Sample preparation device with a water bath

Abstract

Sample preparation device (01) with a water bath (04), comprising a housing (28), a tub (05) and an insert basket (06) located therein, wherein water (07) can be introduced into the tub (05) and its temperature can be controlled, with a shaking device (08) which is connected to the tub (05) or the insert basket (06), and with a sample device (27) with several exchangeable sample vessels (03) which can be immersed in the water (07) in the tub (05), wherein the sample device (27) is also designed to be shaken, characterized in that a first lifting device (11) which has two spaced-apart lifting cylinders (13) with lifting pistons (14) guided therein, wherein the lifting cylinders (13) are connected to the housing (28) of the water bath (04) and the lifting pistons (14) are connected to the sample device (27), and a second lifting device (12) which has two lifting elements (31), which are arranged between the lifting pistons (14) and the sample device (27),are provided; that a control device (18) is provided, by means of which the two lifting pistons (14) can be actuated simultaneously and the two lifting elements (31) can be actuated alternately; and that swirling elements (25) for the water (07) are provided in the insert basket (06).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sample preparation device with a water bath, comprising a tub and an insert basket located therein, wherein water can be introduced into the tub and its temperature can be controlled, with a shaking device which is connected to the tub or the insert basket, and with a sample device with several exchangeable sample vessels which can be immersed in the water in the tub, wherein the sample device is also designed to be shaken.

[0002] Sample preparation equipment is required for various scientific measurements that utilize specialized measuring instruments. In an isotope measurement, the proportions of the various isotopes of a chemical element in gaseous samples are determined using a mass spectrometer (static gas mass spectrometry, see DE 10 2017 005 345 A1). As an example, the sample preparation for the isotope measurement of hydrogen and oxygen is described below. The measurement samples are generated by filling the sample vessels with sample water and H2 or CO2 gas (this creates the sample) and shaking them until an isotopic equilibrium is established between the molecules in the gas and the molecules in the sample water (equilibration). Due to the temperature dependence of this process, a constant temperature of the water is essential for establishing isotopic equilibrium.Shaking the samples continuously mixes the sample water, significantly accelerating the process of reaching isotopic equilibrium. During the subsequent measurement of the sample gas, its isotopes are deflected from their trajectories in the mass spectrometer to varying degrees depending on their mass and charge. These isotopes can be separately detected and quantified. The isotopes of the lighter elements (primarily carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and hydrogen), for example, serve as evidence of the environmental conditions that prevailed during the shell formation of mussels or foraminifera in the ocean. State of the art

[0003] The prior art closest to the invention is known from CN 108905821 A, which discloses the generic sample preparation device. In this device, an insert basket is shaken by means of a shaking device that is firmly connected directly to a side wall of the insert basket. During use, the sample vessels are placed in the insert basket, and their contents are also shaken by the shaking of the insert basket. The shaking motion is an axial pendulum motion. The relative movement between the water in the tub and the immersed sample vessels simultaneously swirls the water, which contributes to a uniform, constant temperature of the water. The entire sample device is placed in the insert basket and shaken together with it.With a particularly heavy sample device, the shaking device must exert a correspondingly large force on the side wall of the insert basket, which can lead to its deformation. In this type of water bath with a shaking device, the water itself is not moved. Rather, the insert basket, which contains the sample vessels and is lowered into the water, is moved. This creates a relative movement between the two.

[0004] Similar sample preparation devices in which the insert basket is shaken are known from DE 37 27 010 C2 and US 5 520 884 A. In these devices, too, only the sample vessels are shaken and not the water. In DE 37 27 010 C2, a scale-like insert frame is provided for this purpose, on which the samples are placed. The shaking device engages in the center of the insert frame and creates a radial pendulum movement. In US 5 520 884 A, the insert basket is designed as a variable module and is connected to the shaking device. Due to the modular design, the shaking device can be used for various water baths. The disadvantage, however, is that the entire sample device must be shaken by the shaking device. The uniform temperature of the water is created by the relative movement between the stationary water and the moving sample vessels.

[0005] The water baths currently available on the market also operate according to this principle. See, for example, the Memmert "Water Baths" brochure (Order No. D10202, Version 2107 d) (accessible online at https: / / www.memmert.com / fileadmin / products / documents / categories / BR_Memmert_Wasserbaeder_DE.pdf, as of August 17, 2023). These modern devices have a modular design and can optionally be expanded with a shaking device (see page 9 ibid.). This essentially consists of a drive that engages the narrow side of a frame. The insert basket is suspended in the frame and then pivoted over the tank. Since the frame is shaken, it must not rest on the water bath housing. The weight of the sample vessels loaded, including any entire sample device, must not be too great to prevent the frame from tilting.

[0006] To mix the water, in addition to moving the insert basket to create relative movement between the sample vessels and the water (e.g., from WO 97 / 11773 A1), it is also known to shake the tub containing the water directly. For this purpose, one or more tubs are placed on a shaking table. The insert basket containing the sample vessels sits on the bottom of the tub. All of the tubs are shaken along with the tub. This shakes both the water in the tub and the samples in the sample vessels. However, the shaking device must shake the entire weight of the tub, insert basket, and sample vessels, or the entire sampling device.

[0007] Furthermore, EP 2 989 953 B1 discloses a sample device that can be lowered into a water bath by adjusting support feet. Before lowering (and similarly after lifting out), the sample device is placed on the housing of the water bath using the support feet. Furthermore, the publication "MICRO PCO2, Equilibration Unit" by JF Stevens et al. (The Lancet - New Inventions, Volume 284, ISSUE 7357, P447-448, August 29, 1964, https: / / doi.org / 10.1016 / S0140-6736(64)90336-8, accessed at https: / / www.sciencedirect.com / science / article / pii / S0140673664903368?via%3Dihub, accessed August 17, 2023) describes a compact equilibration unit in which the sample device is connected to a shaking device and arranged together on a water bath slide in a tub of a water bath. The sample device is particularly small. The equilibration unit is used for blood tests.

[0008] DE 1 906 734 A discloses a chemical analyzer with a central lifting device. A rotating disk is attached to the bottom of a guide tube, in which removable sample containers are arranged in a circle and immersed in a temperature-controlled tank. A rack containing injection syringes can be raised and lowered via a lifting piston and a lifting cylinder. After being raised, the rotating disk is rotated by a predetermined angle and then, after being lowered, new sample containers are filled via the injection syringes. This device improves the filling and emptying of the sample containers, with the liquid only being significantly mixed during filling.US 2021 / 0 000 144 A1 discloses a processing device with a horizontally acting actuator cylinder, which comprises a clamping device designed to selectively exert a first clamping force on a first end of a sample carrier and a second, opposing clamping force on a second end of the sample carrier. Furthermore, a reciprocating device is provided that exerts linear forces on the sample carrier in order to move it horizontally back and forth along the sample vessel. The object is to optimize this pendulum movement for processing the contents of the sample vessels. Finally, DE 101 58 645 C2 discloses swirling elements for a tub-shaped incubation vessel.

[0009] Modern sample devices (equilibration units) can weigh approximately 15 kg or more and are accordingly difficult to handle. They comprise a valve block with numerous (for example, 27) pneumatic valves, to which the sample vessels containing the water samples are connected via capillaries. This heavy weight places considerable strain on the shaking device, which, in addition to unpleasant noise, can also cause wear and tear on the bearings and drives, which can lead to the shaking device failure. All connecting lines with the sample device are also moved, which can lead to fatigue and breakage. To replace the sample vessels in the sample device, the entire sample device must be lifted out of the water bath container, which is usually located on a laboratory bench, and then reinserted. Task

[0010] Based on the generic sample preparation device described above, the present invention seeks to further develop it in such a way that, while maintaining the uniform, constant temperature of the water bath, the shaking device of the tub or insert basket is relieved, while the contents of the sample vessels in the sample device continue to be thoroughly mixed. Furthermore, the comfort of handling the sample device is increased and fatigue and noise in the sample preparation device are avoided. The inventive solution to this problem can be found in the main claim. Advantageous developments of the inventive sample preparation device can be found in the subclaims.

[0011] To achieve the object, the invention proposes that a first lifting device be provided which has two lifting cylinders spaced apart from one another with lifting pistons guided therein, wherein the lifting cylinders are connected to the housing of the water bath and the lifting pistons are connected to the sample device, and a second lifting device be provided which has two lifting elements, wherein these are arranged between the lifting pistons and the sample device; that a control device be provided by means of which the two lifting pistons can be actuated simultaneously and the two lifting elements can be actuated alternately; and that swirling elements for the water are provided in the insert basket.

