Patent Publication Number: US-2017368560-A1

Title: Centrifuge container adapter and related articles, systems, and methods

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to centrifuge container adapters and related articles, systems, and methods. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     A centrifuge is a device that applies force to a sample held in a centrifuge container by rotating the container around a central axis. Centrifuges are available in different sizes. Smaller models may be operated while resting on a bench-top, while large models may stand on a floor. Centrifuges may be used to separate substances, for example, fluids and suspended solids, in a sample mixture or to better understand properties of a sample. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Centrifuge container adapters configured to be used in a centrifuge (e.g., a benchtop centrifuge) and articles, centrifuge systems and methods incorporating the centrifuge container adapters are generally provided. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a series of articles and systems are provided. In one or more embodiments, a centrifuge container adapter is disclosed. The centrifuge container adapter may be configured to be received into a centrifuge. The centrifuge container adapter may comprise a sidewall, a bottom end, a top end, and a collar. The sidewall may comprise a flared portion and a vertical portion, wherein the vertical portion is located above the flared portion. The bottom end and the sidewall may define a hollow region. At the top end, the sidewall may further define an opening of the hollow region. The collar may surround the vertical portion of the sidewall. 
     In one or more embodiments a centrifuge system is disclosed. The centrifuge system may comprise a centrifuge. The centrifuge may comprise a rotor configured to rotate around a central axis. The rotor may comprise a rotor cavity. 
     The centrifuge system may further comprise a centrifuge container adapter. The centrifuge container adapter may be configured to be received into the rotor cavity. The centrifuge container adapter may have a hollow region. In some embodiments, the centrifuge system may further comprise a centrifuge container adapter sleeve configured to receive the centrifuge container adapter and to be received into the rotor cavity. 
     The centrifuge system may further comprise a centrifuge container. The centrifuge container may be configured to be received into the hollow region of the centrifuge container adapter. In some embodiments, the centrifuge system is configured such that when the centrifuge container is positioned in the centrifuge container adapter, the centrifuge container and the centrifuge container adapter define a void space configured to receive a fluid from a sample contained within the centrifuge container. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a series of methods are provided. In one or more embodiments a method for transferring fluid from a sample within a centrifuge container is disclosed. 
     The method may comprise inserting a centrifuge container comprising a sample comprising a fluid into a centrifuge container adapter configured to receive the centrifuge container. In some embodiments the received centrifuge container and the centrifuge container adapter define a void space. 
     The method may further comprise inserting the centrifuge container adapter into a rotor cavity of a centrifuge. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise inserting the centrifuge container adapter into a centrifuge container adapter sleeve and inserting the centrifuge container adapter sleeve into the rotor cavity. 
     The method may further comprise operating the centrifuge to transfer fluid from the sample within the centrifuge container into the void space. 
     Other aspects, uses, embodiments, and features of the centrifuge container adapters, systems, and methods will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled or shown in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary centrifuge container adapter, according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary centrifuge container adapter, according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a side view of an exemplary centrifuge container adapter, according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a side view of an exemplary centrifuge container, according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 3C  shows a perspective view of an exemplary centrifuge container adapter sleeve, according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a side view of an exemplary centrifuge container comprising a sample received into a centrifuge container adapter, prior to centrifuging, according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a side view of an exemplary centrifuge container comprising a sample received into a centrifuge container adapter, during or subsequent to centrifuging, according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 5A  shows an exploded view of an exemplary centrifuge system according to one or more embodiments; and 
         FIG. 5B  shows an exploded view of an exemplary centrifuge system comprising a centrifuge container adapter sleeve according to one or more embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally provides centrifuge container adapters configured to be used in a centrifuge (e.g., a bench-top centrifuge), and related articles, centrifuge systems, and methods incorporating the centrifuge container adapters. The centrifuge container adapter may receive a centrifuge container. The centrifuge container may contain a sample, such as a packing column of porous media, comprising one or more fluids (e.g., aqueous solutions, such as water, or non-aqueous solutions, such as crude oil). During a centrifuging operation, according to some embodiments, the centrifuge container adapter and centrifuge container may be placed in a rotor cavity in the centrifuge. As the centrifuge&#39;s rotor spins, an amount of fluid from the sample may exit an aperture of the centrifuge container and be collected in the void space formed between the centrifuge container and the centrifuge container adapter. In some embodiments, measurements of the fluid within the centrifuge container adapter may be used to determine characteristics or properties of the sample. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed articles (e.g., centrifuge container adapter), methods, and systems (e.g., centrifuge system) offer advantages in operational costs, capital investment, and timeliness of results over other methods and systems that have been used to measure characteristics of a sample. For example, one or more embodiments of the present invention eliminates the need to use specially designed and expensive floor-standing centrifuges that have been used for certain applications, saving several hours or days of time in centrifuging operations. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a centrifuge system may comprise a centrifuge, a centrifuge container adapter, and a centrifuge container. The centrifuge may be a bench-top centrifuge. An example of a commercially available bench-top centrifuge includes the Allegra® X-22 Centrifuge, available from Beckman Coulter®. Examples of commercially available centrifuge containers include those available from Biotage®, such as Part Number SEC-0025. 
