US 12,270,602 B2
Method of preparing a cryogenic sample with improved cooling characteristic
Maarten Kuijper, Eindhoven (NL); Hervé Remigy, Eindhoven (NL); Mathijs Petrus Wilhelmus Van Den Boogaard, Eindhoven (NL); Adrian Koh, Eindhoven (NL); Ivanka Spee, Eindhoven (NL); John Hazenberg, Eindhoven (NL); and Marius Van Der Does, Eindhoven (NL)
Assigned to FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR (US)
Filed by FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR (US)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/643,866.
Application 18/643,866 is a continuation of application No. 17/709,398, filed on Mar. 30, 2022, granted, now 11,994,341.
Claims priority of application No. 21166358 (EP), filed on Mar. 31, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0271850 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. F25D 3/10 (2006.01); F25D 29/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/42 (2006.01)
CPC F25D 3/10 (2013.01) [F25D 29/001 (2013.01); G01N 1/42 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of preparing a cryogenic sample, whereby said sample is subjected to rapid cooling using a cryogen, the method comprising:
providing a sample on a substantially planar sample carrier;
providing two conduits for transporting cryogenic fluid, each of which conduits opens out into a mouthpiece, wherein:
said mouthpieces are arranged to face each other across an intervening gap;
at least one of said mouthpieces comprises at least two nozzle openings;
said conduits are arranged in a vessel; and
said vessel; is externally fitted with at least one seal element for preventing cryogenic fluid to leak when cryogenic fluid is pumped through said conduits;
placing said sample carrier with said sample in said gap; and
pumping cryogenic fluid through said conduits so as to concurrently flush from said mouthpieces, thereby suddenly immersing said sample in cryogenic fluid from two opposite sides, wherein said nozzle openings are configured to evenly cool said sample during said flushing.