20120011945 | Method and Sample Holding Assembly for Use in Sample Preparation - A method and sample holding assembly are described for use in the preparation of samples for analysis. In known techniques, following concentration of a sample using an evaporator, the concentrated solution is manually transferred to a smaller vial compatible with analysis apparatus using a pipette. This leads to loss of the sample and risks cross-contamination. Using the present method, a sample is concentrated directly into the vial. The method comprises the steps of collecting a sample in a concentration tube which is open at one end and closed at the other, the closed end being selectively openable. A vial is coupled to the open end, the tube is inverted, the closed end is opened, and then solvent is evaporated from the sample via the opened end until the concentrated sample is confined to the vial. A sample holding assembly for use in the present method is also described. It comprises a concentration tube, and an adaptor arrangement for coupling a vial to the open end of the tube and defining a fluid path between the tube and the vial. | 01-19-2012 |