Disposable Chromatography Sample Introduction Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chromatography sample introduction methods are cumbersome, often requiring additional equipment, excess sample, and multiple handling steps, which can lead to contamination, sample loss, and inaccurate results, especially in trace analysis.
Innovation Solution
A disposable sample introduction device featuring a tubular stem filled with porous dry solid material that absorbs the sample by capillary action, allowing direct high-pressure injection into the chromatography system without the need for additional cleaning or equipment, minimizing contamination and sample loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sample introduction methods are used with multiple cleaning steps and equipment, then sample purity may be improved, but device complexity and sample loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (sample collection, filtration, and injection) into a single integrated disposable syringe device. The syringe integrates a filter at the tip and a Luer lock mechanism, eliminating the need for separate filtration equipment and reducing the number of handling steps while maintaining sample purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable syringe that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates cross-contamination between samples, removes the need for cleaning and sterilization equipment, and simplifies the overall system while ensuring sample purity for each analysis.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple sample handling steps are performed for cleaning and preparation, then contamination may be reduced, but sample loss and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is pre-installed at the syringe tip before sample collection. This preliminary arrangement ensures that filtration occurs automatically during the sampling process itself, eliminating the need for separate filtration steps and reducing sample preparation time while preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable syringe maintains continuous sample containment from collection through injection without requiring transfer between containers or equipment. This continuous handling minimizes exposure time and reduces the risk of contamination while speeding up the overall process.
3Measurement precision
If excess sample is used for cleaning and preparation steps, then accurate analysis may be achieved, but sample quantity requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter extracts and removes particulate matter directly from the sample as it passes through the syringe barrel during normal operation. This extraction occurs within the minimal sample volume needed for analysis, eliminating the requirement for excess sample that would otherwise be needed for separate cleaning steps.
4Reliability
If sample is filtered or cleaned before injection, then column protection is improved, but sample loss and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is merged directly into the syringe tip, creating an integrated filtration-injection system. This allows sample protection to occur automatically during the injection process itself, minimizing sample loss by eliminating separate filtration steps while still protecting the chromatography column from particulate contamination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simple, contamination-free, and cost-effective sample introduction with minimal sample usage, eliminating the need for extra equipment and handling steps, while ensuring accurate results and easy sample tracking.
Implementation Method 1
A disposable sample introduction device featuring a tubular stem filled with porous dry solid material that absorbs the sample by capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable chromatography sample introduction device includes a stylus with a holder and a tubular stem extending from one end of the holder containing porous sample-holding material. The stylus has a pair of spaced openings permitting fluid flow therethrough. An injector housing includes an insertion port for receiving the stylus, a seal, an inlet port for communicating with one stylus opening, and an outlet port for communicating with the other stylus opening. When the stem is immersed in a sample, sample enters the stem by capillary action. Thereafter, the stylus is inserted into the housing insertion port where mobile phase flowing from inlet port to outlet port passes through the stem extracting sample. The holder has a finger grip and an external thread that engages a complementary injector housing thread to secure the holder when the stylus is inserted therein.