Instrument for automated sample preparation by combination homogenization and clarification
AssigneeMP Biomedicals, LLC
InventorMiodrag Micic
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein are instruments and methods for performing both sample homogenization and sample clarification by centrifugation with a single instrument without transferring the sample to a new sample container and without removing or repositioning the sample container within the instrument. In some embodiments, the instrument may automatically perform centrifugation after homogenization. In other embodiments, the instrument may perform both homogenization and centrifugation simultaneously.
Claims23
An instrument for homogenizing and clarifying a sample contained within a sample container, the instrument comprising:
- a rotor configured to rotate around a centrifugal axis, the rotor comprising a sample holder configured for reversibly receiving the sample container;
- a motor configured to rotate the rotor around the centrifugal axis at speeds sufficient to clarify the homogenized sample into solid and liquid fractions;
- and
- an oscillator configured to reciprocate the rotor in three dimensions along a periodic trajectory at frequencies sufficient to homogenize the sample, wherein the oscillator comprises a crank slider mechanism, the crank slider comprising:
- a disc or cylinder configured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
- a piston configured to linearly reciprocate;
- and
- a connecting arm coupling the piston to the disc, wherein the connecting arm is coupled to the disc at a point set a distance from the axis of rotation.
An instrument for homogenizing and clarifying a sample contained within a sample container, the instrument comprising:
- a rotor configured to rotate around a centrifugal axis, the rotor comprising a sample holder configured for reversibly receiving the sample container;
- a motor configured to rotate the rotor around the centrifugal axis at speeds sufficient to clarify the homogenized sample into solid and liquid fractions;
- and
- an oscillator configured to reciprocate the rotor in three dimensions along a periodic trajectory at frequencies sufficient to homogenize the sample, wherein the oscillator comprises an axis of rotation and an eccentric shaft extending through the rotor eccentric to the axis of rotation and wherein rotation of the eccentric shaft around the axis of rotation of the oscillator is configured to oscillate the rotor.
An instrument for homogenizing and clarifying a sample contained within a sample container, the instrument comprising:
- a rotor configured to rotate around a centrifugal axis, the rotor comprising a sample holder configured for reversibly receiving the sample container;
- a motor configured to drive the rotation of the rotor around the centrifugal axis at speeds sufficient to clarify the homogenized sample into solid and liquid fractions;
- and
- an oscillator configured to reciprocate the motor and the rotor along a periodic trajectory at frequencies sufficient to homogenize the sample, the motor being operatively coupled between the oscillator and the rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.