U.S. patent application number 10/235055 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for reaction block for parallel synthetic chemistry and vessel therefor.
Invention is credited to Bar, Roman, Muller, Claus, Voegelin, Dieter.
Application Number | 20030170147 10/235055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8184124 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030170147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Voegelin, Dieter ; et
al. |
September 11, 2003 |
Reaction block for parallel synthetic chemistry and vessel
therefor
Abstract
A reaction vessel for use in an apparatus for parallel synthetic
chemistry with a reaction chamber space for containing contents of
a chemical reaction and a discharge channel for selectively
removing liquid contents of the reaction chamber. The invention
includes an apparatus for receiving a plurality of the reaction
vessels, a method for using the apparatus and a method for forming
the vessels.
Inventors: |
Voegelin, Dieter; (Sissach,
CH) ; Bar, Roman; (Muttenz, CH) ; Muller,
Claus; (Hegenheim, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.
PATENT LAW DEPARTMENT
340 KINGSLAND STREET
NUTLEY
NJ
07110
|
Family ID: |
8184124 |
Appl. No.: |
10/235055 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01J 2219/00283
20130101; B01J 2219/00333 20130101; B01L 2300/045 20130101; B01J
2219/00308 20130101; B01J 2219/00418 20130101; C40B 60/14 20130101;
B01J 2219/00407 20130101; B01J 2219/00585 20130101; B01J 2219/00423
20130101; B01J 2219/0031 20130101; B01J 2219/00596 20130101; B01L
2300/0681 20130101; B01J 2219/00414 20130101; B01L 3/5025 20130101;
B29C 45/4471 20130101; B01L 2200/026 20130101; B01J 19/0046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/101 ;
422/104; 422/102 |
International
Class: |
B01L 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2001 |
EP |
01810859.7 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reaction vessel for performing chemical reactions,
particularly for use in parallel chemical synthesis or analysis,
comprising a body made of a polymeric material, shapable by
injection molding, said body defining a reaction chamber and a
discharge channel, said reaction chamber and said discharge channel
each having an open end and a bottom portion, and a fluidic
connection channel connecting the discharge channel with the space
within the reaction chamber, where a reaction medium is received
and the reaction chamber and the discharge channel each extending
from its open end towards its bottom portion with constant or
decreasing cross section.
2. A reaction vessel for performing chemical reactions, for use in
parallel chemical synthesis or analysis, comprising a body made of
a thermoplastic polymeric material, said body defining a reaction
chamber defining a longitudinal axis, having a space therein for
receiving a reaction medium and a discharge channel, said reaction
chamber space and said discharge channel each having an open end
and a bottom portion, and a fluidic connection channel connecting
the discharge channel with the the reaction chamber space, and the
reaction chamber and the discharge channel each extending from its
open end towards its bottom portion with constant or decreasing
cross section.
3. A reaction vessel according to claim 2, wherein the reaction
chamber space has a mean cross-sectional area between about 10 to
about 1000 square millimeters.
4. A reaction vessel according to claim 3, wherein the reaction
chamber has a mean cross-sectional area in a range between about 75
to about 120 square millimeters.
5. A reaction vessel according to claim 4, wherein the discharge
channel has a cross-sectional area between about 0.8 to about 25
square millimeters.
6. A reaction vessel according to claim 3, wherein the vessel has a
length beween about 20 to about 200 millimeters.
7. A reaction vessel according to claim 2, wherein the discharge
channel is connected to the reaction chamber by a fluidic
connection channel having an orifice near to the bottom of the
reaction chamber space so that the reaction medium contained in the
reaction chamber space is withdrawable through the connection
channel into the discharge channel.
8. A reaction vessel according to claim 7, wherein the fluidic
connection channel extends between said orifice located near to or
at the bottom of the reaction chamber and an orifice located at the
bottom of the discharge channel.
9. A reaction vessel according to claim 7, wherein the fluidic
connection channel begins at the bottom portion of the reaction
chamber and leads to the discharge channel with constant or
preferably decreasing diameter.
10. A reaction vessel according to claim 9, comprising filtering
means in the fluidic connection channel between the reaction
chamber and the discharge channel, so that reaction medium being
withdrawn from the reaction chamber into the discharge channel has
to pass through the filtering means.
11. A reaction vessel according to claim 10, wherein said filtering
means is a filtration material.
12. A reaction vessel according to claim 10, wherein the filtering
means constitutes a delimitation of the reaction chamber.
