Solid Phase Extraction Columns for Stable Analytical Standards
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preparation and handling of analytical standards for toxic compounds like PAHs are hazardous due to high concentrations required, and many standards are unstable, expensive, and have limited availability, posing risks to analysts and affecting analysis stability.
Innovation Solution
Solid phase extraction columns with adsorbed standards that can be stored indefinitely without solvents, allowing for reduced handling risks and enhanced stability, enabling the use of lower standard concentrations and automated workflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high concentration standard solutions are prepared for analytical analysis, then the volume of material needed for spiking into samples is reduced, but the exposure risk to analysts increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the standard material from liquid solution form and adsorbs it onto solid phase extraction cartridges. This removes the harmful liquid solvent carrier while retaining the analytical standard, allowing analysts to handle dry, stable solid-phase standards instead of toxic liquid solutions, thereby reducing exposure risk while maintaining analytical effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the standard material from liquid solution to dry adsorbed form on solid phase. This parameter change eliminates the need for high concentration liquid solutions, allowing standards to be stored and handled in a safe, stable, dry state that can be easily introduced into samples without solvent exposure risks
2Ease of operation
If standards are prepared in liquid solution form, then they can be easily added to samples, but the standards become unstable and require immediate use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts standard materials from unstable liquid solution form and adsorbs them onto solid phase extraction cartridges. This removes the liquid solvent that causes instability (particularly for compounds sensitive to oxygen and light), allowing standards to be stored indefinitely in a stable dry state while maintaining ease of use through simple cartridge insertion into samples
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary adsorption of standards onto solid phase cartridges in advance, creating stable, pre-prepared standard carriers that can be stored indefinitely. This eliminates the need for immediate use of freshly prepared liquid standards, as the dry adsorbed standards remain stable and can be introduced into samples whenever needed without degradation
3Productivity
If conventional liquid standards are used, then analysis can proceed, but significant amounts of standard material are consumed and wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The solid phase extraction cartridges containing adsorbed standards serve themselves by directly introducing the standard material into the sample matrix through the extraction process. The same cartridge that contains the standard also performs the extraction function, eliminating the need for separate standard addition and extraction steps, thereby reducing overall standard material consumption while maintaining analytical productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the standard carrier function with the solid phase extraction cartridge function. The standard is adsorbed onto the cartridge that will also be used for sample extraction, combining two functions into one device. This integration reduces the number of steps and minimizes standard material consumption by eliminating transfer losses and unnecessary handling
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
Significantly reduces exposure to toxic materials, stabilizes compounds, and minimizes waste by allowing for lower standard concentrations and automated processes, improving productivity and reducing the risk of human exposure and compound degradation.
Implementation Method 1
employ solid phase extraction media and adsorbed material and methods to apply and recover external and internal standards and compounds
Data Source
AI summary
This invention employs columns and methods to apply external and internal standards and compounds. Analytical standard or compounds are adsorbed to a solid phase extraction media and are stored indefinitely. The standards or compounds remain stable on the solid phase extraction media without decomposing. The standards or compounds may be removed from the solid phase extraction media with a solvent.