     The centrifuge may comprise a rotor configured to rotate around a central axis. The rotor may comprise a rotor cavity for receiving the centrifuge container adapter. 
     The centrifuge container adapter may be configured to be received into the rotor cavity. The centrifuge container adapter may have a hollow region. 
     The centrifuge container may be configured to be received into the hollow region of the centrifuge container adapter. When the centrifuge container is positioned in the centrifuge container adapter, the centrifuge container and the centrifuge container adapter may define a void space configured to receive fluid from a sample within the centrifuge container during operation of the centrifuge. 
     In some embodiments, the centrifuge system may further comprise a centrifuge container adapter sleeve configured to be received into the rotor cavity. In such embodiments, the centrifuge container adapter is configured to receive the centrifuge container which contains the sample. Examples of commercially available sleeves that may function as a centrifuge container adapter sleeve include those commercially available from Beckman Coulter®, such as Part Number 392255. 
     Turning to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary centrifuge container adapter  10 , according to one or more embodiments. In  FIG. 1  surfaces of the centrifuge container adapter  10  in the line of sight of a viewer from the given perspective are shown in solid line, while surfaces that would be hidden from the viewer are shown in dashed line. 
     The centrifuge container adapter may comprise a sidewall that together with a bottom end defines a hollow region of the centrifuge container adapter. The sidewall may be any suitable shape. For example, the sidewall may have an annular or cylindrical shape along a representative horizontal plane passed through it. Alternatively, the sidewall may be segmented and have a hexagonal, octagonal, or other shape, along a representative horizontal plane passed through it. 
     For example, in  FIG. 1 , the centrifuge container adapter  10 , comprises a sidewall  12 . The sidewall  12  may have an exterior surface  14  and an interior surface  16 . The sidewall  12  and a bottom end  20  define a hollow region  18  spanning from the top end  30  through the bottom end  20  of the centrifuge container adapter  10 , as shown. According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the sidewall  12  has an annular or cylindrical shape along any horizontal plane passed through it. 
     The sidewall may comprise different portions. For example, the sidewall may comprise a flared portion. In the flared portion, the diameter of the sidewall at its interior surface (e.g., inner diameters D 2  and D 3  of  FIG. 2 ), as measured in a horizontal plane passing therethrough, may change along the vertical axis. (The term “diameter” has its customary meaning with regard to circular/annular shapes, and means the largest cross-sectional dimension for non-circular shapes (e.g., hexagons), for purposes of this disclosure, unless stated otherwise.) For example, according to some embodiments, the diameter of the sidewall may expand in the downward direction in the flared portion. The flared portion may have a narrow end (relative to a wide end) and a wide end (relative to the narrow end), the wide end having a larger diameter than the narrow end. In some embodiments, the narrow end may be positioned above the wide end. The sidewall may also comprise a vertical portion in which the diameter of the sidewall at its interior surface remains constant or substantially constant (i.e., out of vertical by 2° or less). In some embodiments, the vertical portion may be positioned above the flared portion. 