13. A reaction vessel according to claim 2, wherein the discharge
channel extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the reaction chamber.
14. A reaction vessel according to claim 2, wherein said reaction
chamber space is defined by a lateral wall having an outside
surface and the discharge channel extends either substantially
within said lateral wall or along the outside surface of the
wall.
15. A reaction vessel according to claim 2, wherein said body is
formed from a material selected from the group consisting of
polypropylene and a fluorinated polymer.
16. A reaction vessel according to claim 7, wherein the opening of
the reaction chamber and the opening of the discharge channel are
interconnected by a channel, hole or groove, for substantially
equalizing a pressure differential between the reaction chamber and
the discharge channel.
17. A reaction vessel according to claim 2, wherein the reaction
chamber has an upper open end defining an upper rim and the
discharge channel has an upper open end located at the upper rim of
the reaction vessel, said upper open end of said reaction chamber
and said upper open end of said discharge channel being located at
said upper rim.
18. A method for manufacturing a reaction vessel having a body
defining a reaction chamber space therewithin comprising forming
said body of said vessel by injection molding of a polymeric
material in an injection mold, shaping an interior of a discharge
channel by a first core and an interior of the reaction chamber by
a second core, moving said first and second core into the mold
before an injection of a molten polymeric material into the mold
and retracting said first core and said second core after allowing
a sufficient time for the molten polymeric material to solidify
during opening of the mold said second core for shaping the
reaction chamber bearing a movable extension at an end thereof for
forming the bottom of the reaction chamber, and said extension
touching the first core when said first and second core disposed in
the mold thereby forming said connection channel between said
reaction chamber and said discharge channel.
19. A method of conducting a reaction in the reaction vessel
according to claim 2, comprising operating said vessel at a
pressure above an ambient pressure.
20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising generating
said pressure greater than ambient by substantially sealingly
closing said reaction vessel and maintaining said vessel at a
temperature above an ambient temperature.
21. An apparatus for conducting at least two chemical reactions in
reaction vessels, comprising said apparatus having at least two of
said reaction vessels according to claim 2 disposed in a parallel
arrangement.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said apparatus comprises a
number of reaction vessels which is an integer multiple of 24.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the reaction vessels
is disposed so that contents of a chemical reaction contained in
each of the reaction vessels may be removed by applying suction
means to the discharge channel.
24. A reactor block for performing a multiplicity of chemical
reactions simultaneously, particularly for use in parallel
synthetic chemistry, comprising at least two rows of at least two
locations for receiving a reaction vessel according to claim 2, the
reaction vessels having each at least an inlet orifice and an
outlet orifice positionable in the locations, wherein the reactor
block comprises first closure means having surface parts, pins and
openings therethrough being each movable in a sliding manner
between at least one open position and a closed position over the
inlets and outlets of a number, preferably a row, of reaction
vessels situated in the locations into at least one opening
position where the openings in the first closure means allow access
to the inlet orifices and/or outlet orifices of each vessel, and
into a closed position where the inlet orifices and outlet orifices
are closed by the surface parts of the first closure means resting
on the inlet orifices and outlet orifices.
25. A reactor block according to claim 24, wherein the first
closure means are each guided in guide means and the guide means
are operably engaged with the first closure means so that the first
closure means are sealingly pressed against the inlet orifices and
outlet orifices of the reaction vessels, when theclosure means are
moved to the closed position.
26. A reactor block according to claim 25, wherein the guide means
comprise at least one pair of gatesper reaction vessel location,
the gates of a pair being arranged substantially adjacent to
opposing sides of the respective first closure means and a pin of
the first closure means extending into each gate, so that the gates
guide the pins in a plane substantially parallel to the inlet
orifices and outlet orifices of the reaction vessels while the
first closure means is near the opening position, and guide the
pins in a direction inclined to this plane near the closing
position of the first closure means so that the first closure means
if moved to the closing position, is moved towards the inlets and
outlets of the reaction vessels for closing them.
27. A parallel reaction assembly comprising a reactor block having
a plurality of locations for receiving a plurality of reaction
vessels according to claim 2; and a plurality of reactor vessels
according to claim 2 disposed in the locations of the reactor
block.
28. A method of performing a plurality of chemical reactions
comprising simultaneously performing a chemical reaction in each
vessel of a parallel reaction assembly according to claim 27.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a reaction vessel for use
in parallel synthetic chemistry and other chemical applications
where a multiplicity of chemical reactions is performed in small
reaction medium volumes.
