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`US 20040018610Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Sandell
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0018610 Al
`Jan. 29, 2004
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SLIP COVER FOR HEATED PLATEN
`ASSEMBLY
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Donald R. Sandell, San Jose, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MILA KASAN, PATENT DEPT.
`APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS
`850 LINCOLN CENTRE DRIVE
`FOSTER CITY, CA 94404 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/200,581
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 23, 2002
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... C12M 1/34
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................ 435/287.2; 435/288.4; 435/288.7
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A heated platen assembly for use in a biological testing
`device is disclosed having a heated platen defining a plu(cid:173)
`rality of optical openings configured to permit radiation to
`pass through the heated platen, a light transmissive slip
`cover configured to cover at least one of the plurality of
`optical openings, and means for retaining the slip cover over
`the at least one of the plurality of optical openings.
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 29, 2004 Sheet 1 of 8
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`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 29, 2004 Sheet 2 of 8
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`US 2004/0018610 Al
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`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
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`Patent A.ppJicauon l'uh/icauon
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`.Ian. 29, 2004 Sheet 3 of 8
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 29, 2004 Sheet 4 of 8
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`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 29, 2004 Sheet 5 of 8
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`Jan. 29, 2004 Sheet 6 of 8
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 29, 2004 Sheet 7 of 8
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 29, 2004 Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 2004/0018610 Al
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`114
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`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
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`

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`US 2004/0018610 Al
`
`Jan.29,2004
`
`1
`
`SLIP COVER FOR HEATED PLATEN ASSEMBLY
`DESCRIPTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field
`[0002] The present teachings relate to a heated platen
`assembly for use in biological testing devices. More par(cid:173)
`ticularly the present teachings relate to a light transmissive
`slip cover for covering at least one optical opening in such
`a heated platen assembly.
`[0003] 2. Background
`[0004] Biological testing has become an important tool in
`detecting and monitoring diseases. In the biological field,
`thermal cycling is utilized in order to perform polymerase
`chain reactions (PCR) and other reactions. To amplify DNA
`(deoxyribonucleic acid) using the PCR process, a specifi(cid:173)
`cally constituted liquid reaction mixture is cycled through a
`PCR protocol including several different temperature incu(cid:173)
`bation periods. An aspect of the PCR process is the concept
`of thermal cycling: alternating steps of melting DNA,
`annealing short primers to the resulting single strands, and
`extending those primers to make new copies of double(cid:173)
`stranded DNA During thermal cycling, it may be desirable
`that the temperature of each of a plurality of sample wells is
`substantially uniform. In addition, it may be desirable that
`condensation be avoided on the caps or other covering for
`the sample wells.
`[0005] One method of inhibiting condensation on the top
`of the sample wells is to provide a heated platen for pressing
`down on the tops or caps of the sample well trays. Such a
`pressing force is often accomplished by using one or more
`springs located around a periphery of the platen. The platen
`may typically be included as part of a cover and may
`typically be metal. The platen may transfer heat to the caps
`of the sample wells by utilizing a resistive element con(cid:173)
`nected to the platen, thereby inhibiting condensation. In
`addition, the platen may press down on the sample well(s)
`so that the sample well outer conical surfaces are pressed
`firmly against the mating surfaces on the sample block. This
`may increase heat transfer to the sample well(s) and facili(cid:173)
`tate a uniform distribution of sample well temperatures. The
`platen may also prevent thermal leakage from the interior of
`the device.
`[0006] Examples of a system with a heated platen are
`described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,610, 5,602,756, and 5,710,
`381, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present
`invention, and the contents of which are all hereby incor(cid:173)
`porated by reference herein.
`[0007]
`It may also be desirable for the heated platen to
`allow optical access to the sample wells. To achieve this, the
`heated platen may have a plurality of optical openings
`passing through the heated platen to allow light to pass from
`a light source to the samples and then to a detection device.
`These holes, while providing the benefit of allowing optical
`access, also may facilitate heat loss through the holes and/or
`radiated from the upper surface of the platen. In addition to
`heat loss, as the thermal cycling device is used over time,
`dust or other foreign particles may accumulate in the optical
`openings, thus reducing the amount of light that may trans(cid:173)
`mit through the heated platen.
`
`optical openings may be configured to permit radiation to
`pass through the heated platen and the heated platen may
`have a first side configured to face away from a plurality of
`sample wells and a second side configured to face toward the
`plurality of sample wells. The heated platen may also
`include a light transmissive slip cover configured to cover at
`least one of the plurality of optical openings on the first side
`of the heated platen. Means for retaining the slip cover over
`the at least one of the plurality of optical openings may also
`be included.
