HPLC Deaerator with Dynamic Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The varying temperature of the environment affects the state of dissolved gases in the eluting solution used in HPLC, leading to unstable analysis results, particularly in measuring glycohemoglobin, as the ratio of oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin changes with temperature, making it difficult to accurately measure glycohemoglobin density due to the longest absorption wavelength of oxyhemoglobin being used.

Innovation Solution

The method involves opening the diluted sample to air for one minute or more to achieve an oxygen saturation of 85% or more, and using a deaeration unit with temperature-measured control to maintain constant dissolved oxygen levels in the eluting solution, regardless of environmental temperature, by adjusting the decompression degree and detention time in the decompression spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a deaerator with constant decompression degree and detention time is used, then the device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but the analysis result stability deteriorates when environmental temperature varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeaerator structureVSAvoidanalysis result stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deaerator dynamically adjusts the decompression degree and/or detention time based on the detected temperature of the eluting solution. The control unit modifies operational parameters in real-time according to temperature variations, transforming the static deaerator into a dynamic system that adapts to environmental changes while maintaining stable dissolved oxygen removal performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters (decompression degree and/or detention time) of the deaerator based on temperature measurements. When temperature varies, the control unit adjusts these parameters to compensate for changes in gas solubility, ensuring consistent deaeration effectiveness across different environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the decompression degree and detention time are adjusted according to temperature, then the analysis result stability is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis result stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback control mechanism where a temperature detector continuously monitors the eluting solution temperature and sends signals to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the decompression degree and/or detention time, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal deaeration without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The deaerator system performs self-adjustment based on temperature feedback. The control unit automatically modifies operational parameters without external intervention, allowing the system to self-regulate and maintain stable performance across varying environmental conditions while minimizing operator burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the dissolved oxygen level in eluting solution varies with temperature, then the eluting solution can adapt to different temperatures, but the measurement precision of glycohemoglobin deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature adaptabilityVSAvoidglycohemoglobin density measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system compensates for temperature-induced variations in dissolved oxygen by adjusting deaeration parameters (decompression degree and/or detention time). This maintains consistent dissolved oxygen levels in the eluting solution across different temperatures, ensuring accurate glycohemoglobin measurements are not affected by thermal variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach stabilizes the analysis results by maintaining constant dissolved oxygen levels in the eluting solution, ensuring accurate measurement of glycohemoglobin density across varying environmental temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a deaerator 95, there exists one that is configured so as to absorb and remove the dissolved gas in the eluting solution by distributing the eluting solution in a gas permeable tube 97 which is arranged in a decompression space 96

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas permeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

decompressing the decompression space 96 by means of a pump 98

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecompression: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 3

opening the diluted sample to air for one minute or more to achieve an oxygen saturation of 85% or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

by continuously measuring an absorbance of the separated liquid in the photometric mechanism 94

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP2221616B1Liquid chromatography apparatus
Publication Date: 2013.11.20 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2221616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2221616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2221616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a liquid chromatography apparatus (X), which is provided with a deaerator (4). The liquid chromatography apparatus (X) is further provided with a dissolved oxygen density adjusting means for maintaining a density of dissolved oxygen in an eluting solution to be supplied to a column (60) constant. Means for improving a degree of oxygen saturation of the sample are further provided in the tank (53)