[0012] In the sample preparation device according to the invention, in addition to the shaking device for the tray or insert basket, two lifting devices are provided that are not connected to the tray or insert basket. They therefore do not place any strain on their shaking device. The two lifting devices are connected exclusively to the sample device and only move it.

[0013] The first lifting device generates a vertical upward movement (extending the lifting pistons from the lifting cylinders) or downward movement (retracting the lifting pistons into the lifting cylinders) of the sample device, and the second lifting device generates a lateral tilting movement (pendulum movement, shaking movement, alternating lifting and lowering) of the sample device. When the sample device is extended, the sample vessels are located above the water bath (extended lifting pistons) and can be easily replaced (optionally the entire sample device can be removed). When the sample device is retracted (retracted lifting pistons), the sample vessels are in the water in the water bath, and the tilting movement for mixing the samples in the sample vessels can be carried out. With the first lifting device, the lifting cylinders are connected to the housing of the water bath, and the lifting pistons are connected to the sample device.The lifting cylinders are the stationary components, while the lifting pistons are the mobile components of the vertical lifting device. The lifting pistons are guided in the lifting cylinders and can be moved up and down vertically within them. Accordingly, the entire sample device can be moved up and down vertically using the two lifting pistons. The first lifting device can be easily mounted on the housing of a water bath. The shaking device for the tub or the insert basket is not loaded and does not have to shake the entire sample device. The two lifting cylinders of the first lifting device are spaced apart from one another, for example on the two narrow sides of a rectangular water bath. The sample device is arranged between the two lifting pistons. It is designed so that it can be suspended, for example, and can therefore be easily inserted into and removed from the first lifting device.The entire weight of the sample device is transferred into the housing of the water bath via the first lifting device.

[0014] The second lifting device for the lateral tilting movement of the sample device has two spaced-apart lifting elements that are arranged between the lifting pistons of the first lifting device and the sample device. The direct use of the lifting cylinders of the first lifting device to generate the tilting movement would also be possible, but ineffective. The two lifting elements are deflected and reset in opposite directions by means of a control device, thereby generating a cyclical tilting (or rocking or pendulum movement) of the sample device about its center of gravity, which lies midway between the two lifting cylinders of the first lifting device. This tilting causes the contents of the sample vessels to shake, accelerating equilibration. It occurs at a relatively high frequency with a relatively small stroke, and the degree of mixing can be adjusted by adjusting the frequency.The control device has different control paths for the vertical movement and the tilting movement. These movements can be generated independently of each other. This can be done manually, but also semi-automatically or fully automatically, allowing the sample preparation device to operate independently without direct supervision. The tilting movement of the sample device is carried out with the pistons retracted throughout the entire sample preparation process to achieve equilibrium.

[0015] The vertical movement of the sample device by the first lifting device primarily serves to exchange the sample vessels in the sample device. For this purpose, the lifting pistons are extended synchronously upwards and the sample vessels of the sample device are exchanged in a comfortable working position. Afterwards, the two lifting cylinders are retracted synchronously downwards so that the sample vessels of the sample device are completely immersed in the water in the basin of the water bath, which is kept at a constant temperature, at least in the area of ​​the samples they contain. The vertical movement of the sample device is also used for maintenance, and for hanging or unhooking the sample device. Due to the temperature dependence of the equilibration, the water in the basin of the sample preparation device as well as the contents of the sample vessels of the sample device must be kept at a constant temperature.Temperature stability is significantly easier to achieve if the water in the sample preparation unit's tank is continuously swirled. The sample preparation unit's shaking mechanism shakes the insert basket (directly or via the tank). In the present invention, the insert basket has swirling elements. The shaking motion of the insert basket also moves the swirling elements, swirling the water around. This achieves a uniform temperature distribution throughout the entire water bath. The predominantly vertical tilting movement of the immersed sample vessels contributes only slightly to this.

