# US 12,222,336 B2 · Sample introduction device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,336 B2 - Document ID: US12222336B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/641,679 - Filed: 2020-11-18 - Published: 2022-10-13 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-05 - Assignees: Shimadzu Corporation - Applicants: Shimadzu Corporation - Inventors: Akira Aono; Shota Hata; Naru Maruoka; Hideki Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222336B2 ## CPC - G01N 30/12: by evaporation - G01N 30/20: using a sampling valve - G01N 30/16: Injection (G01N30/24 takes precedence) - G01N 30/26: Conditioning of the fluid carrier; Flow patterns - G01N 30/88: Integrated analysis systems specially adapted therefor, not covered by a single one of the groups G01N30/04 - G01N30/86 - G01N 2030/201: {multiport valves, i.e. having more than two ports} - 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) ## Abstract A switching mechanism 110 can perform switching to a pressurized state in which gas is supplied from a pipe 203 to an insertion tube 101, or a derivation state in which gas in a head space 23 that is pressurized is derived from the insertion tube 101 to the pipe 207 via a collection unit 104. The switching mechanism 110 includes a discharge valve 103 that puts the insertion tube 101 and the pipe 207 into a non-communication state in the pressurized state and puts the insertion tube 101 and the pipe 207 into a communication state in the derivation state. A resistance pipe 206 supplies gas to a channel between the collection unit 104 and the discharge valve 103 in the derivation state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample introduction device comprising: an insertion tube inserted into a head space of a sample container; a gas supply pipe that can communicate with the insertion tube and pressurizes the head space to a predetermined pressure by supplying gas into the sample container via the insertion tube; a collection unit that can communicate with the insertion tube and collects a component in gas derived from the head space; a discharge pipe that can communicate with the insertion tube via the collection unit; and a plurality of valves configured to perform switching between a pressurized state in which gas is supplied from the gas supply pipe to the insertion tube and a derivation state in which gas in the head space that is pressurized is derived from the insertion tube to the discharge pipe via the collection unit, wherein the plurality of valves includes a discharge valve that puts the insertion tube and the discharge pipe into a non-communication state in the pressurized state, and puts the insertion tube and the discharge pipe into a communication state in the derivation state, the sample introduction device further comprising: an additional channel for supplying gas to a channel formed by the gas supply pipe or a pipe that connects the gas supply pipe to the discharge pipe between the collection unit and the discharge valve in the derivation state, wherein the plurality of valves includes an introduction valve, the additional channel supplies gas to the channel between the collection unit and the discharge valve at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure and higher than a pressure inside the discharge pipe, and the additional channel branches from the gas supply pipe on an upstream side of the introduction valve and merges with the gas supply pipe on a downstream side of the introduction valve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sample introduction device according to claim 1, wherein the additional channel includes a resistance pipe branched from the gas supply pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sample introduction device according to claim 2, wherein an additional valve in addition to the plurality of valves, the additional valve capable of opening and closing the resistance pipe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sample introduction device according to claim 3, further comprising: a switching control unit that controls operation of the plurality of valves, wherein the switching control unit sets a pressurization maintenance state by putting the resistance pipe into a closed state with the additional valve in a state where supply of gas from the gas supply pipe to the insertion tube is stopped after the pressurized state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sample introduction device according to claim 4, further comprising: a gas leakage detection unit that detects gas leakage from a pressurized channel in the pressurization maintenance state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sample introduction device according to claim 5, further comprising: a notification processing unit that notifies detection of gas leakage in a case where the gas leakage is detected by the gas leakage detection unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sample introduction device according to claim 1, wherein the collection unit is arranged in a heating region, and the discharge valve is arranged outside the heating region. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The sample introduction device according to claim 7, wherein the additional channel communicates with the channel formed by the gas supply pipe or a pipe that connects the gas supply pipe to the discharge pipe between the collection unit and the discharge valve in the heating region. ### Claim 9 A sample introduction device comprising: an insertion tube inserted into a head space of a sample container; a gas supply pipe that can communicate with the insertion tube and pressurizes the head space to a predetermined pressure by supplying gas into the sample container via the insertion tube; a collection unit that can communicate with the insertion tube and collects a component in gas derived from the head space; a discharge pipe that can communicate with the insertion tube via the collection unit; and a plurality of valves configured to perform switching between a pressurized state in which gas is supplied from the gas supply pipe to the insertion tube and a derivation state in which gas in the head space that is pressurized is derived from the insertion tube to the discharge pipe via the collection unit, wherein the plurality of valves includes a discharge valve that puts the insertion tube and the discharge pipe into a non-communication state in the pressurized state, and puts the insertion tube and the discharge pipe into a communication state in the derivation state, the sample introduction device further comprising: an additional channel for supplying gas to a channel formed by the gas supply pipe or a pipe that connects the gas supply pipe to the discharge pipe between the collection unit and the discharge valve in the derivation state, wherein the additional channel supplies gas to the channel between the collection unit and the discharge valve at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure and higher than a pressure inside the discharge pipe, and the additional channel includes a resistance pipe branched from the gas supply pipe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sample introduction device according to claim 9, wherein an additional valve in addition to the plurality of valves, the additional valve capable of opening and closing the resistance pipe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sample introduction device according to claim 10, further comprising: a switching control unit that controls operation of the plurality of valves, wherein the switching control unit sets a pressurization maintenance state by putting the resistance pipe into a closed state with the additional valve in a state where supply of gas from the gas supply pipe to the insertion tube is stopped after the pressurized state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sample introduction device according to claim 11, further comprising: a gas leakage detection unit that detects gas leakage from a pressurized channel in the pressurization maintenance state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sample introduction device according to claim 12, further comprising: a notification processing unit that notifies detection of gas leakage in a case where the gas leakage is detected by the gas leakage detection unit. ### Claim 14 A sample introduction device comprising: an insertion tube inserted into a head space of a sample container; a gas supply pipe that can communicate with the insertion tube and pressurizes the head space to a predetermined pressure by supplying gas into the sample container via the insertion tube; a collection unit that can communicate with the insertion tube and collects a component in gas derived from the head space; a discharge pipe that can communicate with the insertion tube via the collection unit; and a plurality of valves configured to perform switching between a pressurized state in which gas is supplied from the gas supply pipe to the insertion tube and a derivation state in which gas in the head space that is pressurized is derived from the insertion tube to the discharge pipe via the collection unit, wherein the plurality of valves includes a discharge valve that puts the insertion tube and the discharge pipe into a non-communication state in the pressurized state, and puts the insertion tube and the discharge pipe into a communication state in the derivation state, the sample introduction device further comprising: an additional channel for supplying gas to a channel formed by the gas supply pipe or a pipe that connects the gas supply pipe to the discharge pipe between the collection unit and the discharge valve in the derivation state, wherein the additional channel supplies gas to the channel between the collection unit and the discharge valve at a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure and higher than a pressure inside the discharge pipe, the collection unit is arranged in a heating region, and the discharge valve is arranged outside the heating region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sample introduction device according to claim 14, wherein the additional channel communicates with the channel formed by the gas supply pipe or a pipe that connects the gas supply pipe to the discharge pipe between the collection unit and the discharge valve in the heating region.