WO2002034379A1

WO2002034379A1 - Device and method for carrying out solid phase extractions

Info

Publication number: WO2002034379A1
Application number: PCT/CH2001/000619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf GÜLLER; Josef Schröer; Franz Metzger; Séraphin MUNCH; Philippe Jablonski
Original assignee: Chemspeed Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-10-25
Filing date: 2001-10-16
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: AU2001293604A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for carrying out solid phase extractions, comprising a solid phase extraction column holder (1) and a liquid collector (2) disposed downstream thereof. The solid phase extraction column holder (1) and the liquid collector (2) can be displaced relative each other between a first relative position and a second relative position in such a way that during solid phase extraction, during which solid phase extraction columns (3) are disposed in the solid phase extraction column holder (1), in the first relative position liquid from the solid phase extraction columns (3) reaches, via first inlets (22), first receptacles (21) of the liquid collector (2), and in the second relative position liquid from the solid phase extraction columns (3) reaches, via second inlets (24), a second receptacle in the form of a trough (23). A plurality of second inlets (24) is disposed between and next to the first inlets (22). The first and second inlets are set off from one another in a regular pattern. The inventive design provides for a relatively short path of displacement of the solid phase extraction column holder between the first relative position and the second relative position.

Description

Device for carrying out solid phase extractions

The present invention relates to a device for carrying out solid phase extractions, as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1.

In solid phase extraction, substances are separated by extracting certain constituents from mixtures of substances using suitable solvents. It is used, for example, to clean samples or to enrich traces of certain components. In the case of solid-phase substance mixtures, the substance mixture can be arranged, for example, in a solid-phase extraction column which has an opening at the top and bottom. A suitable solvent can then be poured in at the top, which then penetrates the mixture of substances and emerges again from the solid phase extraction column at the bottom. Certain components are released from the mixture of substances and emerge from the solid phase extraction column together with the solvent. Either the mixture of substances remaining in the solid phase extraction column or the detached components or both can then be used further. Depending on the substance mixture and the desired result, a single solvent, several solvents in succession or a solvent mixture are added to the substance mixture.

If the mixture of substances is in the liquid state, it is fed to a solid phase extraction column which contains a solid phase sorbent. The desired highlight Components are then dissolved as described above using suitable solvents.

In order to carry out a larger number of solid phase extractions per unit of time, several can be carried out in parallel and at least partially automated.

A device specially designed for the automated implementation of solid phase extractions is sold by Gilson SA, France, under the brand ASPEC ". It comprises in a housing a solid phase extraction column holder and a liquid absorption device arranged underneath it. The solid phase extraction column holder is opposite to that Liquid absorption device can be displaced between a first position and a second position, wherein when performing solid phase extractions, during which solid phase extraction columns are arranged in the solid phase extraction column holder, in the first position liquid from the solid phase extraction columns via first inlets into first receiving vessels of the liquid absorption device and in the second position liquid from the solid phase extraction columns into a

Trough of the liquid intake device arrives. The first receptacles are located completely next to the trough, so that on the one hand the space requirement is relatively large and on the other hand the displacement of the solid phase extraction column holder from the first position to the second position and vice versa of the solid phase extraction column holder covers a relatively long way ,

In view of the disadvantages associated with the previously known device described above, the invention is based on the following object. A device must be created for carrying out solid phase extractions of the type mentioned at the outset, which is comparatively compact and can be operated with minimal effort.

This object is achieved by the device according to the invention as defined in independent claim 1. Preferred design variants result from the dependent patent claims.

The essence of the invention consists in the following: A device for carrying out solid phase extractions comprises a solid phase extraction column holder and a liquid absorption device arranged underneath it. The solid-phase extraction column holder and the liquid-receiving device can be displaced relative to one another between a first mutual position and a second mutual position in such a way that liquid is carried out in the first mutual position when solid-phase extractions are carried out, during which solid-phase extraction column holders are arranged in the solid-phase extraction column holder from the solid phase extraction columns via first inlets into the first receptacle of the liquid absorption device and, in the second mutual position, liquid from the solid phase extraction columns via at least one second inlet into at least one second receptacle of the liquid absorption device. According to the invention, a large number of second inlets are present between and in addition to the first inlets and the first and second inlets are arranged regularly offset from one another.

By not only having a second inlet that is completely next to the first inlets, Instead, a large number of second inlets are arranged between and next to the first inlets at regular intervals, the displacement path of the solid-phase extraction column holder and / or the liquid absorption device between the first mutual position and the second mutual position is many times smaller. In addition, a comparatively powerful liquid absorption device takes up a significantly smaller area.

In a preferred embodiment variant of the device according to the invention, a second inlet is arranged in each case between two diagonally adjacent first inlets and on an edge side in each case diagonally next to a first inlet there and the solid phase extraction column holder and the liquid absorption device can be displaced diagonally to one another. The space between the first doors is optimally used.

