US 12,332,199 B2
Automatic isothermal titration microcalorimeter apparatus and method of use
Martin Broga, Amherst, MA (US); Phillip Price, North Granby, CT (US); and Stephen Smith, Northampton, MA (US)
Assigned to Malvern Panalytical Limited, Malvern (GB)
Filed by Malvern Panalytical Inc., Westborough, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 27, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/287,498.
Application 16/287,498 is a continuation of application No. 16/021,492, filed on Jun. 28, 2018, granted, now 10,254,239.
Application 16/021,492 is a continuation of application No. 15/192,712, filed on Jun. 24, 2016, granted, now 10,036,715, issued on Jul. 31, 2018.
Application 15/192,712 is a continuation of application No. 14/736,905, filed on Jun. 11, 2015, granted, now 9,404,876, issued on Aug. 2, 2016.
Application 14/736,905 is a continuation of application No. 12/326,300, filed on Dec. 2, 2008, granted, now 9,103,782, issued on Aug. 11, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0025698 A1, Jan. 23, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/02 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/10 (2006.01); G01N 25/20 (2006.01); G01N 25/48 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); B01L 9/00 (2006.01); G01K 17/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/14 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 25/4873 (2013.01) [B01L 3/02 (2013.01); B01L 3/52 (2013.01); G01N 1/10 (2013.01); G01N 25/48 (2013.01); G01N 25/4866 (2013.01); G01N 35/00584 (2013.01); G01N 35/0092 (2013.01); G01N 35/1002 (2013.01); B01L 9/54 (2013.01); G01K 17/006 (2013.01); G01N 1/14 (2013.01); G01N 25/20 (2013.01); G01N 25/4813 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0474 (2013.01)] 41 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system, comprising:
a controller configured to control automated operation of the ITC system;
a microcalorimeter comprising a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell being accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell being accessible via a reference cell stem;
a pipette assembly comprising a titration needle configured to be inserted into the sample cell and supply titrant to the sample cell;
a pipette translation unit comprising a pipette arm configured to support the pipette assembly and place the pipette assembly in a titration position and in a washing position, wherein the pipette translation unit is configured to enable vertical movement of the pipette arm and pipette assembly; and
a cell preparation unit comprising a cell arm configured to wash the sample cell and replace sample liquid in the sample cell,
wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the ITC system to wash the titration needle of the pipette assembly, wash the sample cell, and fill the sample cell with sample liquid.