SAMPLE TRANSFER DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a sample transfer device (10) for reception of a sample, having a transfer rod (4) that is configured for reception of a sample holder, the sample holder to be arranged in a chamber (1) of the sample transfer device (10) for the purpose of transferring the sample to a processing unit or analytical unit (200), at least one measurement device (3, 8) for measuring a physical variable being arranged inside the sample transfer device (10).

Claims

1. A sample transfer device (10) for reception of a sample, the sample transfer device (10) having a transfer rod (4) that is configured for reception of a sample holder, the sample holder to be arranged in a chamber (1) of the sample transfer device (10) for the purpose of transferring the sample to a processing unit or analytical unit (200), wherein at least one measurement device (3, 8) for measuring a physical variable is arranged inside the sample transfer device (10).

2. The sample transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement device comprises a measurement device (3) for measuring a pressure existing in the chamber (1).

3. The sample transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement device comprises a measurement device (8) for measuring a temperature existing in the chamber (1).

4. The sample transfer device according to claim 3, having a sample stage (5) that is configured for reception of the sample holder, wherein the measurement device (8) for measuring the temperature is arranged on the sample stage (5).

5. The sample transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement device comprises a time measurement device.

6. The sample transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a rechargeable battery is arranged inside or outside the sample transfer device (10) in order to supply electricity to the at least one measurement device (3, 8).

7. The sample transfer device according to claim 1, wherein an electronic control system (9) is present which is operatively connected to the at least one measurement device (3, 8) in such a way that a measurement can be initiated by the relevant measurement device (3, 8) and/or measured values of the relevant measurement device (3, 8) can be received by the electronic control system (9).

8. The sample transfer device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic control system (9) is arranged inside the sample transfer device (10).

9. The sample transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the sample transfer device (10) comprises an interface to a docking station (100) of a processing unit or analytical unit (200).

10. The sample transfer device according to claim 9, wherein the interface is configured in such a way that measured values of the at least one measurement device (3, 8) can be transferred to the processing unit or analytical unit (200) and/or to the associated docking station (100).

11. The sample transfer device according to claim 9, wherein the interface is configured in such a way that the at least one measurement device (3, 8) can be supplied with electricity via the interface.

12. The sample transfer device according to claim 9, wherein a rechargeable battery is arranged inside or outside the sample transfer device (10) in order to supply electricity to the at least one measurement device (3, 8), and wherein the interface is configured in such a way that the rechargeable battery can be charged by means of an external electricity source via the interface.

13. The sample transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer rod (4) is operable for modifying the location and/or orientation of a sample holder mounted on the transfer rod (4).

14. The sample transfer device according to claim 13, wherein a further measurement device is present for detecting the location and/or orientation of the sample holder and/or a corresponding motion of the transfer rod (4).

15. The sample transfer device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic control system (9) generates a warning signal if a measured value of the at least one measurement device (3, 8) exceeds or falls below a predetermined limit value.

16. A system having a sample transfer device (10) according to claim 9; and having a docking station (100) for a processing unit or analytical unit (200).

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the interface of the sample transfer device (10) includes a contact (11a) and the docking station (100) possesses a corresponding contact (11b), those contacts (11a, 11b) being arranged and configured in such a way that upon a connection of the sample transfer device (10) and the docking station (100), the contacts (11a, 11b) enter into an operative connection with one another.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the operative connection is configured in such a way that after a connection of the sample transfer device (10) and the docking station (100), measured values of the at least one measurement device (3, 8) of the sample transfer device (10) are transferred to the docking station (100) and/or to the associated processing unit or analytical unit (200), and/or the at least one measurement device (3, 8) is supplied with electricity, by way of the contacts (11a, 11b) of the sample transfer device (10) and of the docking station (100).

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the sample transfer device (10) includes an electronic control system (9) operatively connected to the at least one measurement device (3, 8) in such a way that a measurement can be initiated by the relevant measurement device (3, 8) and/or measured values of the relevant measurement device (3, 8) can be received by the electronic control system (9), wherein the operative connection is configured in such a way that after a connection of the sample transfer device (10) and the docking station (100), the electronic control system (9) is supplied with electricity by way of the contacts (11a, 11b) of the sample transfer device (10) and of the docking station (100).

20. The sample transfer device according to claim 9, wherein an electronic control system (9) is present which is operatively connected to the at least one measurement device (3, 8) in such a way that a measurement can be initiated by the relevant measurement device (3, 8) and/or measured values of the relevant measurement device (3, 8) can be received by the electronic control system (9), and wherein the interface is configured in such a way that the electronic control system (9) can be supplied with electricity via the interface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section through an embodiment of a sample transfer device according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the sample transfer device of FIG. 1 and of a suitable docking station, in two different views (FIGS. 2A and 2B);

[0034] FIG. 3 shows the sample transfer device and the docking station of FIG. 2 after docking; and

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a possible operative connection among a sample transfer device, docking station, a processing device, a control unit, and a display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section through a sample transfer device 10. A slide valve 2, with which a (vacuum) chamber 1 can be closed off, is arranged in a housing of sample transfer device 10. Flange-mounted onto that chamber is a pressure measurement probe 3 constituting a pressure measurement device. This probe 3, in the activated state, measures the pressure (p) in chamber 1. Located in chamber 1 is a sample stage 5 that can be detachably mechanically connected to a sample holder for a sample. By means of a transfer rod 4, a sample (not depicted) mounted on the sample holder can be linearly (x) displaced, i.e. can be conveyed into a processing unit or analytical unit when slide valve 2 is open. For transfer, for example, from a processing unit into an analytical unit, the sample is brought into the interior of chamber 1 by a corresponding motion of transfer rod 4, and transferred from the processing unit to the analytical unit at a defined temperature and a defined pressure. Transfer rod 4 is rotatable (α) around its axis. Sample stage 5 is connected via a connecting element 6 to a reservoir vessel 7. A coolant, typically liquid nitrogen, is present in reservoir vessel 7. A temperature sensor 8 is present as a second measurement device on sample stage 5. Said sensor, in the activated state, measures the temperature of sample stage 5 and thus of the sample holder connected thereto, including the sample. The measured values of pressure measurement device 3 and of temperature measurement device 8 are directed to an electronic control system 9. Alternatively or additionally, the corresponding measurement leads of the measurement devices can also be guided outward through corresponding vacuum-tight connectors in the housing of the sample transfer device, in order to be further processed by an electronic control system located, for example, on the housing of the sample transfer device.

