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US 2016/0008815 A1Published application
Synthesis apparatus and method
AssigneeTouchlight Genetics Limited
InventorsNeil Porter, Paul James Rothwell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for biochemical synthesis comprises a reaction vessel, a temperature control device for the reaction vessel, a plurality of reservoirs for reaction components, and a supply/withdrawal means, e.g. comprising reciprocating syringe pumps and switchable valves. Agitation of a reaction mixture is effected by withdrawing a part of the mixture from the reaction vessel and returning it thereto.
Claims16
A synthesis apparatus comprising:
- a reaction vessel having at least a first and a second port;
- a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel;
- a plurality of reservoirs for holding reaction components;
- a plurality of conduits, each of the plurality of conduits connecting the first port of the reaction vessel with a respective one of the plurality of reservoirs;
- at least one pressure sensor located proximate the first port or second port of the reaction vessel;
- supply means for selectively supplying controlled amounts of reaction components held in one or more of the plurality of reservoirs to the reaction vessel at desired times and to withdraw material from the reaction vessel through the first port thereof;
- agitation means for selectively withdrawing an amount of content from the reaction vessel through the second port thereof and selectively returning the withdrawn content to the reaction vessel through the second port thereof;
- and
- control means for controlling the supply means and the agitation means, wherein, the pressure sensor detects a change in pressure externally of the reaction vessel and sends a signal to the control means and the control means controls the supply means and/or agitation means in response to a change in measured pressure.
6 more elements
4-5. (canceled)
A method of synthesis comprising:
- adding a plurality of reaction components to a reaction vessel to form a reaction mixture;
- withdrawing a part of the reaction mixture from the reaction vessel and returning the withdrawn part thereto in order to agitate the reaction mixture and ensure mixing thereof;
- measuring the pressure of the reaction mixture externally of the reaction chamber and controlling the rate of withdrawal and return on the basis of the measured pressure;
- and
- withdrawing reaction product from the reaction vessel at the end of the reaction.
2 more elements
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.