Method and apparatus for determination of analyte concentration
First Claim
1. An apparatus for extracting analyte comprising:
- a pump mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure;
an extraction mechanism which receives N samples and extracts analyte from the N samples simultaneously, where N≧
2 and is an integer, said N samples separate and distinct from each other, said extraction mechanism connected to the pump mechanism to deliver solvent at supercritical pressure for extracting the analyte from the samples, said extraction mechanism having a first valve mechanism which controls which sample receives solvent at supercritical pressure from the pump, only one sample receiving solvent from the pump at any time; and
a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the samples, said collection mechanism receiving the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the samples from the extraction mechanism, said collection mechanism having a valving mechanism which directs the flow of solvent from the extraction mechanism and which stops the flow of solvent from the extraction mechanism so the solvent is held in the extraction mechanism to extract analyte, said valving mechanism connected to the extraction mechanism.
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for gathering analyte. The apparatus comprises a pumping mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure. The apparatus also comprises an extraction mechanism which receives a first sample and at least a second sample separate and distinct from the first sample and extract analyte from them essentially simultaneously. The extraction mechanism is connected to the pump mechanism to receive solvent at supercritical pressure for extracting the analyte from the samples. The apparatus additionally comprises a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the samples. The collection mechanism receives the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the samples from the extraction mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for extracting analyte. The method comprises the steps of pumping solvent at a supercritical pressure. Then there is the step of extracting analyte from N samples essentially simultaneously with the solvent at a supercritical pressure, where N is greater than or equal to two and is an integer. The N samples are separate and distinct from each other. Then there is the step of collecting the analyte of the N samples from the solvent.
25 Citations
77 Claims
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1. An apparatus for extracting analyte comprising:
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a pump mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure; an extraction mechanism which receives N samples and extracts analyte from the N samples simultaneously, where N≧
2 and is an integer, said N samples separate and distinct from each other, said extraction mechanism connected to the pump mechanism to deliver solvent at supercritical pressure for extracting the analyte from the samples, said extraction mechanism having a first valve mechanism which controls which sample receives solvent at supercritical pressure from the pump, only one sample receiving solvent from the pump at any time; anda collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the samples, said collection mechanism receiving the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the samples from the extraction mechanism, said collection mechanism having a valving mechanism which directs the flow of solvent from the extraction mechanism and which stops the flow of solvent from the extraction mechanism so the solvent is held in the extraction mechanism to extract analyte, said valving mechanism connected to the extraction mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for extracting analyte comprising the steps of:
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pumping solvent at a supercritical pressure; extracting analyte from N samples essentially simultaneously with the solvent at a supercritical pressure, where N≧
2 and is an integer, said N samples separate and distinct from each other;passing the solvent to a restrictor which reduces the solvent pressure to below supercritical pressure after the solvent has passed through a valve which controls the flow of solvent from the N samples; and collecting the analyte of the N samples from the solvent.
