Extraction system for extracting analytes from a sample

Abstract

The extraction system according to the invention for extracting analytes from a sample comprises an extraction cell for receiving the sample, which has at least one first fluid connector for the supply or discharge of a fluid, and a clamping device for clamping the extraction cell, and a fluid connection device for establishing a fluid connection with the at least one first fluid connector of the extraction cell,
wherein an extraction cell holder is provided for receiving the extraction cell, and the clamping device has a guiding and positioning arrangement for linearly inserting the extraction cell holder, together with the extraction cell, in order to position the extraction cell in an insertion position.

Claims

1. An extraction system for extracting analytes from a sample, having an extraction cell for receiving the sample, which has at least one first fluid connector for the supply or discharge of a fluid, and a clamping device for clamping the extraction cell, and a fluid connection device for establishing a fluid connection with the at least one first fluid connector of the extraction cell, characterized in that an extraction cell holder is provided for receiving the extraction cell, and the clamping device has a guiding and positioning arrangement for linearly inserting the extraction cell holder, together with the extraction cell, in order to position the extraction cell in an insertion position.

2. The extraction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction cell has a tubular extraction element with a first end and an opposite second end, which provides an interior space for receiving the sample, and the extraction cell furthermore has a first closure arrangement for closing and sealing the first end of the tubular extraction element, and a second closure arrangement for closing and sealing the second end of the tubular extraction element.

3. The extraction system according to claim 2, characterized in that the first closure arrangement has the first fluid connector, and the second closure arrangement has a second fluid connector for the supply or discharge of a fluid.

4. The extraction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction cell holder has a receiving holder for holding the extraction cell, and has a manipulating handle for inserting the extraction cell holder into the extraction system and pulling it out of the same.

5. The extraction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the guiding and positioning arrangement has at least one locking element which, when the extraction cell holder is in the inserted position, is in a locking position therewith.

6. The extraction system according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one release element is provided for moving the locking element from the locking position into an open position.

7. The extraction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction system has at least two heating jaws which can be moved between an open position and a heating position, and which are in heating contact with the extraction cell in the heating position.

8. The extraction system according to claim 7, characterized in that the extraction cell is cylindrical, and the heating jaws are designed as half-shells, such that the heating jaws enclose the extraction cell in a form-fitting manner in the heating position.

9. The extraction system according to claim 7, characterized in that adapter pieces are provided for adapting the at least two heating jaws to smaller extraction cell diameters, and are designed for attachment to the at least two heating jaws.

10. The extraction system according to claim 1, characterized in that a displacement mechanism for moving the heating jaws is provided, which has an operative connection with the extraction cell holder during the linear insertion thereof, in order to move the heating jaws from the open position into the heating position.

11. The extraction system according to claim 7, characterized in that the heating device has at least one spring element for opening the heating jaws from the heating position to the open position, the at least one spring element being arranged in such a way that it is preloaded when the heating jaws are moved from the open position into the heating position.

12. The extraction system according to claim 10, characterized in that each of the movable heating jaws is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, and the displacement mechanism converts the linear insertion movement of the extraction cell holder into a rotation of the heating jaws around their axes of rotation.

13. The extraction system according to claim 5, characterized in that the extraction cell holder has at least one locking pin which is in locking engagement with the at least one locking element in the inserted position of the extraction cell holder.

14. The extraction system according to claim 13, characterized in that the extraction cell holder has a receiving holder for holding the extraction cell, and has a manipulating handle for inserting the extraction cell holder into the extraction system and pulling it out of the same, wherein the at least one locking pin is movably guided in the receiving holder, and can be moved relative to the receiving holder by means of the manipulating handle.

15. The extraction system according to claim 14, characterized in that the extraction cell holder has a protective plate as heat and/or burst protection between the receiving holder and the manipulating handle.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Further configurations of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following description.

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the extraction system according to the invention,

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the extraction cell holder and the extraction cell,

[0033] FIG. 3 is a partially sectional side view of the extraction cell holder and the extraction cell,

[0034] FIG. 4 is a partially sectional side view of the extraction cell holder with the extraction cell inserted,

[0035] FIG. 5 is a partially sectional plan view of the extraction cell holder with the extraction cell inserted,

[0036] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional representation of the clamping device with open heating jaws,

[0037] FIG. 7 is a top view of the clamping device according to FIG. 6,

[0038] FIG. 8 is a partially sectional plan view of the clamping device before the insertion of the extraction holder,

[0039] FIG. 9 is a partially sectional side view of the clamping device with the inserted extraction cell holder in a first sectional plane,

[0040] FIG. 10 is a partially sectional side view of the clamping device with the inserted extraction cell holder in a second sectional plane,

[0041] FIG. 11 is a partially sectional side view of the clamping device with the inserted extraction cell holder in a third sectional plane, and

[0042] FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional representation of an extraction cell with a smaller diameter, and a heating jaw with an adapter piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The extraction system shown in FIG. 1 for extracting analytes from a sample substantially has an extraction cell 1 for receiving the sample, a clamping device 2 for clamping the extraction cell 1, and an extraction cell holder 3 for receiving the extraction cell 1 in order to insert it into the clamping device 2 and to position it.