[0002] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing
such a reaction vessel.
[0003] The invention further relates to a reaction block comprising
such a reaction vessel.
[0004] The invention further relates to a parallel reaction
assembly comprising such a reactor block.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Combinatorial chemical synthesis requires simultaneously
performing a plurality of chemical reactions. Often the problem of
separating and characterizing the reaction products has to be
solved. Reactor vessel arrays have been developed, wherein one
specific reaction or sequence of reactions is performed on one or
possibly a small number of reactants in each vessel, so that one or
a small number of products are obtained, which may more easily be
separated or examined. This type of synthesis is named "parallel
synthetic chemistry" due to the relatively large number of
reactions performed in parallel.
[0006] In order to obtain a high performance, synthesizers enabling
performing chemical synthesis in solution, on solid phase supports
or in so-called "tea-bags" etc. are required. A known type of
synthesizer is characterized by the following features:
[0007] a dispensing system using one or more dispensing needles
(these liquid handling systems were originally used for biological
screening or diagnostic techniques);
[0008] a reactor block comprising a number of reactor vessels which
allow performing a plurality of chemical reactions at varying
temperatures, with shaking and under inert gas; and
[0009] a computer running a specialized software package which
allows the programming and control of the individual synthesis
steps.
[0010] Most known reactor blocks comprise a plurality of small
reactor vessels which each have a top opening closed by a piercable
closure, contain an inert gas atmosphere and are accessible through
the closure using a needle. Liquids are added and removed through
one and the same access. Less often reactor vessels are used which
allow liquid transfer through the bottom of the reactor vessel
using additional valves. Hence, the known reactor vessels are
characterized either by a rather complicated access or a complex
structure making them expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a reaction
vessel which is more efficiently manufactured and is thus less
expensive.
[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a reaction
vessel which allows a more convenient exchange of the vessel's
contents.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a reaction
block, which can be used more conveniently than existing systems,
particularly within an automated system, and is adapted for
receiving a reactor vessel array.
[0014] According to one aspect of the invention a reaction vessel
that satisfies at least one of the stated objects comprises
[0015] a body made of a material, particularly a thermoplastic
polymeric material, formable an injection molding process, said
body comprising
[0016] a reaction chamber defining a longitudinal axis, having a
space therein for receiving a reaction medium and a discharge
channel, said reaction chamber and said discharge channel each
having an open end and a bottom portion, and
[0017] a fluidic connection channel that connects the discharge
channel with the space within the reaction chamber,
[0018] the reaction chamber and the discharge channel each
extending from its open end towards its bottom portion with
constant or decreasing cross section, so that the reaction chamber
and the discharge channel may be formed in an injection mold by
cores which can be retracted through the respective open ends.
[0019] A reaction vessel according to the invention is formed from
a polymeric material and is preferably formed by injection molding.
The vessel provides a reaction space with an exit connected to a
discharge channel. By application of reduced pressure to the
discharge channel to a level below ambient pressure, the content of
the reaction space, particularly a liquid, is discharged through
the discharge channel.
[0020] Preferably, the exit of the reaction space to the discharge
channel is closed by a filtration materialso that the withdrawn
content is filtered as it is withdrawn. In this configuration, it
is possible to use e. g. loose beads of a solid substrate, e.g. a
resin, whereon the reactive component is immobilized.
[0021] Another aspect of the invention is a method for
manufacturing a reaction vessel that comprises
[0022] forming said body of said vessel in an injection molding
device by injection molding a thermoplastic polymeric material in a
mold,
[0023] the interior of said discharge channel being shaped by a
first core and the interior space of the reaction chamber being
shaped by a second core, moving said first and second core being
into the mold before injection of molten thermoplastic material and
retracting said cores during opening of the mold after allowing a
sufficient time for the molten material to harden, said second core
which shapes the reaction chamber space bearing a movable extension
at the end thereof which forms the bottom of the reaction chamber,
and said extension touching the first core which shapes the
discharge channel when said first and second core are moved into
the mold, thereby forming said connection channel between said
reaction chamber space and said discharge channel.
