Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Control element responsive to a sensed operating condition
Patent
1990-04-06
1992-12-01
Warden, Robert J.
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Control element responsive to a sensed operating condition
422104, 220410, B01L 300
Patent
active
051679299
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a reaction vessel for receiving minimal quantities of fluid samples.
In particular, molecularbiological work often calls for reactions at temperatures exceeding 50.degree. C. (thru 100.degree. C.) as in the high-temperature inactivation of proteins, denaturing nuclein acids, restrictional digestion with Taq I and the like. These reactions are usually carried out in standard reaction vessels placed in preheated water baths or in holes drilled heated metal blocks. The volumes of the reaction solutions are normally in the range 10 and 50 .mu.l, the volumes of the reaction vessels between 1000 and 2500 .mu.l. The reaction vessels thus contain a large excess volume, in which water evaporates from the reaction solutions and is deposited on the inside of the cover. This increases the concentrations in the reaction solution, sometimes to the extent that the sample completely dries out. This is greatly obstructive to the tests and treatments involved and can only be avoided by special measures such as, for instance, repeated centrifuging of the reaction vessels or coating the reaction solution with oil.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to create a reaction vessel of the aforementioned type in which the gas volume in a reaction vessel filled with a reaction solution is reduced to such an extent that evaporation of the reaction solution into larger spaces located above is no longer possible, thus effectively preventing drying out of the sample in heat treatment.
One aspect of the invention is to reduce the volume for the sample in the reaction vessel with an insert to such an extent that the space for evaporation above the sample is configured as small as possible to accordingly limitate evaporation of the fluid from the sample.
A further aspect of the invention is to configure a seal active on all sides by arranging said insert as tight as possible above the sample located in the sample-receiving tube so that the remaining volume above the sealed off area is isolated gas-tight from the actual reaction chamber in which the sample is located. In this way any resulting vapor is restricted to the resulting, comparitively small reaction chamber.
A substantial problem is posed by configuring the seal between the insert and the sample-receiving tube so that when the insert is pushed into the sample-receiving tube little or no pressure is built up in the reaction chamber. This is important, for one thing, because otherwise pushing the insert into the sample-receiving tube is only possible by considerable exertion, and, for another thing, buildup of pressure in the reaction chamber could be detrimental to the sample or to the tests to be carried out.
To permit isolating a relatively small reaction chamber in the area of the lower extremity of the sample-receiving tube without any tangible pressure build-up in the reaction chamber when pushing the insert into the sample-receiving tube a seal is formed only after the insert is at its terminal position.
Since the cross-section of the sample-receiving tube is larger above the sealing area in the lower extremity than at this extremity, the insert can be pushed into the sample-receiving tube from the top by its sealing lower extremity or by the sealing element provided at its lower extremity without causing pressure to build up, because a gap permitting pressure equalization remains between the periphery of the sealing area or sealing element and the internal wall of the sample-receiving tube. It is not until the sealing area or the sealing element comes into contact with the area of the reduced cross-section that the sealing connection is momentarily produced, i.e. with minimal displacement of the insert in the axial direction. Thus, there is practically no build-up of pressure within the reaction chamber. Whilst the insert may be formed very voluminous which is particularly useful in the embodiment having no seal at the lower extremity of the insert, an embodiment employing a relatively thin rod is pr
REFERENCES:
patent: 4599315 (1986-07-01), Terasaki et al.
patent: 4683058 (1987-07-01), Lyman et al.
Diekmann Stephan
FLach Dagmar
Korf Dieter
Collins Laura E.
Walter Sarstedt Geraete und Verbrauchsmaterial fuer Medizin und
Warden Robert J.
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