Valve Sample Trapping for Low-Waste ICP-MS Introduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sample introduction systems for ICP spectrometry face inefficiencies in handling multiple samples, leading to high time and monetary costs due to sample consumption and potential inaccuracies from foreign bodies or tubing alterations, which limits throughput and requires re-preparation for reanalysis.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a valve system with sensors to detect sample presence, controlling a vacuum source to isolate the sample at a valve, allowing precise sample loading and preservation within a reservoir for reanalysis, and utilizing a second valve to block vacuum access when sample is detected, thus preventing excessive sample consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vacuum source is continuously applied to draw samples through tubing, then sample throughput is improved, but sample consumption increases and foreign bodies may be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills a reservoir at the valve with sample fluid before analysis begins. This preliminary action allows the sample to be ready for immediate injection without continuous vacuum drawing, reducing sample consumption while maintaining throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sample drawing function from continuous vacuum operation. Instead of continuously applying vacuum through tubing, the system uses a sensor-triggered vacuum source that activates only when the reservoir needs filling, eliminating unnecessary sample consumption and foreign body introduction risks.
2Ease of operation
If tubing is used to transport samples, then sample transport is enabled, but foreign bodies may be introduced and tubing alterations may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the tubing component from the sample path by using a sensor-triggered vacuum system that draws sample directly into a reservoir without intermediate tubing. This extraction of tubing removes the source of foreign bodies and tubing alterations, improving sample reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary between the vacuum source and sample reservoir, triggering vacuum activation only when needed. This intermediary control prevents continuous vacuum application that could cause tubing issues, while still enabling reliable sample transport when required.
3Loss of substance
If sensor detection is implemented to control vacuum activation, then sample waste is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where a sensor detects the presence or absence of sample fluid in the reservoir and sends a signal to activate or deactivate the vacuum source. This feedback mechanism reduces sample waste by ensuring vacuum is applied only when the reservoir needs filling, while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor-triggered vacuum system provides self-service by automatically activating when the reservoir needs filling and deactivating when full. This self-regulating mechanism reduces sample waste without requiring complex external control systems, as the system monitors and adjusts its own operation.
4Reliability
If continuous vacuum is applied to ensure sample flow, then sample delivery is reliable, but sample consumption increases and reanalysis becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills the reservoir with sample fluid before analysis begins. This preliminary action ensures reliable sample delivery is ready when needed, while the ability to preserve remaining sample in the source container allows for reanalysis without re-preparation, eliminating the time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum application transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic sensor-triggered operation. The vacuum source activates only when the reservoir needs filling and deactivates when full, providing reliable sample delivery only when necessary while preserving sample for potential reanalysis, thus avoiding re-preparation time.
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 system enhances sample throughput by minimizing sample consumption, allowing for reanalysis and reducing processing time, improving accuracy by adapting to real-time flow conditions and preventing sample waste, thereby optimizing the handling of microvolume samples.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor system may include, but is not limited to, an optical sensor such as an absorbance sensor that detects sample presence
Implementation Method 2
a second valve in fluid communication with a vacuum source, wherein the second valve is configured to allow fluid access by the vacuum source to the first valve
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for isolating a sample at a valve prior to introduction to an analysis system, such as sample analysis via ICP-MS. A system embodiment can include, but is not limited to, a valve system including a first valve in fluid communication with a sample reservoir and a second valve configured to permit and block access of a vacuum source to the first valve; a sensor system configured to detect presence or absence of a fluid at the first valve; and a controller configured to control operation of the second valve to block access of the vacuum source to the first valve upon detection of the fluid at the first valve to isolate the fluid within the sample reservoir.