Sample introduction assembly of mass spectrometer and mass spectrometer assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses a sample introduction assembly of a mass spectrometer and a mass spectrometer assembly, the sample introduction assembly comprises a sampling pipeline and a sample introduction pipeline, the sampling pipeline is provided with a sampling needle, and the sample introduction pipeline is used for being connected with the mass spectrometer; the control valve has a first communication state and a second communication state, and when the control valve is in the first communication state, the sampling pipeline is communicated with the sample introduction pipeline, and when the control valve is in the second communication state, the sampling pipeline is communicated with the sample introduction pipeline; when the control valve is in the second communication state, the sampling pipeline is communicated with the needle washing pipeline, and the cleaning pipeline is communicated with the sample injection pipeline. According to the sample introduction assembly of the mass spectrometer, the sampling pipeline and the sample introduction pipeline can be respectively cleaned after sampling, and the cleaned sampling needle can move along with the liquid adding needle and the pipettor in the sample detection stage, so that the early-stage preparation time of re-sampling is shortened, and the sample introduction efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, and more particularly to a sample introduction component for a mass spectrometer and a mass spectrometer assembly having the sample introduction component. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, mass spectrometers are equipped with sampling needles on their injectors. The sampling needles take samples when they are inserted into the sample vial and draw up the washing solution when they are inserted into the washing solution tank. However, during the sample detection process, the sampling needles need to remain in the washing solution tank until the detection is completed, which results in low sample injection efficiency and room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer, wherein the sampling needle does not need to be kept in the needle washing solution container during sample detection, thereby not restricting the movement of the dispensing needle and pipette, which is beneficial to improving processing efficiency.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mass spectrometer sample introduction assembly includes: a sampling line and an injection line, wherein the sampling line is provided with a sampling needle and the injection line is used to connect to the mass spectrometer; a needle washing line, a cleaning line, and a control valve, wherein the control valve has a first connected state and a second connected state, wherein the control valve connects the sampling line and the injection line in the first connected state, and the control valve connects the sampling line and the needle washing line and the cleaning line and the injection line in the second connected state.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mass spectrometer's sample introduction assembly selectively connects the sampling line, the sample introduction line, the needle washing line, and the cleaning line by setting a control valve. This not only enables the sampling process but also allows for separate cleaning of the sampling line and the sample introduction line after sampling. Furthermore, during the sample detection stage, the cleaned sampling needle can move along with the liquid addition needle and pipette, thereby reducing the preparation time for re-sampling and improving sample introduction efficiency.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mass spectrometer injection assembly includes a control valve with a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port, and a fourth valve port. In the first connected state, the first valve port and the second valve port are connected between the sampling line and the injection line. In the second connected state, the first valve port and the third valve port are connected in series between the sampling line and the needle washing line, and the second valve port and the fourth valve port are connected in series between the cleaning line and the injection line.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mass spectrometer injection assembly includes a control valve further comprising a fifth valve port and a sixth valve port. In the first connected state, the third valve port is connected to the fifth valve port and the fourth valve port is connected to the sixth valve port. In the second connected state, the fifth valve port is connected to the sixth valve port.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the sample introduction assembly of a mass spectrometer, the first valve port, the second valve port, the fourth valve port, the sixth valve port, the fifth valve port and the third valve port are sequentially distributed in the circumferential direction of the control valve.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sample introduction assembly of a mass spectrometer includes a needle washing pipeline comprising a main pipeline and two sub-pipelines. The inlet end of the main pipeline is connected to a needle washing solution tank, and the outlet end of the main pipeline is respectively connected to the inlet ends of the two sub-pipelines. The outlet end of one sub-pipeline is adapted to connect the sampling pipeline in a second connected state, and the outlet end of the other sub-pipeline is connected to a needle washing station, the needle washing station being used to accommodate the sampling needle.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sample introduction assembly of a mass spectrometer includes a receiving cavity formed in the needle washing station, the top of the receiving cavity being open and having a top opening, and a communication port formed on the side wall of the needle washing station communicating with the receiving cavity. The sampling needle is adapted to extend from the top opening into the receiving cavity, and the outlet end of another sub-tube is communicating with the communication port.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sample introduction assembly of the mass spectrometer includes a needle washing station further comprising a waste liquid outlet, which is connected to the bottom of the receiving cavity.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mass spectrometer's sample introduction assembly includes a peristaltic pump in the sample introduction line.

