Sample introduction system with mixing
AssigneeElemental Scientific, Inc.
InventorDaniel R. Wiederin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sample introduction system provides mixing of a sample and a diluent within the container via gas injection. In one or more implementations, the sample introduction system causes a probe of an autosampler to be inserted into a container containing a sample and a diluent so that an end of the probe is submerged beneath a surface of the diluent and the sample. Gas is then injected through the probe to mix the sample and the diluent within the container. An aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent is then withdrawn through the probe.
Claims22
A method comprising:
- causing a probe of an auto sampler to be inserted into a container containing a sample disposed at least substantially beneath a diluent so that an end of the probe is submerged beneath a surface of the sample in a position proximal to a bottom surface of the container;
- causing gas to be injected into the container through the probe to mix the sample and the diluent within the container;
- withdrawing the probe from the position proximal to the bottom surface of the container following injection of the gas until the end of the probe is spaced away from the bottom surface of the container beneath the surface of the sample and diluent;
- and
- causing an aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent to be withdrawn from the container through the probe when the end of the probe is spaced away from the bottom surface of the container beneath the surface of the sample and diluent.
A method comprising:
- causing a probe of an auto sampler to be inserted into a container containing a sample disposed at least substantially beneath a diluent so that an end of the probe is submerged beneath a surface of the sample, wherein the probe comprises a screen at the end configured to prevent contaminants from being drawn into the probe;
- causing gas to be injected into the container through the probe to mix the sample and the diluent within the container and remove contaminants from the screen;
- and
- causing an aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent to be withdrawn from the container through the probe.
A sample introduction system comprising:
- a probe configured to be inserted into a container containing a sample and a diluent so that an end of the probe is submerged beneath the surface of the sample;
- and
- a valve assembly operable to cause gas to be injected into the container through the probe to mix the sample and the diluent within the container and to cause an aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent to be withdrawn through the probe.
A sample introduction system comprising:
- an auto sampler operable to insert a probe into a container containing a sample and a diluent so that an end of the probe is submerged beneath the surface of the sample;
- a valve assembly operable to cause gas to be injected into the container through the probe to mix the sample and the diluent within the container and thereafter to cause a vacuum to be applied to the probe to withdraw an aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent through the probe;
- and
- a sample loop configured to receive the aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent withdrawn from the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.