Column cartridge and analysis device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a column cartridge and an analysis device in which an operator can safely and easily replace a separation column while suppressing an increase in cost and environmental load. To this end, the column cartridge according to the present invention is characterized by being provided with: a separation column in which a stationary phase is incorporated; a heat transfer body for transferring heat from the heating mechanism to the separation column; and a housing for accommodating the separation column and the heat transfer body, wherein a heat insulating layer is formed between the heat transfer body and the housing. Preferably, the heat insulation layer is a gap formed at a position other than a plurality of support parts supporting the heat transfer body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a column box and an analysis device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, attempts have been made to use a device combining a chromatograph and a mass spectrometer (hereinafter referred to as an LC-MS, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) for testing body fluids such as blood. A chromatograph transports a mobile phase and a sample to a separation column filled with a stationary phase, utilizing the difference in interaction between the stationary phase and the mobile phase to separate and detect the sample. Since the separation column is a consumable item, some are known to be cartridge-shaped to facilitate operator replacement. However, to improve sample separation efficiency, the separation column is heated and maintained at a constant temperature, necessitating considerations to prevent burns to the operator during replacement. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology for a chromatograph in which a column cartridge and a column heating block are separated by a heat-insulating material (paragraphs 0030 and 0035).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 175651 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a heat insulating material is used to prevent heat from the column heating block (heat transfer body) from being transferred to the surface of the column cartridge, which results in increased costs and environmental load.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a column cartridge and an analysis apparatus that allow an operator to replace a separation column safely and easily while suppressing increases in cost and environmental load.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the column box of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a separation column, which has a built-in stationary phase; a heat transfer body, which transfers heat from a heating mechanism to the separation column; and a shell, which accommodates the separation column and the heat transfer body, and a heat insulating layer is formed between the heat transfer body and the shell.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a column cartridge and an analysis apparatus can be provided, which allow an operator to replace a separation column safely and easily while suppressing increases in cost and environmental load. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1It is a side view schematically showing a state where the column cartridge is installed in a chromatograph.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a top perspective view of the column box.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a bottom-up stereogram of the column box.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a top cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the column box.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a front cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the column box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the description of this embodiment, the directions of up, down, left, right, front and back are Figure 2 The directions shown are for reference only.

[0019] In the embodiments of the present invention, a liquid chromatograph (LC) is described as an example of a column cartridge, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to other chromatographs such as a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), an ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph (UHPLC), and a gas chromatograph (GC).

[0020] Figure 1 This is a side view schematically showing a case where a column cartridge is installed in a chromatograph of a mass spectrometer. In this embodiment, a sample (mobile phase) that has been subjected to pre-treatment such as purification / concentration in a pre-treatment unit (not shown) is delivered to the chromatograph using a sampler and a liquid delivery mechanism (syringe, liquid delivery pump, injector, etc.) (not shown). Figure 1 As shown, the chromatograph 104 includes an upstream pipe 105 a , a downstream pipe 105 b , a heating mechanism 106 , and a column cartridge 100 .

[0021] The upstream piping 105a supplies the sample to the separation column 101 of the column cartridge 100. The downstream piping 105b discharges the sample that has passed through the separation column 101. The heating mechanism 106 contacts the heat transfer element 102 of the column cartridge 100 and adjusts the temperature of the separation column 101 via the heat transfer element 102. It should be noted that, in addition to the heat transfer portion that contacts the bottom surface (heat receiving surface) of the heat transfer element 102 from below, the heating mechanism 106 also includes a heater that serves as a heat source for heating the heat transfer portion, a mechanism for moving the heat transfer portion in the vertical direction, etc., but in Figure 1 Only the heat transfer portion is shown.

[0022] The column cartridge 100 is detachably mounted on a heating mechanism 106 of a chromatograph 104. The column cartridge 100 is composed of a separation column 101, a heat transfer element 102, and a housing 103.

[0023] The separation column 101 contains a packing material having an inner diameter of 1.0 mm, a length of 50 mm, and a particle size of 2.6 mm as a stationary phase. The separation column 101 can be used in a reverse phase mode, a normal phase mode, a molecular weight fractionation mode, a HILIC (Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography) mode, an antigen-antibody reaction mode, or other separation modes.

[0024] The heat transfer element 102 is arranged to surround the outer circumference of the separation column 101 and has a protrusion 102a that protrudes downward toward the heating mechanism 106. The protrusion 102a contacts the heat transfer portion of the heating mechanism 106, allowing the heat transfer element 102 to transfer heat from the heating mechanism 106 to the separation column 101. In this embodiment, aluminum is used as the material for the heat transfer element 102, but this is not limiting. Any material with high thermal conductivity, such as copper or nickel, may be used. Furthermore, the heat transfer element 102 is preferably made of a material or surface treatment that is resistant to corrosion caused by the chemical.

