. 
     
     
         64 . The clamp of  claim 63 , wherein the clamp is closed by hand. 
     
     
         65 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the one or more rams are driven by a master cylinder actuated by an electric ball screw. 
     
     
         66 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the movement of the handle forces the microplate into ohmic contact with the one or more bus-bars. 
     
     
         67 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the spring-loaded pivot comprises a Belleville spring washer. 
     
     
         68 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the movement of the handle is along a linear direction. 
     
     
         69 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein, upon completion of heating, the handle is movable in a reverse direction to decouple the microplate from the one or more bus-bars. 
     
     
         70 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the spring-loaded pivot permits the clamp to not need adjustment if the clamp becomes worn. 
     
     
         71 . The clamp of  claim 65 , wherein the one or more rams clamp the microplate to gold-plated contacts on the one or more bus-bars. 
     
     
         72 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the one or more rams exerts a force of less than 100 N. 
     
     
         73 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the one or more rams exerts a force of greater than 1000 N. 
     
     
         74 . The clamp of  claim 62 , wherein the clamp provides a force of at least about 4000 Newtons.