[0013] The mass spectrometer injection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a robotic arm, the robotic arm being equipped with a liquid addition needle, a pipette and the sampling needle, and the robotic arm being used to drive the liquid addition needle, the pipette and the sampling needle to move in a working plane.

[0014] The present invention also proposes a mass spectrometer assembly.

[0015] The mass spectrometer assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mass spectrometer and a sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the mass spectrometer is connected to the outlet end of the sample introduction line.

[0016] The mass spectrometer assembly described above and the sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer mentioned above have the same advantages over the prior art, and will not be repeated here.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the control valve of the sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer in the first connected state. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control valve of the sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer in the second connected state. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer in the present invention during the sample introduction stage; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer in the valve-cutting stage of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer in the present invention during the sample introduction and cleaning stages. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer in the detection stage of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sample introduction stage of the mass spectrometer in this invention; Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0019] Figure label: Mass spectrometer assembly 1000, Sampling tubing 1, sampling needle 11, sample bottle 12, sample inlet tubing 2, needle washing tubing 3, needle washing station 31, connecting port 311, waste liquid outlet 312, needle washing solution tank 32, main tubing 33, sub-tubing 34, cleaning tubing 4, cleaning solution tank 41, control valve 5, first valve port 51, second valve port 52, third valve port 53, fourth valve port 54, fifth valve port 55, sixth valve port 56, robotic arm 6, liquid dispensing needle 61, pipette 62, peristaltic pump 7. Mass spectrometer 200, sample injection stage 300. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] The following is for reference. Figures 1-8 The present invention describes a sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer, which can flexibly switch the connection state between various pipelines so that when entering the detection stage after sampling and cleaning, the sampling needle 11 does not need to be held at the cleaning liquid tank 41, and the sampling needle 11 enters the idle state in advance. This facilitates the preparation work for re-sampling through the liquid addition needle 61 and pipette 62 in the previous detection stage, thereby saving the sample introduction time of the sample introduction assembly and improving the sample introduction efficiency.

[0023] like Figures 1-8 As shown, the sample introduction assembly of a mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a sampling line 1, a sample introduction line 2, a needle washing line 3, a cleaning line 4, and a control valve 5.

[0024] The sampling line 1 is equipped with a sampling needle 11, which can be moved into the sample vial 12 to actively sample the sample. The injection line 2 is connected to the mass spectrometer 200, which delivers the sample to the mass spectrometer 200 for analysis. In other words, when the sampling line 1 and injection line 2 are connected, the sampling line 1 draws a sample from the sample vial 12 and transfers it to the injection line 2, which then delivers it to the mass spectrometer 200 for analysis and detection. The mass spectrometer 200 can be an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) or other types.

[0025] The needle washing line 3 can be connected to the needle washing solution tank 32 to draw needle washing solution from the tank 32 and deliver it to the sampling line 1 and the sampling needle 11 for cleaning. The cleaning line 4 can be connected to the cleaning solution tank 41 to draw cleaning solution from the tank 41 and deliver it to the sample injection line 2 for cleaning the sample injection line 2. This facilitates sample aspiration through the sampling line 1 and the sample injection line 2, ensuring the cleanliness of the lines and the sampling needle 11, thereby ensuring the reliability and accuracy of sample testing.

