Automated accelerated solvent extraction apparatus and method

An apparatus for accelerated solvent extraction of an analyte from a sample comprising:

• a sample containment cell defining a cavity and an opening to said cavity for positioning said sample in said cavity, a removable closure member mounted across said opening, a fluid passageway structure formed for the flow of an extraction fluid to and from said cavity, a closure member seal positioned to seal said closure member to said cell and a passageway seal positioned for sealing of a conduit to said passageway structure;
• an oven assembly mounted formed for heating said cell when said cell is positioned in said oven, said oven assembly further including a clamping device formed and positioned to apply a clamping force to said closure member to enhance sealing of said closure member to said cell;
• a fluid communication assembly mounted proximate said oven assembly and including an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit formed for selective fluid coupling to and uncoupling from said fluid passageway structure of said cell for communication of an extraction fluid to and from said cavity;
• and
• a manipulation assembly mounted proximate said oven assembly and being coupled to move said inlet conduit and said outlet conduit into sealing engagement with said passageway seal carried by said cell to fluidly couple said inlet conduit and said outlet conduit to said passageway structure and formed to move said inlet conduit and said outlet conduit while sealed with said passageway seal to effect movement of said cell.

A process for accelerated solvent extraction of an analyte from a sample comprising the steps of:

• displacing a fluid conduit assembly into sealed engagement with a passageway structure of a sample containment cell to simultaneously seal and grip said cell with said conduit assembly, said passageway structure extending from an exterior of said cell to a cavity in said cell dimensioned for receipt of said sample;
• while gripping said cell with said fluid conduit assembly, moving said cell between a storage tray and an oven assembly;
• causing flow of an extraction fluid from an extraction fluid reservoir into said cavity through said conduit assembly and said passageway structure;
• elevating the pressure of said extraction fluid while said extraction fluid is in said cavity;
• while said extraction fluid is at an elevated pressure, heating said extraction fluid using said oven assembly;
• and
• thereafter purging said extraction fluid from said cavity through said passageway structure and said conduit assembly to a fluid receptacle.

A process for accelerated solvent extraction of an analyte from a sample comprising the steps of:

• displacing a fluid conduit assembly into sealed and gripping engagement with a passageway structure of a sample containment cell, said passageway structure extending from an exterior of said cell to a cavity in said cell dimensioned for receipt of said sample;
• causing flow of an extraction fluid from an extraction fluid reservoir into said cavity through said conduit assembly and said passageway structure;
• elevating the pressure of said extraction fluid while said extraction fluid is in said cavity;
• while said extraction fluid is at an elevated pressure, clamping a removable closure member provided on said cell to seal said closure member to said cell while heating said extraction fluid using an oven assembly;
• thereafter purging said extraction fluid from said cavity through said passageway structure and said conduit assembly to a fluid receptacle;
• and
• during gripping engagement of said cell by said fluid conduit assembly, moving said cell between said oven assembly and a storage tray using said fluid conduit assembly.

A process for accelerated solvent extraction of an analyte from a sample comprising the steps of:

• displacing a fluid conduit assembly into sealed engagement with a passageway structure in a removable closure member of a sample containment cell to simultaneously seal said fluid conduit assembly to said cell proximate said passageway structure, to seal said closure member to said cell with said conduit assembly, and to grip said cell using said fluid conduit assembly, said passageway structure extending from an exterior of said cell through said closure member to a cavity in said cell dimensioned for receipt of said sample;
• while gripping said cell with said fluid conduit assembly, moving said cell to facilitate further processing of said sample;
• causing flow of an extraction fluid from an extraction fluid reservoir into said cavity through said conduit assembly and said passageway structure;
• elevating the pressure of said extraction fluid while said extraction fluid is in said cavity;
• and
• thereafter purging said extraction fluid from said cavity through said passageway structure and said conduit assembly to a fluid receptacle.