[0024] Yet another aspect of the invention is a reactor block for
performing a multiplicity of chemical reactions simultaneously,
particularly for use in parallel synthetic chemistry, that
comprises
[0025] at least two rows of at least two locations for receiving
reaction vessels, the reaction vessels having each at least an
inlet and an outlet orifice and being preferably reaction vessels
according to the present invention as described herein,
[0026] wherein the reactor block comprises first closure means
having openings therethrough and surface parts including pins each
being movable in a sliding manner over the inlets and outlets of a
number, preferably a row, of reaction vessels situated in the
locations into between at least one opening position, where the
openings in the allow access to the inlets and/or outlets, and a
closed position wherein the inlets and outlets are closed by said
surface parts of the first closure means resting on the inlets and
outlets.
[0027] A further aspect of the invention is a parallel reaction
assembly that comprises a reactor block and reaction vessels
according to the invention.
[0028] The reaction block according to the invention has been
specifically designed to facilitate automation and ease of use. In
this context, the closing mechanism has been realized by a movable
closure means that is guided by guiding means of the block. The
closure means extends over a subset of the vessels contained in the
block, e. g. preferably one row, and comprises means for enabling
access to the openings of the reaction vessels and for closing
them, e.g. openings in the closure means alignable with the
openings of the reaction vessel and sealing surfaces for closing
the reaction vessels.
[0029] Furthermore, the guiding means comprise redirecting means,
like gates (grooves) or a lever mechanism interacting with
corresponding means provided at the closure means. The redirecting
means convert a substantially linear movement of the closure means
at least near the closing end position in a movement towards the
openings of the reaction vessels in order to close them.
Preferably, the closure means is further urged against the openings
to substantially seal the opening even if a pressure greater than
ambient develops in the vessels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The subject invention will now be described in terms of its
preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
These embodiments are set forth to aid the understanding of the
invention, but are not to be construed as limiting.
[0031] FIG. 1a shows a cross-sectional view of a reactor vessel
along line I-I in FIG. 1b;
[0032] FIG. 1b shows a top view of a reactor vessel;
[0033] FIG. 1c shows an enlarged partial cut along line I-I in FIG.
1b, also showing a withdrawal needle tip;
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a view perspective exploded view of a reactor
block;
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the reactor block in FIG. 2;
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG.
3;
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG.
3;
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view along line C-C in FIG.
3;
[0039] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the reactor block, showing the
locking mechanism in opened position, according to arrow D in FIG.
3; and
[0040] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the reactor block, showing the
locking mechanism in closed position, according to arrow E in FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Reaction Vessel
[0042] FIG. 1a shows a longitudinal section through a reaction
vessel 1, FIG. 1b a top view on it. The body of vessel 1 is
preferably formed from a thermoplastic material, e.g. a polymeric
material which is shapable by injection molding and which is
substantially inert under the conditions of the intended reactions.
Preferred vessel body materials are polypropylene or a fluorinated
polymer like e.g. a poly-co-ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene,
particularly the one marketed under the tradename TEFZEL
(DuPont).
[0043] The body of vessel 1 comprises a reaction chamber space 3
and a discharge channel 5. Discharge channel 5 has an exit opening
16 and a bottom portion. Reaction chamber 3 has an upper opening 17
and a bottom portion. Upper opening 17 of reaction chamber 3 and
exit opening 16 of discharge channel 5 are located at the upper rim
18 of reaction vessel 1.
[0044] As shown by FIG. 1a, discharge channel 5 is arranged
preferably parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal
axis X of reaction chamber space 3, and a connection channel part
14 fluidly connects discharge channel 5 with within reaction
chamber space 3 where a reaction medium is received. Reaction
medium contained in reaction chamber space 3 can thus be withdrawn
through channel part 14 into discharge channel 5. Channel part 14
has a first orifice 7 located near to or at the bottom of reaction
chamber space 3, a second orifice located at the lower end of
discharge channel 5, and a bent, tapered shape with the narrow end
at the lower end 12 of discharge channel 5.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment shown by FIG. 1a, discharge
channel 5 substantially extends within and along a lateral wall 9
of reaction chamber space 3. In another embodiment (not represented
in the drawings) discharge channel 5 substantially extends on the
outer surface of and along a lateral wall of reaction chamber space
3.
[0046] A seat 8 is provided in the wall 9 of reaction vessel 1 at
the level of orifice 7 of connection channel part 14. A filtration
material 10 is placed in seat 8. Filtration material 10 constitutes
the bottom wall of the reaction chamber 3 and serves as a filter
during discharging of the reaction chamber 3. Filtration material
10 thus constitutes a delimitation of reaction chamber 3 and
preferably a delimitation of the bottom of reaction chamber space
3. Filtration material 10 may be a chemically inert fiberous
filtration material, a porous fused metallic, polymeric, glass or
ceramic matrix. Preferably, filtration material 10 is formed from a
porous fused ceramic or glass matrix, i.e., a fritted filter.
