Elastic Vial Adapter for Liquid Chromatography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid chromatography sample managers are limited in their ability to accommodate sample vials of varying dimensions due to engineering complexities in carousel, sensor, and needle designs, which restricts their versatility and adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A sample vial adapter with a body structure that includes extensions capable of elastic deformation, allowing it to accommodate sample vials of different sizes by elastically deforming to receive and securely hold the vial, facilitating its integration into a liquid chromatography system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a carousel system with fixed needle designs is used in sample managers, then the system can process sample vials of standard dimensions, but the system cannot accommodate sample vials of varying dimensions due to engineering complexities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate sample vials of varying dimensionsVSAvoidcomplexities of carousel and needle systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vial adapter as an intermediary component between the sample vial and the sample manager's fixed carousel and needle system. The adapter has a standardized interface that fits the existing carousel, while its body can be configured to accommodate various vial dimensions. This mediator allows the system to maintain its simple fixed structure while gaining versatility in handling different vial sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separate functional components: the fixed carousel and needle system remain unchanged, while the vial adapter serves as a separate, configurable component. This segmentation allows the complex part (carousel/needle system) to remain simple and standardized, while the adaptive part (adapter) can be customized for different vial dimensions without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sample manager is designed to work with a single vial size, then the carousel and needle designs remain simple, but the system loses versatility and cannot process vials of different dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility in processing different sample vial sizesVSAvoiduser friendliness and operational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vial adapter acts as a mediator that preserves the ease of operation of the original system. The adapter interfaces with the existing simple carousel mechanism, so the operational simplicity is maintained. At the same time, the adapter's configurable body allows it to accommodate various vial sizes, providing versatility without complicating the user interface or operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing sample managers use fixed carousel and needle systems, then manufacturing and service are simpler, but the system cannot adapt to different sample vial dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different sample vial dimensionsVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity of carousel and needle systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vial adapter serves as a configurable intermediary that does not require changes to the manufactured carousel and needle systems. The fixed carousel and needles can be manufactured using standard processes, while the adapter can be custom-manufactured or configured to match specific vial dimensions. This maintains manufacturing simplicity for the core system while enabling adaptability through the adapter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The sample vial adapter enables the processing of sample vials with non-standard dimensions within existing liquid chromatography systems, enhancing the system's adaptability and usability without requiring modifications to the sample manager or carousel system.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the extension and the body structure configured to elastically deform during the process of receiving the sample vial

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250076261A1Vial adapter, system and method

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 WATERS TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

A sample vial adapter for use in liquid chromatography includes a body structure extending between a top end and a bottom end and defining a channel for receiving a sample vial having a cylindrical sample vial body such that the channel at least partially encircles the received sample vial, the body structure including a channel opening configured to receive the sample vial, the body structure including an extension reducing a width of the channel opening, at least one of the extension and the body structure configured to elastically deform during the process of receiving the sample vial.