Cartridge system for effecting sample acquisition and introduction
First Claim
1. A device for performing sample acquisition and introduction of a selectable quantity of an acquired sample to a carrier fluid stream in an analytical instrument, comprising:
- a reservoir for reserving a quantity of the sample;
a sipper section having a nozzle for inserting an exposed orifice extending therefrom into the sample;
a pump for forcing the quantity of the sample through the nozzle and into the reservoir;
a metering section having a selectably operable motive force unit and a metering unit, for withdrawing a sample quantity to be analyzed from the reservoir and for causing the withdrawn sample quantity to be metered into at least one discrete sample quantity of selectable volume;
a vaporization section having a vaporizing chamber for receiving the discrete sample quantity; and
a pneumatic connector which is connected to the vaporization chamber and adapted for insertion into the carrier fluid stream of the instrument, whereby the vaporization chamber being pneumatically coupled on demand to the carrier fluid stream whereby the discrete sample components are introduced to the carrier fluid stream so as to effect a sample component/carrier fluid mixture.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for performing sample acquisition and introduction of a selectable quantity of the acquired sample to associated device such as an analytical instrument. The preferred embodiment of a the device includes a reservoir for reserving a quantity of sample, a sipper section having a nozzle for inserting an exposed orifice extending therefrom into a sample aggregation, a pump for forcing a quantity of sample from the sample aggregation through the nozzle and into the reservoir, a metering section having a selectably operable motive force unit and a metering unit for withdrawing a sample quantity to be analyzed from the reservoir and for causing the withdrawn sample quantity to be metered into at least one discrete sample quantity of selectable volume, a vaporization section having a vaporizing chamber for receiving the discrete sample quantity and a vaporizer for optionally causing the volatile components of the discrete sample quantity to be volatilized, and an interface which is connected to the vaporization chamber and adapted for insertion into the carrier fluid stream of the instrument. The vaporization chamber may be pneumatically coupled on demand to a carrier fluid stream whereby the metered or volitalized sample components may be rapidly introduced to the carrier fluid stream so as to effect a sample component/carrier fluid mixture.
143 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for performing sample acquisition and introduction of a selectable quantity of an acquired sample to a carrier fluid stream in an analytical instrument, comprising:
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a reservoir for reserving a quantity of the sample; a sipper section having a nozzle for inserting an exposed orifice extending therefrom into the sample; a pump for forcing the quantity of the sample through the nozzle and into the reservoir; a metering section having a selectably operable motive force unit and a metering unit, for withdrawing a sample quantity to be analyzed from the reservoir and for causing the withdrawn sample quantity to be metered into at least one discrete sample quantity of selectable volume; a vaporization section having a vaporizing chamber for receiving the discrete sample quantity; and a pneumatic connector which is connected to the vaporization chamber and adapted for insertion into the carrier fluid stream of the instrument, whereby the vaporization chamber being pneumatically coupled on demand to the carrier fluid stream whereby the discrete sample components are introduced to the carrier fluid stream so as to effect a sample component/carrier fluid mixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An analytical instrument for performing an analysis of a sample, comprising:
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a carrier fluid source in the analytical instrument for providing a controlled fluid stream of carrier fluid; a sample acquisition and introduction device for performing sample acquisition and introduction of a selectable quantity of an acquired sample in the carrier fluid stream, including; a reservoir for reserving a quantity of the sample; a sipper section having a nozzle for inserting an exposed orifice extending therefrom into the sample; a pump for forcing the quantity of the sample through the nozzle and into the reservoir; a metering section having a selectably operable motive force unit and a metering unit, for withdrawing a sample quantity to be analyzed from the reservoir and for causing the withdrawn sample quantity to be metered into at least one discrete sample quantity of selectable volume; a vaporization section having a vaporizing chamber for receiving the discrete sample quantity; and a pneumatic connector which is connected to the vaporization chamber and adapted for insertion into the carrier fluid stream of the instrument, whereby the vaporization chamber being pneumatically coupled on demand to the carrier fluid stream, and whereby the discrete sample quantity is introduced to the carrier fluid stream so as to effect a sample/carrier fluid mixture; and an interface for receiving the carrier fluid stream and the pneumatic connector for coupling the vaporization chamber to the carrier fluid stream so as to provide the sample/carrier fluid mixture. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification