Devices, Systems, and Methods for Preparing Field Samples

A method of preparing a test sample, the method comprising:

• providing:
• a vial comprising a septum at an upper portion thereof;
• a vial holder comprising:
• a body;
• a vial chamber extending downwardly from the body;
• a purge gas needle extending downwardly from the body;
• and,
• a needle trap heater in the body;
• a needle trap comprising:
• a needle having a distal end portion;
• and,
• at least one packing bed disposed in the needle at the distal end portion;
• and,
• a sample preparation station comprising:
• a housing;
• and,
• a vial heater assembly in the housing, the vial heater assembly comprising a vial heater and defining a cavity;
• connecting the needle trap and the vial holder such that the needle trap heater surrounds at least a portion of the at least one packing bed;
• then
• inserting the vial through an end opening at a bottom of the vial chamber and into the vial chamber of the vial holder such that the purge gas needle pierces the septum of the vial;
• and then,
• inserting the vial holder into the cavity of the vial heater assembly such that the vial heater surrounds at least a portion of the vial.