`
`[0009] According to another aspect, the means for retain(cid:173)
`ing may comprise a recessed portion defined by the heated
`platen configured to surround and retain the slip cover.
`
`[0010]
`In another aspect, a top surface of the slip cover
`may be substantially flush with a top surface of the heated
`platen when the slip cover is positioned in the recessed
`portion of the heated platen.
`
`[0011]
`In yet another aspect, the means for retaining may
`comprise a frame member configured to retain the slip cover
`over the at least one of the plurality of optical openings.
`
`[0012] According to another aspect, the frame member
`may be removably attachable to the heated platen.
`
`[0013]
`In one aspect, the frame member may further
`comprise a recessed portion configured to retain the slip
`cover in a desired relation to the heated platen.
`
`[0014] According to another aspect, the frame member
`may define a plurality of holes for attaching the frame
`member to the heated platen.
`
`[0015] According to another aspect, the assembly may
`further comprise a gasket between the slip cover and the
`heated platen.
`
`[0016]
`In yet another aspect, the gasket may be positioned
`between an outer edge of the slip cover and the heated
`platen.
`
`[0017] According to another aspect, the assembly may
`further comprise a gasket positioned between a surface of
`the slip cover facing the plurality of optical openings and an
`area of the surface of the heated platen surrounding the
`plurality of optical openings.
`
`[0018]
`In one aspect, a heated platen assembly for use in
`a biological testing device is provided comprising a heated
`platen defining a plurality of optical openings to allow
`radiation to pass from a first side of the heated platen to a
`second side of the heated platen, and means for covering at
`least one of the plurality of optical openings on a side facing
`away from a sample to be tested. Further, the means for
`covering at least one of the plurality of optical openings may
`be transmissive to light.
`
`[0019] According to another aspect, retaining means con(cid:173)
`figured to retain the means for covering over at least one of
`the plurality of optical openings may be provided.
`
`[0020]
`In another aspect, the retaining means may com(cid:173)
`prise a recessed portion defined by the heated platen.
`
`SUMMARY
`[0008]
`In one aspect, the present teachings include a
`heated platen defining a plurality of optical openings. The
`
`[0021]
`In yet another aspect, the retaining means may
`further comprises a frame member configured to retain the
`slip cover within the recessed portion.
`
`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
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`

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`US 2004/0018610 Al
`
`Jan.29,2004
`
`2
`
`[0022] According to another aspect, the retaining means
`may comprise a frame member configured to retain the slip
`cover in place over the at least one of the plurality of optical
`openings.
`
`[0023]
`In yet another aspect, the frame member may
`include a recessed portion configured to surround and retain
`the slip cover in place over the at least one of the plurality
`of optical openings.
`
`[0024]
`In another aspect, a heated platen assembly for use
`in a biological testing device may be provided comprising a
`heated platen defining a plurality of optical openings con(cid:173)
`figured to permit radiation to pass from a first side of the
`heated platen to a second side of the heated platen, a light
`transmissive slip cover configured to cover at least one of the
`plurality of optical openings, and a fastening apparatus
`configured to retain the slip cover over the at least one of the
`plurality of optical openings.
`
`[0025] According to another aspect, the assembly may
`further comprise a seal member positioned between a sur(cid:173)
`face of the slip cover facing the plurality of optical openings
`and an area of the surface of the heated platen surrounding
`the plurality of optical openings.
`
`[0026] According to yet another aspect, the fastening
`apparatus may further comprise a seal member configured to
`provide a press fit between the slip cover and the heated
`platen.
`
`[0027] According to another aspect, a heated platen
`assembly for use in a biological testing device may be
`provided comprising a heated platen defining a plurality of
`optical openings configured to permit radiation to pass from
`a first side of the heated platen to a second side of the heated
`platen, a light transmissive slip cover configured to cover at
`least one of the plurality of optical openings, and a fastening
`apparatus configured to retain the slip cover over at least one
`of the plurality of optical openings. The fastening apparatus
`may comprise a recessed portion defined by the heated
`platen configured to surround and retain the slip cover in
`place over the at least one of the plurality of optical
`openings, and the fastening apparatus may further comprise
`a frame member configured to retain the slip cover within
`the recessed portion.
