Multi-Handler Liquid Chromatography System with Automated Reinjection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In preparative liquid chromatography systems, the manual movement of collection containers is required for reinjection, limiting automation and increasing system size and cost due to the separate autosampler and fraction collector devices, and the limited number of containers that can be installed in a liquid handler.
Innovation Solution
A system with multiple liquid handlers, each equipped with autosampler and fraction collector functions, allows for automated fractionation, collection, and reinjection by switching connections between the liquid delivery part, separation column, and fractionation parts, enabling the use of multiple containers without expanding the liquid handler's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single liquid handler is used with limited container capacity, then the device size remains compact, but the number of containers that can be installed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single liquid handler into multiple independent liquid handlers (first liquid handler and second liquid handler), each with its own container arrangement portion. This segmentation allows the system to access more containers without expanding the physical footprint of any single device, as each handler operates independently with its own container subset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to container access by implementing sequential operation of multiple liquid handlers. The control unit coordinates the first and second liquid handlers to operate at different times, allowing the system to effectively use more containers than physically available in any single handler's container arrangement portion.
2Extent of automation
If separate autosampler and fraction collector devices are used, then each device can be optimized for its function, but manual movement of collection containers is required for reinjection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the autosampler and fraction collector functions into a single integrated liquid handler. The liquid handler includes both an injecting part (autosampler function) and a fractionation part (fraction collector function), eliminating the need for separate devices and manual container transfer. The control unit automatically coordinates these functions within the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid handler is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: it can act as an autosampler to inject samples, as a fraction collector to fractionate and collect samples, and as a reinjection system to automatically reinject collected fractions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized devices.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of collection containers is increased beyond the liquid handler's capacity, then more samples can be fractionated, but manual intervention is required for reinjection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the control unit automatically manages the entire process of sample injection, fractionation, collection, and reinjection without manual intervention. The control unit coordinates the liquid delivery device, separation column, multiple liquid handlers, and fractionation parts to automatically reinject collected samples back into the separation column for reanalysis.
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 automated fractionation and collection into a large number of containers and automatic reinjection of samples without increasing the system's size, optimizing space and cost by utilizing multiple liquid handlers to handle varying sample requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a sample is separated by liquid chromatography
Implementation Method 2
an injecting part configured to suck a sample from a container disposed in the container arrangement portion and hold it
Implementation Method 3
a fractionation part configured to collect a sample eluted from the separation column so that the sample is fractionated to containers disposed in the container arrangement portion
Data Source
AI summary
Automation of the collection and reinjection of a sample into a large number of containers is made possible without increasing the size of a liquid handler itself. A preparative liquid chromatography system includes a liquid delivery part (2) that feeds a mobile phase, a separation column (14A; 14B) for separating a sample transported by the mobile phase, a plurality of liquid handlers (6-1 to 6-n), each of which independently including a container arrangement portion (18) in which a plurality of containers for containing a sample are disposed, an injecting part (20A) configured to suck a sample from a container disposed in the container arrangement portion (18) and hold it, and to inject the sample into the mobile phase fed by the liquid delivery part (2) by being interposed between the liquid delivery part (2) and the separation column (14A), and a fractionation part (22) configured to collect a sample eluted from the separation column (14A) so that the sample is fractionated to containers disposed in the container arrangement portion (18), an injection switching part (4) configured to selectively interpose one of the injecting parts (20A) of the plurality of liquid handlers (6-1 to 6-n) between the liquid delivery part (2) and the separation column (14A) by switching connection of channels at a position between the liquid delivery part (2) and the separation column (14A), and a fractionation switching part (12) configured to selectively connect one of the fractionation parts (22) of the plurality of liquid handlers (6-1 to 6-n) to a downstream side of the separation column (14A) by switching connection of channels at a position downstream of the separation column (14A).