Method for dehydration and critical point drying

Abstract

A method for dehydration and critical point drying of a sample in a single chamber is introduced, comprising the steps of (a) dehydrating the sample by replacing water by an intermediate fluid, (b) replacing the intermediate fluid by a transitional fluid, (c) pressurising the transitional fluid to or beyond its critical pressure and/or heating the transitional fluid (to or beyond its critical temperature, and (d) in response to gradually releasing the pressure, letting the transitional fluid gasify and escape from the sample. In step (a) and/or step (b), a ratio of the fluid to-be-replaced to the replacing fluid is measured and used to control a supply of the replacing fluid. The method reduces consumption of intermediate fluid and/or transitional fluid, making the process more efficient in terms of duration and user interaction while ensuring a high degree of dryness and the integrity of the sample.