`
`[0028] Other aspects still will become apparent from the
`description that follows. It should be understood that the
`invention, in its broadest sense, could be practiced without
`accomplishing one or more of the aspects described herein.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo(cid:173)
`rated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate
`at least one exemplary embodiment.
`
`[0030]
`
`In the drawings,
`
`[0031] FIG.1 is an exploded perspective view of a heated
`platen assembly including a frame for securing a slip cover;
`
`[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled
`heated platen assembly of FIG. 1;
`
`[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another
`embodiment of a heated platen assembly including a slip
`cover;
`
`[0034] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the assembled
`heated platen assembly of FIG. 1;
`[0035] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a top side of the heated
`platen assembly of FIG. 1;
`[0036] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an underside of the heated
`platen assembly of FIG. 1;
`[0037] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the assembly depicted in
`FIG. 2; and
`[0038] FIG. 7 is a partial section view of the heated platen
`of FIG. 1 in conjunction with an exemplary biological
`testing device.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
`[0039] Reference will now be made to non-limiting,
`exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, examples
`of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
`Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in
`the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like
`parts, and the same reference numbers with alphabetical
`suffixes or numerical prefixes are used to refer to similar
`parts.
`[0040]
`In accordance with various embodiments, a heated
`platen assembly is provided. In one aspect, the heated platen
`assembly may be used in a biological testing device for
`performing nucleic acid amplification. In various embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the heated platen assembly includes a heated platen,
`a light transmissive slip cover, and means for retaining the
`slip cover in a substantially fixed relationship relative to the
`heated platen. The heated platen assembly may further
`include additional securing means associated with the slip
`cover, among other components.
`[0041]
`In FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view is shown
`of a heated platen assembly 5 that includes a heated platen
`10 and a slip cover 40. Slip cover 40, as shown, is rectan(cid:173)
`gular in shape and has four edges 42 as well as four corners
`44. Slip cover 40 may, however, also be of any suitable
`shape to fit on a heated platen of choice. Heated platen 10
`may be any type of device configured to operate with nucleic
`acid amplification devices. One common method of per(cid:173)
`forming nucleic acid amplification of biological samples is
`polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Various PCR methods are
`known in the art, as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
`5,928,907 and 6,015,674 to Woudenberg et al., the complete
`disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference
`for any purpose. Other methods of nucleic acid amplification
`include, for example, ligase chain reaction, oligonucleotide
`ligations assay, and hybridization assay. These and other
`methods are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos.
`5,928,907 and 6,015,674, which are also incorporated herein
`by reference.
`[0042]
`In one embodiment, the thermal cycling device
`performs real-time detection of the nucleic acid amplifica(cid:173)
`tion of the samples during thermal cycling.
`[0043] Real-time detection systems are known in the art,
`as also described in greater detail in, for example, U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 5,928,907 and 6,015,674 to Woudenberg et al., incor(cid:173)
`porated herein above. During real-time detection, various
`characteristics of the samples are detected during the ther(cid:173)
`mal cycling. Real-time detection permits accurate and effi(cid:173)
`cient detection and monitoring of the samples during the
`nucleic acid amplification.
`
`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
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`

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`US 2004/0018610 Al
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`Jan.29,2004
`
`3
`
`[0044] Heated platen 10 may be configured for use with
`any type of sample well tray, including, for example, 96-well
`sample well trays, 384-well sample trays, and microcard
`sample trays. Other configurations include 4, 8,12, 24, 48,
`and 1,536 sample wells, among others. The size and shape
`of these sample well trays are well known in the art.
`Examples of 96-well sample well trays suitable for use in the
`present invention are described in WO 00/25922 to Moring
`et al., the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorpo(cid:173)
`rated by reference for any purpose. Examples of sample well
`trays of the microcard type suitable for use in the present
`invention are described in WO 01/28684 to Frye et al., the
`complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
`reference for any purpose, W097/36681 to Woudenberg et
`al., the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
`by reference for any purpose, U.S. application Ser. No.
`09/897,500, filed Jul. 3, 2001, assigned to the assignee of the
`present invention, the complete disclosure of which is
`hereby incorporated by reference for any purpose, and U.S.
`application Ser. No. 09/977,225, filed Oct. 16, 2001,
`assigned to the assignee of the present application, the
`complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
`reference for any purpose. Sample well trays having any
`number of sample wells and sample well sizes may also be
`used with the thermal cycling device of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`[0045] The volume of the sample wells may vary any(cid:173)
`where from about 0.01 µl to thousands of microliters (ul),
`with a volume between 10 to 500 µl being typical.
