Sample injector with floating needle seat for analysis equipment

Abstract

Disclosed is an injector (40) for an analytical device, comprising a needle hub (120) configured to receive a needle (110) to inject a sample into an injector path (195), where the needle hub (120) is mounted in a floating manner such that an orientation of the needle hub (120) is automatically aligned with respect to an orientation of an approaching needle (110). In addition, a sample introduction device, an analysis apparatus and a method are disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an injector for an analytical device, wherein the injector comprises a needle seat mounted in a floating manner. In addition, the present disclosure relates to an injection device, which comprises an injector and a sample delivery device. The present disclosure also relates to an analytical device, in particular a chromatographic device, such as a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method and a corresponding use. Background Art

[0002] An analysis device is provided for analyzing the sample, for example for performing a chromatographic separation on the sample.

[0003] For example, for liquid separations in a chromatography system, a mobile phase comprising a sample fluid (e.g., a chemical or biological mixture) with compounds to be separated is driven through a stationary phase (e.g., a chromatography column packing), thereby separating the different compounds of the sample fluid, which can then be measured.

[0004] The mobile phase (usually comprising one or more solvents) is pumped through a chromatographic column containing a packing medium (also referred to as a packing material or stationary phase), usually under high pressure. When the sample is transported through the column by the liquid flow, different compounds move through the column at different speeds, each compound having a different affinity for the packing medium. Those compounds with a greater affinity for the stationary phase move through the column more slowly than those with a lesser affinity, and this speed difference causes the compounds to separate from each other as they pass through the column. The stationary phase is subjected to a mechanical force, specifically generated by a hydraulic pump, which typically pumps the mobile phase from an upstream connection of the column to a downstream connection of the column. Due to the flow, which depends on the physical properties of the stationary phase and the mobile phase, a relatively high pressure drop is generated on the column.

[0005] The mobile phase with the separated compounds leaves the column and passes through a detector, which records and / or determines the molecules, for example by spectrophotometric absorption measurements. A two-dimensional plot of the detector measurements versus elution time or volume, called a chromatogram, can be made, and the compounds can be determined from the chromatogram. For each compound, the chromatogram shows a separate curve feature, also called a "peak."

[0006] In preparative chromatography systems, a liquid as the mobile phase is typically provided at a controlled flow rate (e.g., in the range of 1 mL / min to several thousand mL / min, such as in the range of 1 mL / min to 5 mL / min in analytical scale preparative LC, and in the range of 4 mL / min to 200 mL / min in preparative scale) and at a pressure in the range of tens to hundreds of bar (e.g., 20 to 600 bar).

[0007] In high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the liquid as mobile phase usually has to be provided at a very controlled flow rate (e.g. in the range of microliters to milliliters per minute) and under high pressure (typically 20 to 100 MPa, 200 to 1000 bar, and currently exceeding up to 200 MPa, 2000 bar), at which high pressure the compressibility of the liquid becomes significant.

[0008] In analytical equipment, in particular in liquid chromatography (especially HPLC), it is important to inject samples into the analytical equipment in a reliable manner. Typically, an injection / sample needle is used, which aspirates (sucks) a fluid sample from a sample container, delivers the sample to an injector of the analytical equipment, and injects the fluid sample into a needle seat of the injector, thereby injecting the sample into an injection path of the analytical equipment.

[0009] Typically, the analysis seat or needle seat is fixed, i.e. fixed in the injection area (usually in the autosampler space). The needle is usually fixed at a moving arm, which moves automatically in the sampler space. The moving arm places the needle above the needle seat and then moves the needle downward so that the needle approaches the opening of the injector (for injection). However, the orientation of the needle (especially downward in the vertical direction (in the direction of gravity)) and the orientation of the needle seat (upward in the vertical direction) may not be aligned (see, for example, Figure 4A and Figure 5A ). This may have the following disadvantages: The associated robot (e.g. mobile arm) requires high absolute position accuracy and repeatability. The temperature effects of the materials used must also be considered. These circumstances may make existing systems complex and expensive.

[0010] GB 2486678 A describes a seat for a fluid separation device, wherein an injection needle is selectively insertable into the seat to conduct fluid between the needle and the seat, and wherein the injection needle is selectively removable from the seat. The seat includes a mechanism configured to allow adjustment of the seat relative to the needle when the needle is inserted into the seat, thereby at least partially compensating for potential misalignment between the needle and the seat. Summary of the invention

[0011] It may be desirable to inject a sample into an analytical device in an efficient and reliable manner. This object is achieved by the independent claim. Further embodiments are shown by the dependent claims.

[0012] According to one aspect, an injector for an analytical device (eg, a chromatography device) is described, comprising: a needle seat configured to receive a needle in proximity (eg, coupled to a sample delivery device) to inject a sample into an injector path (of the analytical device).

