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AssigneeGenevac Limited
InventorMichael Cole
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A method is described for evaporating liquid samples contained in sample holders mounted within a chamber and rotated by the rotor during an evaporation process in which the pressure in the chamber is reduced below atmospheric and the sample holders are rotated at high speed so as to exert centrifugal force on the contents of the holders. Heat is supplied to elevate the temperature of the liquid component of the samples to assist in the evaporation process. The temperature of the sample material is continuously or regularly monitored during the evaporation process and temperature signals are transmitted to a remote computing means which is programmed to generate a control signal for controlling the supply of heat to the samples and controlling the evaporation process. The temperature may be sensed by a probe in a sample holder containing an evaporating liquid sample, or in an adjoining sample holder containing a buffer liquid. The rotational speed is also sensed and a speed signal conveyed to the computing means. In an alternative method the rate of flow of vapour from the chamber is monitored and a flow rate signal is computed which is also supplied to the computer means and the evaporation process is controlled in relation to the value of the vapour flow rate signal. Improved methods of heating and means for supporting sample holders which are to be heated, to achieve more uniform heating thereof, within an evaporating chamber, are described. Apparatus for performing the various methods is also described.
A method of evaporating liquid samples contained in at least some of a plurality of individual sample holders which are mounted within a vacuum chamber and rotated during the evaporation process so that centrifugal force is exerted on liquid contained therein during the evaporation process, comprising the steps of supplying heat to the sample holders to heat the liquid therein while a pressure below atmospheric is maintained in the chamber, locating a temperature sensing device in or adjacent at least one of the sample holders for rotation therewith to sense the temperature therein at least during the evaporation process, generating an electrical data signal which is proportional to the sensed temperature, and conveying the temperature data signal via a signal path to electronic data signal processing means.
Centrifugal evaporation apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber, a plurality of sample holders for containing liquid samples to be evaporated, said sample holders being rotatably mounted in said vacuum chamber, heating means for heating the sample holders and therefore the liquid samples therein, temperature sensitive probe means located in or adjacent at least one of the sample holders for rotation therewith, and signal path means for conveying electrical data signals proportional to the sensed temperature from the probe means to electronic data signal processing means.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 in which the signal processing means is housed in a leak-tight housing to protect the electronic components making up the processing means from pressure fluctuations and from the vapours arising from evaporation in the chamber.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 further comprising an indicating means calibrated to indicate temperature, and controlled by signals decoded by the remote receiver, to indicate the temperature of the probe.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 further comprising a heating means in the chamber for heating the sample holders whose heat output is controlled by the magnitude of an electrical current, and current controlling means is provided adapted to control the said electric current to the heating means, and the decoded signal from the remote receiver containing the temperature information is employed to control the current controlling means and thereby the heat output from the heating means and in turn the temperature to which the probe and therefore the liquid samples are permitted to rise.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 further comprising a battery for powering the signal processing means which may be located inside or outside the housing containing the said processing means.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 further comprising a power supply which remains stationary and is external to the housing containing the signal processing means together with a path between the power supply and the processing means for conveying power thereto as the housing rotates relative to the power supply.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 44 further comprising means within the chamber but external to the housing which generates a stationary magnetic field, and by the provision of coil means which rotates with the housing and which is linked by the said magnetic flux and which moves relative to the flux as the housing rotates relative to the chamber, thereby to induce a current in the winding which is available to power the signal processing means, and an electrical connection is provided between the coil and the power supply circuit in the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.