US 5,260,028 AGranted

Method and apparatus for effecting solid phase extraction

OwnerThomas W. Astleinventor

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for practicing solid phase extraction of samples for analysis where the method comprises the steps of providing a cassette having a plurality of tubes, each containing an absorbent substrate and having an upper and a lower opening; applying a preconditioning liquid reagent to each tube of the cassette through the upper opening to render the substrate therein hydrophilic and drawing the liquid through the substrate until the liquid is at a predetermined height about the substrate; applying a liquid sample to be analyzed to each of the tubes of the cassette and drawing the sample through the substrate until the liquid is at a predetermined height in the tube with respect to the substrate; applying an eluate to each tube of the cassette to remove an eluent therefrom; and collecting the eluents from the cassette tubes. The apparatus automates this process and provides accurate and rapid separation of compounds in the sample. The process provides the further step of washing the substrate before addition of the eluate, if necessary, and optional drying of the substrate as well as addition of a second eluate to separate a second eluent if desired.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A system for effecting solid phase extraction from samples contacted by eluates into eluents, which system includes the use of cassettes which define a plurality of tubes each having an open top and having a lower opening, said tubes having an absorbent substrate therein between said upper and lower openings, said system comprising:

(a) means providing storage for a plurality of said cassettes,
(b) means for moving said cassettes past a plurality of stations to apply a preconditioning liquid to the absorbent substrates of said tubes, a sample to said tubes, and an eluate to said tubes,
(c) said means for moving including means for selecting a first cassette from said storage means and positioning the selected cassette at a first of said stations,
(d) means at said first of said stations for injecting said preconditioning liquid to said tubes to a predetermined height above said absorbent substrates and means for injecting a sample to be tested into said tubes at said first of said stations,
(e) means at said first of said stations for drawing said preconditioning liquid into the absorbent substrate in said tubes and also the samples into said absorbent substrates after introduction of said samples,
(f) said means for moving being effective to move said first cassette to another station while moving a second cassette to said first of said stations,
(g) said means for moving being effective to move said first cassette to a further station while moving a third cassette to said first of said stations, and
(h) means at said another station for injecting an eluate into the tubes of said first cassette, and means at said further station for removing an eluent from the lower opening of said tubes of a cassette into eluent receiving means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/891,865Filed 1 Jun 1992 · division
Priority: 22 Feb 1988
Granted: 9 Nov 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G01N 1/405
Concentrating samples: by adsorption or absorption
G01N 35/026
Using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations: having blocks or racks of…
G01N 2035/00564
Separating and mixing arrangements: handling or washing solid phase elements, e.g. beads
G01N 2035/103
General features of the devices: using disposable tips