[0013] The needle seat is thereby mounted (in the injector) in a floating manner, so that the orientation of the needle seat is automatically (actively or passively) aligned with respect to the orientation of the approaching needle (thereby automatically compensating for misalignment).

[0014] According to another aspect, an injector device is described, comprising: an injector as described above, and a sample delivery device coupled to the needle (and configured as a delivery needle)

[0015] According to a further aspect, an analytical device, in particular a sample separation device, in particular a (fluid) chromatography device, more in particular a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device, is described, wherein the analytical device comprises an injector and / or an injector arrangement as described above.

[0016] According to another aspect, a method is described, comprising:

[0017] i) mounting a needle holder of the analytical device in a floating manner (e.g., at least partially on a floating area);

[0018] ii) approaching a needle (eg, coupled to a sample delivery device) toward a needle seat (downward); and

[0019] iii) Automatically align the orientation of the floating needle holder relative to the orientation of the approaching needle.

[0020] According to a further aspect, a use (method of use) of a needle holder for an analytical device in a floating manner (mounted in a floating manner) is described, such that axial misalignments between the orientation of the needle holder and the orientation of an approaching needle are automatically compensated.

[0021] According to another aspect, an injector for an analytical device is described, comprising: i) a needle; ii) a guide device coupled to the needle; and iii) a needle seat configured to receive the needle to inject a sample into an injector path. The needle seat is mounted in a floating manner, and the guide device is configured to align the orientation of the needle seat relative to the orientation of the needle (in other words: wherein the needle seat is mounted in a floating manner such that the orientation of the needle seat is automatically aligned relative to the orientation of an approaching needle because the orientation of the needle seat follows the orientation of the needle provided by the guide device before the needle seat receives the needle).

[0022] According to another aspect, a method is described, comprising: i) mounting a needle seat of an analytical device in a floating manner; ii) bringing a needle coupled to a guide device close to the needle seat; and iii) aligning the orientation of the needle seat relative to the orientation of the needle using the guide device.

[0023] In the context of this article, the term "injector" may specifically refer to a device configured as an interface between a (fluid) sample and an analysis domain. In an example, the injector includes an opening for receiving an approaching sample needle loaded with a sample. The needle may be fluidically coupled to the injector, and the sample is introduced into the analysis domain by the injector (specifically, by an injection path). The analysis domain may be a part of an analysis device, such as a separation column of a chromatographic device. The injector may be a part of an analysis device or a separate device coupled to an analysis device.

[0024] In the context of this document, the term "needle seat" may specifically refer to a device configured to receive an approaching sample needle loaded with a sample. The needle seat may be part of the injector described above and may include an opening for the needle. Thus, the needle seat may specifically be designed to receive the needle (e.g., by an elongated portion) so that the sample loaded by the needle can be directly introduced into the needle seat, in particular into an injection path coupled to the needle seat.

[0025] The term "floating" may specifically refer to a specific type of installation, wherein a floating device (particularly a needle seat) is mounted in a movable manner (e.g., on a needle seat mounting device). For example, the term "floating" may refer to a situation where the needle seat is movable (including degrees of freedom) along at least one axis / direction. In one example, the mounted device can move within a tolerance area, for example, in a planar manner (along the XY plane) and / or in a vertical manner (along the Z direction). Thus, the term "floating" may describe a manner opposite to a non-floating manner (e.g., a fixed installation or a fixed installation). In an example, floating is achieved by a floating area between the needle seat and the needle seat mounting device, wherein the floating area includes a non-fixed material (e.g., a lubricant) or a non-fixed bearing (e.g., a ball bearing). Additionally or alternatively, the mounting device may include a tolerance area / space that allows specific movement of the mounted needle seat.

[0026] In the context of this document, the term "automatic alignment" may refer to active (by the needle hub itself) or passive (the orientation of the needle hub follows the orientation of the approaching needle) alignment. In a preferred example, automatic alignment is provided because the orientation of the needle hub follows the orientation of the needle before the needle hub receives the needle (e.g., the needle is coupled to a guide device (e.g., a pusher device or an alignment element) and the guide device is aligned and thereby aligns the needle) and / or during the needle hub receives the needle (e.g., provided by the needle itself).

[0027] In the context of this article, the term "analytical device" may specifically refer to a device suitable for performing an analysis of a sample. In an example, the analytical device is applied to analyze (characterize) a sample by sample separation (e.g., chromatography), which may be referred to as an analytical domain hereinafter. In the context of this article, the term "chromatographic device" may specifically refer to an instrument suitable for performing chromatographic analysis, preferably for analyzing a sample, such as for performing a chromatographic separation of a sample. Examples of chromatographic devices may include a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument or a gas chromatography (GC) instrument.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure may be based on the idea that when a sample is transported in a sample needle, which approaches (in a vertical direction) a needle seat of an injector (coupled to an analysis domain of an analysis device), the sample may be injected into the analysis device in an efficient and reliable manner, wherein the needle seat is mounted in a floating (movable, non-fixed) manner. Thus, misalignment of the orientation of the approaching needle and the needle seat may be automatically compensated, because the floatable needle seat is automatically aligned by the approaching needle to a position in which the two orientations are aligned with each other.

