Method and apparatus for rapid sequential flow injection
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Publication Number
US-12332268-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fluid delivery system and process for fluid delivery is provided that is useful in in flow-injection based sensing measurements, wherein samples from a sample rack are introduced into a flow cell where sensing measurements are taken. The system and process utilize at least two holding lines where each holding line can retain one of the samples prior to injection of the thus retained sample into a flow cell. The introduction of the samples from the sample racks to the holding lines is alternated and the injection of the samples from the holding lines to the flow cell are alternated so that one holding line is loaded with one of the samples simultaneously with another sample being injected from the another holding line to the flow cell.
Core Innovation
Not explicitly described in patent.
Not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00008, and clm-00014. Across these claims, the inventive features focus on alternating loading and injection using at least two holding lines and multiport valves, with simultaneous loading while another sample is being injected.
Alternating loading and injection using first and second holding lines with multiport valves
Loading samples into a first holding line and a second holding line through a first multiport valve, alternately injecting retained samples from the holding lines into a flow cell through the first multiport valve and a second multiport valve, and continuing the cycle by simultaneously loading one sample while another sample is being injected.
Dispersion loop forming a gradient in concentration prior to flow-cell injection
Passing each of the samples through a dispersion loop in which the dispersion loop forms a gradient in concentration of each of the samples prior to injection of the sample to the flow cell.
Alternating sample introduction and injection with buffer fluid introduction to flow cell and probe
Providing at least two holding lines, introducing samples from a probe to the holding lines, injecting the samples from the holding lines to the flow cell, and controlling fluid flow among the holding lines, the probe, the flow cell, and a buffer fluid source by a first multiport valve and a second multiport valve such that the introduction and injection are alternated with simultaneous loading/injection, and that between alternations buffer fluid is introduced from a buffer fluid source into the flow cell and into the probe.
No more than two holding lines with defined first and second positions of multiport valves
Providing no more than two holding lines, using the first multiport valve having a first position and a second position to establish fluid-flow communication between a holding line and the second multiport valve or the probe, and using the second multiport valve having a first position and a second position such that buffer fluid can be introduced into the flow cell in one position and one of the samples can be introduced from a holding line to the flow cell through the first multiport valve and the second multiport valve in the other position.
The independent claims cover a flow-injection based sensing measurements process in which samples are alternately loaded into holding lines and injected into a flow cell using multiport valves, with simultaneous loading during injection. Additional coverage includes introducing buffer fluid into the flow cell and into the probe between alternations, defining valve-position-based fluid routing with no more than two holding lines, and passing samples through a dispersion loop that forms a gradient in concentration prior to injection.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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