Sample chamber volume reducer
View Patent ↗An apparatus includes a chamber insert capable of being received by a sample chamber of a conditioning system. The received chamber insert reduces the volume of the sample chamber and defines a cavity that substantially surrounds a sample holder located in the sample chamber.
1. A conditioning system comprising:
a sample chamber capable of receiving a specimen;
a first and a second specimen-holding fixture positioned within the sample chamber and configured to apply mechanical stimulation to a specimen held by the fixtures;
at least one port capable of providing a fluid to the sample chamber; and
a chamber insert capable of being received by the sample chamber, wherein the received chamber insert reduces the volume of the sample chamber and defines a cavity that substantially surrounds the first and second specimen-holding fixtures without contacting the specimen-holding fixtures or a specimen held by the fixtures.
2. The conditioning system of claim 1 , in which in the chamber insert includes at least a first segment and a second segment that combine to define the cavity.
3. The conditioning system of claim 1 , in which the port provides a fluid to an exterior surface of the specimen.
4. The conditioning system of claim 1 , in which the port is coupled to the first specimen-holding fixture and provides a fluid to an interior surface of the specimen through the first specimen-holding fixture.
5. The conditioning system of claim 1 , in which the chamber insert includes a feature for directing fluid flow over the specimen.
6. The conditioning system of claim 5 , in which the feature includes a ridged surface that includes substantially parallel ridges.
7. The conditioning system of claim 1 , in which the sample chamber includes a chamber window and the chamber insert includes an opening that substantially aligns with the chamber window.
8. The conditioning system of claim 1 , in which the chamber insert includes a plastic material.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which
the chamber insert includes at least a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment forms a first wall section of the sample chamber and the second segment forms a second wall section of the sample chamber when the chamber insert is installed in the sample chamber.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 in which
the first and the second specimen-holding fixture each comprise a grip for holding a respective end of a specimen, and
at least the first specimen-holding fixture is configured to apply the mechanical stimulation to the specimen by transmitting an axial load to the specimen.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 in which
the first and the second specimen-holding fixture each comprise a fitting including a pathway for fluid, and
the specimen-holding fixtures are configured to apply the mechanical stimulation to the specimen by directing a flow of fluid through the specimen.