[0029] Traditionally, misalignment between the sample needle and the needle holder is accepted or partially compensated by moving (through plastic or elastic bending of the needle) the needle or a needle transport device connected to the needle. However, these methods may be accompanied by high error rates, which are mainly based on loss of precision and / or temperature changes of the transport device.

[0030] However, it has surprisingly been found that when the needle holder is mounted in a floating manner instead of the needle and / or the delivery device, an effective and reliable alignment can be achieved automatically (i.e. only by mechanically approaching the needle holder with the needle). The described method can be implemented in an existing analytical device in a straightforward manner, thereby ultimately improving the performance of the entire analytical device.

[0031] In particular, the needle can be supported by a guide device (e.g., a pusher device or an alignment element) to perform alignment of the floating needle seat. For example, the guide element can physically contact the needle seat to align the needle seat with the orientation of the needle. In this way, the delicate needle can be effectively protected and aligned at the same time.

[0032] Exemplary Embodiments

[0033] In the following, other embodiments of the present disclosure are described. These embodiments are applicable to (one or more) devices and methods and uses.

[0034] In one embodiment, the injector further comprises: a needle seat mounting device, which is configured to mount the needle seat in a floating manner, in particular, wherein the needle seat mounting device is a fixed device (fixed device, device mounted in a non-floating manner). This can provide the following advantages: the needle seat can be mounted in a robust and stable, but floating manner. In a basic example, the needle seat mounting device can be implemented by a support plate (see, for example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). In more complex examples, the needle hub mounting device may include a tower structure at least partially surrounding the needle hub (see, for example, FIG. 4 ). Preferably, the needle hub mounting device includes an opening and / or a channel to fluidically connect the needle hub to an injection path of the analytical device.

[0035] In an embodiment, the needle seat installation device includes a tolerance area so that movement of the needle seat is allowed / enabled, in particular, so that planar movement of the needle seat is allowed / enabled. This can provide the following advantages: the mounting of the needle seat in a floating manner can be achieved in a basic but effective manner. By providing a specific tolerance area (free space area) (for example, between the outer side wall of the needle seat and the side wall of the tower structure of the needle seat installation device), alignment of the needle seat can be allowed. In addition to the tolerance area in the horizontal direction, there can also be a tolerance area in the vertical direction (for example, similar to a slide) to enable movement of the needle seat in the vertical direction.

[0036] In an embodiment, the injector further comprises a floating area (particularly a floating surface) on which the needle seat is mounted.Therefore, mounting in a floating manner can be achieved in a simple and effective manner requiring little space.

[0037] In an embodiment, the floating area is arranged between the needle hub mounting device and the needle hub, in particular, the floating area is arranged directly between the needle hub mounting device and the needle hub. This embodiment can further improve the above-mentioned mounting technology because the direct contact between the needle hub and the mounting device is not fixed (fixed). For example, the floating area can be implemented as a circumferential (e.g. circular) area between the needle hub and the mounting device (see, for example, Figure 4A In another example, the floating area can cover the entire contact area between the needle seat and the mounting device (see, for example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0038] In an embodiment, the floating area comprises at least one of the following: a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a fluid bearing (e.g. an oil bearing or an air bearing), a gel bearing, an anti-friction material, a sliding surface, a lubricant. This may provide the advantage that established technical arrangements may be directly implemented. Depending on the desired application, a specific floating area arrangement / material may be preferred. For example, an anti-friction material may require less space, whereas a ball bearing may be more stable and / or more reliably adjustable.

[0039] In an embodiment, the injector is configured such that: the needle seat is floating (movable) in a planar direction (particularly in the xy plane) and / or the needle seat is at least partially floating (movable) in a vertical direction (particularly along the Z axis). In an embodiment, the needle seat can be moved at least in the direction / axis in which the proximal needle is fixed (not floating). Thus, a precise alignment can be achieved.

[0040] In an embodiment, the injector further comprises: an injector path coupled to the needle seat (fluidically) and configured to receive the injected sample from the needle, in particular, wherein the injector path is mounted in a fixed (non-floating) manner. The presence of a fixed injector path can make the floating / adjustable needle seat particularly advantageous. Therefore, the described injector can be established in an existing analytical device in a straightforward manner.