[0047] Reaction vessel 1 has a collar 15 near its upper rim 18.
Collar 15 serves as an abutment when vessel 1 is inserted in a
reaction block as described hereinafter.
[0048] Inlet opening 17 of reaction chamber space 3 and exit
opening 16 of discharge channel 5 are interconnected by a channel
or groove 19, which substantially equalizes any pressure difference
between reaction chamber space 3 and discharge channel 5 of
reaction vessel 1.
[0049] When a suction device, preferably a needle 201, is
introduced through exit opening 16 of discharge channel 5 and
positioned as shown by FIG. 1c for withdrawing the liquid contents
of reaction vessel 1 through discharge channel 5, the tip of needle
201 is in sealing contact with a tapering portion 20 of the
discharge channel 5. Thereby, channel 19 is fluidically
disconnected from discharge channel 5, and by applying a sufficient
pressure less than ambient pressure in space 3, to discharge
channel through needle 201, the reaction vessel contents can be
withdrawn.
[0050] Reaction vessel 1 may be conveniently manufactured by
injection molding. Reaction chamber space 3 and connection channel
14 are preferably shaped by a core with a hingedly attached
extension for the connection 14. The vertical part of discharge
channel 5 is preferably shaped by a second core. In the closed
state of the injection molding tool, the cores are inserted within
the mold cavity, the hingedly attached extension abutting on the
end of the second core whereby the mold part for the hollow
interior of the discharge conduit is constituted.
[0051] After injection of the molten polymeric material and
allowance of sufficient time for the molten material to solidify,
the cores are withdrawn. For this purpose, the extension of the
first core makes a rotational movement on its hinge. The removal is
facilitated by the preferred significantly tapered shape of the
connection channel 14. For even better removal of the cores, the
walls of reaction chamber space 3 and/or the discharge channel 5
are preferably slightly tapered so that their cross sections
decrease from their upper opening 17 respectively exit opening 16
towards their respective bottom portions. The taper of the walls of
the reaction chamber space can be so small that its cross-section
can be considered to be substantially constant along the length of
the reaction chamber space. This configuration of reaction chamber
space 3 and discharge channel makes possible to retract the above
mentioned first and second molding cores through upper opening 17
and exit opening 16 respectively.
[0052] As molds of the above-mentioned kind, even including the
mentioned cores, are known to persons skilled in the art, a
detailed description of such molds with reference to figures is
deemed unnecessary and, therefore, not included in the present
specification.
[0053] From what is explained above, it is evident that reaction
vessel 1 is suitable for being efficiently manufactured in large
numbers at a low price.
[0054] With regard to a preferred use of reaction vessel 1, another
advantage consists in that when a reaction is terminated, the
liquid contents of reaction chamber 3 can be withdrawn through
filtration material 10 and discharge channel 5 by applying the
suction device to exit opening 16. In the solid-liquid reaction
arrangement most often used in combinatorial chemistry, the
reaction partners are immobilized on a solid support material that
is retained in the reaction chamber space 3 as a "filter cake" on
filtration material 10.
[0055] In case that filtration material 10 is occluded, it is
usually possible to inject an inert gas, e. g. argon, in the
reverse direction (opposite to flow direction when contents of
reaction chamber is withdrawn through filtration material 10,
connection channel 14 and discharge channel 5) through filtration
material 10 for restoring the permeability of filtration material
10. The above mentioned injection of inert gas may also be used for
agitating the contents of the reaction chamber and providing a
substantially inert atmosphere for conducting the reaction.
[0056] Experiments have shown that the above described structure of
reaction vessel 1 may withstand a moderate pressure gradient above
ambient. Reaction vessel 1 thus allows a reaction to be conducted
even under moderate overpressure without a venting provision, e. g.
to work at an elevated temperature with respect to the temperature
during filling.
[0057] In a preferred use of reaction vessel 1, the above-mentioned
moderate pressure above ambient is generated by closing the vessel
and increasing the temperature.
[0058] Typical dimensions of the reaction vessel 1 are:
1 Cross-sectional area of the 10 to 1000 mm.sup.2 reaction chamber:
preferably 75 to 120 mm.sup.2 Length of reaction chamber: at least
10 mm preferably 20 to 200 mm Cross-sectional area of the at least
0.8 mm.sup.2 discharge channel: preferably 0.8 to 25 mm.sup.2
[0059] Generally, the cross-sectional area of discharge channel 5
is significantly smaller than the cross-sectional area of reaction
chamber space 3.
