Column cartridges for analytical instruments

Abstract

To provide a column cartridge of an analyzer, which can adjust the temperature of an analytical column even while achieving resource-saving and cost-saving.SOLUTION: A column cartridge 1 of an analyzer includes: metal blocks 7, 8 in which an analytical column 10 used for a liquid chromatograph is stored; and housings 2, 3 for storing the metal blocks 7, 8. The metal block 8 includes a plurality of holes 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E communicating with a storage space of the analytical column 10. The housing 2 includes a plurality of window parts 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E at positions facing the plurality of holes 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E formed in the metal block 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a column cartridge for an analytical instrument for analyzing a sample. [Background technology]

[0002] Liquid chromatography is an analytical method that uses an analytical column. An analytical column is a cylindrical, elongated container packed under high pressure with a particle filler made of silica gel, polymer gel, or other base material, to which various functional groups are bonded.

[0003] Liquid chromatography uses a liquid as the mobile phase. In general, to obtain good peak shapes in liquid chromatography, it is necessary to control the temperature of the analytical column at the optimum temperature. As the temperature of the mobile phase in the analytical column increases, the viscosity of the mobile phase decreases, causing a decrease in pressure.

[0004] For this reason, the analytical column of the liquid chromatograph must be held in a column oven and the temperature of the column must be regulated.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a column cartridge that houses two analytical columns, a heater, and a temperature sensor.

[0006] In the column cartridge described in Patent Document 1, two analytical columns are mounted on one column cartridge, and therefore, a column cartridge must be handled for at least two analytical columns. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] WO2012 / 058515 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when one of the analytical columns in the column cartridge deteriorates in performance or becomes clogged, the analytical column with deteriorated performance or the like must be replaced.

[0009] In this case, the entire column cartridge must be replaced, resulting in the waste of discarding the still usable column, heater, and temperature sensor, which goes against the goals of resource conservation and cost reduction.

[0010] Furthermore, when disposing of a column cartridge, the column cartridge must be disassembled and the analytical column, heater, temperature sensor, electronic components, etc. must be separated, which is a cumbersome process.

[0011] If the heater and temperature sensor are omitted from the column cartridge, it becomes difficult to control the temperature of the analytical column, and therefore it is not possible to simply omit the heater and temperature sensor from the column cartridge.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to realize a column cartridge for an analytical instrument that is capable of regulating the temperature of an analytical column while saving resources and reducing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0014] The column cartridge for an analytical device includes a metal block that houses an analytical column used in a liquid chromatograph, and a housing that houses the metal block. The metal block has a plurality of holes that communicate with the space where the analytical column is housed, and the housing has a plurality of windows formed at positions that face the plurality of holes formed in the metal block. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a column cartridge for an analytical device that is capable of regulating the temperature of an analytical column while saving resources and reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the column cartridge in Example 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the column cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the column cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the column cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the column cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the column cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of measuring the temperature of an analytical column inside a column cartridge. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of measuring the temperature of an analytical column inside a column cartridge. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of measuring the temperature of an analytical column inside a column cartridge. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of part A shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another example of measuring the temperature of an analytical column inside a column cartridge. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another example of measuring the temperature of an analytical column inside a column cartridge. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Example]

[0018] Example 1 Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a column cartridge 1 of an analyzer (liquid chromatograph) in Example 1. In FIG. 1, the column cartridge 1 includes a resin upper housing 2 and a resin lower housing 3. The upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3 form a housing. A handle (protrusion) 5 is formed on the top surface of the upper housing 2. A flow path port 4 is formed between the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3. A mobile phase flows into this flow path port 4.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a top view of the column cartridge 1. In Fig. 2, temperature detection windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are formed on the top surface of the housing upper part 2 of the column cartridge 1. These windows communicate with the accommodation space of a cylindrical analytical column 10, which will be described later. The windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the analytical column 10. Some of the windows 6B, 6C, and 6D are formed at positions where the handle part 5 is formed.

[0021] The diameter of the windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E is preferably about 1.4 mm or less.

[0022] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the column cartridge 1. In Figure 3, an opening 3A is formed in the bottom surface of the housing lower part 3, and a heat transfer part 7A of the metal block lower part 7 (described later) is inserted into this opening 3A and exposed to the outside of the housing lower part 3. This heat transfer part 7A comes into contact with a heat source (not shown) and transfers heat to the analytical column 10.

[0023] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the column cartridge 1. In Figure 4, an upper metal block 8 and a lower metal block 7 are disposed between the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3. The upper metal block 8 and the lower metal block 7 are made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. The upper metal block 8 and the lower metal block 7 form a metal block.

[0024] The metal block upper part 8 is disposed opposite the housing upper part 2 and opposite the metal block lower part 7 .

[0025] An analytical column 10 is disposed between the upper metal block 8 and the lower metal block 7. The analytical column 10 is disposed between the flow path opening 4 and the flow path opening 9, and liquid such as a mobile phase flows into and out of the analytical column 10.

[0026] Fig. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the column cartridge 1. In Fig. 5, a plurality of holes 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E are formed in the upper surface of the metal block upper portion 8. These holes 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E are formed at positions facing the window portions 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E.

[0027] The diameter of the holes 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E is preferably about 0.8 mm or less.

[0028] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the column cartridge 1. In Fig. 6, as described above, holes 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E are formed at positions facing windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E.

[0029] 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of measuring the temperature of the analytical column 10 inside the column cartridge 1. In Fig. 7, rod-shaped temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E are inserted into windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E formed on the top surface of the upper housing 2.

[0030] The diameter of the temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E is preferably about 0.7 mm or less.

[0031] Figure 8 shows the state in which the temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E are inserted into the window portions 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, and the tips of the temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E have reached the storage space of the analytical column 10.

[0032] The temperatures of the analytical column 10 measured by the temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E are displayed on the display device 19. The temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E make it possible to check the temperature difference and temperature gradient in the flow direction of the mobile phase in the analytical column 10 while transferring heat through the analytical column 10 and while feeding liquid into the analytical column 10.

[0033] The temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E and the display device 19 may transmit and receive temperature detection signals wirelessly or via wires.

[0034] Furthermore, each of the temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E may have a temperature display unit.

[0035] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of measuring the temperature of the analytical column 10 inside the column cartridge 1, showing a cross section of the column cartridge 1. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of part A shown in Figure 9. Temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E pass through windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E and are inserted into holes 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E formed in the upper part 8 of the metal block.

[0036] 10 shows a state in which the temperature sensor probe 15A is inserted into the hole 11A. The temperature sensor probes 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E are inserted into the holes 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E in the same manner as the temperature sensor probe 15A.

[0037] The tips of the temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E can be brought into contact with the surface of the analytical column 10.

[0038] Temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E can detect the temperature at five locations along the length of analytical column 10. By detecting the temperature at five locations along the length of analytical column 10, the temperature distribution throughout analytical column 10 can be detected, and it can be determined whether equilibrium has been achieved at a specified temperature. In addition, any contact abnormality between heat transfer portion 7A of lower metal block 7 and analytical column 10 can be detected.

[0039] 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams of another example of measuring the temperature of the analytical column 10 inside the column cartridge 1. In FIG.

[0040] 11 and 12 show the state in which the infrared rays generated by the infrared temperature sensor 17 pass through the window 6C and reach the hole 11C formed in the upper part of the metal block 8. By moving the infrared temperature sensor 17 from the state shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the infrared rays generated by the infrared temperature sensor 17 pass through the other windows 6A, 6B, 6D, and 6E and the holes 11A, 11B, 11D, and 11E formed in the upper part of the metal block 8, and reach the analytical column 10, where the temperature of the analytical column 10 can be detected.

[0041] Although not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the temperature of the analytical column 10 is displayed on the display device 19 in the same manner as in the example shown in FIG.

[0042] The column cartridge 1 of the analytical device according to Example 1 of the present invention comprises an upper housing 2 made of resin, a lower housing 3 made of resin, an upper metal block 8 made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, and a lower metal block 7 made of a metal with high thermal conductivity and having a heat transfer portion 7A, and the upper housing 2 is formed with a plurality of temperature detection windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, and is configured so that an analytical column 10 is positioned between the upper metal block 8 and the lower metal block 7.

[0043] Heat transfer section 7A is in contact with a heat source (not shown) outside column cartridge 1 and transfers heat to analytical column 10 disposed between upper metal block 8 and lower metal block 7. Using multiple temperature detection windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E, the temperature of analytical column 10 disposed between upper metal block 8 and lower metal block 7 can be detected by a temperature detection device (temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E or infrared temperature sensor 17).

[0044] Therefore, it is possible to realize a column cartridge for an analytical device that does not need to accommodate a heater, temperature sensor, or electronic components within the column cartridge 1, which allows for resource and cost savings while still being able to control the temperature of the analytical column.

[0045] Furthermore, when disposing of the column cartridge 1, there is no need to separate the heater, temperature sensor, and electronic components, and no complicated work is required.

