Removing portions of undefined composition from the mobile phase
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Publication Number
US-12235249-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fluid supply system, for supplying a mobile phase in a sample separation device for separating a fluidic sample in a separation path, includes a proportioning unit for proportioning multiple solvent components for composing the mobile phase, a fluid drive unit for driving the solvent components of the mobile phase, and a control unit for controlling the proportioning unit and the fluid drive unit so that an undefined portion of the mobile phase is removed from the mobile phase before delivering the mobile phase from the fluid drive unit to the separation path.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a fluid supply system for supplying a mobile phase in a sample separation device for separating a fluidic sample in a separation path. The fluid supply system includes a proportioning unit that proportion multiple solvent components to compose the mobile phase and to provide a serial sequence of fluid packets, each packet relating to a respective one of the solvent components. A fluid drive unit drives the mobile phase toward the separation path, and a control unit controls the proportioning unit and the fluid drive unit.
The mobile phase includes an undefined portion that is present before delivery from the fluid drive unit to the separation path. The invention removes the undefined portion from the mobile phase before delivering the mobile phase from the fluid drive unit to the separation path. The undefined portion is associated with fluid interfaces between adjacent packets of different solvent components and with residual/history fluid remaining in a piston pump arrangement after transfer to a secondary pump.
Removal of the undefined portion is performed by routing the undefined portion to waste and/or by temporarily buffering it in a buffer loop with a predefined volume concept. Waste handling is described using waste conduit branches and active/passive valves and check valves, while buffering is described using a buffer unit with a predefined volume having a central volume portion and peripheral volume portions. The control-driven removal improves composition accuracy, precision, and reproducibility prior to delivering the mobile phase for separation in the separation path.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims (a device/system claim, a method claim, and a system claim with buffer structure). Across these independent claims, four main inventive elements are present: serial packet mobile-phase composition, controlled delivery to the separation path, removal of an undefined portion before delivery, and buffering of the undefined portion using a predefined central/peripheral volume structure.
Serial sequence of solvent-specific fluid packets
A proportioning unit configured to proportion multiple solvent components for composing the mobile phase and for providing a serial sequence of fluid packets each relating to a respective one of the solvent components.
Controlled removal of an undefined portion before delivery to the separation path
A control unit configured to control the proportioning unit and the fluid drive unit so that an undefined portion of the mobile phase is removed from the mobile phase before delivering the mobile phase from the fluid drive unit to the separation path.
Driving the mobile phase toward the separation path
A fluid drive unit configured to drive the mobile phase toward the separation path.
Buffer unit with predefined central/peripheral volume accommodating the undefined portion
A buffer unit with a predefined volume including a central volume portion between two peripheral volume portions and being configured for accommodating the undefined portion in the central volume portion while accommodating mobile phase or a solvent component of the mobile phase with defined properties in at least one of the peripheral volume portions.
Supplying mobile phase by proportioning, packetizing, driving, and removing undefined portion before injecting for separation
Proportioning multiple solvent components for composing the mobile phase; providing a serial sequence of fluid packets each relating to a respective one of the solvent components; driving the mobile phase towards the separation path; and controlling the proportioning and the driving so that an undefined portion of the mobile phase is removed from the mobile phase before injecting the fluidic sample in the mobile phase for separation in the separation path.
Overall, the claim set covers forming a mobile phase as a serial sequence of solvent-specific fluid packets, driving the mobile phase toward a separation path in a sample separation device, and controlling the process so that an undefined portion is removed before delivery to the separation path and before injecting the fluidic sample. One independent claim additionally requires a buffer unit with a predefined volume separated into a central volume portion for accommodating the undefined portion and peripheral volume portions for mobile phase or solvent components with defined properties.
Stated Advantages
Improves composition accuracy, precision, and reproducibility.
Documented Applications
Mobile phase supply in a sample separation device for separating a fluidic sample in a separation path, including delivery to a chromatographic column (separation unit) and associated sample separation flow.
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