[0037] Sample transfer device 10 possesses an attachment system (end face of the housing) to a docking station 100 (see FIG. 2). The attachment system possesses an interface having an electrical contact 11a. The attachment system furthermore possesses an opening through which a transfer of the sample out of chamber 1 into the corresponding processing unit or analytical unit can occur.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows sample transfer device 10 and a docking station 100, which as a rule is fixedly connected to the relevant processing device or analytical device. In this exemplifying embodiment, data transfer of the measured values of pressure measurement device 3 and of temperature measurement device 8, and electrical supply to the sample transfer device, are accomplished via the aforesaid interface, which comprises a resilient electrical contact 11a on the sample transfer device side. A matching contact 11b is present on docking station 100. Sample transfer device 10 is connected in vacuum-tight fashion to docking station 100 via a mechanical positioning system (stop) 12 and an interlock 13. In this state, spring contacts 11a and 11b are positioned in accurately fitted fashion with respect to one another. By way of the interface thereby produced (for example, including an RS-232 interface), electricity is supplied and the measurement devices in the sample transfer device are thus activated (in the present example, the sample transfer device does not have its own electricity supply). Temperature and pressure from the closed vacuum chamber 1 are continuously measured as physical variables, and transferred via the interface to one or more further devices as explained below. Electronic control system 9 can possess a time measurement device that is activated upon undocking and stopped upon re-docking. The transfer duration can thereby be measured. Further measured variables, for example the location and orientation of sample stage 5 or of transfer rod 4, and the position of slide valve 2, can additionally be sensed using sensors. Docking usually occurs with slide valve 2 closed, and with a slide valve (not depicted) in docking station 100 correspondingly closed. The resulting cavity is evacuated in the manner of an air lock. The slide valves are then opened, and transfer of the sample can be initiated.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows sample transfer device 10 in the docked state, i.e. mechanically and electrically connected to docking station 100 (and to the subsequent processing unit or analytical unit).

[0040] FIG. 4 shows the corresponding operative connection by way of which measured data of the measurement devices in the interior of sample transfer device 10 can be passed on to external devices. This is accomplished via the previously mentioned interface by way of which measured data can be conveyed to docking station 100 and from there to an attached processing device 200 and/or via a control unit 300 to a display 400, for example a TFT screen. If the measured data of the corresponding measurement devices are outside permitted limits, this can be correspondingly indicated and evaluated as an indication of a sample-damaging change of state. Subsequent processing or analysis of the sample can then be omitted.

[0041] In the exemplifying embodiment depicted here, the measured data, especially for the pressure and the sample temperature, are acquired upon sample transfer, i.e. in the respectively docked state. In the decoupled state, i.e. during a transfer, the supply of electricity to the sample transfer device is interrupted, and electronic control system 9 as well as measurement devices 3 and 8 are thus deactivated. Electronic control system 9 and measurement devices 3 and 8 are activated after re-docking to the subsequent processing unit or analytical unit 200 has occurred (see FIG. 4), and before sample transfer. The current measured data, especially pressure and sample temperature, are acquired. Measured values absent during the transfer can easily be interpolated by the electronic control system. If continuous acquisition, or acquisition occurring over specific time intervals, of measured values during a transfer is necessary or useful, a supply of electricity to electronic control system 9 and to measurement devices 3 and 8 is necessary; this can be effected in simple fashion via a rechargeable battery that can respectively be charged in particular in the docked state.

[0042] The elements depicted in FIG. 4—sample transfer device 10, docking station 100, processing unit 200, control unit 300, and display 400—can also be configured differently. For example, control unit 300 can be integrated into processing unit 200. Similarly, display 400 can be integrated into control unit 300 and/or into processing unit 200. With regard to sample transfer device 10, be it noted once again that electronic control system 9 explained in connection with FIG. 1 can also be arranged externally on the housing of sample transfer device 10; the same applies to any rechargeable battery that may be present and/or to any separate display that may be present. In this case the external control unit 300 and display 400 could be replaced by the electronic control system that is present on the housing of sample transfer device 10 and has a correspondingly embodied display, which usefully is likewise arranged on the housing of sample transfer device 10. With an embodiment of this kind the state of a sample in sample transfer device 10 could be continuously and autonomously monitored, independently of docking onto a docking station 100, by corresponding measurement, processing of the measured values, and display thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0043] 1 Chamber [0044] 2 Slide valve [0045] 3 Pressure measurement device [0046] 4 Transfer rod [0047] 5 Sample stage [0048] 6 Connecting element [0049] 7 Reservoir vessel [0050] 8 Temperature measurement device [0051] 9 Electronic control system [0052] 10 Sample transfer device [0053] 11a Contact [0054] 11b Contact [0055] 12 Mechanical positioning system, stop [0056] 100 Docking station [0057] 200 Processing unit [0058] 300 Control unit [0059] 400 Display