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US 8,127,595 B2Granted
Pre-concentrator and sample interface
AssigneeMicrosaic Systems Limited
InventorsAlan Finlay, Eric Yeatman, Steven Wright
Life of this patent
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AssigneeMicrosaic Systems Limited
InventorsAlan Finlay, Eric Yeatman, Steven Wright
Estimating the term…
This invention describes a multi-stage pre-concentrator device for use with a detector system. One pre-concentrator stage is detachable and may be used to collect sample remotely from the detection system. The detachable pre-concentrator stage mates with the detector system and can transfer its desorbed sample to another pre-concentrator stage which also incorporates the functions of a sample loop serving as an injection volume to the separation column of an analytical instrument. In one embodiment the fixed pre-concentrator stage serves as a sample loop that preferably integrates suitable valves with sorbent materials onto the same structure to minimise dead volume, maximise sensitivity, improving column loading efficiency, reducing duty cycles and minimising detection system response time.
A detector system comprising a detector coupled to a first and second pre-concentrator stage, each of the first and second pre-concentrator stages having a sorbent material to collect samples, and wherein the first pre-concentrator stage is removable from the detector so as to be portable to enable a collection of a sample within the first pre-concentrator at a location remote from the detector, and further wherein coupling of the first pre-concentrator stage to the detector defines a fluid path from the first pre-concentrator stage to the second pre-concentrator stage to the detector.
A detector system comprising a detector coupled to a first and second pre-concentrator stage, each of the first and second pre-concentrator stages having a sorbent material to collect samples, and wherein the first pre-concentrator stage is removable from the detector so as to be portable to enable a collection of a sample within the first pre-concentrator stage at a location remote from the detector, and further wherein coupling of the first pre-concentrator stage to the detector defines a fluid path from the first pre-concentrator stage to the second pre-concentrator stage to the detector, the second pre-concentrator stage including a trap having an orifice through which a gas may flow, the orifice being controlled by a valve, which is moveable between a first position, wherein the gas is free to move through the orifice from the first pre-concentrator stage and into the trap, and a second position wherein the valve seals the orifice preventing the flow of gas into the trap, and wherein the sorbent material is provided in the trap to sorb the species present in the gas during the flow of gas through the trap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.