[0041] In an embodiment, the needle seat comprises a tapered (particularly conical) portion which gradually narrows towards the approaching needle. In particular, the tapered portion is configured to be automatically aligned by an approaching opening of a guiding device (here a pusher device) coupled to the needle. Thereby, automatic adjustment can be achieved in a precise and reliable manner using existing structures. Figure 4B and Figure 4C An example of such an adjustment is shown in . The sample delivery device may include an opening through which the needle is guided for sample aspiration / injection. In particular, the opening is formed at the pusher / clamp device of the sample delivery device. By approaching the top of the needle seat (the tapered structure), the tapered structure can be automatically aligned by the shape of the opening (e.g., due to the lateral movement of the needle seat arranged in a floating manner). Therefore, the tapered structure can (eventually even by a form-matching connection) be matched into the opening.

[0042] In an embodiment, the needle seat comprises a tapered portion, in particular a conical portion. In an embodiment, the guiding device interacts with the tapered portion / structure to align the orientation of the needle seat relative to the orientation of the needle. In an embodiment, the tapered portion is configured to be (automatically) aligned by an approaching opening of a guiding device (coupled with the needle). In an embodiment, the tapering direction is towards the approaching needle. In another embodiment, the tapering direction is opposite to the approaching needle (the tapering can also have an opposite orientation / shape, i.e. tapering in the direction of the approaching needle).

[0043] In an embodiment, the guide device (e.g., a pusher device) and the needle are fixedly coupled to each other with respect to their movement axes (particularly vertical direction, up and down direction). In other words, the movement axis of the guide device is fixedly coupled to the movement axis of the needle. The orientations of the fixedly coupled guide device and needle are preferably parallel or coaxial. This can provide the following advantages: the guide device and the needle move together, and the guide device can directly align the needle with the needle seat.

[0044] In an embodiment, the guiding device comprises an alignment element (e.g. an alignment pin). Preferably, the alignment element is coaxially coupled to the needle (preferably fixed in the direction of movement) to provide orientation / alignment of the needle with the needle holder (see e.g. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C ). In an example, the movement axis of the needle and the movement axis of the alignment element are parallel / coaxial to each other. Thus, the orientation provided by the alignment element may automatically lead to the desired orientation of the needle.

[0045] In an embodiment, the needle is arranged in a non-floating manner or in a floating manner. Depending on the desired application, a fixed or non-fixed needle may be preferred. In the latter case, the needle and the needle seat can be automatically aligned with each other.

[0046] In an example, the injector device further comprises: a moving arm coupled to the needle and configured to move the needle from the sample aspirating position towards the needle seat. Thus, the described floating needle seat can be advantageously directly implemented into existing industrial applications.

[0047] In an embodiment, the injector is configured such that the orientation of the needle seat is automatically aligned relative to the orientation of the needle along at least the axis on which the needle and / or the moving arm is fixed. Thus, each fixed axis / direction can be compensated by a corresponding floating axis / direction.

[0048] In an embodiment, the injector device further comprises: a needle guiding device (e.g., a pusher / clamping device), in particular coupled to the moving arm, coupled to the needle, and configured to guide the needle toward the needle seat. Thus, the accuracy of needle orientation can be improved. In addition, the needle can be protected.

[0049] In an embodiment, the guiding device comprises an opening which is configured to automatically align the orientation of the needle hub, in particular the orientation of the tapered structure of the needle hub (see Figure 4B and Figure 4C for illustrative examples).

[0050] In an embodiment, the method further comprises: injecting the sample from the needle into the needle seat, in particular into an injector path of the analytical device. Thus, the method can be directly implemented in an existing workflow.

[0051] According to one embodiment, a (sample) needle can be inserted into the needle in a fluid-tight (preferably high-pressure robust) manner (e.g., by a moving arm) to guide the fluid sample through the sample needle and through the needle seat. When the sample needle is inserted into the needle seat, the previously aspirated fluid sample can be transported to a separation path of the analytical device for separation.

[0052] In an embodiment, due to the freely movable (floating) seat in the XY plane, during the vertical (Z) movement of the transport (robotic) arm, the specific external geometry of the needle seat and the guiding device (vial pusher) in front of the needle can move the needle seat towards the center of the needle orientation. Therefore, the concentricity errors between the needle and the needle seat can be minimized and thus the disadvantages of the conventional methods are also reduced. In a specific embodiment, the same effect can also be achieved by a suitable geometry of the needle guided in the internal needle seat and the needle itself or by a combination of both.

[0053] In an embodiment, another way to compensate for axial errors of the needle and the needle hub may be that both the needle and the needle hub may be appropriately cardanically suspended, or the needle hub may be arranged to float on a sphere with a sufficiently large radius.

[0054] In an embodiment, the sample separation device further comprises a mixing point, wherein the sample is injected into the solvent, wherein the fluid compartment (analysis device) is arranged upstream or downstream of the mixing point.

[0055] In an embodiment, the sample separation device further comprises a solvent mixing point, wherein at least two solvent portions can be mixed, wherein the fluid compartment (analysis device) is arranged upstream or downstream of the solvent mixing point.