[0026] The control valve 5 has a first connected state and a second connected state. In the first connected state, the control valve 5 connects the sampling line 1 to the injection line 2. In the second connected state, the control valve 5 connects the sampling line 1 to the needle washing line 3 and connects the cleaning line 4 to the injection line 2. In other words, the control valve 5 is used to connect to the sampling line 1, the injection line 2, the needle washing line 3, and the cleaning line 4, and is used to flexibly switch the connected state between the various lines.

[0027] In the first connected state, the control valve 5 connects the sampling line 1 to the injection line 2. At this time, the injection component is in the injection stage, the sampling needle 11 can be extended into the sample bottle 12, the sampling line 1 can transport the sample drawn by the sampling needle 11 to the injection line 2, and the injection line 2 can transport the sample to the mass spectrometer 200. In the second connected state, the control valve 5 connects the sampling line 1 to the needle washing line 3, so that the needle washing solution in the needle washing solution tank 32 can flow from the needle washing solution tank 3 into the sampling line 1, thereby cleaning the sampling line 1 and cleaning the sampling line 1 and the sampling needle 11. At the same time, the cleaning line 4 connects to the injection line 2, so that the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution tank 41 can enter the injection line 2 from the cleaning line 4 to clean the injection line 2. Therefore, the cleaning of sampling line 1 and the cleaning of sample injection line 2 are relatively independent. Thus, after the sampling line 1 is cleaned, the sample injection line 2 can be continuously cleaned until the sample injection component enters the sample detection stage.

[0028] In other words, by setting control valve 5 to switch the control of each pipeline, the sampling pipeline 1 is cleaned after sampling. After the sampling pipeline 1 is cleaned, the injection pipeline 2 can be cleaned through the cleaning pipeline 4 during the detection stage. At this time, the sampling needle 11 is in an idle state, allowing it to move along with the liquid addition needle 61 and pipette 62, which move along the same XY axis. This significantly reduces the waiting time for the operation of the liquid addition needle 61 and pipette 62 during the detection stage, allowing the time required for the previous and subsequent injections to overlap, thus improving injection efficiency. The liquid addition needle 61 is used to quantitatively add auxiliary reagents to the sample or reaction system, ensuring the controllability and reproducibility of the ionization process conditions; the pipette 62 is used during the sample preparation stage to dilute, mix, or transfer the sample to the injection container.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the mass spectrometer, the sample introduction assembly selectively connects the sampling line 1, the sample introduction line 2, the needle washing line 3, and the cleaning line 4 via a control valve 5. This not only enables the sampling process but also allows for separate cleaning of the sampling line 1 and the sample introduction line 2 after sampling. Furthermore, during the sample detection stage, the cleaned sampling needle 11 can move along with the liquid addition needle 61 and the pipette 62, thereby reducing the preparation time for re-sampling and improving sample introduction efficiency.

[0030] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-6 As shown, the control valve 5 has a first valve port 51, a second valve port 52, a third valve port 53, and a fourth valve port 54. In the first connected state, the first valve port 51 and the second valve port 52 are connected between the sampling line 1 and the injection line 2. In the second connected state, the first valve port 51 and the third valve port 53 are connected in series between the sampling line 1 and the needle washing line 3, and the second valve port 52 and the fourth valve port 54 are connected in series between the cleaning line 4 and the injection line 2. In other words, by setting a control valve 5 with at least four valve ports, the connection states between the sampling line 1, the injection line 2, the needle washing line 3, and the cleaning line 4 can be flexibly switched.

[0031] In practical use, the connection states between the first valve port 51, the second valve port 52, the third valve port 53, and the fourth valve port 54 can be switched, thus enabling the control valve 5 to switch between the first and second connection states. Specifically, when switching the control valve 5 from the first connection state to the second connection state, the connection states between the first valve port 51 and the second valve port 52 can be switched simultaneously with the connection states between the first valve port 51 and the third valve port 53, and between the second valve port 52 and the fourth valve port 54. This allows for either unidirectional rotation of a single valve core or rotation in different directions of two valve cores, providing flexible options for the control valve 5's configuration.

