Multi-Pipe Probe for Dispersion-Free Droplet Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-performance liquid chromatography, the dispersion of target components due to pipe capacity issues leads to ineffective separation and analysis, particularly in micro- and nano-scale applications, where the large pipe capacity causes the target component to be dispersed, making it difficult to drop a single component onto a single well, especially when using MALDI-TOF-MS.
Innovation Solution
A probe with a multi-pipe structure is used, where a capillary column forms the innermost pipe and an additive supplying pipe is concentrically placed outside, allowing the formation and precise dropping of droplets containing the eluent and additive, with a second mobile phase supplying pipe to maintain a constant mobile phase composition, preventing dispersion and ensuring uniform droplet formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe with larger inner diameter is used to prevent clogging, then reliability is improved, but pipe capacity increases causing dispersion of target components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested pipe structure where multiple pipes with different inner diameters are concentrically arranged. The innermost pipe has a small inner diameter (20-50 μm) for low dispersion, while outer pipes provide structural support and alternative flow paths. This nesting allows the system to prevent clogging in the critical inner pipe while the overall structure maintains low total capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the single pipe into multiple segmented pipes arranged concentrically. Each pipe segment serves a specific function: the innermost pipe for precise eluent delivery with minimal dispersion, outer pipes for structural integrity and clogging prevention. This segmentation allows optimization of each segment's diameter for its specific purpose rather than requiring a single large-diameter pipe.
2Volume of stationary object
If pipe inner diameter is narrowed to reduce pipe capacity, then dispersion is reduced, but clogging risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric nested pipe structure allows the system to use multiple small-diameter pipes instead of a single large-diameter pipe. The innermost pipe maintains small diameter (20-50 μm) for low capacity, while outer pipes provide redundancy and structural support, preventing clogging without requiring enlargement of the critical inner flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pipe segments have different inner diameters optimized for their specific functions. The innermost pipe has the smallest diameter for minimal dispersion, while outer pipes have progressively larger diameters for structural support and clogging prevention. This local differentiation of pipe qualities allows simultaneous optimization for both low capacity and clogging resistance.
3Manufacturing precision
If flow rate is reduced to micro- or nano-scale for precise droplet deposition, then manufacturing precision is improved, but pipe capacity becomes more significant causing peak expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The nested pipe structure with the innermost pipe having minimal diameter (20-50 μm) reduces the total liquid-holding capacity to an extremely low level, minimizing the dispersion effect even at nano-scale flow rates. This allows precise droplet deposition while maintaining sharp peak widths that match UV detector observations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of pipe inner diameter to extremely small values (20-50 μm for the innermost pipe), which fundamentally reduces the pipe capacity parameter. This parameter change allows the system to operate at micro- and nano-scale flow rates without significant peak expansion, as the reduced pipe capacity minimizes the dispersion volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen pretreating device which includes a micro scale or nano scale high-performance liquid chromatograph having a capillary column (2), a probe (1) integrally formed at the tip of the capillary column (2), and an additive feeding flow passage (16). The probe (1) is formed in a multi-tube structure in which a plurality of tubes are disposed on the same axis. The innermost tube is located at the tip of the capillary column (2), and one of the outer tubes is used as an additive supply tube converging an additive solution to an eluent solvent eluted from the capillary column (2) to form liquid drops including the eluent solvent and an additive, and the liquid drops are released from the tip of the probe (1). The specimen is not diffused since a detector is not present in the flow passage.