[0056] In an embodiment, the sample separation device further comprises: a solvent driver configured to drive a solvent as a mobile phase, wherein the fluid compartment (analysis device) is arranged upstream or downstream of the solvent driver.

[0057] As can be seen from the embodiments described directly above, there is a high degree of design flexibility regarding where the fluid compartment may be located in the analysis device / sample separation device. Depending on the situation at hand and the measurement method applied, different positions may be particularly advantageous.

[0058] In an embodiment, the chromatography device is a fluid chromatography device, in particular a high performance liquid chromatography HPLC device.

[0059] In an embodiment, the chromatography device comprises a mobile phase (solvent) drive and a separation device, wherein the mobile phase drive is configured to drive the mobile phase through the separation device and the separation device is configured to chromatographically separate compounds of a sample fluid in the mobile phase.

[0060] In an embodiment, the analysis device and / or the sample separation device comprises a liquid chromatography system, wherein the sample fluid is a sample liquid, the mobile phase comprises one or more liquid solvents, and the separation device is a chromatographic column configured to separate compounds of the sample dissolved in the mobile phase.

[0061] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied based on most conventionally available HPLC systems, such as the Agilent 1220, 1260 and 1290 Infinity LC series (provided by the applicant Agilent Technologies).

[0062] The separation device preferably includes a chromatographic column providing a stationary phase. The column can be a glass, metal, ceramic or composite material tube (e.g., having a diameter of 50 μm to 5 mm and a length of 1 cm to 1 m) or a microfluidic column (e.g., as disclosed in EP 1577012 A1 or in the Agilent 1200 series HPLC-Chip / MS system provided by applicant Agilent Technologies). Each component is retained differently by the stationary phase and separated from each other, while they pass through the column with eluents at different speeds. At the end of the column, they are at least partially eluted separately from each other. In the entire chromatographic process, eluents can also be collected in a series of fractions. The stationary phase or adsorbent in column chromatography is generally a solid material. The most commonly used stationary phase for column chromatography is silica gel, followed by aluminum oxide.

[0063] Mobile phase (or eluent) can be a pure solvent or a mixture of different solvents. It can also include additives, i.e., a solution of the additive in a solvent or a solvent mixture. It can be selected, for example, to adjust the retention of the compound of interest and / or the amount of the mobile phase to carry out chromatography. Mobile phase can also be selected so that different compounds can be effectively separated. Mobile phase can include an organic solvent, such as methanol or acetonitrile, usually diluted with water. For gradient operation, water and organic solvent are transported in a separate container, and a gradient pump delivers the programmed blend to the system from the separate container. Other commonly used solvents can be isopropanol, THF, hexane, ethanol, and / or any combination thereof, or any combination of these and the aforementioned solvents.

[0064] The sample fluid may include any type of process liquid, a natural sample (such as juice), a body fluid (such as plasma), or it may be the result of a reaction (such as from a fermentation broth, bioreactor, digestion or other type of sample preparation).

[0065] The fluid is preferably a liquid, but may also be or include a gas and / or a supercritical fluid (eg as used in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) as disclosed in US 4,982,597 A).

[0066] The pressure in the mobile phase may be in the range of 2 to 200 MPa (20 to 2000 bar), specifically in the range of 10 to 150 MPa (100 to 1500 bar), and more specifically in the range of 50 to 130 MPa (500 to 1300 bar).

[0067] The HPLC system may further include: a detector for detecting separated compounds of the sample fluid; a fractionation unit for outputting separated compounds of the sample fluid; or any combination thereof. Further details of the HPLC system are disclosed with respect to the aforementioned Agilent HPLC series provided by applicant Agilent Technologies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] By referring to the following more detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be easy to recognize and better understand other objects and many accompanying advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Features that are substantially or functionally equivalent or similar will be referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0069] Figure 1 An analysis device with a sample injector according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0070] Figure 2 An injector according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0071] Figure 3 An injector according to another exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0072] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Injectors according to exemplary embodiments are respectively shown.

[0073] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An injector movable in the Z direction according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0074] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C An injector with an alignment element according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0075] Reference numerals