[0060] As can be recognized from the above-description, reaction
vessel 1 shown by FIGS. 1a-1c may be conveniently manufactured by
injection molding as an integrally manufactured single-piece
element, with exception of filtration material 10 being inserted
therein after vessel 1 is formed.
[0061] Method For Manufacturing The Reaction Vessel
[0062] A method for manufacturing the above-described reaction
vessel 1 comprises forming the body of vessel 1 by an injection
molding process of a theromoplastic polymeric material in a molding
tool, whereby
[0063] the interior of discharge channel 5 being formed by a first
core and the interior of reaction chamber space 3 being formed by a
second core,
[0064] the first and second cores being moved into the mold before
injectiing of molten polymeric material and being retracted after
allowing sufficient time for the molten polymer material to harden,
during opening of the mold,
[0065] said second core which shapes the reaction chamber space
having a movable extension at the end thereof for forming the
bottom of the reaction chamber, and
[0066] said extension touching the first core thereby forming the
discharge channel when said first and second core are disposed the
mold in order to form the connection channel between the reaction
chamber and the discharge channel.
[0067] Reactor Block
[0068] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a reactor block 21
containing 24 reaction vessels 1. Reactor block 21 consists of a
base 22 with an integrated conduit (connectors 23 and 24) for
temperature control. Base 22 comprises receiving sites 26 each
adapted for receiving a reaction vessel 1. Heat is exchanged by air
between the reaction vessels 1 and the walls of receiving sites 26.
For an efficient thermal contact, the sites 26 are shaped closely
similar to the exterior surface of the vessels 1. As shown by FIG.
4, heat exchange (normally heating) is however substantially
restricted to the lower part of the reaction vessels 1 in order
that vaporized liquid may condense in the cooler upper part of the
reaction vessels and flow back into the reaction volume proper
located above filtration material 10 (reflux condensation).
[0069] A vessel holder 29 is arranged above the base 22 and held by
an appropriate, adjustable means (not shown) so that the vessels
extend into the base 22 without touching the bottom of their
receiving sites 26 in order to compensate for thermal expansion and
manufacturing tolerances.
[0070] Vessel holder 29 comprises an array of at least two rows of
at least two locations 31 for reaction vessels. Each of locations
31 has a circumferential shoulder or depression 33 for receiving
the collar 15 of a reaction vessel 1. The upper rims 18 of reaction
vessels 1 preferably project slightly above the upper surface 35 of
vessel holder 29. Being arranged outside of the reaction chamber's
wall, due to the relative position of the discharge channel 5 with
respect to the reaction chamber 3 of each vessel, discharge channel
5 also serves as positioning means which allow insertion of the
reaction vessels 1 in only one orientation so that the upper
openings 17 of the reaction chambers 3 and the exit openings 16 of
the discharge channels 5 are always in the same predetermined
position. This is important for the use of reactor block 21 with
automated handlers, e. g. synthesizers or analyzers.
[0071] A sealing foil or plate 36 and a slider gate plate 37 are
placed on top of the vessels 1, the slider gate plate 37 being
firmly pressed against the holder 29 so that preferably a gas-tight
sealing, or at least a fluid-tight sealing between the seal 36, the
rim 18 of the vessels 1 and the slider gate plate 37 is obtained.
Slider gate plate 37 has guiding slots 48.
[0072] The seal 36 and the slider gate plate 37 each provide
corresponding holes for each vessel, namely a first hole 39
respectively, a second 42 hole corresponding to upper opening 17 of
reaction chamber 3 and a third hole 40 respectively, a fourth hole
43 corresponding to the exit opening 16 of discharge channel 5. The
upper ends of holes 42, 43 in the slider gate plate 37 are
surrounded by a collar 45 whose upper rim serves as a sealing
surface as will be explained below. Another advantageous effect of
collar 45 is that it prevents that any spoiled matter in slot 48
from flowing into the open reaction vessels.
[0073] The reaction vessels 1 are preferably arranged in six rows
of 4 vessels each (corresponding to a standard 24-well plate).
Slider gate plate 37 has a slider guiding slot 48 for each row of
vessels 1. The walls 50 of the slots 48 contain gates 52, i.e.
guiding grooves or channels for closure sliders 55 (four of six
necessary sliders 55 are shown).
