# US 12,000,806 B2 · Interface module for two-dimensional liquid chromatography

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- Number: US 12,000,806 B2
- Document ID: US12000806B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/733,218
- Filed: 2022-04-29
- Published: 2022-08-18
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-05
- Assignees: Waters Technologies Corporation
- Applicants: Waters Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: Sylvain Gilles Cormier; Charles H. Phoebe, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000806B2

## CPC

- G01N 30/20: using a sampling valve
- G01N 30/465: {with specially adapted interfaces between the columns}
- B01D 15/102: {Process control, e.g. determination or optimization of process parameters; Programmable logic control [PLC]}
- B01D 15/1878: {for multi-dimensional chromatography}
- G01N 30/463: {for multidimensional chromatography}
- G01N 35/00871: {Communications between instruments or with remote terminals}
- G01N 35/0092: {Scheduling}
- G01N 35/109: {with two horizontal degrees of freedom}
- G01N 35/1097: {characterised by the valves (valves in general F16K)}
- G01N 30/34: of fluid composition, e.g. gradient (G01N30/36 takes precedence)
- G01N 2030/027: {Liquid chromatography}
- G01N 2030/207: {with metering cavity, e.g. sample loop}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

Described are an interface module for two-dimensional chromatography and a method of performing a chromatographic separation that may use the interface module. The interface module includes a valve module, a collection needle, a modifier module and a sample storage element. The valve module has a first port configured to receive an eluent from a first chromatography system, a second port configured to provide a fraction obtained from the eluent, a third port and a fourth port. The collection needle and the modifier module are in fluidic communication with the valve module at the third and fourth ports, respectively. The modifier module includes a source of a modifier solvent. The sample storage element is in fluidic communication with the valve module and is configured to receive a volume of the fraction for injection as a sample into a second chromatography system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of performing a chromatographic separation, the method comprising:
providing an eluent of a first chromatography system through a valve module configurable in a plurality of valve states, the valve module being configured in a first valve state wherein the eluent is directed by the valve module into a collection path defined between the valve module and a collection vial to thereby dispense a fraction in the eluent into the collection vial;
configuring the valve module in a second valve state to direct a volume of a first solvent into the collection path so that a remainder of the fraction in the collection path is dispensed into the collection vial;
dispensing a second solvent through the collection path and into the collection vial to generate a modified sample;
drawing at least a portion of the modified sample from the collection vial into a sample storage element; and
configuring the valve module in a third valve state to direct a system flow of a second chromatography system through the sample storage element to thereby inject the modified sample into the second chromatography system.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the second solvent is one of a buffer solvent, a solvent having a pH that is different from a pH of the first solvent, and a diluent.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the first solvent and the second solvent are the same solvent.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the sample storage element is a sample loop.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein dispensing the second solvent further comprises changing the valve state of the valve module.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein drawing at least a portion of the modified sample further comprises changing the valve state of the valve module.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
configuring the valve module to the first state after an injection of the modified sample into the second chromatography system; and
repositioning the collection path to redirect the eluent of the first chromatography system through the collection path to dispense a different fraction in the eluent into a second collection vial.