Devices and methods for analyzing granular samples

Abstract

In some aspects, a device for apportioning granular samples includes a sample feeder defining a conduit, the conduit including a first opening to receive the granular samples and a second opening. The device includes a shuttle operably coupled to the sample feeder to receive the granular samples from the conduit via the second opening. The shuttle is configured to apportion the granular samples to incrementally enter a sample chamber to be analyzed. The device includes an outlet conduit fluidly coupled to the sample chamber and configured to permit the sample chamber to be evacuated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for apportioning granular samples comprising:
 a sample feeder defining a conduit, the conduit including a first opening to receive the granular samples and a second opening;   a shuttle operably coupled to the sample feeder to receive the granular samples from the conduit via the second opening, the shuttle configured to apportion the granular samples to incrementally enter a sample chamber to be analyzed; and   an outlet conduit fluidly coupled to the sample chamber and configured to permit the sample chamber to be evacuated.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuation subassembly configured to actuate the shuttle in one or more directions of movement, the actuation subassembly comprising:
 a first actuator configured to actuate the shuttle in a first direction of movement between a first position and a second position; and   a first slide configured to permit the shuttle to be moved between the first position and the second position;   wherein the shuttle positioned in the first position does not permit the granular sample portions to enter the sample chamber, and the shuttle positioned in the second position permits at least one of the granular sample portions to enter the sample chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the shuttle at least partially defines a shuttle passage sized and shaped to correspond with the size and shape of the sample chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the shuttle passage extends at least partially through the shuttle. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shuttle comprises the sample chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sample chamber comprises an electromagnetically transmissive window. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an evacuation subassembly fluidly coupled to the outlet conduit and to the sample chamber, wherein the evacuation subassembly comprises:
 one or more vacuum elements configured to generate a pressure differential to evacuate the sample chamber; and   a switch configured to selectively couple the one or more vacuums to one or more outlet channels to selectively evacuate the sample chamber into one or more outlet channels;   wherein the sample chamber is selectively evacuated based on one or more characteristics of at least one component of a substance detected or not detected inside of the sample chamber.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an evacuation subassembly fluidly coupled to the outlet conduit and to the sample chamber, wherein,
 the granular sample comprises one or more granular sample portions; and   the evacuation subassembly comprises:
 one or more vacuum elements configured to generate a pressure differential to evacuate the sample chamber fluidly coupled to the one or more vacuum elements; and 
 a switch configured to selectively couple the one or more vacuums to one or more outlet channels to selectively evacuate the one or more granular sample portions into the one or more outlet channels. 
   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more granular sample portions is evacuated based on at least one characteristic of a component of the one or more granular sample portions. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the evacuation subassembly comprises a filter configured to separate solid substance from gaseous or liquid fluid in the one or more outlet channels. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a hopper coupled to the sample feeder and configured to direct the granular samples into the sample feeder. 
     
     
         12 . A method of analyzing granular samples comprising:
 providing the device of  claim 1 ;   providing granular samples to be analyzed to the conduit of the sample feeder;   apportioning the granular samples into granular sample increments; and   incrementally analyzing each of the granular sample increments, comprising, for each granular sample increment:
 actuating the shuttle to permit a granular sample increment to enter the sample chamber at least partially defined by an electromagnetically transmissive window; 
 transmitting electromagnetic radiation from an emitter to the granular sample increment; 
 moving a portion of an analyzation subassembly in one or more directions of movement with respect to the granular sample increment to scan at least a portion of the granular sample increment; 
 receiving electromagnetic radiation from the granular sample increment by one or more sensors through the electromagnetically transmissive window; 
 identifying at least one characteristic of a component of the granular sample increment based on the received electromagnetic radiation; and 
 evacuating the granular sample increment from the sample chamber. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein receiving the electromagnetic radiation comprises, receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the granular sample increment at a sensor of the one or more sensors, wherein the sensor is configured to generate signals based on the received electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising analyzing the signals to generate a representation of at least a portion of the granular sample increment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising identifying at least one component of the granular sample increment based on the signals. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the granular samples comprise pharmaceutical micro-structured blends of substances.