SPME Mixing via External Container Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mixing samples, such as using magnetic stirrers or vibrating fibers, are inefficient, prone to contamination, and can damage equipment, leading to unreliable results and increased costs, especially in SPME processes where thorough mixing and equilibrium setting are critical.
Innovation Solution
A method where the sample container is moved between two positions, with a lance remaining stationary, allowing for efficient mixing by the container's movement and minimizing air incorporation, which can be adapted for SPME and other analytical techniques, using a device with a cycloidal gear for optimal turbulent mixing without vortex formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a magnetic stirrer is placed in the sample container to mix the sample, then mixing quality is improved, but contamination risk and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mixing function from the sample container interior by placing the mixing device (magnetic stirrer or vortex mixer) outside the container. The mixing action is transmitted through the container wall via magnetic field or mechanical vibration, eliminating direct contact between the mixing device and the sample, thus preventing contamination while maintaining effective mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall acts as an intermediary that transmits the mixing action from the external mixing device to the sample inside. The magnetic field or mechanical vibrations pass through the container wall to agitate the sample without requiring physical insertion of mixing components into the sample space.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a magnetic stirrer is placed in the sample container to mix the sample, then mixing quality is improved, but the risk of equipment damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the mixing device from the sample container interior and placing it externally, the invention eliminates the risk of collisions between the mixing device and the lance. The mixing action is transmitted through the container wall without physical interference with other components inside the container.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a magnetic stirrer is placed in the sample container to mix the sample, then mixing quality is improved, but process complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a universal external mixing device that can be applied to multiple different sample containers and analytical procedures. The same mixing device (magnetic stirrer or vortex mixer) serves multiple purposes across different applications, eliminating the need for specialized mixing components for each container type or procedure.
4Loss of time
If the fiber is vibrated during SPME to accelerate equilibrium, then adsorption speed is improved, but mixing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the functions of fiber vibration and sample mixing into two independent actions. The fiber can be vibrated to enhance mass transfer at the fiber-sample interface, while the sample container is simultaneously or separately agitated using an external mixing device to ensure bulk sample homogeneity. This segmentation allows both functions to optimize their respective roles without interfering with each other.
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 approach ensures thorough and reproducible mixing with reduced risk of contamination and equipment damage, enhancing the homogeneity and adsorption efficiency of samples, particularly in SPME, while avoiding the costs and ecological concerns of traditional stirrers.
Implementation Method 1
using a device with a cycloidal gear for optimal turbulent mixing without vortex formation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In a method for mixing a sample, particularly for a SPME method, a lance (50) is positioned at least partially within a sample container (40) containing the sample while the sample is being mixed. To mix the sample, the sample container (40) is set in motion. During this motion, the sample container assumes at least a first position and a second position, wherein the cross-sectional area formed by the first and second positions of the sample container is smaller than the sample container (40) itself.