In another advantageous embodiment variant, a second inlet is arranged in each case between two first inlets arranged next to one another and on the edge side in each case next to a first inlet there, and the solid phase extraction column holder and the liquid absorption device can be displaced parallel to one another. This

An embodiment variant has the advantage of the parallel-phase displacement of the solid-phase extraction column holder and the liquid absorption device, which is easier to implement.

The first receptacles are advantageously open Containers, preferably made of glass, which are used in blind holes in the liquid absorption device. This enables the production of liquid absorbing devices from plastic, even if the solvents and substances used are incompatible with them, and makes cleaning the first receptacle easier.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the at least one second receptacle is arranged below the first receptacle. The device thus requires a relatively small area.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the second receptacle is a trough for receiving the liquids from all the second inlets, the trough preferably having a drain. Liquid that is no longer required can be collected and discharged centrally with the tub.

An alternative device has a plurality of second receptacles in the form of open-topped containers, preferably made of glass, which are inserted in blind holes in the liquid receiving device. This special design of the second receptacle, like the correspondingly designed first receptacle, enables the production of liquid absorbing devices from plastic, even if the solvents and substances used are not compatible with them, and facilitates cleaning of the second receptacle.

Advantageously, at least some, preferably all, of the pocket holes have a bottom with an air hole. The air rather facilitate the insertion of the receptacles, since the displaced air can escape through them.

The liquid receiving device is preferably arranged in a stationary manner in a housing and the solid-phase extraction column holder can be displaced with respect to this housing, two parallel rods advantageously being attached to the housing, on which the solid-phase extraction column holder can be guided.

The device according to the invention for carrying out solid phase extractions is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using three exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention for carrying out solid phase extractions with a trough as a second receptacle in a view from the front with the front housing wall removed;

Fig. 2 - the device of Fig. 1 in a side view with the lateral housing wall removed;

Fig. 3 - the device of Figure 1 in a sectional view from below along the line A-A;

Fig. 4 - the device of Figure 1 in a sectional view along the line BB. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention for carrying out solid-phase extractions with second receptacles in the form of relatively thick containers which are open at the top in a view from the front with the front housing wall removed;

FIG. 6 shows the device from FIG. 5 in a side view with the lateral housing wall removed;

Fig. 7 - the device of Figure 5 in a sectional view along the line C-C;

8 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention for carrying out solid-phase extractions with second receptacles in the form of relatively thin containers open at the top in a view from the front with the front housing wall removed;

Fig. 9 - the device of Fig. 8 in a side view with the side housing wall removed; and

Fig. 10 - the device of Fig. 8 in a sectional view along the line D-D.

First embodiment - Figures 1 to 4

In this first exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a liquid receiving device 2, which is arranged in a housing 4 forming a drawer. The housing 4 has a bottom 43, two Longitudinal walls 44 and 45, an oblique side wall 46, a vertical side wall 47 and over the oblique side wall 46 a cover plate 48. Between the two longitudinal walls 44, 45 two rods 41, 42 are screwed in parallel, which serve as a support and guide for a solid phase extraction column holder 1 serve.

The liquid absorption device 2, the base body of which is preferably cast from plastic, comprises blind holes 26 arranged at regular intervals, the bottom of which is each provided with an air hole 27. First receptacles 21 in the form of open-topped containers, preferably made of glass, which have first inlets 22 are inserted into the blind holes 26. 4, the first receptacles 21 have been omitted for the sake of illustration. A plurality of second inlets 24 are arranged between and next to the first inlets 22, specifically a second inlet 24 between two diagonally adjacent first inlets 22 or on an edge side diagonally next to a first inlet 22 there. The second inlets 24 lead to one The second receptacle in the form of a trough 23 with a drain 25 is arranged below the first receptacle 21. The liquid, in particular solvent, supplied from the second inlets 24 is collected in the trough 23 and then conducted away via the drain 25, the side wall 47 being part of this a drain opening 471 is provided.

The solid phase extraction column holder 1, the base body of which is also preferably cast from plastic, comprises continuous through-holes arranged at regular intervals Holes 11, into which solid-phase extraction columns 3 are inserted for solid-phase extraction, which are supported on the solid-phase extraction column holder 1 via their flange-like upper edge. Solid phase extraction columns 3 of the type shown are commercially available. The distances of the through holes 11 correspond on the one hand to the distances of the first inlets 22 and on the other hand to the distances of the second inlets 24, so that with a suitable positioning of the solid-phase extraction column holder 1 with respect to the liquid-receiving device 2, liquid from the solid-phase extraction columns 3 via the first inlets 22 into the first receptacle 21 and in another suitable positioning, liquid from the solid phase extraction columns 3 reaches the tub 23 via the second inlet ^η 24. Between the ^{'through-holes} 11, through holes 12 are arranged with smaller radii, which allow access to the second inlets 24, while the Festphasenextraktionssaulen 3 are positioned over the first admitting 22nd

The solid phase extraction column holder 1 rests on the bars 41, 42 fastened to the housing longitudinal walls 44, 45. To guide it, it is provided with a total of eight guide pins 13, each of which extends downwards in pairs on both sides of the rods 41, 42. On the ^rods' 41, 42 of the solid phase extraction column holder can 1 from a first position to a second position and moved back again, wherein in the first position, fluid from the Festphasenextraktionssaulen 3 leave via the first input 22 in the first Aufnahmegefasse 21 and in the two th position liquid from the solid phase extraction columns 3 passes through the second inlet 24 into the tub 23.