`
`[0046] As embodied herein and shown in FIG. 1, heated
`platen 10 of the heated platen assembly 5 defines a plurality
`of optical openings 12. Optical openings 12 pass entirely
`through heated platen 10 so as to allow optical access from
`the top surface 14 (see FIG. 4) through to the underside 16
`(see FIG. 5). In this fashion, radiation, (e.g. light, such as
`that emitted from a laser or a light bulb, such as a quartz
`bulb), may pass through heated platen 10 to a plurality of
`biological samples located on one side of the heated platen.
`As depicted in FIGS. 1-5, heated platen 10 defines 384
`optical openings 12 to correspond with a sample card or tray
`having 384 sample wells contained therein. It is common for
`heated platen 10 to contain a number of optical openings 12
`equal to a number of sample wells contained in the card or
`tray being used for testing, but the heated platen could
`instead have a number of openings different than the number
`of sample wells, if desired.
`
`In certain embodiments, heated platen 10 also
`[0047]
`includes a recessed area 18 substantially surrounding the
`plurality of optical openings 12 for receiving slip cover 40.
`As depicted in FIG. 1, recessed area 18 is of a depth
`approximately equal to a thickness of slip cover 40 so as to
`allow slip cover 40 to be flush with the portion of heated
`platen 10 surrounding recessed area 18 when slip cover 40
`is positioned in recessed area 18 of heated platen 10.
`Recessed area 18 may instead, however, be of a depth
`greater than or less than a thickness of slip cover 40.
`Recessed area 18 defines a substantially fiat surface for
`contacting a surface of the slip cover facing optical openings
`12. Although heated platen 10, slip cover 40 and recessed
`area 18 are depicted as being rectangular in shape, these
`components may be of any shape suitable for operating in
`conjunction with a sample well tray.
`
`[0048] Also depicted in FIG. 1 is frame member 50 used
`as a fastening apparatus to hold slip cover 40 in place. As
`used herein, the fastening apparatus may include, but is not
`limited to a frame member, a recessed area, a gasket, an
`adhesive, or a clip device or devices positioned on heated
`platen 10. Other FINNEGAN fastening apparatus known in
`the art are also contemplated that can perform the function
`of retaining slip cover 40, or other covering apparatus in
`place over at least one of the plurality of optical openings 12.
`Frame member 50 may be made of any suitable material, for
`example sheet metal or any other material suitable for
`withstanding operating temperatures of approximately 80° C
`or higher. In addition, other temperature ranges suitable for
`biological or other testing using a heated platen may be
`desirable and it is contemplated that a material for frame
`member 50 would be appropriately suited for the desired
`temperature range.
`[0049]
`In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, frame
`member 50 is configured to assist in holding slip cover 40 in
`a substantially stationary position relative to heated platen
`10. As seen in FIG. 2, frame member 50 and slip cover 40
`are in place on heated platen 10. Frame member 50 defines
`a plurality of holes 52 that correspond to a plurality of holes
`20 located in platen 10 (see FIG.1). A fastening device (not
`shown), for example a screw or any other suitable device,
`may then be inserted through hole 52 into hole 20 to hold
`frame member 50 in place. An outer periphery of slip cover
`40 is thereby sandwiched between frame member 50 and
`recess 18 of heated platen 10. Frame member 50 may be
`dimensioned so that it does not obscure any of optical
`openings 12 when it is in place on heated platen 10. In the
`example shown in FIG. 6, frame member 50 overlaps slip
`cover 40 by a small amount, for example 0.3 mm. This
`overlap may be varied from small to quite large.
`[0050] Other variations also exist for maintaining slip
`cover 40 in place on heated platen 10. In the embodiment
`depicted in FIGS. 3 and 3a, it is possible that recess 18
`alone may be sufficient to hold slip cover 40 in place simply
`by utilizing a border or wall portion 18a of recess 18 to
`confine/surround and restrict movement of slip cover 40. In
`such an embodiment, frame member 50 could be omitted
`and recessed area 18 could be sufficient, along with gravity,
`to keep slip cover 40 in a desired position relative to heated
`platen 10.
`[0051]
`In addition to providing essentially a drop-in con(cid:173)
`figuration whereby gravity holds slip cover 40 in place, it
`may also be desirable to place a gasket (not shown) or other
`suitable device around the perimeter of recessed area 18 to
`allow for a press fit of the slip cover. Such a press fit could
`retain slip cover 40 regardless of orientation. It may also be
`possible to utilize tight tolerance manufacturing to provide
`such a press fit without the use of any additional gasket or
`other device whereby slip cover 40 may be retained in
`recessed portion 18 through a contact fit between heated
`platen 10 and slip cover 40 alone.