[0044] The extraction cell 1 and the extraction cell holder 3 are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0045] The extraction cell 1 has a tubular extraction element 10 with a first end and an opposite second end, which provides an interior space 11 for receiving a sample 12. Furthermore, a first closure arrangement 13 for closing and sealing the first end of the tubular extraction element 10, and a second closure arrangement 14 for closing and sealing the second end of the tubular extraction element 10, are provided. The first closure arrangement 13 has a first fluid connector 15 for the supply or discharge of a fluid. In a corresponding manner, the second closure arrangement 14 provides a second fluid connector 16 for the supply or discharge of a fluid. The two closure arrangements 13, 14 are fastened to the tubular extraction element 10 in a suitable manner. This can be done, for example, by means of a conventional screw connection. Preferably, however, between the extraction element 10 and the first closure arrangement 13 and between the extraction element 10 and the second closure arrangement 14 there is, respectively, at least one adhesive arrangement 17, 18 for holding the first and second closure arrangement 13, 14 on the extraction element 10. For more detailed configurations of the preferred configuration of the extraction cell 10 with adhesive arrangements 17, 18, reference is made to EP 3 907 005 A1 of the applicant.

[0046] The extraction cell holder 3 has a receiving holder 30 for holding the extraction cell 1, and has a manipulating handle 31 for inserting the extraction cell holder 3 into the extraction system and pulling it out of the same. For the purpose of receiving the tubular extraction element 10, the receiving holder 30 provides an upper receiving rail 32 and a lower receiving rail 33, which are equipped with an upper receiving region 34 and a lower receiving region 35, respectively, which are cut out in a semicircular shape in the plan view according to FIG. 5. When the extraction cell 1 is inserted, the two receiving regions 34, 35 come into frictional contact with the first and second closure arrangements 13, 14, respectively, in order to hold the extraction cell 1 in place for the transfer into the clamping device 2. The semi-circular cutout receiving regions 34, 35 also serve to ensure the exact positioning of the extraction cell 1 within the extraction cell holder 3.

[0047] To insert the extraction cell 1 into the extraction cell holder 3, the extraction cell 1 is simply pressed manually into the two receiving regions 34, 35. In the context of the invention, however, it is also conceivable that the extraction cell holder is attached to a robot arm, and that the reception of the extraction cell and the transfer into and out of the clamping device takes place in an automated manner.

[0048] To lock the extraction cell holder 3 (with the extraction cell inserted) in the clamping device 2, the extraction cell holder has several, in particular four, locking pins 36 which are movably guided in bores 41 of the receiving holder 30. For this purpose, the locking pins 36 are fastened with one end protruding from the receiving holder 30 to a fastening plate 37 by means of screws 38. Each locking pin 36 interacts with ejector springs 39 supported in the receiving holder 30. The manipulating handle 31 is connected to the fastening plate 37 via arms 40, such that the locking pins 36 can be inserted into the holder 30 by a movement of the manipulating handle 31 with respect to the receiving holder 30, compressing the ejection springs 39.

[0049] A protective plate 42 is also arranged between the fastening plate 37 and the manipulating handle 31, and extends beyond the length of the receiving holder 30 both in the side view and in the top view. The protective plate 42 serves in particular as heat and/or burst protection in the event that the extraction cell is still relatively hot, or should burst, after the extraction. The heat and/or burst protection is further improved in the illustrated embodiment by the fact that the fastening plate 37 also extends over the circumference of the receiving holder 30, and is arranged at a distance from the protective plate 42 parallel thereto. There is sufficient space between the manipulating handle 31 and the protective plate 42 to allow gripping the extraction cell holder 3.

[0050] In FIGS. 6 to 11, the clamping device 2 is shown in different views. FIGS. 6 to 8 show in particular the situation before the extraction cell holder 3 is inserted into the clamping device 2 together with the extraction cell 1. In particular, two half-shell-shaped heating jaws 20, 21 can be seen, which are rotatably mounted about axes of rotation 20a and 21a, respectively. FIGS. 9 to 11 show the situation with the extraction cell holder 3 inserted and locked, in which the heating jaws 20, 21 are in their heating position, in which they positively enclose the extraction cell 1 and/or its tubular extraction element 10.

