Sample encapsulation system and method

A sample encapsulation system comprising:

• a base;
• a chamber;
• a chamber housing in which the chamber is housed, the chamber fixedly mounted at least in part within the chamber housing, the chamber housing movably mounted to the base;
• a cap;
• a heating assembly and a cooling assembly, the heating assembly and the cooling assembly disposed about the chamber;
• and
• a temperature sensor mounted remotely from an interior of the chamber.

A sample encapsulation system comprising:

• a base;
• a chamber, the chamber having an inlet;
• a chamber housing in which the chamber is housed, the chamber fixedly mounted at least in part within the chamber housing, the chamber housing movably mounted to the base, one or both of the chamber and chamber housing including an inwardly oriented lip at a lower end thereof;
• a cap;
• a first ram operably mounted to the cap for engaging the chamber inlet;
• a second ram positioned in the chamber opposite the inlet, the second ram movable toward and away from the first ram;
• a heating assembly and a cooling assembly, the heating assembly and the cooling assembly disposed about the chamber;
• and
• a temperature sensor mounted remotely from an interior of the chamber,
• wherein the second ram engages the inwardly oriented lip following the encapsulation cycle to move the chamber and chamber housing away from the cap and disengaging the chamber inlet from the first ram, and wherein disengagement of the second ram from the inwardly oriented lip permits movement of the chamber housing and chamber toward the cap for engaging the chamber inlet with the first ram, and
• wherein the temperature sensor senses a temperature remote from an encapsulated sample within the chamber and wherein the remote sensed temperature is used to continue or stop operation of the cooling system based upon a predicted temperature of the encapsulated sample as determined by the remote sensed temperature.