`[0052]
`In certain embodiments, an adhesive or other suit(cid:173)
`able material is utilized to fasten slip cover 40 permanently
`or semi-permanently in place onto heated platen 10. This
`adhesive may be applied around the perimeter of recess 18
`and/or on the area of recess 18 between the plurality of holes
`12.
`[0053] Frame member 50 may also be provided with a
`recessed portion configured to accommodate slip cover 40.
`
`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
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`

`
`US 2004/0018610 Al
`
`Jan.29,2004
`
`4
`
`If slip cover 40 is of a thickness greater than recess 18, then
`the recessed portion of frame member 50 may be used to
`assist in holding slip cover 40 in place. In addition, it is
`contemplated that heated platen 10 may not have a recessed
`portion 18, in which case the recessed portion of frame
`member 50 may be utilized to restrict movement of the slip
`cover. In either of these embodiments, frame member 50 and
`slip cover 40 may be fixed together to form a single frame
`member/slip cover assembly that may then be affixed to the
`heated platen 10 as described herein or by any other means
`suitable for affixing to the heated platen 10.
`
`[0054] FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of heated platen 10
`looking down onto top surface 14. As can be seen in FIG.
`4, heated platen 10 may include one or more relief areas 24
`around the perimeter of recess 18. Relief areas 24 may be
`provided to allow easier access to an edge 42 or corner 44
`of slip cover 40 so that slip cover 40 may be more easily
`removed from recessed area 18. Although relief areas 24 are
`depicted as semicircular in shape, these relief areas may be
`of any shape suitable for allowing access to edge 42 or
`corner 44 of slip cover 40.
`
`[0055] Slip cover 40 may be made of any suitable material
`that will allow for the transmission of radiation, such as
`light, through to optical openings 12 and into the biological
`samples (not depicted). For example, slip cover 40 may be
`made of glass or plastic. Slip cover 40 may also be made of
`a light transmissive film material that may be cut to a proper
`size to fit over the optical openings as desired. Because
`vertical or "head" space in PCR devices is often limited, it
`may be desirable to have a slip cover of a relatively small
`thickness. In certain embodiments, the slip cover thickness
`may be in the range of 0.5 mm or less. In such an instance,
`recess 18 may be deep enough to allow slip cover 40 to rest
`entirely below upper surface 14 of heated platen 10 or be
`flush with surface 14.
`[0056]
`It may also, however, be desirable to utilize a
`thicker slip cover that may allow for rounding, chamfering,
`or otherwise blunting of any potentially sharp edges of slip
`cover 40. In addition, a thicker slip cover may be more
`durable than a thinner one.
`
`[0057] Other suitable materials for slip cover 40 include
`clear, non-fluorescing polycarbonates, such as LEXAN. It
`may be desirable to provide a slightly thicker cover if it is
`made out of a polycarbonate or other similar material
`because of its tendency to fluoresce at low thicknesses. For
`example, it may be desirable to have a LEXAN slip cover
`with a thickness in the range of approximately 0.6 to 3.2
`mm. Other materials may also be contemplated for use as
`slip cover 40 that are capable of withstanding the operating
`temperatures achieved with the heated platen.
`
`[0058] To further enhance the dust accumulation preven(cid:173)
`tion of slip cover 40, a gasket or other type of seal member
`(not shown) may be provided between heated platen 10 and
`slip cover 40. Such a gasket may be similar to the gasket
`described above where it may be situated around the edges
`42 of slip cover 40 for providing a press-fit or the gasket may
`be provided sandwiched between the surface of slip cover 40
`facing toward optical openings 12 and the surface of heated
`platen 10 in the area surrounding the matrix of optical
`openings 12. This gasket, or a-ring, may be made of any
`suitable material used for such gaskets. The seal could also
`include a heat resistant material suitable for the operating
`
`temperature range of the heated platen that could be applied
`in viscous form around the perimeter of the plurality of
`openings, which would harden into a seal that would then be
`affixed to heated platen 10. The seal/gasket could be made,
`for example, from Neoprene, Buma-N, Viton, Teflon, Kal(cid:173)
`rez, silicone or other similar material suitable for use in a
`PCR environment. This seal could also be applied in the
`alternative to slip cover 40. This gasket or seal member
`located between heated platen 10 and slip cover 40 may thus
`provide an additional barrier to foreign matter that may clog
`optical openings 12. This barrier may also be provided as a
`substantially air-tight seal.