[0032] In a further embodiment, such as Figures 1-6 As shown, the control valve 5 also has a fifth valve port 55 and a sixth valve port 56. In the first connected state, the third valve port 53 is connected to the fifth valve port 55 and the fourth valve port 54 is connected to the sixth valve port 56. In the second connected state, the fifth valve port 55 is connected to the sixth valve port 56. That is to say, the control valve 5 can be constructed as a six-way valve, and the connection relationship between the six valve ports can be switched, so that the connection state between the various pipelines can be flexibly switched.

[0033] As described above, in the first connected state, control valve 5 connects the first valve port 51 and the second valve port 52, the third valve port 53 and the fifth valve port 55, and the fourth valve port 54 and the sixth valve port 56. When switching to the second connected state, the first valve port 51 connects to the third valve port 53, the second valve port 52 connects to the fourth valve port 54, and the fifth valve port 55 connects to the sixth valve port 56. Therefore, each valve port is configured to connect to two different valve ports in both connected states. This allows for switching of multiple valve ports using the same valve core, greatly simplifying the control method of control valve 5.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first valve port 51, the second valve port 52, the fourth valve port 54, the sixth valve port 56, the fifth valve port 55, and the third valve port 53 are sequentially distributed in the circumferential direction of the control valve 5, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first valve port 51, the second valve port 52, the fourth valve port 54, the sixth valve port 56, the fifth valve port 55, and the third valve port 53 are evenly spaced and distributed around the circumference of the control valve 5. In the first connected state, each valve port is connected to one of its adjacent valve ports, while in the second connected state, each valve port switches to connect to another adjacent valve port, greatly simplifying the valve port switching method.

[0035] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in the first connected state, the first valve port 51 is connected to the second valve port 52 located in its clockwise direction, the fourth valve port 54 is connected to the sixth valve port 56 located in its clockwise direction, and the fifth valve port 55 is connected to the third valve port 53 located in its clockwise direction; while in the second connected state, as... Figure 2 and Figures 4-6As shown, the first valve port 51 is connected to the third valve port 53 located in the counterclockwise direction, the fourth valve port 54 is connected to the second valve port 52 located in the counterclockwise direction, and the fifth valve port 55 is connected to the sixth valve port 56 located in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, a valve core can be installed inside the control valve 5, and this valve core can rotate within the control valve 5. The rotation of the valve core can achieve switching between the various valve ports, simplifying the valve port switching method, making the structure of the control valve 5 simpler, and reducing installation costs.

[0036] In some embodiments, the needle washing line 3 includes a main line 33 and two sub-lines 34. The inlet end of the main line 33 is connected to a needle washing solution tank 32, and the outlet end of the main line 33 is connected to the inlet ends of the two sub-lines 34 respectively. The outlet end of one sub-line 34 is adapted to connect to the sampling line 1 in the second connection state, and the outlet end of the other sub-line 34 is connected to the needle washing station 31. The needle washing station 31 is used to accommodate the sampling needle 11. Thus, the needle washing solution can be delivered to the sampling line 1 through the two sub-lines 34 respectively, so as to achieve separate cleaning of the sampling line 1 and the sampling needle 11, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0037] Specifically, such as Figures 3-6 As shown, the sampling line 1 is connected to the first valve port 51 of the control valve 5. The outlet end of one sub-line 34 is connected to the third valve port 53 of the control valve 5, and the outlet end of another sub-line 34 is connected to the needle washing station 31 to deliver the needle washing solution to the needle washing station 31. Thus, in the second connected state, the first valve port 51 and the third valve port 53 can be connected, and the sampling needle 11 can be extended into the needle washing station 31. In this way, the needle washing solution in the needle washing solution tank 32 can enter the needle washing line 3 from the inlet end of the main line 33 and flow in two paths. One path flows through one sub-line 34, the third valve port 53, the first valve port 51, and the sampling line 1 to the sampling needle 11, and the other path flows through another sub-line 34 to the needle washing station 31, thereby cleaning the inside and outside of the sampling needle 11 and improving the cleaning effect.

