Back to results
US 5,795,061 AGranted
Vortex mixing implement for sample vessels
AssigneeBrandeis University
InventorDaniel Perlman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeBrandeis University
InventorDaniel Perlman
Estimating the term…
A method for improving the efficacy of vortex-mixing a liquid sample, in which a mixing implement and the sample are placed inside a microcentrifuge tube or sample vessel. The presence of the upright mixing implement in the tube or vessel does not substantially interfere with centrifugal fractionation of the sample. The method includes the steps of providing a rod or straight wand-shaped mixing implement, in which the length of the mixing implement is greater than the maximum inner diameter of the vessel but less than the maximum inner height of the vessel when sealed so that the mixing implement is constrained to remain substantially upright within the vessel. The surface of the mixing implement is configured and arranged to be free of any substantial depressions and concave blemishes which could trap sedimenting solid material in the sample during centrifugation. The sample and mixing implement are placed in the vessel, and the vessel positioned in a holder and/or adapter element of a vortex-mixing machine. Vortex-mixing is commenced and the mixing implement moves and/or gyro-rotates rapidly around the inner sidewall of the vessel thereby accelerating the mixing process.
A method for improving the efficacy of vortex-mixing a sample comprising a liquid, and not interfering with subsequent centrifugation of said sample, wherein a mixing implement and said sample are placed inside a microcentrifuge tube or sample vessel, and wherein following vortex-mixing of said sample, the presence of said mixing implement in said vessel does not substantially interfere with fractionation of said sample by centrifugation, comprising the steps of:
A microcentrifuge tube or sample vessel comprising therein a straight wand shaped mixing implement, wherein the length of said mixing implement is greater than the maximum inner diameter of said vessel but less than the maximum inner height of said vessel when sealed, so that said mixing implement is constrained to remain substantially upright within said vessel, and wherein the surface of said mixing implement is configured and arranged to be free of substantial depressions and concave blemishes which could trap sedimenting solid material contained in said sample during centrifugation.
A kit for improving the efficacy of vortex mixing a sample comprising a liquid, and not interfering with subsequent centrifugation of said sample, wherein a mixing implement and said sample are placed inside a microcentrifuge tube or sample vessel, and wherein following vortex-mixing of said sample, the presence of said mixing implement in said vessel does not substantially interfere with fractionation of said sample by centrifugation,
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.