[0025] The housing 103 houses the separation column 101 and the heat transfer element 102, and is primarily made of resin. The housing 103 also has a piping connection portion 103e (opening) for connecting piping to the separation column 101, and a heat transfer connection portion 103d (opening) for connecting the heat transfer element 102 to the heat transfer portion of the heating mechanism 106.

[0026] When the separation column 101 is removed from the chromatograph 104 for replacement, the operator automatically detaches the upstream pipe 105a, downstream pipe 105b, and heating mechanism 106 from the cartridge 100 by, for example, operating a predetermined button to initiate the operation. The operator then grasps the cartridge 100 (specifically, the gripping portion 103c described below) and pulls it upward. Alternatively, after the cartridge 100 is detached, it may be automatically pushed upward by operating a predetermined button.

[0027] On the other hand, when installing the separation column 101 in the chromatograph 104 for replacement, the operator inserts the cartridge 100 from above. Thereafter, for example, the operator performs a predetermined button operation indicating completion of the operation, whereby the upstream pipe 105a and the downstream pipe 105b are automatically connected to the separation column 101, and the heating mechanism 106 automatically comes into contact with the heat transfer element 102. It should be noted that, instead of performing a button operation, the completion of the cartridge 100 insertion operation may be automatically detected by a sensor or the like.

[0028] Next, use Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structure of the column cartridge will be briefly described. Figure 2 is a top perspective view showing the appearance of the column box, Figure 3 It is a bottom perspective view showing the appearance of the column box.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the separation column 101 is fixed to the heat transfer body 102 by fixing screws 201, but it is not limited to this. For example, concave and convex shapes can be set on both the separation column 101 and the heat transfer body 102, and the separation column 101 can be fixed by engaging them. It should be noted that the heat transfer body 102 is supported by the shell 103. Regarding its specific support structure, use Figure 4 and Figure 5 This will be described later.

[0030] The housing 103 is constructed by combining two divided members, namely, an upper housing 103 b and a lower housing 103 a , so as to surround the heat transfer element 102 and the separation column 101 .

[0031] It should be noted that the pipe connection portion 103 e is formed on both sides of the housing 103 in the left-right direction by the lower end of the upper housing 103 b and the upper end of the lower housing 103 a .

[0032] The upper surface of the upper housing 103b is provided with an upwardly protruding handle 103c. When removing or installing the separation column 101, the operator can hold the handle 103c while loading and unloading the column cartridge. Furthermore, an RFID tag 202 containing information related to the separation column 101 is affixed to the side (front) surface of the upper housing 103b. By reading this RFID tag, information about the separation column 101 can be managed. It should be noted that the tag affixed to the upper housing 103b is not limited to the RFID tag 202; other identification information such as a printed barcode tag may also be used.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, an opening is formed on the bottom surface of the lower shell 103a, which serves as the heat transfer connection portion 103d. The protrusion 102a of the heat transfer element 102 penetrates the heat transfer connection portion 103d and is exposed downward, thereby contacting the heat transfer portion of the heating mechanism 106. It should be noted that the opening area of ​​the heat transfer connection portion 103d is equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 102a and is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the main body of the heat transfer element 102 excluding the protrusion 102a. Therefore, the thermal effects of the external air on the heat transfer element 102 and the separation column 101 are minimized.

[0034] Figure 4 : is a top cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the column box. Figure 4 As shown, multiple (four) first support portions 401 are provided inside the lower housing 103a to support the four corners of the heat transfer element 102. Each first support portion 401 includes a front-to-back support portion 401a that restricts the front-to-back position of the heat transfer element 102, and a left-to-right support portion 401b that restricts the left-to-right position of the heat transfer element 102. Therefore, the horizontal position of the heat transfer element 102 (perpendicular to the protruding direction of the protruding portion 102a) is restricted within the lower housing 103a.

[0035] At positions other than the first support portions 401, a gap is generated between the heat transfer element 102 and the lower housing 103a. Figure 4The gap 601 shown by the oblique lines. The gap 601 forms an air layer between the heat transfer element 102 and the lower shell 103a, thereby acting as a heat insulating layer. As a result, even if the temperature of the heat transfer element 102 and the separation column 101 is adjusted by the heating mechanism 106, the heat of the heating mechanism 106 is difficult to be transferred to the lower shell 103a. That is, the lower shell 103a can be kept at a temperature that will not cause burns even if the operator touches it with a simple structure. In addition, it is also possible to prevent the RFID tag 202 attached to the upper shell 103b from being heated to a temperature above the heat-resistant temperature. In addition, since no heat insulating material is used, the increase in cost and environmental load can be suppressed. However, as long as the increase in cost and environmental load is within the allowable range, it does not prevent the provision of heat insulating material in a part of the gap 601 formed by the first support part 401.

