Abstract: A method and filtering system are described. The filtering system comprises a vacuuming plate having a base with a plurality of outlet openings extending therethrough, a plurality of walls extending from the base to define a cavity, and a vacuum port in fluid communication with the cavity; and a filtering unit mounted to the vacuuming plate and enclosing the cavity. The filtering unit comprises a filter plate with a plurality of filter openings extending therethrough and aligned with the outlet openings; a filtering membrane extending across the filter plate and covering the plurality of filter openings; and a piercing plate on the filter plate maintaining the filtering membrane therebetween, the piercing plate having a plurality of vessel piercing members extending away from the filtering membrane, the vessel piercing members having conduits extending through the piercing plate, the conduits aligned with the filter openings to allow fluid flow therebetween.

Abstract: There is described an integrated system for processing vessels containing samples. The integrated system generally has: a frame; a reagent dispensing station, a sample digestion station, a sample cooling station, a sample normalization station and a sample filtration station within the frame; a vessel manipulation unit having a vessel manipulating member displacing the vessels containing the samples between the reagent dispensing station, the sample digestion station, the sample cooling station, the sample normalization station and the sample filtration station; and a controller communicatively coupled to the vessel manipulation unit, the controller having a processor and a memory having stored thereon instructions which when executed by the processor displace the vessels containing the samples from one station to another.

Abstract: A method and filtering system are described. The filtering system comprises a vacuuming plate having a base with a plurality of outlet openings extending therethrough, a plurality of walls extending from the base to define a cavity, and a vacuum port in fluid communication with the cavity; and a filtering unit mounted to the vacuuming plate and enclosing the cavity. The filtering unit comprises a filter plate with a plurality of filter openings extending therethrough and aligned with the outlet openings; a filtering membrane extending across the filter plate and covering the plurality of filter openings; and a piercing plate on the filter plate maintaining the filtering membrane therebetween, the piercing plate having a plurality of vessel piercing members extending away from the filtering membrane, the vessel piercing members having conduits extending through the piercing plate, the conduits aligned with the filter openings to allow fluid flow therebetween.

Abstract: A microwave heater comprises a cylindrical housing having an inner surface defining an internal cavity. A microwave generator is secured adjacent a first end of the housing and received inside the internal cavity is a sample holder that comprises an annular base member positioned adjacent the first end has a central axis coinciding with a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first opening is formed along the central axis, an outlet of the microwave generator extending through the first opening along the central axis for emitting into the internal cavity electromagnetic waves centered at a given microwave wavelength. A circular support plate substantially parallel to the base member and concentric therewith, a cavity portion defined therebetween, is separated from the base member by a distance less than the given microwave wavelength for establishing a Transverse Magnetic (TM) 01 mode as a predominant resonance mode inside the cavity portion.

Abstract: A microwave heater comprises a cylindrical housing having an inner surface defining an internal cavity. A microwave generator is secured adjacent a first end of the housing and received inside the internal cavity is a sample holder that comprises an annular base member positioned adjacent the first end has a central axis coinciding with a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first opening is formed along the central axis, an outlet of the microwave generator extending through the first opening along the central axis for emitting into the internal cavity electromagnetic waves centered at a given microwave wavelength. A circular support plate substantially parallel to the base member and concentric therewith, a cavity portion defined therebetween, is separated from the base member by a distance less than the given microwave wavelength for establishing a Transverse Magnetic (TM) 01 mode as a predominant resonance mode inside the cavity portion.

Abstract: There is described a power splitter for directing electromagnetic power comprising: an input port for receiving the electromagnetic power; at least one dielectric element placed inside the power splitter; at least two output ports for outputting the power according to a splitting ratio, the at least two output ports placed on a surface opposite to the input port; and at least one dielectric moving device for positioning the at least one dielectric element between the at least two output ports to dynamically direct the power into the at least two output ports according to the power splitting ratio.

Abstract: There is described a power splitter for directing electromagnetic power comprising: an input port for receiving the electromagnetic power; at least one dielectric element placed inside the power splitter; at least two output ports for outputting the power according to a splitting ratio, the at least two output ports placed on a surface opposite to the input port; and at least one dielectric moving device for positioning the at least one dielectric element between the at least two output ports to dynamically direct the power into the at least two output ports according to the power splitting ratio.

Abstract: There is described a power splitter for directing electromagnetic power comprising: an input port for receiving the electromagnetic power; at least one dielectric element placed inside the power splitter; at least two output ports for outputting the power according to a splitting ratio, the at least two output ports placed on a surface opposite to the input port; and at least one dielectric moving device for positioning the at least one dielectric element between the at least two output ports to dynamically direct the power into the at least two output ports according to the power splitting ratio.