Crystal freezing apparatus
US5893269A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N1/42
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A crystal freezing apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a first chamber for receiving a macromolecular structure and a second chamber which includes a cryogenic liquid holder. Gas inlets are provided for introducing a defined gas, such as Xenon at an elevated pressure, into both chambers. Introduction of the defined gas into the first chamber, enables atoms of the defined gas to enter void spaces in or onto the surface of the macromolecular structure while it is held in the first chamber. A valve structure is provided to connect the first and second chambers. A push rod assembly enables movement of the macromolecular structure from the first chamber to the second chamber, via the valve structure, all while under the influence of the defined gas. Once the macromolecular structure enters the second chamber, it is immersed into a cryogenic liquid so as to freeze the macromolecular structure with its included atoms of the defined gas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.