US 12,292,395 B2
Serial synchrotron crystallography sample holding system
Robert E. Thorne, Ithaca, NY (US); David Closs, Freeville, NY (US); and Benjamin Apker, Barton, NY (US)
Assigned to MiTeGen, LLC, Ithaca, NY (US)
Filed by MiTeGen, LLC, Ithaca, NY (US)
Filed on May 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/657,936.
Application 18/657,936 is a continuation of application No. 17/435,801, granted, now 12,007,342, previously published as PCT/US2020/021458, filed on Mar. 6, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/814,510, filed on Mar. 6, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0319120 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 23/20033 (2018.01)
CPC G01N 23/20033 (2013.01) [G01N 2223/1016 (2013.01); G01N 2223/203 (2013.01); G01N 2223/602 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sample loading system, comprising:
a sample holder including a sample holder base and a sample carrier attached to the sample holder base, the sample carrier including a sample support region configured to support thereon a sample in a liquid, the sample support region having opposing top and bottom surfaces with a through-hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; and
a sample loading workstation including a humidity-controlled enclosure containing:
a humidified chamber configured to receive humidified air, the enclosure including an opening providing access to an interior of the humidified chamber;
a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the humidified chamber and located adjacent the sample carrier; and
a sample holder platform adjacent the humidified chamber and including a capture device receiving the sample holder base such that the sample carrier is positioned within the humidified chamber adjacent the vacuum chamber,
wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to selectively apply suction to the sample carrier of the sample holder to thereby remove the liquid from the sample.