[0074] Closure sliders 55 preferably have a shape that allows them
to slide freely within the guiding slots 48. Their lateral faces
comprise pins 57 which are adapted to be slidably registered in the
gates 52. For assembly purposes, gates 52 are open at one end 58 so
that the pins 57 of the sliders 55 may be inserted into gates 52
from above.
[0075] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view wherein some aspects mentioned
above more clearly illustrated with the reaction vessels 1 are
merely schematically shown. Conduits 60 for the temperature control
medium are arranged in base 22. Vessels 1 are preferably held by
the holder 29 in a suspended manner, extending into receiving sites
26 of base22 preferably without touching the bottom 62 thereof.
Seal 36 is pinched between slider gate plate 37 and the upper rim
18 of the reaction vessels 1 whereby the collars 15 of the vessels
1 are pressed down in the depressions 33.
[0076] The exit openings 16 of discharge channels 5 and the open
upper ends 17 of reaction chamber spaces 3 are accessible through
holes 40 respectively 39 in seal 36 and holes 43 respectively 42 in
slider plate 37. Depending on the position of the sliders 55, holes
42, 43 are accessible from the exterior through holes 64
respectively 65 (see slider 66 on the left), or closed altogether
by the slider (see slider 67 on the right) as explained more in
detail below.
[0077] FIG. 3 shows a top view of reactor block 21 and in
particular of slider gate plate 37. For the sake of simplicity,
four slider slots 48 in the middle are shown without sliders.
Slider 66 on the left side is in open position allowing access to
the reactor vessels located below by registering its holes 64, 65
with the holes 42, 43 in slider gate plate 37. Slider 67 on the
right side is in closed position, i.e. a position at which the
reaction vessels located below are substantially hermetically
sealed, e. g. for performing the reactions.
[0078] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, slider 66 is not only moved along
guiding slot 48, but abides in a slightly elevated position due to
the pins 57 resting on the front surface part 70 of the gates 52.
At the same time, in abutting against the front wall 72, the
movement of the slider 66 is stopped in the opened position. The
holes 64, 65 are aligned, and e. g. by means of a syringe, a medium
can be injected into the reaction vessel through holes 64, 42, 39
and the open end 17 of the reaction chamber space 3, or withdrawn
(not shown) through the holes 65, 43, 40 and the exit opening 16 of
the discharge channel 5 (see FIG. 4).
[0079] In a preferred embodiment, reaction to be removed from
reaction chamber space 3 of vessel 1 is removed by applying a
pressure below ambient or vacuum to the exit opening 16 of
discharge channel 5.For this purpose, discharge channel 5 has an
upper portion which ends at exit opening 16 and which has a
cross-section which is slightly larger than the cross-section of
the lower portion of discharge channel and preferably vacuum is
applied by means of a needle of a syringe which has a diameter
equal or slightly bigger than the diameter of an lower portion of
discharge channel 5. When the front end of the syringe needle is
inserted into the upper part of discharge channel 5, a
substantially tight seal is established between the needle tip and
the wall of the discharge channel 5. For this purpose, the upper
portion of discharge channel 5 has preferably a conical part which
narrows into the lower portion of discharge channel 5.
[0080] In another preferred embodiment, the transition between the
lower and the upper part of discharge channel 5 is a single step.
In this case a needle or a tube having a transversely cut end is
used and this cut end forms a seal when pressed against the
step.
[0081] Holes 43 and 65 (and 42 and 64) preferably have diameters
larger than the conducting means (tube, syringe needle) used to
inject or withdraw reaction medium in order to permit a free
passage of the conducting means.
[0082] FIG. 7 shows the open configuration. FIG. 8 shows the closed
configuration. As can be appreciated from these figures, during
movement of slider 67 to the rear position the pins 57 are forced
to move downward along the rear part 76 of gates 52, and therefore
the slider 67 as well. Thereby, the end phase of the longitudinal
rearward movement of sliders 55 in guiding slots 48 is transformed
in a movement towards the reaction vessels 1, and, resulting in a
force pressing the lower surface 79 of sliders 55 (exemplarily,
slider 67) against the collars 45.
[0083] An advantage of the arrangement of the sliders 56 of the
invention just described is that a simple, e. g. pneumatic or
solenoid, actuator providing a sufficient powerful, yet only linear
movement, may be used for moving the sliders between the open and
the closed position. This arrangement even facilitates moving of
these sliders by hand.
