Apparatus and method for collecting analyte in supercritical fluid extraction

• US 5,911,881 A
• Filed: 11/24/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Isco, Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Isco, Inc. (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Allington, Robert W., Clay, Dale Lee, Jameson, Daniel Gene, Winter, Robin Randall, Liescheski, Philip Bernard III
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US08/976,768
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 210/198.2, 210/232, 210/511, 210/634, 210/656, 422/63, 422/69, 422/70, 95/149, 96/106
• US Class Current: 210/634
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/0203 with a supercritical fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/0407 the supercritical fluid acting as solvent for the solute
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/40 using supercritical fluid as mobile phase or eluent
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 15/08 the liquids having low boiling points
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/03 Pressure in the compression chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/05 Pressure after the pump outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/09 Flow through the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/042 the means being cams
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2230/41 Hardening; Annealing
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2201/0493 Tin
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2253/12 Coating
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/1823 for ball check valves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/34 by measuring pressure or differential pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/34 Purifying; Cleaning processes or apparatus for extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples C12N15/1003
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/40 Concentrating samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/4033 sample concentrated on a cold spot, e.g. condensation or distillation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/4061 Solvent extraction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/6013 interfaces to detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0441 for samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/02 : Column chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/28 : Control of physical parameters of the fluid carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/015 : for storing radioactive sources, e.g. source carriers for irradiation units; Radioisotope containers

Abstract

To collect analyte from a supercritical fluid extractor, the collector lifts vials into place by a biasing device that guides the file up to the restrictor where it is sealed. The vial can be moved back down from the collecting mechanism even if frost forms on the vial while the restrictor remains stationary. This vial is held in place by a guide that contains the seal for sealing the vial when it is raised in place.

Claims

1. A method of supercritical fluid extraction, comprising the steps of:

performing supercritical fluid extraction;

collecting analyte in a series of containers;

the step of collecting analyte including the substeps of selectively moving one of said series of containers using a means for moving a container into position, sealing its opening with a container top holder, pressurizing said one of said series of containers; and

inserting a restrictor into the one of said series of containers wherein gasified supercritical fluid is permitted to pass into collection solvent in said one of said series of containers.

2. Apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction, comprising:

means for performing supercritical fluid extraction;

collection means for collecting analyte;

said collection means being in contact with said means for performing supercritical fluid extraction;

said collection means including means for moving a collection vial;

restrictor means;

seal means;

spring means for guiding the vial up to the restrictor means and seal means; and

means for forcing the vial back down out of the collection means to minimize frost formation on the vial.

3. Apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction according to claim 2 wherein said restrictor means is stationary and further including;

a restrictor vial top holder for gripping a top of the vial, wherein

said means for moving a vile includes means for moving the vial vertically up on the restrictor vial top holder;

said vial top holder including means for catching a top of the vial to guide it on its way up, and guide holder means for sealing the vial when the vial is fully up.

4. Apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction according to claim 2 further comprising:

a septum;

wherein said vial has an opening;

said vial opening carrying said septum which at least partially seals the vial when the vial is not in contact with the restrictor.

5. Apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction according to claim 4 further including a vial top holder wherein the septum comprises a part of said seal means.

6. A method of supercritical fluid extraction, comprising the steps of;

performing supercritical fluid extraction;

collecting analyte In a collection vial;

moving the collection vial;

guiding the vial up to a restrictor and seal in a collection mechanism using a spring means; and

forcing the vial back down out of the collecting mechanism to minimize frost formation on the vial.

7. A method of supercritical fluid extraction according to claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

moving the vial vertically up on a restrictor vial top holder;

catching a top of the vial to guide it on its way up, and

sealing the vial when the vial is fully raised.

8. A method of supercritical fluid extraction according to claim 6 further comprising the step of:

sealing the vial with a septum when the vial is not in contact with the restrictor.

9. A method of supercritical fluid extraction according to claim 8 including the step of

sealing the vial with the septum to a vial top holder.