Patent Application
20240337674
The present invention relates to automated physical and chemical manipulation of a fluid sample, for the purpose of analytical chemistry measurements, and more particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and method for the use of sequential injection analysis (SIA) system for the homogeneous mixing of fluid samples with liquid reagent solutions.
When fluid samples are analyzed by means of optical spectrometry, liquid chromatography, or mass spectrometry, it is often necessary to subject the sample to chemical and physical pretreatment. Pretreatment is required for purposes such as removing interfering substances in the sample matrix, rendering the sample in a more dilute, or more concentrated form, or altering the physical, chemical, or optical properties of the sample to facilitate its analysis. These operations are carried out by mechanisms like solvent addition, solid phase extraction followed by elution, or reactive treatment of the sample via chemical derivatization. For derivatization reactions, controlled temperature conditions are often desired for reaction speed and reproducibility.
Generally, when fluid sample analysis is performed in a laboratory setting, such pretreatment is usually carried out manually by an analyst, or in an automated manner by pipetting robots. For process monitoring measurements, neither approach is satisfactory as samples are exposed to the ambient atmosphere, and transfer to the spectrometry or chromatography device requires operator intervention. An enclosed pretreatment method capable of transferring the treated sample to a spectrometer/chromatograph is required, as otherwise, the process monitoring activities cannot be fully automated. Several devices exist in the prior art for simple automated pretreatment operations, but those are usually restricted to the very elemental unit operations of sample transfer and dilution. Examples of automated dilution devices are described in US20160077060A1 titled “Process sample and dilution systems and methods of using the same”.
A more advanced fluid manipulation technology called sequential injection analysis (SIA) has been developed and documented in various academic research papers, for instance, in Lenehan et al. “Sequential injection analysis” Analyst 2002, 127, 997-1020. The sequential injection technology allows very flexible sample treatment by mixing the sample with other fluids, as well as subjecting the mixture to in-line heating, solid-phase extraction, gas diffusion, dialysis, etc. Thus, it provides an automated, enclosed platform that surpasses the capabilities of the simple dilution & transfer devices mentioned above.
From a mechanical perspective, sequential injection is based on a bi-directional syringe/piston/plunger pump for propelling fluid movement, and a selector valve for directing the device to the correct fluid source or destination for each step of the pretreatment routine. The pump is used to pull sample and reagent segments through the selector valve ports, into a coil of capillary tubing located between the pump and the valve. Mixing typically occurs in the tubing coil, as the aspirated fluid segments are moved back and forth by the pump. Such devices have been manufactured commercially and certain specific configurations and applications have been patented as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,135A titled “apparatus for identifying biologically active substances by their effect on living cells”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,720 A titled “flow analysis network apparatus”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,429 B1 titled “apparatus and method for automated medical diagnostic tests”, and U.S. Pat. No. 20,050,244299 A1 titled “automated sequential injection analysis systems for the determination of trace endotoxin levels”.
As described above, the basic premise of sequential injection is mixing fluid segments inside narrow-bore capillary tubing. This allows easy mixing of small fluid volumes but suffers from the downside that homogeneous mixing is nearly impossible due to the restrictive geometry of the narrow-bore channel. For the same reason, mixing more than three fluid components together is challenging, as the first and the last components introduced into the capillary tube will hardly come in contact with one another. At times, mixing chambers with stir bars have been used to achieve the complete mixing of multiple components as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,429 B1. However, mixing chambers tend to be problematic since it takes a large volume of solution to clear the chamber of its previous contents before the next sample processing cycle can begin.
A variant of the traditional sequential injection setup has been utilized for liquid-liquid extraction where a mechanical syringe on a syringe pump is used as a mixing chamber (suarez et al., titled “In-syringe magnetic stirring-assisted disperse microextraction for automation and downscaling of methylene blue active substances assay” Talanta, 2014, vol. 130, p. 555-560; maya et al., titled “Lab in a syringe: Fully automated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with integrated spectrophotometric detection” Anal bioanal chem, 2012, vol. 404, p. 909-917). A stir bar or magnetic beads inside the syringe are used to achieve proper mixing. Such a system offers the advantage that the syringe piston can be compressed to squeeze out the syringe contents, which clears the mixing compartment much more efficiently compared to a traditional stirred tank chamber. The inclusion of a mechanical stirring component inside the syringe is useful for liquid-liquid extraction where vigorous mixing is required. However, it limits the degree to which the contents can be expelled and introduces mechanical complexity to the apparatus.
