Combinatorial chemistry reactor system

A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures, comprising

• a frame,
• a head mounted in fixed position on the frame,
• a reactor block comprising a monolithic body,
• a plurality of wells in the body for containing reaction mixtures,
• passaging in the head for transport of fluids to or from said wells, said body being essentially devoid of any passaging for transport of fluids to or from the wells,
• implements attached to the head adapted to extend into respective wells for use during said parallel processing,
• said reactor block being movable with respect to the head between a first position in which the reactor block and head are assembled and said implements extend into respective wells for conducting reactions in the wells and a second position in which the reactor block is removed from the head for providing access to said wells.

A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures, comprising

• a frame,
• a head mounted in fixed position on the frame,
• a reactor block comprising a monolithic body,
• a plurality of wells in the body for containing reaction mixtures,
• passaging in the head for transport of fluids to or from said wells, said body being essentially devoid of any passaging for transport of fluids to or from the wells,
• stirrers attached to the head adapted to extend into respective wells for stirring said reaction mixtures during said parallel processing,
• a temperature control unit having a cavity for removably receiving said reactor block, and
• a carriage for supporting the temperature control unit and reactor block for movement with respect to the head between a first position in which the reactor block and head are assembled and said implements extend into respective wells for conducting reactions in the wells and a second position in which the reactor block is removed from the head for providing access to said wells,
• said reactor block being removable from the cavity of the temperature control unit when said carriage is in said second position.

A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures, comprising

• a head,
• a reactor block having a plurality of wells therein for containing reaction mixtures, said reactor block being adapted for assembly with the head for conducting chemical reactions in the wells,
• passaging in the head communicating with the wells when the reactor block is in assembly with the head for the transport of fluids to and from the wells, and
• a pressure relief mechanism connected to the head and communicating with said passaging for relieving pressure in a well if the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.

A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures, comprising

• a head,
• a reactor block having a plurality of wells therein for containing reaction mixtures, said reactor block being adapted for assembly with the head for conducting chemical reactions in the wells,
• passaging in the head communicating with the wells when the reactor block is in assembly with the head for the transport of fluids to and from the wells, and
• a plurality of pressure relief devices, one for each well, connected to the head and communicating with said passaging for relieving pressure in the wells if the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure,
• at least one of said pressure relief devices comprising a tube connected to the passaging in the head and in pressure communication with a respective well, and a rupture member in said tube adapted to rupture in the event the pressure in the well exceeds said predetermined pressure, said pressure relief device being oriented to relieve the pressure in a direction away from a front side of the head.

A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures, comprising:

• a head,
• a reactor block having a plurality of wells defining interior spaces for containing reaction mixtures, said head and reactor block being movable relative to one another between an assembled position in which the head closes the wells for conducting chemical reactions, and a separated position in which the head and reactor block are separated to provide access to the wells, and
• sensing devices attached to the head and extending into the interior spaces of the wells when the reactor block and head are in said assembled position, said sensing devices remaining attached to the head when the reactor block and head are in said separated position,
• at least one of said sensing devices including a sensor positioned for residing in or closely adjacent the reaction mixture in a respective well for sensing one or more conditions relating to a chemical reaction in the well.

A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures, comprising

• a head,
• a reactor block having a plurality of wells defining interior spaces for containing reaction mixtures, said head and reactor block being movable relative to one another between an assembled position in which the head closes the wells for conducting chemical reactions, and a separated position in which the head and reactor block are separated to provide access to the wells,
• stirrers on the head adapted to extend into the interior spaces of the wells for stirring said reaction mixtures when said reactor block and head are in said assembled position, each of said stirrers being disposed generally on a longitudinal axis of a respective well, and
• sensing devices attached to the head and adapted to extend into the interior spaces of the wells when the reactor block and head are in said assembled position, said sensing devices remaining attached to the head when the reactor block and head are in said separated position,
• at least one of said sensing devices including an elongate member extending down through a hole in the head and down into a respective well, and a sensor supported by the elongate member positioned for residing in or closely adjacent the reaction mixture in the well for sensing one or more conditions relating to a chemical reaction in the well,
• said elongate member being positioned radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the well away from the stirrer to avoid interference with the stirrer.