Apparatus for efficient liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry processing
OwnerThierry Le Bihaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A chromatographic apparatus includes at least one sample preparation stage with a plurality of individually mounted separation columns, that can have a common pressurizable header at the column input side for parallel sample preparation. The column output side can be releasably connected to a mass spectrometer input operating, for example, with ESI. The sample preparation stage is moveable in at least one direction for sequential processing of the columns by the mass spectrometer. Sample preparation and analysis can be automatically controlled.
Claims28
A mass spectrometer-coupled chromatographic apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least one sample preparation stage having a plurality of individually mounted separation columns, with each of the separation columns having first and second connecting elements disposed at respective ends of the separation column, said first connecting elements of the separation columns connectable to a header adapted to drive a content representing a sample and/or a solute through the respective separation column, and
- (b) a mass spectrometer located in a sample analysis area and having an input coupling adapted to receive a column effluent for analysis,
- wherein the sample preparation stage is moveable in at least one direction for releasably connecting the second connecting elements of the separation columns sequentially to the input coupling of the mass spectrometer.
A mass spectrometer-coupled chromatographic apparatus comprising:
- (a) a plurality of sample preparation stages located in a sample preparation staging area, each stage having a plurality of individually mounted separation columns, each of the separation columns having first and second connecting elements disposed at respective first and second ends of the separation column, said first connecting element of the separation column connectable to a header adapted to drive a content representing a sample and/or a solute through the respective separation column, said second connecting element of the separation column connectable to a capillary line for eluting the content to a MALDI plate,
- (b) a transport device for transporting a respective one of the MALDI plates from the sample preparation staging area to a sample analysis area, and
- (c) a mass spectrometer located in the sample analysis area and having an input adapted to receive the MALDI plates for analysis.
An arrayed chromatography device comprising a plurality of individually mounted chromatography columns, with each of the chromatography columns having first and second connecting elements disposed at respective ends of the chromatography column, said first connecting elements of the chromatography columns connectable to a header adapted to drive a content representing a sample and/or a solute through the respective chromatography column, which columns are dimensioned to operate under nanoflow conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.