Method and apparatus for sample deposition

A method of depositing multiple samples for analysis, the method comprising:

• a) flowing suitable eluants through respective multiple chromatographic columns, each column for separating a sample;
• b) discharging from the multiple chromatographic columns the eluants with eluted separated components of the samples, the eluants forming droplets at the discharge ends of the respective chromatographic columns;
• c) providing at least one suitable deposition surface spaced from the discharge ends of the chromatographic columns to receive the droplets;
• and
• d) applying a voltage to the deposition surface to pull the droplets to the deposition surface.

The method of depositing multiple sample for analysis, the method comprising:

• a) flowing suitable eluants through multiple chromatographic columns, each column for separating a sample;
• b) discharging from the multiple chromatographic columns the eluants with eluted separated components of the samples;
• c) nebulizing the discharged eluants;
• and
• d) depositing the nebulized eluants on at least one suitable deposition surface to produce chromatograms.

An apparatus to prepare a sample for analysis, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a chromatographic column to receive a sample with a suitable eluant;
• b) a pump to flow the eluant through the chromatographic column;
• c) a suitable deposition surface, the deposition surface spaced from a discharge end of the chromatographic column to receive a droplet formed at the end thereof by the flow of eluant through the chromatographic column;
• and
• d) a power supply to generate a voltage on the deposition surface to pull the droplets to the deposition surface.

An apparatus to prepare multiple samples for analysis, the apparatus comprising:

• a) multiple chromatographic columns to receive at least one sample with a suitable eluant;
• b) a plurality of pumps, with each pump associated with each chromatographic column, the pump to flow the eluant through the chromatographic column, the pump further including a flow meter and control processor to provide continuous control of the eluant flow rate;
• c) at least one suitable deposition surface, the deposition surface spaced from multiple discharge ends of the respective chromatographic columns, the at least one suitable deposition surface to receive droplets formed at the ends thereof by the flow of eluants through the respective chromatographic columns;
• and
• d) at least one power supply to generate a voltage on the deposition surface to pull the droplets to the deposition surface.

An apparatus to prepare multiple samples for analysis, the apparatus comprising:

• a) multiple chromatographic columns to receive at least one sample with a suitable eluant;
• b) a plurality of pumps, with each pump associated with each chromatographic column;
• c) a nebulizer to introduce a nebulizing gas to the multiple chromatographic columns, the nebulizer nebulizing the flow of eluants as they are discharged;
• and
• d) at least one suitable deposition surface to receive the discharged nebulized eluants, the discharged nebulized eluants from the multiple chromatographic columns producing respective multiple chromatograms on the at least one suitable deposition surface.

A system to prepare multiple samples for analysis through droplet deposition or by nebulizing, depending on use, the system comprising:

• a) multiple chromatographic columns to receive at least one sample with a suitable eluant;
• b) a plurality of pumps, with each pump associated with each chromatographic column;
• c) a nebulizer to introduce a nebulizing gas to the multiple chromatographic columns, the nebulizer nebulizing the flow of eluants as they are discharged;
• d) at least one suitable deposition surface to receive the discharged nebulized eluants, the discharged nebulized eluants from the multiple chromatographic columns producing respective multiple chromatograms on the at least one suitable deposition surface;
• and
• e) at least one power supply to generate a voltage on the deposition surface to pull the droplets to the deposition surface.