     Returning to the figures,  FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view through a vertical plane passing through the center of the exemplary centrifuge container adapter  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sidewall  12  may comprise a flared portion  22 . In the flared portion  22 , the sidewall  12  flares out at an angle  25 , represented by θ, as shown. As a result, a narrow end  24  of the flared portion  22  has a smaller inner diameter D 2  than the inner diameter D 3  of the wide end  26  near the bottom end  20 . The sidewall  12  may also comprise a vertical portion  28 , which may be positioned above the flared portion  22 . Because the interior surface  16  of the sidewall  12  is vertical or substantially vertical (i.e., out of vertical by 2° or less) in the vertical portion  28 , the inner diameter D 1  at the top end  30  of the sidewall  12  is equal or substantially equal (e.g., differing by the length resulting from being out of vertical by 2° or less), to the inner diameter D 2  at the bottom of the vertical portion  28 . 
     The centrifuge container adapter may further comprise a collar surrounding the sidewall. In some embodiments the collar is formed integrally with the sidewall. The outer surface of the collar may be circular or other shapes (e.g., hexagonal). The collar may function to add weight to the centrifuge container adapter and contribute to overall stability and balance of the centrifuge container adapter. Furthermore, the collar may have an outer diameter, as measured at its outer surface, that is equal or substantially equal (i.e., within 1%) to the outer diameter of the outer surface of the sidewall at the wide end of the flared portion or bottom end (e.g., outer diameter D 5  of  FIG. 2 ). In such embodiments, this equality or similarity in the two outer diameters may contribute to a desired snug fit of the centrifuge container adapter in the rotary cavity of the centrifuge. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the centrifuge container adapter  10  may comprise a collar  32 , which surrounds, and is integral with, the sidewall  12 . The collar  32  may be located along the vertical portion  28  of the centrifuge container adapter  10 . The collar  32  may have an outer diameter D 4  measured at an outer surface  33 , that is equal or substantially equal to the outer diameter D 5  of the sidewall  12  at the wide end  26  of the flared portion  22 . 
     According to certain embodiments, a top end of the sidewall of the centrifuge container adapter may define an opening into the hollow region. On the opposite end of the centrifuge container adapter, there may be a bottom end. In some embodiments, the diameter of the bottom end of the centrifuge container adapter may be larger than a diameter of the opening of the centrifuge container adapter. 
     For example, in  FIG. 2 , the inner diameter D 3  near the bottom end  20  of the centrifuge container adapter  10  is larger than the inner diameter D 1  near the opening  34 . 
     In some embodiments, the sidewall comprises at least one slit extending from the top end of the sidewall toward the bottom end. The slit(s) may extend from the top end of the sidewall toward the bottom end along the vertical portion. The slits may mate with fins of a centrifuge container to prevent rotation of the centrifuge container relative to the centrifuge container adapter to promote stability and support for the centrifuge container. 
     For example, returning to  FIG. 1 , in the embodiment shown, four slits  36  are present on the sidewall  12  near the opening  34  at the top end  30 , with each slit  36  positioned apart from the other slits  36  and extending vertically from the top end  30  of the sidewall  12  toward the bottom end  20  along the vertical portion  28 . The position of the slits  36  may be spread equally from each other as shown. 
     A centrifuge container may be configured to be received into the hollow region of the centrifuge container adapter. The centrifuge container may comprise a body. In some embodiments, the centrifuge container may comprise a cover joined to the body via a threaded connection, compression fitment, or any other means as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The cover may be sealed or removed from the body to allow for inserting or removing a sample from the body of the centrifuge container. A sample placed within the body of the centrifuge container may comprise one or more fluids (e.g., aqueous or non-aqueous solutions). The sample may further comprise porous media, through which the fluid may travel during centrifuging operations. Other suitable sample media or materials may also be used, as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The centrifuge container may further comprise one or more apertures formed in the body and configured to allow fluid to pass through the body and exit through the aperture during operation of the centrifuge. For example, one or more apertures may be formed in the centrifuge container bottom end. The centrifuge container may comprise one or more fins configured to be mated with one or more slits of the centrifuge container adapter. 
     For example, turning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B ,  FIG. 3A  shows a side view of the exemplary centrifuge container adapter  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , while  FIG. 3B  shows a side view of an exemplary centrifuge container  110  configured to be received into the centrifuge container adapter  10 , according to one or more embodiments. The centrifuge container  110  is configured to be received into the hollow region  18  of the centrifuge container adapter  10 . 