[0084] As this closing movement of the sliders 55 requires still a
minimal lateral movement over collar 45, sliders 55 preferably have
a smooth, plane sealing surface 79 in the respective parts of their
lower surface. Sliders 55 are preferably entirely made of a
suitable polymeric material, e. g. a fluorocarbon type. As sliders
55 may as well be produced by injection molding, preferably with a
smooth finishtreatment of their sealing surface 79, they may be
produced at a sufficiently low price to allow their use as a
single-use disposable components.
[0085] Due to the fact that sliders 55 are pressed with a rather
elevated force against openings 42, 43, the technique used for
performing reactions can be simplified: According to the prior art,
vaporized solvent has been refluxed in the upper, cooler part of
the reaction vessels. Solvent not condensed could escape by a
venting provision, normally connected to an inert gas source. In
contrast with the prior art, when a reactor block according to the
invention is used, the reaction vessel may be kept closed, i.e. the
reaction is carried out under moderate pressure above ambient
pressure. By experiment, it has been found that preferred reaction
assembly including the reaction vessel 1 of the invention can
withstand the pressures developed within the reaction vessel under
normal reaction conditions substantially without problems.
[0086] An inert gas blanket may be provided if necessary during
exchange of the reaction medium.
[0087] Within the scope of the invention a reactor block having the
above-described features is used to build a parallel reaction
assembly comprising reactions vessels 1 having the above described
features. A preferred use of such a parallel reaction assembly is
for simultaneously performing a chemical reaction in each reaction
vessel in the reactor block.
[0088] From the exemplary embodiment set forth above, the one
skilled in the art is able to derive numerous variants without
leaving the scope of protection which is intended to be solely
defined by the appended claims. Some variations that fall within
the scope of the invention are e.g.:
[0089] The reaction vessels 1 may consist of other materials, like
metal, ceramics, or even glass. Due to their rather simple
structure, even with these materials, mass production methods are
suitable for producing the vessels.
[0090] The sealing plate or foil 36 may be left out if the contact
between the reaction vessel and the lower surface of the gate plate
37 provides a sufficiently tight seal.
[0091] The sliders 55 may be connected to the gate plate by another
mechanism, for example using levers, for transforming the movement
of the sliders into one urging the sliders 55 against the openings
39, 40, though the preferred arrangement using pins and gates has
proven to be the most reliable due to its simplicity.
[0092] The number of vessels contained in a reactor block may be
varied as needed. Particularly preferred are arrangements adapted
to the configuration of well plates (e. g. 96 wells, 384 wells) so
that by means of a robot, whole rows of the well plate contents may
be transferred to the reactor's vessels with only simple
movements.
[0093] The connection channel 14 may have its sampler orifice close
to the discharge channel if the molding core used to form
connection channel 14 is to be retracted through the discharge
channel. The connection channel may also have a constant
cross-section over its length or may have its narrowest
cross-section between its two end orifices and the mold used to
form the connection channel may in principle be retractable through
either the reaction chamber or the discharge channel or both the
reaction chamber and the discharge channel.
[0094] The collar 45 may be omitted. Preferably, then, the sealing
surfaces are slightly elevated with respect to the surrounding
lower surface of the sliders 55 in order to concentrate the closing
pressure to the holes 43, 42.
[0095] The preferred arrangement of one pair of pins 57 per vessel
which helps to secure a substantially tight seal may be varied in
using more or less pins and gates. Particularly if less pins are
provided, and the sliders are somewhat flexibile, additional
measures have to be applied for securing a substantially tight
seal. These additional measures may be a rigid back, for instance
formed from metal or some other substantially rigid material.
[0096] For particular applications the hollow interior parts of the
reaction vessel 1 may have other cross sections than circular, e.g.
tetragonal, hexagonal or elliptic while still being within the
scope of the present invention.
[0097] Although depression 33 for receiving the collars 15 of the
reaction vessels is preferred, collars 15 may also be applied flat
to the surface of the vessel holder plate 29 comprising the
locations 31.
[0098] Reaction vessel 1 of the inventionis usable in other
applications, where exchange of a reaction chamber's contents by
vacuum assisted withdrawal is needed. This includes individually
performing reactions in a single reaction vessel.
[0099] Instead of a pressure equalizing channel or groove 19, other
means for equalizing the pressure may be provided and are
considered within the scope of the invention, e.g. a hole that
communicates the reaction chamber and the discharge channel.
Pressure equalizing means like channel or groove 19 may also be
entirely omitted for particular applications.
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