Endress+Hauser analytikjena qTOWER iris - PCR Thermocycler; Heated Lid

qTOWER iris Design and function
13
Multiplexer with color modules
The color modules with the excitation filters are mounted on a rotating filter wheel, the
multiplexer. Analytik Jena offers a number of color modules of which up to six can be in-
stalled simultaneously in the multiplexer.
Retrofit or replacement of the installed modules may be carried out by the Analytik Jena
service team at any time.
NOTICE
If you intend to extend the application spectrum of the device with regard to using filter
modules, always contact the service department because extensions– to be performed
by the operator himself– are not intended by the manufacturer.
Measuring head
The measuring head as a mechanical scanning unit scans the sample block column by
column.
Detector
The detector (photomultiplier) allows measurement of the sample fluorescence in up to
six spectral channels during PCR, providing verification of multiple target sequences in a
single PCR reaction. The signal from the fluorescent dyes excited by a light source corre-
lates quantitatively with the amount of PCR product and may be shown in real-time.
4.2.2 PCR thermocycler
The thermal block with 96 wells is made of silver for the best possible performance and
thermal conductivity. The silver is coated with gold for corrosion protection. Due to its
excellent heat conductivity, silver equilibrates extremely quickly, providing maximum
speed and uniform temperature distribution.
This achieves a high temperature homogeneity and uniformity in combination with
heating rates of up to 8°C/s and cooling rates of up to 5.5°C/s.
The thermal block with 384 wells is made of aluminum that conducts heat very well.
This achieves a high temperature homogeneity and uniformity in combination with
heating rates of up to 4°C/s and cooling rates of up to 2°C/s.
This powerful thermal block is suitable for high-throughput applications in particular.
The gradient function of the thermal block is particularly suited for establishing new pri-
mary pairs.
The thermal blocks are perfectly sealed to prevent condensed water from penetrating
the Peltier elements underneath the sample block and other parts of the electronics.
This protects the Peltier elements and prolongs the service life of the device.
4.2.3 Heated lid
The device comes equipped with an automated heated lid. This can be set to
30to110°C and prevents condensation forming in the area of the reaction tubes above
the block surface level. Furthermore, the heated lid guarantees – regardless of the con-
sumables used – a reliable contact between the reaction tubes and the thermal block
during the entire real-time PCR run thanks to a constant contact pressure. This signifi-
cantly improves temperature uniformity.