Method and apparatus for concentrating a solute in solution with a solvent
AssigneeAdvanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
InventorsRichard V. Calfee, Kenneth M. Bueche
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method, and an apparatus, for forming a prescribed concentration of a substance in a mixture with a fluid, from a comparatively dilute mixture. The mixture is most preferably a solution of a solute in a solvent. The following summary and description generally discuss the invention in terms of a particularly preferred solution and a preferred use for that solution; however, in its broadest embodiments, the invention encompasses both the use for other solutions, and the use for a suspension of a solid substance in a fluid to form a mixture (which can also be referred to as a slurry). The invention provides for significant economic, safety and quality benefits over conventional evaporative systems.
Claims18
An apparatus for forming a concentrated mixture from a dilute mixture, comprising:
- a syringe configured to suspend a drop of the dilute mixture;
- a heater adjacent said syringe and configured to at least partially evaporate said suspended drop;
- and
- a measuring device adjacent said syringe to be directed at said drop when suspended and to measure an amount of said drop when suspended by the syringe as said drop at least partially evaporates in forming said concentrated mixture from said dilute mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.