The above restriction can be removed by omitting the mechanical stirring component and relying on the syringe motion to mix the contents of the syringe (deng et al., titled “automated determination of dissolved reactive phosphorus at nanomolar to micromolar levels in natural waters using a portable flow analyzer” Anal. Chem., 2020, vol. 92, p. 4379-4386). The approach works but falls short in cases where the components to be mixed have different viscosities and densities (many syringe reversals are required for complete mixing). It also falls short when small amounts of liquids need to be mixed (any syringe has a fixed internal volume at the tip that sets a limit to how small of a volume can be handled).
The existing prior art solutions related to fluid manipulation are ineffective and/or inefficient as the prior art solutions fail to provide homogeneous mixing, are complex in nature, and are not a feasible solution for mixing a variety of fluids. There is a need for an effective and efficient system as well as a method that solves the aforementioned problems of existing prior art solutions related to fluid manipulation.
Thus, a new and improved sequential injection analysis system is proposed that solves the aforementioned problems of fluid mixing of existing prior art solutions.
While the way that the present disclosure addresses the disadvantages of the prior art will be discussed in greater detail below, in general, the present disclosure provides a new and improved sequential injection apparatus.
The present disclosure overcomes the drawbacks of the existing devices by providing a sequential injection sample analysis system that utilizes enclosed conical vials as mixing chambers. The sequential injection sample analysis system achieves complete homogeneous mixing with less effort compared to a traditional sequential injection apparatus, or in-syringe mixing. The conical bottom of the enclosed conical vial promotes turbulence as the liquid components are dispensed into the enclosed conical vial. The conical bottom design of the enclosed conical vial also allows the sequential injection sample analysis system to mix both small and large liquid volumes, by creating a space where small volumes can be contained and manipulated much more easily than in a flat-bottom container. The sequential injection sample analysis system houses the enclosed conical vial in a vial block that allows the attachment of a temperature control element for heating (to promote chemical reactions) or cooling (to prevent degradation) of the liquids.
The vial block is equipped with a vial top cap at the top and the vial bottom cap at the bottom. The vial top cap comprises vial top cap ports that are internally threaded, allowing the enclosed conical vial to be connected to a fluidic setup of pumps and valves, using capillary tubing, thus creating a fully enclosed setup. The tubing is pushed to the bottom of the enclosed conical vial, thus allowing the enclosed conical vial to be not only filled but also emptied by automated pump action.
The vial bottom cap further comprises a plurality of vial bottom cap ports that are internally threaded, so that the enclosed conical vial can be accessed from both ends that is the top end and the bottom end. Bottom access is especially important when the ability to quickly wash an enclosed conical vial is of high importance. In such a scenario, one syringe pump could fill the enclosed conical vial with wash liquid while another syringe pump could drain the liquid from the enclosed conical vial. Bottom access can also be of use when the operations following the mixing step are not chemically compatible with the steps leading up to the mixing step. In such a scenario, the syringe pump accessing the top port of the enclosed conical vial could contain chemicals of “nature A” while the pump accessing the bottom port of the enclosed conical vial could contain chemicals of “nature B”. When a bottom access port is used, the bottom of the enclosed conical vial should be modified by drilling a hole through the enclosed conical vial.
Embodiments of the present invention discloses a sequential injection sample analysis system comprises a fluid pumping device configured for aspirating and dispensing fluids; a multi-position stream selection device in fluid communication with the fluid pumping device, wherein the multi-position stream selection device comprises a plurality of ports, and each of the port is in in fluid communication with a fluid line; wherein the fluid line comprises a sample line in fluid communication with a port of the multi-position stream selection device, wherein the sample line carries/transports a sample; wherein the fluid line further comprises a reagent line in fluid communication with a port of the multi-position stream selection device, wherein the reagent line carries/transports a reagent that is capable of reacting with a component of the sample coming from sample line to form a reaction product; a conical vial enclosure comprising a vial top cap that includes a vial top cap port fluidly connected to a port of the multi-position stream selection device, a vial block positioned below the vial top cap, wherein the vial block comprises a plurality of vial holes wherein each vial is configured to receive an enclosed conical vial; wherein the enclosed conical vial is in fluid communication with the vial top cap port; wherein the enclosed conical vial is configured to facilitate mixing of the two or more fluids within the enclosed conical vial. The two or more fluids to be mixed comprises a sample coming from the sample line and a reagent coming from the reagent line within the enclosed conical vial.