[0038] In a further embodiment, a receiving cavity is formed within the needle washing station 31. The top of the receiving cavity is open, forming a top opening. A communication port 311 communicating with the receiving cavity is formed on the side wall of the needle washing station 31. The sampling needle 11 is adapted to extend into the receiving cavity from the top opening. The outlet end of another sub-tube 34 communicates with the communication port 311. This allows the sampling needle 11 to be directly inserted vertically into the receiving cavity. Figure 5 As shown, the needle washing station 31 is constructed in the shape of a vertical cylinder. The sampling needle 11 is inserted into the receiving cavity from the top end, and the connecting port 311 is connected to the receiving cavity radially along the needle washing station 31.

[0039] Therefore, during actual cleaning, a portion of the cleaning solution enters the interior of the sampling line 1 and then enters the sampling needle 11 from the sampling line 1, thus cleaning the inner wall of the sampling needle 11. Another portion of the cleaning solution flows from the connecting port 311 along the radial direction of the receiving cavity to the outer wall of the sampling needle 11. This allows for the cleaning of both the inside and outside of the sampling needle 11, improving the comprehensiveness of the cleaning.

[0040] In actual design, multiple connecting ports 311 can be set so that the multiple connecting ports 311 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the receiving cavity, thereby achieving cleaning of all positions in the circumferential direction of the sampling needle 11 and enhancing the cleaning effect.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figures 3-6 As shown, the needle washing station 31 is also equipped with a waste liquid outlet 312. The waste liquid outlet 312 can be set to be open in the needle washing station 31 so that the waste liquid after cleaning the sampling needle 11 in the needle washing station 31 can be discharged directly from the waste liquid outlet 312, avoiding the accumulation and deterioration of the waste liquid in the needle washing station 31 and affecting the cleaning effect.

[0042] Of course, a valve or cover can also be installed at the waste liquid outlet 312 to close and open the waste liquid outlet 312, allowing for flexible switching of the open state of the waste liquid outlet 312. That is, when the needle washing station 31 is not used, the waste liquid outlet 312 can be closed to prevent external impurities from entering the needle washing station 31. Alternatively, when cleaning the sampling needle 11, the waste liquid outlet 312 can be closed, and the needle washing solution can be allowed to fill the receiving cavity for a brief immersion cleaning of the sampling needle 11 to improve the tilting effect. After cleaning, the waste liquid outlet 312 can be opened to drain the liquid.

[0043] The waste liquid outlet 312 can be connected to the bottom of the receiving cavity so that the waste liquid can flow directly out from the bottom of the needle washing station 31. In this way, the bottom of the receiving cavity will not retain the needle washing liquid, ensuring the cleanliness of the needle washing liquid in the receiving cavity.

[0044] In some embodiments, a peristaltic pump 7 is provided in the sample inlet line 2. The peristaltic pump 7 can extract liquid in the sample inlet line 2 to drive the liquid to flow actively toward the sample inlet line 2, ensuring sufficient liquid dynamics.

[0045] Specifically, when the injection line 2 and the sampling line 1 are connected, the sampling needle 11 extends into the sample bottle 12. At this time, the peristaltic pump 7 can extract the sample from the sample bottle 12 through the sampling needle 11, so that the sample passes through the sampling line 1, the six-way valve, and the injection line 2 into the mass spectrometer 200 for detection. Furthermore, when the injection line 2 is connected to the cleaning line 4, the inlet end of the cleaning line 4 extends into the cleaning solution tank 41. At this time, the peristaltic pump 7 extracts cleaning solution from the cleaning solution tank 41 through the cleaning line 4, so that the cleaning solution passes through the six-way valve from the cleaning line 4 into the injection line 2 to clean the injection line 2.

[0046] In other words, by setting up a peristaltic pump 7 in this invention, the peristaltic pump 7 can both drive the sample into the mass spectrometer 200 and drive the cleaning solution into the sample injection line 2, thus achieving dual use of one pump, which helps to reduce the number of pumps and lower setup costs.