[0051] The insertion of the extraction cell holder 3 into the clamping device 2 is achieved by a guiding and positioning arrangement 22, of which an upper guide rail 22a, 22b and lower guide rails 22c, 22d can be seen in FIG. 6. These come into guiding contact with the extraction cell holder 3, and in particular with its receiving holder 30, to enable pushing the extraction cell holder 3 into the clamping device 2 in a linear movement. During the linear insertion of the extraction holder 3 into the clamping device 2, the extensions of the locking pins 36 come into contact with pressure pins 23 which are guided in bores 24 (FIG. 10). In order to compensate for any length tolerances during manufacture, the pressure pins 23 work together with springs 25.

[0052] The extraction cell holder 3 with its receiving holder 30 can be inserted into the clamping device 2 until the locking elements 26 come into a locking position with the locking pins 36, in which the locking element 26 engages in an undercut 36a (FIG. 3) of the locking pin 36. For this purpose, the locking element 26 is rotatably mounted about an axis 26a (FIG. 10), and is pressed into the locking position by spring elements 26b (FIG. 11). The preload of the spring elements 26b required for this is achieved when the extraction cell holder 3 is pushed in through the inclined front region 36b of the locking pin 36 (FIG. 3) as a result of the locking element 26 rotating it into the preloaded position until the undercut 36a of the locking element is passed, thereby snapping the locking element into the undercut 36a due to the force of the spring element 26b. A corresponding locking takes place in all four locking pins 36 which interact with corresponding locking elements 26.

[0053] In order to bring the locking element 26 from the locking position shown in FIG. 10 into an open position, a release element 27 is provided, which is formed, for example, by an electromagnet that causes the locking element 26 to rotate about the axis 26a, such that the locking element 26 disengages from the undercut 36a of the locking pin 36. The ejector springs 39 compressed during the insertion movement of the extraction cell holder then cause a displacement of the locking pins 36 relative to the receiving holder 30, such that the manipulating handle 31 also moves accordingly outward. The extraction cell holder 3 is then released in this position and can be pulled out manually or automatically using the manipulating handle 31.

[0054] In order to move the heating jaws from the open position shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 into the heating position shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a displacement mechanism 28 is provided. In this case, it has one multi-folded rigid rod 28a or 28b for each heating jaw 20, 21, respectively, one end of which is fixedly connected to the associated heating jaw 20 or 21, respectively. The other end of the rods 28a, 28b comes into contact with the axially movable pressure pins 23. For this purpose, the pressure pins 23 have ball bearings 28c, 28d at the end opposite the locking pin, which, when the pressure pins 23 move, roll on the rods 28a or 28b that are in contact therewith, causing the heating jaws 20, 21 to rotate about their axes of rotation 20a, 20b (FIGS. 7, 9 and 10). During the closing movement of the heating jaws 20, 21, springs 28e, 28f are compressed. These cause the heating jaws 20, 21 to open automatically when the locking elements 26 are unlocked by the release element 27, and the pressure pins 23 are accordingly released.

[0055] The linear insertion movement of the extraction cell holder thus causes an automatic and purely mechanical positioning of the extraction cell, as well as a locking of the extraction cell holder. At the same time, the heating jaws 20, 21 are pivoted from their open position into their heating position, in which they surround the extraction cell in a form-fitting manner, and thereby ensure good heat transfer. An electrical impulse for actuating the release element can be provided solely for unlocking. However, a purely mechanical release by means of a push button would also be conceivable in this case.

[0056] FIG. 12 shows an optional embodiment in which the clamping device can also be used for extraction cells 1′ with a smaller diameter. For this purpose, adapter pieces 29 are provided for the heating jaws 20, 21 in order to enable a form-fitting connection with an extraction cell 1′ which has a tubular extraction element 10′ with a smaller diameter. The fastening of the adapter pieces 29 is achieved by pushing them onto the heating jaws 20, 21, by way of example. In this way, the heating jaws can be adapted to different diameters of the extraction bodies.

[0057] As soon as the extraction cell 1 is positioned in the clamping device 2 with the aid of the extraction cell holder 3 (FIG. 1), the extraction cell 1 is clamped from above and below with the aid of clamping jaws 2a and 2b, wherein the clamping jaws 2a, 2b come into contact with the first and/or second closure arrangement 13, 14 of the extraction cells 1 in a known manner and ensure the pressure seal required for the application. At the same time, the fluid connection device 4 is connected to the first and/or second fluid connectors 15, 16 of the extraction cell 1 in order to then carry out the extraction of analytes from the sample, which is known per se.