In an embodiment, a detector is in fluid communication with the multi-position stream-selection device, for generating a signal indicative of some parameter/property of the mixed fluid and thus, the detector is capable of performing a fluid mixture test.
In an embodiment, a controller is operatively connected to the multi-position stream-selection device and the fluid pumping device, and the controller is constructed and arranged for automatic control of fluid flow between the multi-position stream-selection device, the fluid pumping device, the sample line, and the reagent line.
In an embodiment, a pair of holding coils is in a fluid connection between the fluid pumping device and the multi-position stream-selection device; wherein the pair of holding coils includes interior passageways forming a portion of the fluid path in the sequential injection sample analysis system.
In an embodiment, the vial block comprises a temperature control unit to control the temperature in the vial block, wherein the temperature control unit comprises a heating element configured to provide heat to the enclosed conical vial and a temperature sensing unit configured to detect the temperature of the enclosed conical vial.
In an embodiment, the vial block comprises a viewing window to allow analysts to visually observe the fluid contents in the enclosed conical vial.
Embodiments of the present invention further discloses a sequential injection sample analysis system comprising:-a first fluid pumping device configured for aspirating and dispensing fluids; a second fluid pumping device configured for aspirating and dispensing fluids; a first multi-position stream selection device in fluid communication with the first fluid pumping device, wherein the first multi-position stream selection device comprises a plurality of ports, and each of the port is in in fluid communication with a fluid line; a second multi-position stream selection device in fluid communication with the second fluid pumping device, wherein the first multi-position stream selection device comprises a plurality of ports, and each of the port is in in fluid communication with a fluid line; wherein the fluid line comprises a sample line in fluid communication with a port of the at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device and the second multi-position stream selection device, wherein the sample line carries/transports a sample; wherein the fluid line further comprises a reagent line in fluid communication with a port of the at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device and the second multi-position stream selection device, wherein the reagent line carries/transports a reagent that is capable of reacting with a component of the sample coming from sample line to form a reaction product; a conical vial enclosure comprising a vial top cap that includes a vial top cap port fluidly connected to a port of the first multi-position stream selection device, a vial bottom cap that includes a plurality of vial bottom cap ports fluidly connected to a port of the second multi-position stream selection device, and a vial block that is positioned between the vial top cap and the vial bottom cap;, wherein the vial block comprises a plurality of vial holes wherein each vial hole is configured to receive an enclosed conical vial; wherein the enclosed conical vial is in fluid communication with the vial top cap port and the vial bottom cap port, wherein the enclosed conical vial is configured to facilitate mixing of the two or more fluids within the enclosed conical vial. The two or more fluids to be mixed comprises a sample coming from the sample line and a reagent coming from the reagent line within the enclosed conical vial.
In an embodiment, a solvent line is in fluid communication with at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device and the second multi-position stream selection device, for dissolving or diluting the reagent coming from the reagent line.
In an embodiment, the first fluid pumping device and the second fluid pumping device are bi-directional syringe pumps.
In an embodiment, a detector is in fluid communication with the at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device and the second multi-position stream selection device, for generating a signal indicative of some parameter/property of the mixed fluid and thus, the detector is capable of performing a fluid mixture test.
In an embodiment, a controller is operatively connected to the first multi-position stream selection device, the second multi-position stream selection device, the first fluid pumping device and the second fluid pumping device, and constructed and arranged for automatic control of fluid flow between the first multi-position stream selection device, the second multi-position stream selection device, the first fluid pumping device, the second fluid pumping device, the sample line, and the reagent line.
In an embodiment, a pair of holding coils is in a fluid connection between the first fluid pumping device and the first multi-position stream-selection device; wherein the pair of holding coils includes interior passageways forming a portion of the fluid path in the sequential injection sample analysis system; and a third holding coil is in fluid connection between the second fluid pumping device and the second multi-position stream-selection device; wherein the third holding coil includes interior passageways forming a portion of the fluid path in the sequential injection sample analysis system.
In an embodiment, a mixing tee connector is arranged in a fluid line.
In an embodiment, a first sealing ring is positioned between the enclosed conical vial and the vial top cap; and a second sealing ring is positioned between the enclosed conical vial and the vial bottom cap.
In an embodiment, the vial block comprises a temperature control unit to control the temperature in the vial block, wherein the temperature control unit comprises a heating element configured to provide heat to the enclosed conical vial and a temperature sensing unit configured to detect the temperature of the enclosed conical vial.
In an embodiment, the vial block comprises a viewing window to allow analysts to visually analyze the fluid contents in the enclosed conical vial.