[0047] In some embodiments, the sample introduction assembly further includes a robotic arm 6, such as Figure 7 As shown, the robotic arm 6 is mounted on the sample injection stage 300, on which sample vials 12, well plates, pipette tip boxes and other structures can be placed. At the same time, the robotic arm 6 can move on the sample injection stage 300 so that it can extend above the sample vials 12, well plates, pipette tip boxes and other structures to perform mechanical operations.

[0048] Among them, such as Figure 8 As shown, the robotic arm 6 is equipped with a liquid injection needle 61, a pipette 62, and a sampling needle 11, and the robotic arm 6 is used to drive the liquid injection needle 61, the pipette 62, and the sampling needle 11 to move within the working plane. It should be noted that the liquid injection needle 61 and the pipette 62 are both used for preparation work before the sampling needle 11 takes a sample. By mounting the liquid injection needle 61, the pipette 62, and the sampling needle 11 all on the robotic arm 6 and controlling their movement through the same robotic arm 6, the liquid injection needle 61 and the pipette 62 can perform preparation work in advance when the sampling needle 11 is idle.

[0049] The present invention also proposes a mass spectrometer assembly 1000.

[0050] The mass spectrometer assembly 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mass spectrometer 200 and a sample introduction component of the mass spectrometer in any of the above embodiments. The mass spectrometer 200 is connected to the outlet end of the sample introduction line 2. By setting the sample introduction component, the time consumed by the mass spectrometer assembly 1000 and the mass spectrometer 200 for sample introduction and detection can be reduced.

[0051] The mass spectrometer assembly 1000 of the present invention is equipped with the above-mentioned sample introduction component. By switching the connection state of the six-way valve, the sample introduction component can have the following stages: sample introduction stage, valve cutting stage, sample introduction + tubing cleaning + needle washing stage, and detection stage.

[0052] Specifically, during the sample introduction stage, such as Figure 1 As shown, the six-way valve is in the first connected state. At this time, the first valve port 51 and the second valve port 52 are connected, the third valve port 53 and the fifth valve port 55 are connected, and the fourth valve port 54 and the sixth valve port 56 are connected. The sample injection line 2 and the sample collection line 1 are connected through the first valve port 51 and the second valve port 52 to extract the sample through the peristaltic pump 7.

[0053] During the valve-cutting stage, such as Figure 4 As shown, all samples extracted by the injection line 2 enter the injection line 2 through the second valve port 52. The six-way valve is switched to the second connected state. At this time, the first valve port 51 is connected to the third valve port 53, the second valve port 52 is connected to the fourth valve port 54, and the fifth valve port 55 is connected to the sixth valve port 56. The sampling needle 11 is taken out from the sample bottle 12. The injection line 2 is connected to the cleaning line 4 through the second valve port 52 and the fourth valve port 54, and the third valve port 53 is connected to the needle washing line 3.

[0054] During the injection + tubing cleaning + needle washing stage, such as Figure 5 As shown, the six-way valve has been switched to the second connected state. At this time, the first valve port 51 is connected to the third valve port 53, the second valve port 52 is connected to the fourth valve port 54, and the fifth valve port 55 is connected to the sixth valve port 56. The sampling needle 11 extends into the needle washing station 31. The sample injection line 2 is connected to the cleaning line 4 through the second valve port 52 and the fourth valve port 54, and the third valve port 53 is connected to the needle washing line 3. At this time, the cleaning solution enters the sample injection line 2 from the cleaning line 4 for cleaning. At the same time, the needle washing solution enters the sampling line 1 and the needle washing station 31 from the needle washing line 3 to clean the sampling line 1 and the sampling needle 11.

