US 4,631,687 A · Method and apparatus for analysis employing multiple separation processes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for analyzing an unknown sample to produce information corresponding to individual components of the sample. The information may then be used to identify and quantify the components. The method of the present invention contemplates subjecting the sample to a plurality of separation processes to produce a corresponding plurality of distinct spatial distributions of the sample. The separation processes could include two or more chromatographic processes in which the stationary phases have different separating characteristics. For each distribution, a set of properties (sample set) is determined at a plurality of positions along that distribution. In one embodiment, the set of properties comprises the absorbance of electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of wavelengths. The sample sets for each process are analyzed to determine one or more basic sets capable of representing all the sample sets for that process. Basic sets common to all processes are taken to be estimates of the set of properties for individual components of the sample. Basic sets found for less than all processes are analyzed to determine whether they can be represented by linear combinations of common basic sets, or whether they can be represented as linear combinations of certain known basic sets and a new basic set. In a further embodiment of the invention, all of the sample sets along all of the distributions are analyzed to determine one or more common basic sets.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for analyzing a sample in order to produce data corresponding to a set of properties of at least one of the individual components thereof, the properties being selected such that said set of properties is adequate for identifying at least one of said components, said method comprising the steps of:

subjecting said sample to a plurality of separation processes, the separation processes being adapted to produce a corresponding plurality of different distributions of the sample;
determining said set of properties of the sample, to produce a corresponding sample set, at each of a plurality of positions along each of said distributions;
determining one or more basic sets for each separation process, such that all sample sets corresponding to the distribution produced by that process can be represented by the basic sets for that process;
and
comparing the basic sets for the different processes with one another to thereby identify one or more common basic sets such that all of the sample sets can berepresented by the common basic sets, whereby said common basic sets are estimates of said set of properties for individual components.

2 more elements

An apparatus for analyzing a sample in order to produce data corresponding to a set of properties of at least one of the individual components thereof, the properties being selected such that said set of properties is adequate for identifying at least one of said components, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of separation means adapted to produce a corresponding pluraity of different distributions of the sample;
(b) detection means for determining said set of properties of the sample, to produce a corresponding sample set, at each of a plurality of positions along each of said distributions;
and
(c) processing means including:
(i) means for determining one or more basic sets for each separation means, such that all sample sets corresponding to the distribution produced by that separation means can be represented by the basic sets for that separation means;
and
(ii) means comparing the basic sets for the different separation means with one another to thereby identify one or more common basic sets such that all of the sample sets can be represented by the common basic sets, whereby said common basic sets are estimates of said set of properties for individual components.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for analysis employing multiple separation processes

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for analysis employing multiple separation processes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29