[0016] Theoretically, the vertical movement of the sample device can be achieved using any suitable type of drive, including manual ones. According to a first modification of the invention, it is advantageous and preferred that the control device is pneumatically driven and comprises a control valve for the first lifting device and an oscillating valve for the second lifting device. A pneumatic drive is a low-maintenance drive that is generally available in every laboratory, is easy to handle, and guarantees a smooth vertical lifting movement. The two lifting devices are pneumatically driven completely separately from one another via two different valves. If necessary, the pneumatic control system can also drive the shaking device for shaking the tray or insert basket.

[0017] According to a further advantageous and preferred modification of the invention, gantry supports are arranged on the sample device, which are connected to the lifting pistons via the lifting elements. This makes it possible, on the one hand, for the first lifting device to be arranged to the side of the sample device. The heavy sample device does not have to be arranged above the lifting cylinders. On the other hand, the second lifting device with its two lifting elements can easily engage between the lifting pistons of the first lifting device and the sample device. The latter is firmly connected to the gantry supports, and the lifting elements are arranged between these and the lifting pistons. This makes it easy to generate the tilting movement. This applies when the lifting pistons are retracted, but also when they are extended (if necessary for inspection purposes).Furthermore, the two gantry supports can also be used as handles for handling the sample device, especially for suspending it from the two pistons or releasing it from them. Additional handles can also be provided in the area of ​​the gantry supports.

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferred and advantageous if the two lifting elements of the second lifting device are designed as pneumatically actuated clamping modules. These can be pre-tensioned simultaneously or alternately using compressed air, whereby a diaphragm is pneumatically deflected. If the clamping element is arranged fixedly on the gantry support, for example, the diaphragm can be supported on the upper side of the lifting piston and in doing so lift the gantry support or the side of the sample device. A reverse arrangement is also possible. When the clamping element is released again, the diaphragm relaxes and the raised side of the sample device or the gantry support arranged there falls back into its undeflected starting position. Implementing the alternating lateral deflection of the sample device is structurally simple with such pneumatically operated clamping modules.For example, they allow a stroke of around 4 mm.

[0019] Finally, it is also preferred and advantageous in the invention if the sample device is designed as an equilibration unit for isotope measurement. Thus, the sample preparation device claimed by the invention is particularly well suited for combination with a gas mass spectrometer for isotope analysis. Further explanations of the present invention and its respective modifications can be found in the exemplary embodiments presented below. Identical, unexplained, and additional reference numerals can be found in the other figures. Examples of implementation

[0020] The sample preparation device claimed in the present invention and its preferred modifications are explained in more detail below in exemplary embodiments for a better understanding of the invention. Fig. 1 a perspective view of the sample preparation device with the sample device extended, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the sample preparation device according to Fig. 1 with retracted sample device, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the sample preparation device according to Fig. 1 in first tilt position (right extended, left retracted), Fig. 4 a perspective view of the sample preparation device according to Fig. 1 in second tilt position (right retracted, left extended), Fig. 5 a detail according to Fig. 3 (first tilt position: extended to the right, retracted to the left), Fig. 6 a detail according to Fig. 4 (second tilt position: retracted on the right, extended on the left), Fig. 7 a detail according to Fig. 4 (extended to the left) and Fig. 8 a detail according to Fig. 1 (in the area of ​​the insert basket).

[0021] In the Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a sample preparation device 01, for example as a preparation instance for an isotope analysis in a mass spectrometer, with a sample device 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the sample device 27 comprises a valve block 02 into which interchangeable sample vessels 03 are screwed. The sample vessels 03 are arranged below the valve block 02 and, in the illustrated process phase (extended sample device 27), hang above a water bath 04. The water bath 04 consists of a housing 28, a tub 05, and an insert basket 06 located therein. In operation, the tub 05 contains water 07, which can be uniformly heated by means of a thermostat. The insert basket 06 is suspended in the tub 05 and, during operation, is shaken by means of a motorized shaking device 08 in the form of an eccentric drive 09 (in the Fig. 1 indicated by dashed lines inside the water bath 04). In the selected embodiment, the shaking movement is an alternating horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction of the water bath 04.