[0076] 20 Solvent Driver

[0077] 25 Solvent supply

[0078] 30 Separation equipment

[0079] 40 Injector

[0080] 45 Mixing Point

[0081] 50 Detector

[0082] 60 Fractionation Unit

[0083] 70 Data processing equipment

[0084] 100 Analytical equipment, sample separation equipment

[0085] 110 pins

[0086] 115 Boot Device

[0087] 116 Opening guide equipment

[0088] 120 Needle Seat

[0089] 121 Tapered section

[0090] 122 Injection opening

[0091] 123 Needle seat side wall

[0092] 125 Floating Area

[0093] 126 Slender part

[0094] 127 Plane part

[0095] 128 Driver

[0096] 130 Sample container, vial

[0097] 140 Needle Header Mounting Equipment

[0098] 142 Tower

[0099] 143 Support plate

[0100] 145 Tolerance Area

[0101] 146 Needle seat installation device side wall

[0102] 150 Alignment element, alignment pin

[0103] 151 Align the opening

[0104] 178 Mobile Arm

[0105] 190 Sample delivery equipment

[0106] 195 Injection Path

[0107] P Process Direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] Referring now in more detail to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1A general schematic diagram of an analytical device 100 is depicted. A solvent (mobile phase) driver 20 (e.g., a pump) receives a solvent as a mobile phase from a solvent supply 25. The solvent driver 20 drives the mobile phase through a separation device 30 (e.g., a chromatographic column), which can be seen here as the analysis domain of the device. An injector 40 (also referred to as a sample introduction device, a sample distributor, etc.) is provided between the solvent driver 20 and the separation device 30 to apply or add (commonly referred to as sample introduction) portions of one or more sample fluids to the flow of the mobile phase at a mixing point 45. The separation device 30 is suitable for separating compounds of a sample fluid (e.g., a liquid). A detector 50 is provided for detecting separated compounds of the sample fluid. A fractionation unit 60 may be provided for outputting separated compounds of the sample fluid. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the injector 40 and the fractionation unit 60 may be combined, for example, in a manner that uses some common hardware applied by both the injector 40 and the fractionation unit 60.

[0109] The separation device 30 may comprise a stationary phase configured to separate compounds of the sample fluid. Alternatively, the separation device 30 may be based on a different separation principle (eg field flow separation).

[0110] Although the mobile phase may comprise only one solvent, it may also be a mixture of multiple solvents (solvent supply 25). This mixing may be a low pressure mixing and provided upstream of the solvent drive 20, such that the solvent drive 20 already receives and pumps the mixed solvent as the mobile phase. Alternatively, the solvent drive 20 may comprise a plurality of separate pumping units, wherein the plurality of pumping units each receive and pump a different solvent or mixture, such that the mixing of the mobile phase (received by the separation device 30) occurs at high pressure and occurs downstream of (or as part of) the mobile phase drive 20. The composition (mixture) of the mobile phase may be kept constant over time (so-called isocratic mode), or the composition (mixture) of the mobile phase may be varied over time (so-called gradient mode).

[0111] The data processing device 70 may be a conventional PC or workstation, which may be coupled (as indicated by the dashed arrows) to one or more devices in the sample separation device 10 to receive information and / or control operations.

[0112] Figure 2An injector 40 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The injector 40 includes a needle seat mounting device 140, which is configured as a mounting / support plate. A needle seat 120 (shown in cross section) is mounted on the top of the mounting plate 140. In this example, the needle seat 120 includes an elongated portion 126, which is oriented in a vertical direction (Z axis) toward an approaching needle 110 (not shown). The elongated portion 126 is connected to a planar portion 127 at the bottom, and the planar portion 127 is oriented in a horizontal / planar direction (along the XY plane). The planar portion 127 is thus arranged on the mounting plate 140. At the top, the elongated portion 126 includes an opening 122 to receive the approaching needle 110. The opening 122 is also connected to an internal channel of the needle seat 120, wherein the internal channel is directly connected to an injection path 195, which leads to an analysis domain (e.g., a separation column) of the analytical device 100. In this way, the approach needle 110 can be moved into the opening 122 and the sample injected (ultimately under high pressure) via the fluid coupling into the injection path 195. In order to accomplish this task in an efficient and reliable manner, an alignment between the orientation of the needle seat 120 and the orientation of the approach needle 110 is required; in other words: misalignment needs to be avoided.

[0113] To solve this problem, the needle hub 120 is mounted in a floating manner on the needle hub mounting device 140. Thus, the needle hub 120 is movable in the planar direction (along the XY plane) in this example and can be automatically aligned by the approaching needle 110 (which can be fixed, i.e. non-floating). In the example shown, the floating mounting is achieved by a floating area 125 directly between the planar portion 127 of the needle hub 120 and the main surface of the needle hub mounting device 140. The floating area 125 can be, for example, a surface with a lubricant or a ball bearing.

[0114] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a needle hub 120 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 120, but is shown in a closed view. In the closed view, it can be seen that the top of the needle hub 120 (where the opening 122 is located) includes a tapered portion 121 that gradually narrows along the vertical direction from the elongated portion 126 toward the opening 122. As explained below, the tapered portion 121 is effectively automatically aligned with the opening 116 of the approaching guide (pusher) device 115 of the delivery device coupled to the needle 110.

[0115] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4CAn injector arrangement 150 with an injector 40 and a sample transport device 190 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown respectively. The sample transport device 190 is only partially shown by a guide (e.g. a pusher or clamp) device 115, which surrounds the needle 110 and includes an opening 116, through which the needle 110 can be moved / guided (in the vertical direction) to aspirate / draw a fluid sample and inject the sample into the injector 40 (needle seat 40).