[0055] And, during the testing phase, such as Figure 6 As shown, the sample arrives at the mass spectrometer 200 and flows into the sample introduction system of the mass spectrometer 200 under the action of the peristaltic pump 7 for monitoring. At the same time, the sampling needle 11 has been cleaned and is in an idle state, and can perform the actions required by the liquid addition needle 61 and pipette 62 that work on the same surface as the sampling needle 11. This saves the waiting time of the liquid addition needle 61 and pipette 62, and does not need to wait for the detection to be completed before performing the operation of the liquid addition needle 61 and pipette 62, which greatly shortens the working time and improves the detection efficiency.

[0056] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0057] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer, comprising: The application relates to a sampling device for a mass spectrometer (200), comprising: a sampling pipeline (1) provided with a sampling needle (11) and a sample injection pipeline (2) connected with the mass spectrometer (200); a needle washing pipeline (3), a cleaning pipeline (4) and a control valve (5), the control valve (5) having a first communication state and a second communication state, the control valve (5) being in communication between the sampling pipeline (1) and the sample injection pipeline (2) in the first communication state, and the control valve (5) being in communication between the sampling pipeline (1) and the needle washing pipeline (3) and in communication between the cleaning pipeline (4) and the sample injection pipeline (2) in the second communication state.

2. The sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The control valve (5) is provided with a first valve port (51), a second valve port (52), a third valve port (53) and a fourth valve port (54), the first valve port (51) and the second valve port (52) being in communication between the sampling pipeline (1) and the sample injection pipeline (2) in the first communication state, and the first valve port (51) and the third valve port (53) being in series between the sampling pipeline (1) and the needle washing pipeline (3) and the second valve port (52) and the fourth valve port (54) being in series between the cleaning pipeline (4) and the sample injection pipeline (2) in the second communication state.

3. The sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 2, wherein, The control valve (5) is further provided with a fifth valve port (55) and a sixth valve port (56), the third valve port (53) and the fifth valve port (55) being in communication and the fourth valve port (54) and the sixth valve port (56) being in communication in the first communication state, and the fifth valve port (55) and the sixth valve port (56) being in communication in the second communication state.

4. The sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 3, wherein, The first valve port (51), the second valve port (52), the fourth valve port (54), the sixth valve port (56), the fifth valve port (55) and the third valve port (53) are sequentially distributed in the circumferential direction of the control valve (5).

5. The sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The needle washing pipeline (3) comprises a main pipeline (33) and two sub-pipelines (34), the main pipeline (33) being connected with a needle washing liquid tank (32) at an inlet end, the outlet end of the main pipeline (33) being in communication with the inlet ends of the two sub-pipelines (34) respectively, the outlet end of one of the sub-pipelines (34) being adapted to communicate with the sampling pipeline (1) in the second communication state, and the outlet end of the other sub-pipeline (34) being communicated to a needle washing station (31) for accommodating the sampling needle (11).

6. The sample introduction assembly of claim 5, wherein, The needle washing station (31) is formed with an accommodating cavity, the top of the accommodating cavity being open and formed with a top opening, and the side wall of the needle washing station (31) is formed with a communication port (311) in communication with the accommodating cavity, the sampling needle (11) being adapted to extend into the accommodating cavity from the top opening, and the outlet end of the other sub-pipeline (34) being in communication with the communication port (311).

7. The sample introduction assembly of a mass spectrometer of claim 6, wherein, The needle washing station (31) is further provided with a waste liquid discharge port (312) in communication with the bottom of the accommodating cavity.

8. The sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The sample injection pipeline (2) is provided with a peristaltic pump (7).

9. The sample introduction assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, Also included is a mechanical arm (6) mounted with a liquid adding needle (61), a pipette (62) and the sampling needle (11), and the mechanical arm (6) is used to drive the liquid adding needle (61), the pipette (62) and the sampling needle (11) to move in a working plane.

10. A mass spectrometer assembly, characterized by, A mass spectrometer (200) and a sample inlet assembly of any one of claims 1-9, the mass spectrometer (200) being in communication with the outlet end of the sample inlet line (2).

Images