[0022] The sample preparation device 01 has a first lifting device 11, by means of which the sample device 27 can be moved vertically, and a second lifting device 12, with which the sample device 27 can be alternately tilted laterally (in the Fig. 1 indicated by arrows). To implement the vertical movement of the sample device 27, the first lifting device 11 has two lifting cylinders 13 and two lifting pistons 14. The two lifting cylinders 13 are located opposite each other on the narrow sides 15 of the tub 05 and are fixedly mounted on a lifting table 16, which is not connected to the shaking device 08, but rather to the housing 28 of the water bath 04. As a result, the weight of the sample device 27 does not rest on the shaking device 08. Furthermore, its shaking movement is not transferred to the sample device 27 and its hose connections.

[0023] The sample device 27 or the valve block 02 with the screwed-in sample vessels 03 is arranged between the two lifting pistons 14. For this purpose, the valve block 02 has two portal supports 17 on the sides, to which the upper end of the lifting pistons 14 engages. The portal supports 17 are approximately the height of the two lifting cylinders 13, so that the lifting pistons 14 can be fully extended and retracted. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first lifting device 11 is driven and controlled pneumatically via a corresponding control device 18. This comprises a pneumatic connection and a pneumatic control valve 29 for controlling the first lifting device 11 as well as a pneumatic oscillating valve 26 for controlling the second lifting device 12 (see also below). Both valves 26, 29 are controlled completely separately from one another. The sample device 27 is suspended between the two lifting pistons 14 by means of two handles 19 over the two portal supports 17.It is therefore easy to insert and remove.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 1 shows the sample device 27 with screwed-in sample vessels 03 filled with samples 10 in the extended state. Both pistons 14 are fully extended. In the extended state, the sample device 27 can easily be loaded with new sample vessels 03.

[0025] The Fig. 2 shows the sample device 27 in the retracted state. The lifting pistons 14 are fully retracted into the lifting cylinders 13 (in the Fig. 2 is no longer visible). In this position, the sample vessels 03 filled with the samples 10 are immersed in the tempered water 07 in the tub 05 and are tempered accordingly.

[0026] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the sample device 27 is shown in the lowered state, in which the sample vessels 03 extend into the water 07. Both lifting pistons 14 are fully retracted into the lifting cylinders 13. Now, the second lifting device 12 is put into operation, which comprises two lifting elements 31. The lifting elements 31 are located on both sides of the sample device 27 above the lifting cylinders 13 and, in the illustrated embodiment, are designed as clamping modules 21 (right and left). Fig. 3 shows the valve block 02 in a first tilt position I, in which it is tilted to the left (arrow). For this purpose, the right clamping module 21 is in the extended state (compare Fig. 5 to 7), by which the right plate 22 and thus the right end of the sample device 27 is slightly raised (in the range of a few mm) (Detail B). A left plate 22 on the left portal support 17 is connected to the left lifting piston 14 via the left clamping module 21. The left clamping module 21 is not extended (Detail A). With a (exemplary) stroke of the clamping module 21 of approximately 4 mm, the sample device 27 tilts accordingly to the left.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the sample device 27 in a second tilt position II, in which it is tilted to the right (arrow). For this purpose, the left clamping module 21 is extended between the left plate 22 on the left portal support 17 and the left lifting piston 14 (compare Fig. 5 to 7), so that the left plate 22 and thus the left end of the sample device 27 is slightly raised (in the range of a few mm) (Detail C). The right clamping module 21 on the right gantry support 17 is not extended (Detail D). With a (exemplary) stroke of the clamping module 21 of approximately 4 mm, the sample device 27 tilts accordingly to the right. Other lifting heights are also feasible.

