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 are described methods, systems, and devices for automated digestion of samples contained in multi-sample racks. The method comprises receiving the multi-sample racks on at least one of a first level and a second level of a first rack loader, the first level and the second level superposed and held within a frame; managing rack positions on the first rack loader by displacing the multi-sample racks between the first level and the second level with at least one elevator; conveying the multi-sample racks into and out of a heating chamber of a microwave digestion system from at least one of the first and second levels; and controlling sample digestion inside the heating chamber through the application of microwaves by at least one microwave generator.

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: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for performing a microwave digestion of a sample contained in a sample recipient. The method comprises acquiring images of at least one sample recipient inside a primary cavity of a microwave digestion system during microwave digestion of a sample inside the at least one sample recipient, and monitoring the microwave digestion using the images of the at least one sample recipient.

Abstract: There is described a method for heating a sample material in a sample holder, the method comprising receiving the sample holder in a heating chamber of a heating system, the sample holder having at least one sample recipient with the sample material therein; dynamically forming an individual mini microwave cavity around the sample recipient; and applying microwaves generated by at least one microwave generator directly to the sample.

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 method for heating a sample material in a sample holder, the method comprising receiving the sample holder in a heating chamber of a heating system, the sample holder having at least one sample recipient with the sample material therein; dynamically forming an individual mini microwave cavity around the sample recipient; and applying microwaves generated by at least one microwave generator directly to the sample.

Abstract: There is described a method for heating a sample material in a sample holder, the method comprising receiving the sample holder in a heating chamber of a heating system, the sample holder having at least one sample recipient with the sample material therein; dynamically forming an individual mini microwave cavity around the sample recipient; and applying microwaves generated by at least one microwave generator directly to the sample.

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 an automated heating system for heating a sample contained in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; a microwave generator in microwave transfer communication with the heating chamber; a conveyor extending into the heating chamber and adapted to receive and transport the sample holder into and out of the heating chamber; at least one microwave barrier movable between an open position to allow access to the heating chamber and a closed position to prevent microwaves from leaking out of the heating chamber when the microwave generator is activated; and a control unit for controlling the microwave generator and the conveyor.

Abstract: There is described a method for heating a sample material in a sample holder, the method comprising receiving the sample holder in a heating chamber of a heating system, the sample holder having at least one sample recipient with the sample material therein; dynamically forming an individual mini microwave cavity around the sample recipient; and applying microwaves generated by at least one microwave generator directly to the sample.

Abstract: There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned above the at least two open-ended sample recipients to form pressure-relief valves thereon.

Abstract: There is described a heating system for independently heating at least one sample recipient containing a sample, the sample recipient provided in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; at least one microwave generator for generating microwaves; at least one microwave applicator inside the heating chamber connected to the at least one microwave generator, the at least one microwave applicator comprising an oven cavity portion for creating a mini microwave cavity around a single sample recipient in the sample holder, and for applying microwaves generated by the at least one microwave generator directly to the single sample recipient; and a control unit for controlling the at least one microwave generator.

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 sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned above the at least two open-ended sample recipients to form pressure-relief valves thereon.

Abstract: There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients having sealing caps thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned on the sealing caps in order to exert a pressure thereon, thereby forming a pressure-relief valve for each one of the at least two open-ended sample recipients.

Abstract: There is described a heating system for independently heating at least one sample recipient containing a sample, the sample recipient provided in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; at least one microwave generator for generating microwaves; at least one microwave applicator inside the heating chamber connected to the at least one microwave generator, the at least one microwave applicator comprising an oven cavity portion for creating a mini microwave cavity around a single sample recipient in the sample holder, and for applying microwaves generated by the at least one microwave generator directly to the single sample recipient; and a control unit for controlling the at least one microwave generator.

Abstract: There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients having sealing caps thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned on the sealing caps in order to exert a pressure thereon, thereby forming a pressure-relief valve for each one of the at least two open-ended sample recipients.

Abstract: There is described an automated heating system for heating a sample contained in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; a microwave generator in microwave transfer communication with the heating chamber; a conveyor extending into the heating chamber and adapted to receive and transport the sample holder into and out of the heating chamber; at least one microwave barrier movable between an open position to allow access to the heating chamber and a closed position to prevent microwaves from leaking out of the heating chamber when the microwave generator is activated; and a control unit for controlling the microwave generator and the conveyor.