Analyte concentrator system and methods of use

An analyte concentrator system, comprising:

• an analyte concentrator assembly, comprising:
• a first fluid inlet for receiving a fluid sample comprising an analyte;
• an analyte retention mechanism coupled with the first fluid inlet, the analyte retention mechanism including a first analyte concentrator column and a second analyte concentrator column, the first analyte concentrator column including a first ion exchange element adapted for binding ionic molecules, the second analyte concentrator column including a second ion exchange element adapted for binding ionic molecules, the analyte retention mechanism being configured to retain at least a portion of the analyte;
• a first fluid outlet for discharging an effluent of the fluid sample, the first fluid outlet being coupled with the analyte retention mechanism;
• a second fluid inlet for receiving an eluent, the analyte retention mechanism being coupled with the second fluid inlet so as to receive the eluent;
• and
• a second fluid outlet for discharging a concentrated analyte sample, the second fluid outlet being coupled with the analyte retention mechanism;
• and
• an eluent generation module including an eluent generating component, the eluent generating component including an electrolyte reservoir, an eluent generation chamber, and an ion exchange connector, the electrolyte reservoir separated from the eluent generation chamber by the ion exchange connector, the eluent generation module coupled with the first fluid outlet and with the second fluid inlet of the analyte concentrator assembly, the eluent generation module being configured to receive the discharged effluent and to generate the eluent from the discharged effluent, the eluent being substantially free of the analyte;
• wherein the analyte comprises at least one ionic molecule;
• and
• the first analyte concentrator column further comprises:
• an encircling side wall extending from a first end of the first analyte concentrator column to an opposing second end of the first analyte concentrator column, the side wall of the first analyte concentrator column at least partially bounding a first internal cavity, the first ion exchange element being disposed within the first internal cavity;
• a first opening disposed at the first end of the first analyte concentrator column and in fluid communication with the first internal cavity, the first opening being selectively fluid connectable with the first fluid inlet and with the second fluid outlet;
• and
• a second opening disposed at the second end of the first analyte concentrator column and in fluid communication with the first internal cavity, the second opening being selectively fluid connectable with the first fluid outlet and with the second fluid inlet,
• wherein the analyte concentrator assembly further comprises a fluid valve having a plurality of selectively connectable ports, the fluid valve being selectively configurable between a plurality of configurations to selectively connect at least some of the plurality of ports, the first fluid inlet comprising a first port of the plurality of ports, the first fluid outlet comprising a second port of the plurality of ports, the second fluid inlet comprising a third port of the plurality of ports, and the second fluid outlet comprising a fourth port of the plurality of ports,
• wherein in a first fluid valve configuration:
• the first opening is in fluid communication with the first port;
• fluid communication between the first opening and the fourth port is restricted;
• the second opening is in fluid communication with the second port;
• and
• fluid communication between the second opening and the third port is restricted, and
• wherein in a second fluid valve configuration:
• the first opening is in fluid communication with the fourth port;
• fluid communication between the first opening and the first port is restricted;
• the second opening is in fluid communication with the third port;
• and
• fluid communication between the second opening and the second port is restricted,
• wherein the fluid valve further comprises:
• a fifth port in fluid communication with the first opening, the fifth port being selectively fluid connectable with the first port and with the fourth port;
• and
• a sixth port in fluid communication with the second opening, the sixth port being selectively fluid connectable with the second port and with the third port,
• wherein in the first fluid valve configuration:
• the fifth port is in fluid communication with the first port;
• fluid communication between the fifth port and the fourth port is restricted;
• the sixth port is in fluid communication with the second port;
• and
• fluid communication between the sixth port and the third port is restricted, and
• wherein in a second fluid valve configuration:
• the fifth port is in fluid communication with the fourth port;
• fluid communication between the fifth port and the first port is restricted;
• the sixth port is in fluid communication with the third port;
• and
• fluid communication between the sixth port and the second port is restricted,
• wherein the analyte concentrator assembly further comprises:
• the second analyte concentrator column further comprising:
• an encircling side wall extending from a first end of the second analyte concentrator column to an opposing second end of the second analyte concentrator column, the side wall of the second analyte concentrator column at least partially bounding a second internal cavity, the second ion exchange element disposed within the second internal cavity;
• a third opening disposed at the first end of the second analyte concentrator column and in fluid communication with the second internal cavity;
• and
• a fourth opening disposed at the second end of the second analyte concentrator column and in fluid communication with the second internal cavity,
• the fluid valve further comprising:
• a seventh port in fluid communication with the third opening;
• an eighth port in fluid communication with the fourth opening;
• a ninth port;
• and
• a tenth port,
• the seventh port being selectively fluid connectable with the first port and with the ninth port, and
• the eighth port being selectively fluid connectable with the second port and with the third port,
• the tenth port being in fluid communication with the ninth port,
• wherein in the first fluid valve configuration:
• the seventh port is in fluid communication with the ninth port;
• fluid communication between the seventh port and the first port is restricted;
• the eighth port is in fluid communication with the third port;
• and
• fluid communication between the eighth port and the second port is restricted, and
• wherein in the second fluid valve configuration:
• the seventh port is in fluid communication with the first port;
• fluid communication between the seventh port and the ninth port is restricted;
• the eighth port is in fluid communication with the second port;
• and
• fluid communication between the eighth port and the third port is restricted.