A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout the figures, and
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention.
Referring now to
The first fluid pumping device 110 and the second fluid pumping device 110′ are similar in design and thus, the first fluid pumping device 110 will only be described for sake of simplicity. The first fluid pumping device 110 is configured for aspirating fluids as well as dispensing various fluids using the first fluid pumping device 110. In an embodiment, the first fluid pumping device 110 is a bi-directional multi-channel syringe pump 110 known in the prior art and sold by various merchandises under various product names such as but not limited to Tecan Cavro Syringe pump. The syringe pump 110 includes a reciprocating piston 111 positioned within a syringe housing 112 as shown in
In an embodiment (not shown in figures), the syringe pump 110 includes an integrated electric rotary valve (not shown in figures) electrically controlled by the controller (not shown in figures) wherein the integrated electric rotary valve (not shown in figures) is configured to fluidly connect a channel port 113 selected from the plurality of channel ports 113 to any other channel port 113 selected from the plurality of channel ports 113.
The first multi-position stream selection device 120 is in fluid communication with the first fluid pumping device 110, wherein the first multi-position stream selection device 120 comprises a plurality of ports 122, and each of the ports 122 is in fluid communication with a fluid line 130. The second multi-position stream selection device 120′ is in fluid communication with the second fluid pumping device 110′. The second multi-position stream selection device 120′ comprises a plurality of ports 122, and each of the port 122 is in fluid communication with a fluid line 130.
The first multi-position stream selection device 120 and the second multi-position stream selection device 120′ are similar in design and thus, the first multi-position stream selection device 120 will only be described for sake of simplicity. The first multi-position stream selection device 120 is a multi-position selection valve 120 known in the prior art and sold by various merchandises under various product names such as but not limited to: Valco selector multi-position valves. In alternate embodiments, other stream selection devices other than a multi-position selection valve could be used. The plurality of ports 122 are further designated/categorized as a single central port 122A and a plurality of outer ports 122B that are arranged in a circle around the central port 122A such that the plurality of ports 122 includes a single central port 122A and a plurality of outer ports 122B. The plurality of fluid lines 130 comprises a primary fluid line 130A that is in fluid communication with the central port 122A. The primary fluid line 130A is configured to fluidly connect the first multi-position stream selection device 120 with at least one of the holding coils 180. The multi-position selection valve 120 comprises a rotational switch 122C that can be rotated to select one of the surrounding outer ports 122B. In this way, fluids can be accessed from one of the surrounding outer ports 122B via the central port 122A or pumped from the central port 122A to one of the surrounding outer ports 122B. In
In another embodiment (not shown in figures), the primary fluid line 130A is in fluid communication with the outer port 122B selected from one of the surrounding outer ports 122B.
In an embodiment, the plurality of fluid lines 130 comprises a sample line 132 that is in fluid communication with an outer port 122B of the at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device 120 and the second multi-position stream selection device 120′, wherein the sample line 132 carries/transports a sample wherein the sample could be fed from a sample source (not shown in figures). The plurality of fluid lines 130 further comprises a reagent line 134 that is in fluid communication with an outer port 122B of the at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device 120 and the second multi-position stream selection device 120′, wherein the reagent line 134/transports a reagent wherein the reagent could be fed from a reagent source (not shown in figures). The reagent is capable of reacting with a component of the sample coming from sample line 132 to form a reaction product. The plurality of fluid lines 130 further comprises a solvent line 136 that is in fluid communication with the at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device 120 and the second multi-position stream selection device 120′, for dissolving or diluting the reagent coming from reagent line 134. It should be understood that each of the fluid line 130 is not shown in figures for ease of understanding and avoiding repetition/duplicity in figures, and only some fluid line 130 are shown in figures.
In another embodiment (not shown in figures), the plurality of fluid lines 130 includes a plurality of sample lines 132, a plurality of reagent lines 134, and a plurality of solvent lines 136. This configuration allows for multiple fluid mixture tests related to some parameter/property of fluid mixture to be conducted simultaneously.
