Device for solid phase extraction and method for purifying samples prior to analysis
AssigneeWaters Investments Limited
InventorsRaymond P. Fisk, Pamela Carmen Iraneta, Yuri Tuvim, Edouard S. P. Bouvier, Jonathan Belanger, Martin Gilar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solid phase extraction (SPE) device having a reservoir with an opening; a well comprising an internally tapered wall, the well having a wider interior diameter at an end closest to the opening than at an exit spout; a first filter within the well; a bed of sorbent particles within the well below the first filter; and a second filter having a diameter smaller than the first filter within the well below the bed of sorbent particles and above the exit spout is provided. A method of performing SPE using the device is also provided.
Claims18
A method of providing for a range of sorbent masses within a solid phase extraction device comprising:
- providing an solid phase extraction device comprising a reservoir with an opening for receiving fluids;
- a well comprising an internally tapered wall, the well having a wider interior diameter at a first end closest to the reservoir than at a second end close to an exit spout, the well for conducting an extraction;
- an exit spout at the second end of the well for discharging fluids;
- a first filter press sealed between the internally tapered walls of the well for retaining insoluble components of the fluids;
- a second filter having a smaller diameter than the first filter press-sealed between the internally tapered walls of the well spaced apart and toward the exit spout from the first filter;
- a quantity of sorbent particles partial filing the volume in the well between the first and second filters;
- and a void volume between the quantity of sorbent particles and the first filter for separating the quantity of sorbent particles from the first filter;
- and
- adjusting the filter diameters whereby the filters settle in different positions within the tapered well.
A method of separating a target substance from interfering components in a sample medium comprising:
- providing an solid phase extraction device (SPE) comprising a reservoir with an opening for receiving fluids;
- a well comprising an internally tapered wall, the well having a wider interior diameter at a first end closest to the reservoir than at a second end close to an exit spout, the well for conducting an extraction;
- an exit spout at the second end of the well for discharging fluids;
- a first filter press sealed between the internally tapered walls of the well for retaining insoluble components of the fluids;
- a second filter having a smaller diameter than the first filter press-sealed between the internally tapered walls of the well spaced apart and toward the exit spout from the first filter;
- a quantity of sorbent particles partial filing the volume in the well between the first and second filters;
- and a void volume between the quantity of sorbent particles and the first filter for separating the quantity of sorbent particles from the first filter;
- and
- substantially isolating a target substance using the solid phase extraction device.
A method of making an extraction device comprising:
- providing a housing having a reservoir with an opening for receiving fluids and a well having a wall that tapers at an included angle of between 1 and 30° with an exit spout at a narrow end of the well and an opening at a wide end of the well, the well including a lower diameter of an inverted conical frustum that provides a specified aspect ratio when a selected volume of sorbent particles are placed in the well at that lower diameter;
- placing a smaller spherical filter with a diameter equal to the lower diameter in the well;
- placing the selected volume of sorbent particles in the well;
- and
- placing a larger spherical filter, with a diameter sufficiently large to position it above a void volume above the volume of sorbent particles, in the well.
A method of making an extraction device comprising:
- providing a housing having a reservoir with an opening for receiving fluids and a well having a wall that tapers at an included angle of between 1 and 30° with an exit spout at a narrow end of the well and an opening at a wide end of the well, the well including the lower diameter of an inverted conical frustum that provides a specified aspect ratio when a selected volume of sorbent particles are placed in the well at that lower diameter;
- press sealing a spherical filter with a diameter equal to the lower diameter in the well;
- placing the volume of sorbent particles in the well;
- and
- press sealing a second spherical filter, with a diameter sufficiently large to position it above a void volume above the volume of sorbent particles, in the well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.