     The centrifuge container  110  comprises a body  112  and a cover  114  joined to the body  112  via a threaded connection, compression fitment, or any other means of attachment as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The cover  114  may be sealed or removed from the body  112  to allow for inserting or removing the sample  120  from the body  112  of the centrifuge container  110 . Sample  120  may be contained within the body  112 . The sample  120  may comprise fluid  121  (e.g., an aqueous solution and possibly solids, such as suspended solids, or non-aqueous solutions, such as crude oil, or combinations thereof), as shown in  FIG. 4B . The sample  120  may further comprise porous media (e.g., rocks, shale, cuttings, ceramics, alumina, sand, silica or combinations thereof) through which the fluid  121  may travel during centrifuging operations. Other suitable sample media or materials may also be used, as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The centrifuge container  110  further comprises an aperture  118  formed in a centrifuge container bottom end  116  of the body  112  and configured to allow fluid  121  to pass through the body  112  and exit through the aperture  118  during operation of the centrifuge. The centrifuge container  110  further comprises one or more fins  115  configured to be mated with one or more slits  36  of the centrifuge container adapter  10 , to provide support and stability for the centrifuge container  110 . 
     According to some embodiments, the centrifuge system may further comprise an optional centrifuge container adapter sleeve configured to receive the centrifuge container adapter and to be received into the rotor cavity. The centrifuge container adapter sleeve may function to bridge a gap where there is a difference between the length of the outermost diameter of the centrifuge container adapter and the inner diameter of the rotor cavity of the centrifuge, so that the centrifuge container adapter is held snugly in the centrifuge. 
     For example,  FIG. 3C  shows a perspective view of an exemplary centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310 , according to one or more embodiments. The centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310  has a sleeve open top end  312 , and a sleeve bottom end  314  that may be open or closed. The centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310  also comprises a sleeve sidewall  316  having a sleeve inner surface  318  and a sleeve outer surface  320 . The sleeve sidewall  316  defines a sleeve hollow region  322  into which the centrifuge container adapter  10  may be inserted from the sleeve open top end  312 . The centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310  may have an inner diameter D 6  defined as the diameter of the sleeve sidewall  316  at the sleeve inner surface  318 . The inner diameter D 6  of the centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310  may be sized to fit the widest outer diameter of a centrifuge container adapter (e.g., D 4  or D 5  of the embodiment of a centrifuge container adapter  10  shown in  FIG. 2 ). The outer diameter D 7  of the centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310  may be sized to fit a rotor cavity  514  of the centrifuge  510  to be used, as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     According to some embodiments, the cover of the centrifuge container may be configured to sit on the top end of the sidewall of the centrifuge container adapter when the centrifuge container is received into the centrifuge container adapter. According to some embodiments, the centrifuge container and the flared portion of the sidewall of the centrifuge container adapter define the void space configured to receive fluid from a sample contained in the centrifuge container during operation of the centrifuge. 
     For example,  FIG. 4A  shows a side view of the centrifuge container  110  of  FIG. 3B  received into the centrifuge container adapter  10  of  FIG. 3A , according to one or more embodiments. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , the centrifuge container  110  and the centrifuge container adapter  10  are shown prior to being subjected to centrifuge spinning, and therefore, fluid  121  (not shown) in the sample  120  of the centrifuge container  110  remains in the centrifuge container  110 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , the cover  114  of the centrifuge container  110  sits on the top end  30  of the sidewall  12  of the centrifuge container adapter  10  and the fins  115  fit into the slits  36 . Furthermore, the centrifuge container  110  and the flared portion  22  of the sidewall  12  of the centrifuge container adapter  10  define a void space  410  configured to receive fluid  121  (not shown) from the sample  120  contained inside the centrifuge container  110  during operation of the centrifuge. 
       FIG. 4B  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  during or after centrifuge spinning. As shown, fluid  121  has exited the centrifuge container  110  via aperture  118  and resides in the void space  410  defined between the body  112  of the centrifuge container  110  and the sidewall  12  of the centrifuge container adapter  10 . 
     According to one or more embodiments, a centrifuge may be provided as part of a centrifuge system. The centrifuge may comprise a rotor configured to rotate around a central axis. The rotor may comprise a rotor cavity. The centrifuge container adapter may be configured to be received into the rotor cavity. In other embodiments, a centrifuge container adapter sleeve may be configured to be received into the rotor cavity. 