It should be understood that the term “plurality of fluid lines” designated as 130 includes any number of flow paths that carry/transport any fluid inside/outside/within the sequential injection sample analysis system 100. In other words, the plurality of fluid lines 130 includes a plurality of flow paths carrying/transporting fluids such as samples, reagents, washing liquids, elution buffers, solvents, and so on. Further, the plurality of fluid lines 130 could include fluid mixtures of at least any two of the above-mentioned fluids and/or combinations and so on. Further, the plurality of fluid lines 130 includes waste carrying/transporting fluid paths/ports and so on. Further, it should be understood that the term “fluid mixture” includes at least two fluids wherein the fluids could include but not limited to: samples, reagents, washing liquids, elution buffer, solvents and so on. Further, the fluids could have any chemical/physical composition known in the art. In a preferred embodiment as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In another embodiment (not shown in figures), each of the vial hole 151 selected from the plurality of vial holes 151 has a top opening 151A that corresponds to the open top end of the enclosed conical vial 152 as well as a bottom opening 151B that corresponds to the open bottom end of the enclosed conical vial 152. Further, it should be obvious that the number of vial holes 151 could further be changed (more or less than four) depending on the overall requirements of the human analyst.
In an embodiment as shown in
In an embodiment as shown in
The vial block 150 further comprises a viewing window 155, which is made of a substantially transparent material to allow a human analyst to visually analyze the fluid contents in the enclosed conical vial 152.
Referring back to
In an embodiment, as shown in
Further, two mixing tee connectors 190A, and 190B are arranged in fluid lines 130. The mixing tee connector 190B allows an enclosed conical vial 152 to be accessed in two different ways. As an example, one branch of the mixing tee connector 190B can have a straight connection to the first fluid pumping device 110. This allows the first fluid pumping device 110 to dose fluids directly to the enclosed conical vial 152, with minimal dead volume between the enclosed conical vial 152 and the first fluid pumping device 110. The other branch of the mixing tee connector 190B is connected to a first multi-position stream selection device 120, so that the first fluid pumping device 110 can aspirate small volumes of fluids through the plurality of outer ports 122B of the first multi-position stream selection device 120 and dispense the fluid into the enclosed conical vial 152. The arrangement of the mixing tee connector 190A provides the option of selecting one of the pair of holding coils 180 and their associated channel ports 113.
A detector 170 is in fluid communication with the at least one of the first multi-position stream selection device 120 and the second multi-position stream selection device 120′, for generating a signal indicative of some parameter/property of the mixed fluid and thus, the detector 170 is capable of performing a fluid mixture test. The detector 170 could include but not be limited to: a LED-based photometer and so on. Further, it should be understood that the detector 170 could include any devices and transducers that make physical and/or chemical measurements related to fluid mixture.
In another embodiment (not shown in figures), the sequential injection sample analysis system 100 comprises multiple detectors 170, a plurality of samples and a plurality of reagents, thereby simultaneously performing more than one test.
The vial bottom cap 162 further includes a second sealing ring 166 that is positioned between the enclosed conical vial 152 and the vial bottom cap 162 to sealably connect the enclosed conical vial 152 and the vial bottom cap 162. Further, the vial bottom cap 162 comprises a second connector element 164 that sealably connects the vial bottom cap 162 with the fluid line 130. In an embodiment, the second connector element 164 includes a screw 164A that engages against internal helical threads of the plurality of vial bottom cap ports 163; and a ferrule 164B that ensures sealing of the plurality of vial bottom cap ports 163 against the fluid line 130.
In another embodiment (not shown in figures), the diameter of the vial top cap ports 143, the diameter of the plurality of vial bottom cap ports 163, and the diameter of the plurality of vial holes 151 are kept the same (equal) to ensure that the enclosed conical vials 152 of same volume can be enclosed in the conical vial enclosure 140.
Referring back to
An exemplary method of filling, emptying and washing of the enclosed conical vials 152 will now be described in reference to
Firstly, the first fluid pumping device 110 is enabled to fill an enclosed conical vial 152 with various fluids to be mixed, through the pair of holding coils 180 that connect the first fluid pumping device 110 to the first multi-position stream selection device 120 and the first multi-position stream selection device 120 to the enclosed conical vial 152.
The first fluid pumping device 110 can aspirate various fluids to be mixed from the plurality of channel ports 113 of the first fluid pumping device 110. Alternatively, the first fluid pumping device 110 pulls the various fluids to be mixed from the plurality of outer ports 122B of the first multi-position stream selection device 120. Pulling various fluids to be mixed from the plurality of outer ports 122B of the first multi-position stream selection device 120 has the advantage that various fluids to be mixed don't break through into the syringe of the first fluid pumping device 110 and thus “contaminate” it. Alternatively, the second fluid pumping device 110′ can aspirate the various fluids to be mixed from plurality of channel ports 113 of the second fluid pumping device 110′. Alternatively, the second fluid pumping device 110′ pulls the various fluids to be mixed from the plurality of outer ports 122B of the second multi-position stream selection device 120′. Pulling various fluids to be mixed from the plurality of outer ports 122B of the second multi-position stream selection device 120′ has the advantage that various fluids to be mixed don't break through into the syringe of the second fluid pumping device 110′ and thus “contaminate” it.
