Integrated Pump-Injector Valve for Nano-LC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems require large sample volumes and flow rates, making them unsuitable for field portable applications and inefficient in terms of mobile phase usage.
Innovation Solution
A combined nano-scale pump and injection valve system integrated into a single piece of material, allowing for the injection of nanoliter-sized samples into a chromatographic column with minimal mobile phase usage, featuring a barrel-stator design with non-overlapping orifices and plungers for efficient fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional HPLC systems are used, then chromatographic separation can be performed, but large sample volumes and mobile phase consumption are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump and injection valve into a single integrated unit where the pump barrel and valve stator are formed as one piece. This integration eliminates dead volumes between separate components and enables precise control of nanoliter sample volumes while maintaining efficient chromatographic separation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from conventional HPLC scale to nano-scale by reducing sample volumes to nanoliters, mobile phase flow rates to nanoliters per minute, and operating pressures to high but controlled levels. This parameter transformation maintains separation efficiency while dramatically reducing material consumption
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional HPLC systems are used, then fluid analysis can be performed, but the systems are heavy and not suitable for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the pump and injection valve into a single compact unit, the system reduces overall size and weight while maintaining full functionality. This integration is essential for creating portable HPLC systems that can be deployed in field applications without sacrificing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional large-scale HPLC systems to miniaturized nano-scale systems, effectively changing the dimensional scale of all components. This dimensional transformation enables portability while preserving the essential chromatographic separation capabilities
3Reliability
If conventional HPLC systems are used, then analysis can be performed, but connections between separate components create potential leakage and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pump barrel and valve stator are formed as a single integrated piece, eliminating all connections and interfaces between these components. This integration completely eliminates leakage risks at connection points and simplifies the system architecture, improving reliability while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The design extracts and eliminates the need for separate connection components, fittings, and interfaces that would otherwise be required to join the pump and valve. By removing these intermediate elements, the system achieves superior reliability and simpler operation
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 lightweight, robust, and portable HPLC operations using minimal mobile phase, capable of high-pressure pumping and gradient systems for fast and efficient chromatographic separations.
Implementation Method 1
a plunger, slidably disposed within an interior chamber of the barrel
Implementation Method 2
The rotor has a surface adjacent the stator and has a plurality of channels or slots in its surface and is rotatable with respect to the stator
Data Source
AI summary
A combined dual pump-injector valve utilizing a single piece of material to house the barrel for each of the two piston-based pumps and to provide the stator of the associated valve, thus eliminating any need for connections between the pumps and the valve, and therefore eliminating the potential for high-pressure leaks or pressure reductions. The combined dual pump-injector valve permits injection of nanoliter-sized samples into a chromatographic column such that complete analyses can be completed with microliters of mobile phase with nanoliters of a sample.