     For example,  FIG. 5A  shows an exploded view of an exemplary centrifuge system  500  according to one or more embodiments. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , the centrifuge system comprises a centrifuge  510 , the centrifuge container adapter  10 , and the centrifuge container  110 . The centrifuge  510  comprises a centrifuge body  518  and a rotor  516  that rotates around a central axis  512 . The rotor  516  further comprises a rotor cavity  514 . The centrifuge container adapter  10  may be configured to be received into the rotor cavity  514 , and the centrifuge container  110  may be configured to be received into the centrifuge container adapter  10  (e.g., via the hollow region  18  shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , for example). 
       FIG. 5B  shows an exploded view of an exemplary centrifuge system  600  similar to the one shown in  FIG. 5A . However, the centrifuge system  600  further comprises an optional centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310 , like that shown in  FIG. 3C . In the centrifuge system  600  shown in  FIG. 5B , the rotor cavity  514  receives the centrifuge container adapter sleeve  310 , which in turn receives the centrifuge container adapter  10 , which in turn receives the centrifuge container  110 . 
     According to one or more embodiments, the dimensions of various aspects of components of the system may be chosen with other components in mind, and may be selected accordingly as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the overall dimensions of the centrifuge container adapter may be chosen in view of the dimensions of rotor cavities of a centrifuge, or vice versa. Likewise, the hollow region of the centrifuge container adapter may be sized to hold a particular centrifuge container, or vice versa. Likewise, the dimensions of (or decision to incorporate) a centrifuge container adapter sleeve may be chosen in view of the dimensions of a rotor cavity and/or centrifuge container adapter. 
     In some embodiments, the centrifuge container adapter may have a particular height, as measured from a bottom end to a top end. The centrifuge container adapter may have a height of at least 2 inches, at least 3 inches, at least 4 inches, at least 5 inches, at least 6 inches, at least 7 inches, at least 8 inches, or at least 9 inches. The centrifuge container adapter may have a height of less than or equal to 10 inches, less than or equal to 9 inches, less than or equal to 8 inches, less than or equal to 7 inches, less than or equal to 6 inches, less than or equal to 5 inches, less than or equal to 4 inches, less than or equal to 3 inches, or less than or equal to 2 inches. The above ranges may also be combined (e.g., a height of at least 4 inches and less than or equal to 6 inches). Other values are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, the vertical portion of the centrifuge container adapter may have a particular inner diameter, as represented, for example, by D 1  in  FIG. 2 . The inner diameter may be at least 0.1 inches, at least 0.25 inches, at least 0.5 inches, at least 1 inch, at least 1.5 inches, at least 2 inches, at least 2.5 inches, at least 3 inches, or at least 4 inches. The inner diameter may be less than or equal to 5 inches, less than or equal to 4 inches, less than or equal to 3 inches, less than or equal to 2.5 inches, less than or equal to 2 inches, less than or equal to 1 inch, less than or equal to 0.5 inches, or less than or equal to 0.25 inches. The above ranges may also be combined (e.g., an inner diameter of at least 0.5 inches and less than or equal to 1 inch). Other values are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, the wide end of the flared portion of the centrifuge container adapter may have a particular inner diameter, as represented, for example, by D 3  in  FIG. 2 . The inner diameter may be at least 0.1 inches, at least 0.25 inches, at least 0.5 inches, at least 1 inch, at least 1.5 inches, at least 2 inches, at least 2.5 inches, at least 3 inches, or at least 4 inches. The inner diameter may be less than or equal to 5 inches, less than or equal to 4 inches, less than or equal to 3 inches, less than or equal to 2.5 inches, less than or equal to 2 inches, less than or equal to 1 inch, less than or equal to 0.5 inches, or less than or equal to 0.25 inches. The above ranges may also be combined (e.g., an inner diameter at the wide end of at least 0.5 inches and less than or equal to 1 inch). Other values are also possible. 