Once the various fluids to be mixed have been dosed into the enclosed conical vial 152, the syringe of at least one of the first fluid pumping device 110 and the second fluid pumping device 110′ goes through a series of short back-and-forth strokes that pull some fluid out of the enclosed conical vial 152 and push the fluid back in. Each time fluid is pushed in, the fluid hits the conical vial bottom of the enclosed conical vial 152, creating a turbulent flow pattern that mixes the various fluids in an efficient manner, thereby achieving homogeneous mixing of the fluids.
Afterwards, when a homogeneous mixture of fluids has been achieved, the fluid mixture may be left in the vial for incubation if a chemical reaction between the mixed fluid components is desired. If the reaction is sluggish at room temperature, it can be accelerated by programming the temperature control unit 157 of the vial block 150 to an elevated temperature. When the incubation time is up, the fluid mixture is aspirated out of the enclosed conical vial 152 either from the top end of the enclosed conical vial 152 using the first fluid pumping device 110 or the bottom end of the enclosed conical vial 152 by using the second fluid pumping device 110′.
Afterwards, the fluid mixture is then taken to the next step towards the detector 170 in the sample detection process. The detector 170 is configured to perform tests related to some parameter/property of mixed fluids depending upon the application of the sequential injection sample analysis system 100.
Afterwards, the enclosed conical vial 152 is washed. The first fluid pumping device 110 dispenses wash liquid to the enclosed conical vial 152. When the first fluid pumping device 110 is filling for the next stroke of wash liquid, the second fluid pumping device 110′ aspirates out the first wash through the bottom end of the enclosed conical vial 152. When the first fluid pumping device 110 delivers the next stroke of wash liquid into the enclosed conical vial 152, the second fluid pumping device 110′ can send the first wash liquid to waste through the bottom end of the enclosed conical vial 152. Broadly speaking, one fluid pumping device 110 fills the enclosed conical vial 152 with wash liquid while another fluid pumping device 110 drains the liquid from the enclosed conical vial 152. The ability of the two pumping devices to work “double duty” enables the the wash routine to be performed in an efficient manner.
Referring now to
Again, referring to
Thus, the sequential injection sample analysis system 100′ provides a simpler and cost-effective alternative solution for efficient filling, and homogeneous fluid mixing in the enclosed environment.
In another embodiment (not shown in figures), the present invention is related to a sequential injection sample analysis system 100″, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The sequential injection sample analysis system 100″ is similar to the sequential injection sample analysis system 100 shown in
The sequential injection sample analysis system 100″ comprises at least one fluid pumping device 110, at least one multi-position stream selection device 120 in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid lines 130, and a conical vial enclosure 140, a controller (not shown in figures) and at least one detector 170, wherein the at least one fluid pumping device 110, the at least one first multi-position stream selection device 120 in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid lines 130, the conical vial enclosure 140, the controller (not shown in figures) and the detector 170 are identically same to a first fluid pumping device 110, a first multi-position stream selection device 120 in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid lines 130, a conical vial enclosure 140, a controller (not shown in figures) and at least one detector 170 that are used in the embodiment shown in
Thus, the sequential injection sample analysis system 100″ provides a more simple and cost-effective alternative solution for efficient filling of enclosed conical vials 152, homogeneous mixing of fluids of enclosed conical vials 152 in an enclosed environment at the room temperature and emptying the fluid contents of the enclosed conical vials 152 and washing of the enclosed conical vial 152.
Further, it should be understood that the sequential injection sample analysis system (100, 100′, 100″) of the present invention is not limited to any particular size and shape. Further, the it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any construction material and construction/assembly methods. Broadly speaking, the sequential injection sample analysis system (100, 100′, 100″) could utilize/employ any construction/assembly methods such as but not limited to welding, screw-joining, riveting and so on; construction material such as but not limited to: metals, plastics and so on; shape such as cuboid, cylindrical and so on; and size known in art.
Finally, while the present invention has been described above with reference to various exemplary embodiments, many changes, combinations, and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the various components may be implemented in alternative ways. These alternatives can be suitably selected depending upon the particular application or in consideration of any number of factors associated with the operation of the device. In addition, the techniques described herein may be extended or modified for use with other types of devices. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