[0036] It should be noted that, to reduce the contact area, the front end of the first support portion 401 (the contact surface with the heat transfer element 102) is, for example, curved. Furthermore, the size of the gap 601, or the distance between the lower housing 103a and the heat transfer element 102 at a location other than the first support portion 401, is preferably at least 0.5 mm. This improves the thermal insulation performance of the air layer.

[0037] Figure 5 : is a front cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the column box. Figure 5 As shown, a second support portion 501 extending downward is provided at the center of the inner side of the upper housing 103b. As described above, the horizontal position of the heat transfer element 102 is controlled by the first support portion 401. Therefore, the tip of the second support portion 501 can control the vertical position of the heat transfer element 102 by pressing a single point on the side of the heat transfer element 102 opposite the protrusion 102a, i.e., the center of the upper surface, toward the bottom where the heat transfer connection portion 103d and the heating mechanism 106 are located. As a result, when the column cartridge 100 is installed in the chromatograph 104, the separation column 101 can be aligned with respect to the upstream and downstream piping 105a and 105b.

[0038] Furthermore, the lower surface of the protruding portion 102a of the heat transfer element 102 can be brought into close contact with the upper surface of the heat transfer portion of the heating mechanism 106, enabling highly accurate temperature adjustment of the separation column 101. It should be noted that if the distal end of the second support portion 501 is also curved, similar to the first support portion 401, the contact area with the heat transfer element 102 is reduced, thereby suppressing heat transfer from the heat transfer element 102 to the upper housing 103b.

[0039] In the aforementioned embodiment, the heat transfer element 102 protrudes downward and contacts the heating mechanism 106 located below the separation column 101. However, the heat transfer element 102 may also protrude laterally (horizontally) and contact the heating mechanism 106 located to the side of the separation column 101. In such a configuration, the heat transfer connection portion 103d (opening) is formed laterally, and the second support portion 501 extends laterally.

[0040] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications and combinations. In addition, the present invention is not limited to having all the structures described in the above-described embodiment, and includes a structure in which a part of the structure is deleted.

[0041] Description of Reference Numerals

[0042] 100…column box, 101…separation column, 102…heat transfer body, 102a…protrusion, 103…housing, 103a…lower housing, 103b…upper housing, 103c…holding portion, 103d…heat transfer connection portion, 103e…piping connection portion, 104…chromatograph, 105a…upstream piping, 105b…downstream piping, 106…heating mechanism, 201…fixing screw, 202…RFID tag, 401…first support portion, 401a…front-back direction support portion, 401b…left-right direction support portion, 501…second support portion, 601…gap.

Claims

1. A column box, characterized in that have: A separation column with a built-in stationary phase; transferring heat from the heating mechanism to the heat transfer body of the separation column; and a housing for accommodating the separation column and the heat transfer element, A heat insulating layer is formed between the heat transfer body and the shell.

2. The column cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The shell is provided with a plurality of first support parts on the inner side thereof to support the heat transfer body. The heat insulating layer is a gap formed between the heat transfer element and the housing at a position other than the first supporting portion.

3. The column cartridge according to claim 2, wherein The gap is greater than 0.5 mm.

4. The column cartridge according to claim 2, wherein The heat transfer element has a protrusion that extends through an opening formed in the housing. The protrusion contacts the heating mechanism, so that heat from the heating mechanism is transferred to the separation column via the heat transfer element. The housing is provided with a second support portion on the inner side thereof extending toward the opening. The front end of the second supporting portion contacts a side of the heat transfer element opposite to the protruding portion.

5. The column cartridge according to claim 4, wherein The protrusion passes through the opening formed at the bottom of the housing and contacts the heating mechanism located below the heat transfer element. The first support portion limits the horizontal position of the heat transfer element. The second support portion restricts the vertical position of the heat transfer element.

6. The column cartridge according to claim 5, wherein The housing is formed by combining a lower housing and an upper housing. The first supporting portion is provided on the lower shell, The second supporting portion is provided on the upper shell.

7. The column cartridge according to claim 5, wherein The first supporting portion supports the four corners of the heat transfer body. The second supporting portion supports the center of the heat transfer element.

8. The column cartridge according to claim 4, wherein The front end of the first supporting portion or the front end of the second supporting portion is a curved surface.

9. An analysis device, characterized in that have: The column cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8; an upstream pipe for supplying a sample to the separation column; a downstream pipe for discharging the sample having passed through the separation column; and A heating mechanism is in contact with the heat transfer body.

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