Sample injection with fluidic connection between fluid drive unit and sample accommodation volume
Inventors
Thielsch, Daniel • Ortmann, Thomas • Wouters, Sam
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12235248-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample into a flow path between a fluid drive and a sample separation unit, includes a sample accommodation volume, a sample drive, and a fluidic valve switchable to selectively couple the volume with the flow path or decouple the volume from the flow path. In an injection switching state, the fluid drive, the separation unit and the sample drive are coupled by the valve so that fluid driven by the sample drive and flowing from the volume to the separation unit and further fluid driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit. A control unit controls an outlet flow rate value according to which a combination of the mobile phase and the fluidic sample is driven through the separation unit.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to an injector for injecting a fluidic sample into a flow path between a fluid drive and a separation unit of a sample separation apparatus. The injector includes a sample accommodation volume configured to accommodate the fluidic sample prior to injecting, a sample drive configured to intake the fluidic sample into the sample accommodation volume, and a fluidic valve switchable between multiple switching states to selectively couple or decouple the sample accommodation volume with the flow path.
In an injection switching state, the fluid drive, the separation unit, and the sample drive are fluidically coupled by the fluidic valve such that the fluidic sample driven by the sample drive and flowing from the sample accommodation volume to the separation unit, and the mobile phase driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit, are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit. A control unit is configured to adjust an actual outlet flow rate value so that a combination of the mobile phase and the fluidic sample driven through the separation unit reaches a target outlet flow rate value.
The disclosed injector supports multiple switching states for different injection modes, including a feed injection state in which mobile phase and sample are combined at an upstream fluidic connection integrated within a valve/stator/rotor interface. Alternative switching states are described, including purge position and an inject/flow-through mode in which a flow-through needle is provided with bypassing of the sample drive and reduced delay volume.
Claims Coverage
The document explicitly includes two independent claims (an injector and a method). Across these independent claims, the core inventive coverage focuses on a switchable fluidic valve, upstream combination of mobile phase and the fluidic sample at a fluidic connection, and control of an actual outlet flow rate value to obtain a target outlet flow rate value.
Valve-selective coupling between sample accommodation volume and flow path
A sample accommodation volume configured to accommodate the fluidic sample prior to injecting; a sample drive configured to intake the fluidic sample into the sample accommodation volume; and a fluidic valve switchable between multiple switching states to selectively couple the sample accommodation volume with the flow path or decouple the sample accommodation volume from the flow path.
Upstream combination of mobile phase and fluidic sample at injection state
In an injection switching state of the fluidic valve, the fluid drive, the separation unit and the sample drive are fluidically coupled by the fluidic valve so that the fluidic sample driven by the sample drive and flowing from the sample accommodation volume to the separation unit and mobile phase driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit.
Control of outlet flow rate to match target outlet flow rate value
A control unit configured to adjust an actual outlet flow rate value according to which a combination of the mobile phase and the fluidic sample is driven through the separation unit to obtain a target outlet flow rate value.
Method including valve switching and upstream injection combination
Switching a fluidic valve of the injector into an injection switching state in which the fluidic valve fluidically couples the fluid drive, the sample drive and the separation unit so that the fluidic sample driven by the sample drive and flowing from the sample accommodation volume to the separation unit and mobile phase driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit to thereby inject the fluidic sample from the sample accommodation volume into the flow path in the injection switching state.
Method control of actual outlet flow rate to obtain target outlet flow rate value
Adjusting an actual outlet flow rate value according to which a combination of the mobile phase and the fluidic sample is driven through the separation unit to obtain a target outlet flow rate value.
Across both independent claims, the invention is centered on a switchable fluidic valve that couples a sample accommodation volume and a mobile phase drive to the separation unit so that the mobile phase and fluidic sample combine at an upstream fluidic connection during an injection switching state, while a control unit adjusts an actual outlet flow rate value to obtain a target outlet flow rate value.
Stated Advantages
Reproducible injection.
Low dead volume.
Reduced pressure disturbances.
Adjustable dilution via mixing ratio.
Low carryover.
Suitability for high pressures and various chromatographic applications.
Documented Applications
Chromatography, including a chromatography sample separation apparatus with a flow path between a fluid drive and a separation unit, with optional detector, fractionating unit, and degassing apparatus.
Interested in licensing this patent?