[0028] The alternating activation of the right and left clamping modules 21 between the gantry supports 17 and the reciprocating pistons 14 by the pneumatic oscillation valve 26 results in a dynamic tilting movement (or rocking movement, pendulum movement, or shaking movement) of the sample device 27 between the first tilting position I (tilting to the left) and the second tilting position II (tilting to the right). This dynamic movement of the sample device 27 shakes the samples 10 in the sample vessels 03 very thoroughly, which significantly accelerates the equilibration process. The pneumatic oscillation valve 26 is controlled by the pneumatic control device 18.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 5 shows detail A in the area of ​​the left lifting cylinder 13. A left stop 20 can be seen, which limits the stroke of the clamping module 21 and simultaneously serves as a lateral guide when extending the lifting piston 14. The clamping module 21 shown is arranged between the plate 22 on the left gantry support 17 and the left lifting piston 14. In the illustrated state, the clamping module 21 is unloaded and the sample device 27 on the left side is not raised. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping module 21 is actuated pneumatically. Electrical control is also possible.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 6 shows detail B in the area of ​​the right-hand lifting cylinder 13. A right-hand stop 20 can be seen, which limits the stroke of the clamping module 21 and guides the lifting piston 14. On this side, the clamping module 21 is extended, so that it raises the sample device 27 accordingly (arrow). To generate the stroke, the clamping module 21 has a diaphragm 23 that can be deflected pneumatically. When the pressure is relieved, the diaphragm 23 relaxes and the stroke of the clamping module 21 decreases. The sample device 27 also falls back accordingly. When the two clamping modules 21 are actuated alternately by deflecting the diaphragms 23, the sample device 27 is raised alternately to the left and right (and falls back accordingly when the pressure is relieved on the diaphragms 23), so that it executes a pendulum movement. This is dynamic and can have a relatively high frequency, which can be adjusted.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 7 shows the clamping module 21 in detail as a lifting element 31 from below in the clamped position (the sample device 27 is raised). The membrane 23 is deflected. Furthermore, a guide slot 24 can be seen, in which the stop 20 runs. Also shown is a support block 30, which serves as a support surface for the plate 22 attached to the gantry support 17 on the lifting piston 14 when the clamping module 21 is unloaded.

[0032] In the Fig.8 shows the insert basket 06 in detail. It has swirling elements 25 which, when the insert basket 06 is shaken, ensure that the water 07 in the tub 05 is swirled, thus ensuring its uniform temperature. The relatively small, almost vertical pendulum movement of the sample vessels 03 is completely sufficient for thorough mixing of the samples 10, but generally not for sufficient swirling of the water 07 in the tub 05. Therefore, the additional swirling elements 25 are provided on the insert basket 06. Since the swirling elements 25 are not provided on the tub 05 itself, conventional water baths with an integrated shaking device 08 or an external shaking device (which only accesses the insert basket 06) can be used in the invention.Thus, the invention makes a valuable contribution to better handling of the sample preparation device 01 while at the same time providing a commercially appropriate constructive implementation. List of reference symbols 01 Sample preparation facility 02 Valve block 03 Sample container 04 Water bath 05 Tub 06 Insert basket 07 Water 08 Shaking device 09 Eccentric drive 10 samples 11 first lifting device 12 second lifting device 13 lifting cylinders 14 reciprocating pistons 15 narrow side of 05 16 lifting table 17 Portal support 18 Control device 19 Handle 20 stops 21 clamping module 22 plate 23 Membran 24 guide slot 25 Swirling element 26 Oscillating valve 27 Sample device 28 cases of 04 29 pneumatic control valve 30 support block 31 lifting element

Claims

[1] Sample preparation device (01) with a water bath (04), comprising a housing (28), a tub (05) and an insert basket (06) located therein, wherein water (07) can be introduced into the tub (05) and its temperature can be controlled, with a shaking device (08) which is connected to the tub (05) or the insert basket (06), and with a sample device (27) with several exchangeable sample vessels (03) which can be immersed in the water (07) in the tub (05), wherein the sample device (27) is also designed to be shaken, characterized bythat a first lifting device (11) having two spaced-apart lifting cylinders (13) with lifting pistons (14) guided therein, wherein the lifting cylinders (13) are connected to the housing (28) of the water bath (04) and the lifting pistons (14) are connected to the sample device (27), and a second lifting device (12) having two lifting elements (31) are arranged between the lifting pistons (14) and the sample device (27); that a control device (18) is provided by means of which the two lifting pistons (14) can be actuated simultaneously and the two lifting elements (31) can be actuated alternately; and that swirling elements (25) for the water (07) are provided in the insert basket (06). [2] Sample preparation device (01) according to claim 1, characterized by that the control device (18) is pneumatically driven and comprises a control valve (29) for the first lifting device (11) and an oscillating valve (26) for the second lifting device (12). [3] Sample preparation device (01) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that portal supports (17) are arranged on the sample device (27) and are connected to the lifting pistons (14) via the lifting elements (31). [4] Sample preparation device (01) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two lifting elements (31) are designed as pneumatically actuated clamping modules (21). [5] Sample preparation device (01) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sample device (27) is designed as an equilibration unit for isotope measurement.

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