Method and apparatus for sample processing and injection

Abstract

A sample processing/injection device for liquid chromatography comprises a septum at one end of the device, a processing chamber and injection needle disposed on a second end of the device. A fluid sample is transferred into the device by a transfer needle penetrating the septum of the device. The sample device may be positioned to a receiving component such as an injection valve of an instrument by movement of the transfer needle. The sample is injected into the receiving component through the injection needle of the sample processing/injection device through motive pressure supplied by the transfer needle. The sample processing/injection device reduces sampling steps and improves automation by performing sample processing and injection with a single device.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for testing samples, the method comprising the steps:
 penetrating a septum of a sample processing/injection device with a first injection needle, the processing/injection device comprising the septum at a first end portion of the device, a reduced diameter through chamber sized for a close tolerance or slight interference fit with the first injection needle, a processing chamber comprising a processing element, and a second injection needle at a second end of the device, the reduced diameter through chamber, the processing chamber, and the second injection needle in line and in fluid communication with the septum;   transferring a sample into the processing/injection device utilizing vacuum or pressure of the first injection needle as a motive force for transferring the sample; physically repositioning the sample processing/injection device to a sample processing location by movement of the first sample injection needle so that the second injection needle of the sample processing/injection device is positioned in a sample receiving component at the sample processing location; and   utilizing the first injection needle to inject the sample into sample receiving component through the second injection needle.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the reduced diameter through chamber comprises a length of at least 5 diameters of the through chamber and forms a close fit or slight interference fit with the first injection needle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the sample receiving component is a sample injection valve of a liquid chronograph instrument, and the second injection needle is a sized to seal with an injection port seal surface of the sample injection valve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  comprising an additional step of removing the second injection needle of the sample processing/injection device from the injection port of the injection valve by movement of the first injection needle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  comprising an additional step of removing the sample processing/injection device from the first injection needle by restraint of the sample processing/injection device and movement of the first injection needle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the sample processing/injection device is assembled by engagement of a male taper fitting on a bottom end cap of the device and a complementary female taper fitting on an injection needle assembly of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the engagement between the male taper fitting and female taper fitting is accomplished by movement of the first injection needle.