Mobile Phase Preparation Device for UHPLC Gradient Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern UHPLC systems face challenges with solvent compressibility issues due to large volumes of components like pressure transducers and purge valves in the fluid path, leading to inaccurate solvent gradients and longer re-equilibration times, especially during gradient separations.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a pressure sensor and purge valve within a solvent mixing device at the point where solvents combine to form the mobile phase, reducing the post-pump compression volume significantly, and incorporating these components into a single block to minimize system volume and fluidic connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure transducer and purge valve are placed in the fluid path before the manifold, then solvent delivery can be monitored and controlled, but the compression volume increases significantly leading to inaccurate solvent gradients and longer re-equilibration times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional placement of pressure transducer and purge valve from upstream (before manifold) to downstream (after solvent combination point). This reversal moves the compression volume-generating components away from the critical gradient mixing zone, eliminating their negative impact on gradient accuracy while maintaining their monitoring and control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fluid path into distinct functional zones: a low-compression-volume zone for gradient mixing (before manifold) and a separate zone for pressure monitoring and purging (after manifold). This segmentation isolates the compression volume-generating components from the gradient mixing process, allowing independent optimization of each function.
2Volume of stationary object
If multiple components are integrated into a single block, then system volume and fluidic connections are minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (manifold, pressure transducer, purge valve) into a single integrated block structure. This consolidation eliminates intermediate fluidic connections and reduces overall system volume, while the modular design allows each component to maintain its independent function within the unified structure.
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 configuration reduces solvent compressibility issues, enabling faster equilibration and improved reproducibility by minimizing the volume of solvent to be compressed, thus enhancing the throughput and reliability of UHPLC systems.
Implementation Method 1
a branch located at a point where the solvents combine to form the mobile phase that is fluidly coupled with at least one of a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
a branch located at a point where the solvents combine to form the mobile phase that is fluidly coupled with at least one of a pressure sensor and a purge valve
Implementation Method 3
at least one pump for delivering solvent to the manifold
Implementation Method 4
a manifold having a plurality of inlets, wherein each inlet is configured to be fluidly coupled with a solvent source, and further having a mobile phase outlet configured to output a mobile phase
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A mobile phase delivery device for use with high pressure liquid chromatography includes a manifold having a plurality of inlets, wherein each inlet is fluidly coupled with a solvent source. The manifold further has a mobile phase outlet that outputs a mobile phase, composed of solvent or solvent mixture, onto an analytical line. The device further includes at least one pump for delivering solvent to the manifold, and a fluid branch in the manifold that is located at a point downstream of the plurality of inlets, and is fluidly coupled with at least one of a pressure sensor and a purge valve.