The following stipulation applies to the entire further description. If reference numerals are included in a figure for the sake of clarity in the drawing, but are not mentioned in the directly associated description text, reference is made to their explanation in the preceding description of the figures.

Second embodiment - Figures 5 to 7

In this second embodiment, the solid phase extraction column holder 1 corresponds to that of the first embodiment. In addition to the first receptacles 121 with first inlets 122 arranged in blind holes 126 with air holes 127, a liquid receiving device 102 includes a plurality of second receptacles 123 with second inlets 124 arranged below the first receptacle 121 in blind holes 125 with air holes 128. In FIG. 7, the first and second receptacles 121 and 123 omitted for reasons of illustration. The housing 104 receiving the liquid receiving device 102 with the rods 141, 142 for supporting and guiding the solid-phase extraction column holder 1 essentially corresponds to the housing 4 of the first exemplary embodiment, except that the side wall 147 has no drain opening.

Third exemplary embodiment - FIGS. 8 to 10

In this third exemplary embodiment, the solid-phase extraction column holder 1 again corresponds to that of the first embodiment and the housing 104 that of the second embodiment. In addition to the first receptacles 221 with first inlets arranged in blind holes 226 with air holes 227, a liquid receiving device 202 includes a plurality of second receptacles 223 with second inlets 224 arranged between the first receptacles 221 in blind holes 225 with air holes 228 first and second receptacles 221 and 223 omitted for the sake of illustration. The second recordings 223 have in

Compared to the first receptacles 221, for reasons of space, they have a much smaller diameter.

In addition to the above-described devices for carrying out solid phase extractions, other design variations can be implemented. It should also be expressly mentioned here that liquid absorption devices with receptacles integrated directly in the base body are also conceivable.

Claims

claims

1. Device for carrying out solid phase extractions, with a solid phase extraction column holder (1) and a liquid absorption device (2; 102; 202) arranged underneath it, the solid phase extraction column holder (1) and the liquid absorption device (2; 102; 202) are displaceable relative to one another between a first mutual position and a second mutual position such that when solid-phase extractions are carried out while the solid-phase extraction columns (1) are arranged in the solid-phase extraction column holder (1), liquid from the solid-phase extraction columns is in the first mutual position (3) via first inlets (22; 122; 222) into first receptacles (21; 121; 221) of the liquid absorption device (2; 102; 202) and in the second mutual position, liquid from the solid phase extraction columns (3) via at least one second inlet (24; 124; 224) in at least one second recording ss (23; 123; 223) of the liquid receiving means (2; 102; 202), characterized in that a large number of second inlets (24; 124; 224) are present between and next to the first inlets (22; 122; 222) and the first and second inlets are regularly arranged offset from one another.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in each case between two diagonally adjacent first inlets (22; 122; 222) and on an edge side in each case diagonally next to a first inlet (22; 122; 222) a second inlet (24; 124; 224) is arranged and the solid phase extraction column holder (1) and the liquid absorption device (2; 102; 202) can be moved diagonally to one another.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a second inlet is arranged between two first inlets arranged next to one another and on each side next to a first inlet there, and the solid phase extraction column holder and the liquid absorption device can be moved parallel to one another.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first receptacle

(21; 121; 221) are open-topped containers, preferably made of glass, which are inserted into blind holes (26; 126; 226) in the liquid receiving device (2; 102; 202).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one second receptacle (23; 123) is arranged below the first receptacle (21; 121).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second receptacle is a trough (23) for receiving the liquids from all second inlets (24), the trough (23) preferably having a drain (25).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a plurality of second receptacles (123; 223) in the form of open-topped containers, preferably made of glass, which in blind holes (125; 225) in the liquid receiving device (102; 202) are used.

8. The device according to claim 4 or 7, characterized in that at least some, preferably all, of the blind holes (26; 125, 126; 225, 226) have a bottom with an air hole (27; 127, 128; 227, 228).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the liquid receiving device (2; 102; 202) is arranged stationary in a housing (4; 104) and the solid phase extraction column holder (1) with respect to this housing (4th ; 104) can be moved.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that on the housing (4; 104) two parallel rods

Are attached, on which the solid-phase senextraktionssäulen-holder is displaceably guided (1); (141, _142, 41, 42).