[0116] Figure 4A The injector 40 includes a needle seat 120, which has an elongated portion 126 and a planar portion 127, as shown above. Figure 2 and Figure 3 However, the needle hub 120 of the example of FIG4 is a more complex structure. The planar portion 127 extends along a horizontal plane and includes a side wall 123 that circumferentially surrounds the elongated portion 126 (see also FIG6 ).

[0117] The needle hub mounting device 140 includes a large tower structure 142 having a mounting plate 145 for accommodating the needle hub 120. A passage extends from the top opening 122 of the needle hub 120 through the elongated portion 126 of the needle hub mounting device 140 and the tower structure 142 to the injection path 195. It can be seen that there is no form-matched connection between the side walls 123 and the planar portion 127 of the needle hub 120 and the side walls 146 of the tower structure 142 of the needle hub mounting device 140. Instead, there is a tolerance area 145 (free space) between the needle hub side walls 123 and the needle hub mounting device side walls 146 in the circumferential direction of the device (around the Z axis). In addition, a floating area 125 (here a floating surface as described above) is arranged directly between the needle hub 120 and the needle hub mounting device 140 in the circumferential direction close to the tolerance area 145.

[0118] Therefore, the needle seat 120 can move in the horizontal plane due to the tolerance 145 and the floating area 125. In other words, the needle seat 120 is installed in the injector 40 in a floating manner. It can be seen that the orientation of the needle 110 (shown here along the Z axis) and the orientation of the needle seat 120 (also shown along the Z axis) are not aligned with each other. However, when the needle 110 approaches the needle seat 120, the orientation of the floating needle seat 120 can automatically align with the orientation of the needle 110.

[0119] Figure 4B : This example is based on Figure 4A. The sample transport device 190 has been lowered (moved downwards) and the bottom of the guide device 115 (to which the needle 100 is coupled) approaches the needle seat 120. It can be seen that the diameter of the tapered portion 121 of the needle seat 120 (where the opening 122 of the needle 110 is located) is smaller than the diameter of the opening 116 of the guide device 115 (through which the needle 110 is guided). In fact, when the sample transport device 190 is lowered in the direction of gravity, the tapered portion 121 fits well into the opening 116. Therefore, the tapered portion 121 will automatically find its position within the opening 122, thereby also aligning the orientation (along Z) of the needle 110 and the floating needle seat 120.

[0120] Figure 4C : In another step (based on Figure 4B ), the orientation of the needle holder 120 is aligned with the orientation of the needle 110, and the tapered portion 121 is fully matched (ultimately via a form-fitting connection) into the opening 116 of the guide device 115. Now, the needle 110 itself is lowered, completely passes through the opening 122 of the needle holder 120, and injects the fluid sample into the injection path 195. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In comparison, it can be seen that the needle hub 120 has moved in the tolerance area 145 in the horizontal plane (towards the right), ie, has been aligned with the approaching needle 110 .

[0121] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An injector 40 having a needle seat 120 that is floatable in the Z direction according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The described embodiment is very similar. Again, the orientation misalignment of the needle holder 120 and the needle 110 is shown. However, in this example, the needle holder 120 is not only mounted in a floating manner relative to the horizontal direction (plane), but also in a floating manner in the vertical direction (along Z); in other words: rotating around the Z axis. This possible movement is determined by Figure 5A FIG. B schematically shows the movement around the Z axis (due to the floating mounting). Therefore, the freedom of the needle holder 120 in the XY plane can be supplemented by the tilting around the Z axis.

[0122] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6CAnother embodiment is shown, in which an alignment element 150 (here an alignment pin) is used as a guide device 115 to align the approaching needle 110 with the floating needle seat 120. In this example, the guide device 115 is configured to replace the alignment element 150 of the advancement device. The alignment element 150 is coaxially coupled to the needle 110 (preferably fixed in the direction of movement) to provide orientation / alignment of the needle 110 to the needle seat 120. In this example, the movement axis (Z) of the needle 110 and the movement axis of the alignment element 150 are parallel to each other. Therefore, the orientation provided by the alignment element 150 automatically leads to the desired orientation of the needle 110.

[0123] Fig. 6A : The needle 110 and the alignment element 150 coaxially move in the vertical direction (Z) toward the needle hub 120. When the alignment element 150 (which protrudes relative to the needle 110) is located closer to the alignment opening 151 of the needle hub 120, the needle 110 is located closer to the injection opening 122 of the needle hub 120. The distance between the needle 110 and the alignment element 150 is thus fixed, and the distance between the injection opening 122 and the alignment opening is also fixed.

[0124] Figure 6B : The alignment element 150 moves into the alignment opening 151, thereby automatically aligning the floating needle holder 120 in the horizontal plane (X, Y) with the alignment element 150. Since the distance between the needle 110 and the alignment element 150 is fixed, the needle 110 is automatically in the correct orientation relative to the injection opening 122 (having a fixed distance to the alignment opening 151).

[0125] Figure 6C : When the alignment element 150 remains in the alignment opening 151, the aligned needle 110 can be further moved into the injection opening 122 to inject the fluid.

[0126] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or features, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, elements described in connection with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that the reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample injector (40) for an analytical device (100), comprising: Needle (110); a guide device (115) coupled to the needle (110); as well as a needle hub (120) configured to receive the needle (110) to inject a sample into an injector path (195); wherein the needle seat (120) is installed in a floating manner, and Wherein, the guiding device (115) is configured to align the orientation of the needle seat (120) relative to the orientation of the needle (110) so as to align the orientation of the needle seat (120) relative to the orientation of the needle (110).

2. The sample injector (40) according to claim 1, further comprising: A needle hub mounting device (140) is configured to mount the needle hub (120) in a floating manner, and in particular, the needle hub mounting device (140) is a fixed device.

3. The sample injector (40) according to claim 2, in, The needle hub mounting device (140) comprises a tolerance region (146) such that movement of the needle hub (120) is permitted, in particular, planar movement of the needle hub (120) is permitted.

4. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the above claims, further comprising: A floating area (125), in particular a floating surface, on which the needle holder (120) is mounted.

5. The sample injector (40) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in, The floating area (125) is arranged between the needle hub mounting device (140) and the needle hub (120), and in particular, the floating area (125) is directly arranged between the needle hub mounting device (140) and the needle hub (120).

6. The sample injector (40) according to claim 4 or 5, in, The floating area (125) comprises at least one of the following: a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a fluid bearing (especially an oil bearing or an air bearing), a gel bearing, an anti-friction material, a sliding surface, a lubricant.

7. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that: The needle seat (120) floats in a planar direction, in particular in an xy plane; and / or The needle seat (120) at least partially floats in the vertical direction, in particular at least partially floats along the z-axis.

8. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the above claims, further comprising: An injector path (195) is coupled to the needle seat (120) and is configured to receive the injected sample from the needle (110), wherein the injector path (195) is installed in a fixed manner.

9. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one of the following features: in, The needle seat (120) comprises a tapered portion, in particular a conical portion (121); wherein the guide device (115) interacts with the tapered portion (121) to align the orientation of the needle holder (120) relative to the orientation of the needle (110); wherein the tapered portion (121) is configured to be automatically aligned by approaching an opening (116) of a guide device (115), wherein the guide device is coupled to the needle (110); wherein the tapering direction is towards the approaching needle (110), or wherein the tapering direction is opposite to the approaching needle (110).

10. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The guide device (115) and the needle (110) are fixedly coupled to each other with respect to their movement axes, in particular, the movement axis of the guide device (115) is fixedly coupled to the movement axis of the needle (110), more particularly, parallelly or coaxially coupled.

11. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the above claims, further comprising: A sample delivery device (190), comprising: The needle (110) is used to inject the sample into the needle seat (120), and in particular, the needle (110) is arranged in a non-floating manner or in a floating manner.

12. The sample injector (40) according to claim 11, wherein: The sample delivery device (190) further comprises: A moving arm (178) is coupled to the needle (110) and is configured to move the needle (110) from the sample aspirating position (130) toward the needle seat (120).

13. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, The invention is configured such that the orientation of the needle hub (120) is automatically aligned relative to the orientation of the needle (110) at least along the axis on which the needle (110) and / or the movable arm (178) are fixed.

14. The sample injector (40) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, in, The guide device (115) is coupled to the moving arm (178).

15. The sample injector (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The guide device (115) comprises an opening (116) configured to automatically align the orientation of the needle hub (120), in particular the orientation of the tapered structure (121) of the needle hub (120).

16. An analysis device (100), comprising: The sample injector (40) according to any one of the preceding claims; as well as An analysis domain, in particular a chromatography domain, is coupled to the injector (40) and is configured to analyze the injected sample.

17. The analysis device (100) according to claim 16, The invention is configured as a sample separation device (10), in particular a fluid chromatography device, more particularly a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device.

18. A method comprising: A needle holder (120) of the analytical device (100) is mounted in a floating manner; bringing the needle (110) being coupled to the guide device (115) close to the needle hub (120); and The orientation of the needle hub (120) is aligned relative to the orientation of the needle (110) using the guide device (115) so that the orientation of the needle hub (120) is aligned relative to the orientation of the needle (110).

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: A sample is injected from the needle (110) into the needle seat (120), and in particular, into the injector path (195) of the analytical device (100).

20. Using a needle holder (120) for an analytical device (100) in a floating manner so that axial misalignments between the orientation of the needle holder (120) and the orientation of an approaching needle (110) are automatically compensated.

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