Analytical instrument and processes

• US 6,946,842 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elliott Kirk Gozansky
• Original Assignee: Elliott Kirk Gozansky
• Inventors: Gozansky, Elliott Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Shrivastav, Brij
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fetzner, Tiffany A.
• Application Number:
  US10/856,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 73/232, 73/233.6, 73/234.1, 324300-322, 128/845, 128/846, 607/96, 436/518, 436/37, 601/16, 495/07, 604/262, 454/187, 414/217.1, 134/6, 600/410
• US Class Current: 324/318
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/022 sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/30 Sample handling arrangements, e.g. sample cells, spinning mechanisms

Abstract

An analytical instrument for analyzing biohazardous specimens is provided. The instrument provides means for exposing only the sample chamber to the containment area. A process for analyzing a biohazardous sample is also provided.

Claims

1. An imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument comprising:

a sample chamber surrounded by a clean environment and in communication with a containment area capable of enclosing Biosafety Level 3 and/or 4 material as defined by the Center for Disease Control;

means for connecting the sample chamber with a containment area for exposing only the sample chamber to the containment area wherein the connection means permits placement of an analytical sample into the sample chamber and wherein the connection means is hermetically sealed against contamination of the clean environment; and

means for hermetically sealing the sample chamber from the clean environment.

2. The imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument is an MRI.

3. The imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument of claim 1 wherein the imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument is selected from the group of:

nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscope, mass spectroscope, infrared spectroscope, ultraviolet spectroscope, and visible spectroscope.

4. The imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument of claim 1 wherein the connection means comprises:

an opening in a barrier between the clean environment and the containment area;

a flange comprising a piping portion and an annular portion wherein the piping portion passes through the opening and extends into the clean environment, wherein the annular portion is attached to the containment area side of the barrier; and

wherein the piping portion, which extends into the clean environment is in hermetic communication with the sample chamber.

5. The imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument of claim 4 wherein the attachment of the annular portion to the containment area side of the barrier forms a hermetic seal.

6. The imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument of claim 4 wherein the piping portion passing through the opening is hermetically sealed to the opening.

7. The imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument of claim 1 wherein the connection means comprises;

an opening in a barrier between the clean environment and the containment area;

a flange comprising an annular portion wherein the annular portion is attached to the clean environment side of the barrier such that the annular portion surrounds the opening.

8. An imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument comprising:

a sample chamber located in a containment area capable of enclosing Biosafety Level 3 and/or 4 material as defined by the Center for Disease Control;

means for connecting the sample chamber with associated components of the imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument located in a clean environment wherein the connection means is hermetically sealed against contamination of the clean environment.

9. The imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument of claim 8 wherein the imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument is an MRI, and further comprising a cryogenic coolant jacket surrounding the sample chamber, and wherein the associated components of the imaging or spectroscopic analytical instrument comprise a cryogenic cooling system.