     In some embodiments the flared portion of the centrifuge container adapter may have a particular angle of deviation from the vertical, as represented, for example, by θ in  FIG. 2 . The angle may be at least 2°, at least 10°, at least 20°, at least 30°, at least 40°, at least 50°, or at least 60°. The angle may be less than or equal to 70°, less than or equal to 60°, less than or equal to 50°, less than or equal to 40°, less than or equal to 30°, less than or equal to 20°, or less than or equal to 10°. The above ranges may also be combined (e.g., an angle of at least 10° and less than or equal 20°). Other values are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, there may be a particular ratio of the height of the flared portion to the overall height of the centrifuge container adapter. The ratio may be at least 1:5, at least 1:4, at least 1:3, at least 1:2, at least 2:3, or at least 3:4. The ratio may be less than or equal to 4:5, less than or equal to 3:4, less than or equal to 2:3, less than or equal to 1:2, or less than or equal to 1:3. The above ranges may also be combined (e.g., a ratio of at least 1:4 and less than or equal 1:2). Other values are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, there may be a particular ratio of the height of the vertical portion to overall height of the centrifuge container adapter. The ratio may be at least 1:5, at least 1:4, at least 1:3, at least 1:2, at least 2:3, or at least 3:4. The ratio may be less than or equal to 4:5, less than or equal to 3:4, less than or equal to 2:3, less than or equal to 1:2, or less than or equal to 1:3. The above ranges may also be combined (e.g., a ratio of at least 1:4 and less than or equal 1:2). Other values are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, there may be a particular ratio of the height of the center of where the collar is located to the overall height of the centrifuge container adapter. The ratio may be at least 1:5, at least 1:4, at least 1:3, at least 1:2, at least 2:3, or at least 3:4. The ratio may be less than or equal to 4:5, less than or equal to 3:4, less than or equal to 2:3, less than or equal to 1:2, or less than or equal to 1:3. The above ranges may also be combined (e.g., a ratio of at least 1:2 and less than or equal 4:5). Other values are also possible. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the centrifuge may comprise a bench-top centrifuge (e.g., centrifuge  510  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). A commercially available centrifuge may be used. An example of a commercially available bench-top centrifuge includes the Allegra® X-22 Centrifuge, available from Beckman Coulter®. While there are no precise dimensions for what constitutes a bench-top centrifuge, a bench-top centrifuge may be considered a centrifuge small enough in size to rest on a normal-sized bench-top under conditions of normal use, as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. A bench-top centrifuge may be distinguished from, for example, a floor-standing centrifuge, which would be incapable or impracticable to rest on a normal-sized bench-top. A bench-top centrifuge may have the advantage of being easier and less expensive to operate than a floor-standing centrifuge. 
     The centrifuge container adapter may be formed from a variety of materials, including, without limitation, steel, aluminum, Teflon®, titanium, polymers, and various alloys, and in some embodiments may be machined from a single block of material. In a preferred embodiment, the centrifuge container adapter comprises aluminum. In choosing a material, characteristics such as weight, durability, and cost may be taken into consideration. For example, aluminum, which is a relatively lightweight and inexpensive metal, may be used in embodiments where the combined weight of the centrifuge container adapter and collected fluid is to be kept under the maximum capacity of an analytic scale used to measure their combined weight. The centrifuge container adapter may be fabricated according to any method deemed appropriate by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The centrifuge container may also be made from any material deemed fit by a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, it may be made from a plastic or other material. The centrifuge container may be fabricated according to any method deemed appropriate by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Commercially available centrifuge containers may be used. Examples of commercially available centrifuge containers include those available from Biotage®, such as Part Number SEC-0025. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a series of methods are provided. In one or more embodiments a method for transferring fluid from a sample contained inside a centrifuge container is disclosed. 
     The method may comprise inserting a centrifuge container comprising a sample that includes fluid into a centrifuge container adapter configured to receive the centrifuge container. In some embodiments, the received centrifuge container and the centrifuge container adapter define a void space. The method may further comprise inserting the centrifuge container adapter into a rotor cavity of a centrifuge. The method may further comprise operating the centrifuge to transfer fluid from the sample within the centrifuge container into the void space. Examples of components that may be incorporated into such a method have been discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5B . 
     According to one or more embodiments, after centrifuging operation, the method may further comprise removing the centrifuge container from the centrifuge container adapter while leaving the transferred fluid in the void space of the centrifuge container adapter for further analysis. According to one or more embodiments, the sample contained in the centrifuge container may further comprise porous media, such as sand, shale, cuttings, ceramics, alumina, rocks, silica, etc. 
     While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention. 
     The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” 
     The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language, such as “comprising,” can refer, in one embodiment, to A without B (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element or a list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.