Automatic sample concentrating unit
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorAdrian Sievers-Engler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sample concentrating unit and a sample concentrating method are described, which enable fast, precise and reproducible analyte concentration in a sample by evaporation of sample solvent. A specifically directed gas stream in cooperation with a vacuum generated in the sample concentrating unit keeps the sample at boiling point during the entire evaporation procedure while reducing analyte loss and risk of cross-contamination. The fully automated sample concentrating unit is designed to be integrated into an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer.
Claims15
A sample concentrating unit for concentrating analytes in a sample by evaporation of sample solvent comprising:
- a sample receiving element with at least one sample receiving position having one opening confined by one rim for receiving a sample or an open sample vessel containing a sample, wherein the open sample vessel comprises a body with an inner space adapted to receive liquids and another opening confined by another rim through which liquids may be introduced into the inner space;
- a cover element for sealing the at least one sample receiving position, wherein the cover element and the at least one sample receiving position and/or the sample vessel are designed to leave a cavity between the cover element and an upper sample surface;
- the sample concentrating unit further comprising
- a cavity inlet connected to a gas source via a gas channel and comprising a gas-stream directing nozzle for directing a stream of gas into the cavity;
- a cavity outlet connected to a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in the cavity;
- wherein the gas-stream directing nozzle is arranged such that the gas stream enters the cavity in a direction parallel to a plane tangent to the upper sample surface and on the same level as the one rim or the another rim, and the gas stream contacts the one rim or the another rim while traveling in the direction parallel to the plane tangent to the upper sample surface, thereby cooperating with the vacuum pump to transport evaporated sample solvent out of the cavity through the cavity outlet, and
- a controller configured to control the vacuum pump to automatically adjust the negative pressure in the cavity in order to maintain the sample at boiling point until a predetermined level of sample solvent evaporation is reached.
An automatic method of concentrating analytes in a sample by evaporation of sample solvent comprising:
- placing at least one sample or open sample vessel containing a sample in at least one sample receiving position of a sample receiving element, wherein the sample receiving element has one opening confined by one rim for receiving a sample, and wherein the open sample vessel comprises a body with an inner space adapted to receive liquids and another opening confined by another rim through which liquids may be introduced into the inner space;
- sealing the at least one sample receiving position by a cover element, wherein the cover element and the at least one sample receiving position and/or the sample vessel are designed to leave a cavity between the cover element and an upper sample surface;
- generating negative pressure in the cavity by a vacuum pump connected to a cavity outlet;
- introducing a gas stream into the cavity through a cavity inlet connected to a gas source via a gas channel, the cavity inlet comprising a gas-stream directing nozzle, wherein the gas-stream directing nozzle is arranged such that the generated gas stream is directed into the cavity in a direction parallel to a plane tangent to the upper sample surface and on the same level as the one rim or the another rim, and the gas stream contacts the one rim or the another rim while traveling in the direction parallel to the plane tangent to the upper sample surface, thereby cooperating with the vacuum pump to transport evaporated sample solvent out of the cavity through the cavity outlet;
- and
- controlling the sample concentrating unit to maintain the sample at boiling point until a predetermined level of solvent evaporation is reached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.