`
`[0059] As mentioned above, heat loss through the optical
`openings in the heated platen can be a problem with con(cid:173)
`ventional devices. As an additional advantage, a slip cover
`as described herein may also reduce the warm-up time
`required to raise the heated platen temperature from ambient
`to a desired operating temperature. In one non-limiting
`example, the slip cover described herein may reduce warm(cid:173)
`up time to an operating temperature of 103° C. by, for
`example, nearly 50%.
`
`[0060] As depicted in FIG. 7, heated platen assembly 5 is
`depicted in place in an exemplary embodiment of a biologi(cid:173)
`cal testing device 100. Testing device 100, in this exemplary
`embodiment, includes a optical detection device 110, for
`example a CCD camera, a light source 112, a lens 114,
`heated platen assembly 5, sample block 116, and sample
`well tray 118. Sample well tray 118 comprises a plurality of
`sample wells 120 for containing samples 122. In operation,
`light emitted from light source 112 interacts with the
`samples 122. Light emitted and/or reflected from samples
`122 then travels through optical openings 12 and passes
`through slip cover 40. The light may then be focused and or
`collimated, for example, by lens 114 before being received
`by detection device 110. Further examples of biological
`testing apparatus usable in conjunction with heated platen 5
`are described in one or more of the documents incorporated
`by reference herein. Heated platen 5 may also be suitable for
`other testing devices than the one depicted in FIG. 7.
`
`[0061]
`It is intended that the specification and examples be
`considered as exemplary only.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A heated platen assembly for use in a biological testing
`device, comprising:
`
`a heated platen defining a plurality of optical openings,
`the optical openings configured to permit radiation to
`pass through the heated platen, the heated platen having
`a first side configured to face away from a plurality of
`sample wells and a second side configured to face
`toward the plurality of sample wells;
`
`a light transmissive slip cover configured to cover at least
`one of the plurality of optical openings on the first side
`of the heated platen; and
`
`means for retaining the slip cover over the at least one of
`the plurality of optical openings.
`2. The heated platen assembly of claim 1, wherein the
`means for retaining comprises a recessed portion defined by
`the heated platen, a part of the heated platen defining the
`recessed portion configured to surround and retain the slip
`cover.
`
`THERMO FISHER EX. 1015
`
`

`
`US 2004/0018610 Al
`
`Jan.29,2004
`
`5
`
`3. The heated platen assembly of claim 2, wherein a top
`surface of the slip cover is substantially flush with a top
`surface of the heated platen when the slip cover is positioned
`in the recessed portion of the heated platen.
`4. The heated platen assembly of claim 2, wherein the
`means for retaining comprises a frame member configured
`to retain the slip cover over the at least one of the plurality
`of optical openings.
`5. The heated platen assembly of claim 4, wherein the
`frame member is removably attachable to the heated platen.
`6. The heated platen assembly of claim 4, wherein the
`frame member further comprises a recessed portion config(cid:173)
`ured to retain the slip cover in a desired relation to the heated
`platen.
`7. The heated platen assembly of claim 4, wherein the
`frame member comprises sheet metal.
`8. The heated platen assembly of claim 4, wherein the
`frame member defines a plurality of holes for attaching the
`frame member to the heated platen.
`9. The heated platen assembly of claim 1, wherein the slip
`cover comprises glass.
`10. The heated platen assembly of claim 9, wherein the
`slip cover has a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm or less.
`11. The heated platen assembly of claim 1, wherein the
`slip cover comprises a non-fluorescing clear polycarbonate.
`12. The heated platen assembly of claim 11, wherein the
`slip cover has a thickness of approximately 0.6 mm to
`approximately 3.2 mm.
`13. The heated platen assembly of claim 1, wherein the
`slip cover is adhered to the heated platen.
`14. The heated platen assembly of claim 1, further com(cid:173)
`prising a gasket between the slip cover and the heated platen.
`15. The heated platen assembly of claim 14, wherein the
`gasket is positioned between an outer edge of the slip cover
`and the heated platen.
`16. The heated platen assembly of claim 4, further com(cid:173)
`prising a gasket positioned between a surface of the slip
`cover facing the plurality of optical openings and an area of
`the surface of the heated platen surrounding the plurality of
`optical openings.
`17. The heated platen assembly of claim 1,