[0046] Furthermore, since the temperature can be detected at multiple locations along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical analytical column 10, the temperature distribution throughout the analytical column 10 can be detected, and it can be determined whether equilibrium has been achieved at the specified temperature.

[0047] Furthermore, if there is a contact abnormality between the heat transfer portion 7A of the lower metal block 7 and the analytical column 10, this can be detected.

[0048] The display device 19 determines whether or not a contact abnormality has occurred between the heat transfer section 7A and the analytical column 10 based on the temperature and time detected by the temperature detection device (temperature sensor probes 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E or infrared temperature sensor 17), and if it determines that a contact abnormality has occurred, it can display the contact abnormality.

[0049] Example 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0050] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of Example 2 and is a cross-sectional view of a column cartridge 20 according to Example 2. In Fig. 13, the column cartridge 20 according to Example 2 differs from the column cartridge 1 according to Example 1 in that a shielding member 18 is provided in Example 2 to cover the windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E. Other configurations are the same between Example 1 and Example 2.

[0051] The shielding member 18 is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, such as barium fluoride (BaF2), and as shown in Figure 13, the infrared sensor 17 can detect the temperature of the analytical column 10 by transmitting the infrared rays through the shielding member 18 and passing through the windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E.

[0052] Although not shown in FIG. 13, the second embodiment is provided with a display device 19 that displays the temperature, similar to the first embodiment.

[0053] According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in addition, since the windows 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are covered with the shielding member 18, the temperature of the analytical column 10 can be stabilized more quickly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1, 20... Column cartridge, 2... Upper housing, 3... Lower housing, 3A... Opening, 4, 9... Flow path port, 5... Handle portion (protrusion), 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E... Window portion, 7... Lower metal block, 7A... Heat transfer portion, 8... Upper metal block, 10... Analytical column, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E... Holes, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E... Temperature sensor probe, 17... Infrared temperature sensor, 18... Shielding member, 19... Display device

Claims

1. A column cartridge for an analytical device, comprising: a metal block for accommodating an analytical column used in a liquid chromatograph; and a housing for accommodating the metal block, the metal block has a hole formed therein that communicates with the storage space of the analytical column; the housing has a window formed at a position facing the hole formed in the metal block, A column cartridge for an analytical instrument, characterized in that the temperature of the analytical column is detected through the window portion and the hole facing the window portion by a probe of a temperature detection device outside the column cartridge or by infrared rays generated from the temperature detection device.

2. The column cartridge of the analytical instrument according to claim 1, a column cartridge for an analytical device, characterized in that the housing has an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the metal block has an upper metal block portion arranged opposite the upper housing portion and a lower metal block portion arranged opposite the lower housing portion, the analytical column is arranged between the upper metal block portion and the lower metal block portion, the hole is formed in the upper metal block portion, and the window portion is formed in the upper housing portion.

3. The column cartridge of the analytical instrument according to claim 2, A column cartridge for an analytical instrument, characterized in that the probe of the temperature detection device is a rod-shaped temperature sensor probe, and the rod-shaped temperature sensor probe is inserted into the window portion formed in the upper part of the housing and then into the hole formed in the upper part of the metal block, thereby detecting the temperature of the analytical column.

4. The column cartridge of the analytical instrument according to claim 2, The temperature detecting device is an infrared temperature sensor, and infrared rays generated from the infrared temperature sensor pass through the window formed in the upper part of the housing and the hole formed in the upper part of the metal block, thereby detecting the temperature of the analytical column.

5. The analytical instrument according to claim 3 is provided with a column cartridge, The analytical device is characterized by comprising a display device that displays the temperature detected by the rod-shaped temperature sensor probe.

6. The analytical instrument according to claim 4 is provided with a column cartridge, An analytical device comprising a display device that displays the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor.

7. 3. The column cartridge of claim 2, A column cartridge for an analytical instrument, wherein a handle is formed on an upper portion of the housing, and a part of the window is formed at a position where the handle is formed.

8. The column cartridge of the analytical instrument according to claim 4, a shielding member that covers the window and transmits infrared rays, wherein infrared rays generated from the infrared temperature sensor pass through the shielding member and the window formed in the upper part of the housing, and then pass through the hole formed in the upper part of the metal block, thereby detecting the temperature of the analytical column.

9. The analyzer according to claim 5, The lower part of the metal block has a heat transfer part that contacts the analytical column and transfers heat, and the display device determines whether or not a contact abnormality has occurred between the analytical column and the heat transfer part based on the temperature detected by the rod-shaped temperature sensor probe, and displays the contact abnormality if it determines that a contact abnormality has occurred.

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