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14. A method for extracting analyte comprising the steps of:
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pumping solvent at a supercritical pressure; extracting analyte from N samples essentially simultaneously with the solvent at a supercritical pressure, where N≧
2 and is an integer, said N samples separate and distinct from each other;passing the solvent to a restrictor which reduces the solvent pressure to below supercritical pressure after the solvent has passed through a valve which controls the flow of solvent from the N samples; adjusting the restrictor automatically to avoid clogging in the restrictor; and collecting the analyte of the N samples from the solvent. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system for use with supercritical fluid extraction comprising:
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means for extracting analyte from a sample with supercritical fluid; means for collecting analyte from the fluid;
said collecting means in fluidic communication with the extracting means;means for providing desorbing solvent to the collecting means, said desorbent providing means in fluidic communication with the collecting means; an automated variable restrictor for controlling flow of fluid with analyte from the extracting means to the collecting means and reducing the pressure of the supercritical fluid from the extracting means to a pressure below supercritical pressure for the collecting means and for preventing clogging of the flow of fluid between the extracting means and the collecting means, said restrictor having a first port in fluidic communication with the extracting means, a second port in fluidic communication with the collecting means, and a third port in fluidic communication with the desorbing providing means; and a computer for automatically controlling the moving means, said computer in communication with the moving means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus for extracting analyte comprising:
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a pump mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure; an extraction mechanism which receives a sample and is connected to the pump mechanism to receive the solvent at supercritical pressure from the pump mechanism for extracting analyte from the sample; a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the sample, said collection mechanism receiving the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the sample from the extraction mechanism; a valving mechanism connecting the pumping mechanism and the collection mechanism with the extraction mechanism, said valving mechanism controlling the flow of the solvent to the extraction mechanism and providing solvent through the extraction mechanism at least twice in a static state and twice in the dynamic state; and an automated variable restrictor connected to the valving mechanism which reduces the solvent to below supercritical pressure and automatically adjusts to prevent being clogged, said restrictor connected also to the collection mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for gathering analyte comprising the steps of:
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flowing solvent at a supercritical pressure to a sample; holding the solvent at the sample for a predetermined time so analyte in the sample is gathered by the solvent; flowing the solvent away from the sample; reducing the supercritical pressure of the solvent to below supercritical pressure; collecting analyte from the solvent; flowing solvent at a supercritical pressure to the sample; holding the solvent at the sample for a predetermined time so analyte in the sample is gathered by the solvent; flowing the solvent away from the sample; reducing the supercritical pressure of the solvent to below supercritical pressure; and collecting analyte from the solvent. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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47. An apparatus for extracting analyte comprising:
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a pump mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure; an extraction mechanism which receives a sample, said extraction mechanism connected to the pump mechanism to receive the solvent at supercritical pressure from the pump mechanism for extracting analyte from the sample; a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the sample, said collection mechanism receiving the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the sample from the extraction mechanism; and a purge mechanism for removing moisture from the sample, said purge mechanism connected to the extraction mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. An apparatus for extracting analyte comprising:
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a pump mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure; an extraction mechanism which receives a sample, said extraction mechanism connected to the pump mechanism to receive the solvent at supercritical pressure from the pump mechanism for extracting analyte from the sample; a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the sample, said collection mechanism receiving the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the sample from the extraction mechanism; and a precooler system for cooling solvent for supercritical extraction prior to the solvent being pumped by the pumping mechanism, said precooler system connected to the pumping mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. An extraction mechanism for extracting analyte from a sample comprising:
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an extraction vessel which holds a sample; and a plunger assembly which holds the vessel and penetrates into the vessel to introduce and remove solvent from the vessel, said plunger assembly having a plunger which moves up and down to penetrate into and separate from the vessel; and a variable restrictor in fluid connection with the extraction vessel. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. An apparatus for extracting analyte comprising:
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a pump mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure; an extraction mechanism which receives N samples and extracts analyte from the N samples essentially simultaneously, where N≧
2 and is an integer, said N samples separate and distinct from each other, said extraction mechanism connected to the pump mechanism to deliver solvent at supercritical pressure for extracting the analyte from the samples, anda valving mechanism which controls the flow of solvent out of the extraction mechanism; and an automated variable restrictor connected to the valving mechanism which reduces the solvent to below supercritical pressure and automatically adjusts to prevent being clogged. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72)
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73. An extraction apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction comprising:
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an extraction vessel having at least one opening through which supercritical fluid flows; and a one-time use disposable seal dispersed over the one opening comprising a top layer having a hole for fluid to flow through, a middle layer which is porous in contact with the top layer, and a bottom layer having a hole for fluid to flow through in contact with the middle layer. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75)
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76. A method for supercritical fluid extraction comprising the steps of:
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placing a disposable seal comprising a top layer having a hole for fluid to flow through;
a middle layer which is porous in contact with the top layer; and
a bottom layer having a hole for fluid to flow through in contact with the middle layer over an opening of an extraction vessel, said extraction vessel having a sample in the extraction vessel;flowing supercritical fluid through the extraction vessel and the seal so it passes through the hole of the top layer, then the porous middle layer and then the hole of the bottom layer; and removing the disposable seal from the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (77)
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Specification