Sample injection device

Abstract

Provided herein is a sample injection method that enables efficient injection of a trace sample solution while reducing the measurement time. A sample solution is injected into a sample loop with air layers disposed on both sides of the sample solution, and the total amount of the sample solution, including the air layers, is injected into a detector. The start and the end of data collection are determined from the detection signal intensity changes that occur upon the air layers being injected into the detector, and the velocity of the flowing liquid is increased to reduce the measurement time. A washing solution is injected after the air layer to improve the washing efficiency and reduce the washing time.

1 . A sample injection device for injecting a sample into a detector, and comprising:
 a sample loop that retains a liquid;   a container that contains the flowing solvent;   a drawing section that draws the sample;   a liquid passing section that passes a liquid; and   a flow path switching section that switches between a first flow path joining the flowing solvent and the sample loop, and a second flow path joining the drawing section and the sample loop,   wherein the liquid passing section under the control of the sample injection device injects the sample from the sample loop into the detector with air layers disposed on both sides of the sample.   
     
     
         2 . The sample injection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample is injected into the detector with a washing solution disposed behind the air layers. 
     
     
         3 . The sample injection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the velocity of the liquid passed by the liquid passing section is increased according to a signal produced by the detector upon detecting the air layers. 
     
     
         4 . The sample injection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the detector is a mass analyzer. 
     
     
         5 . An automatic analyzer that includes a detector, and a sample injection device for injecting a sample into the detector,
 the automatic analyzer comprising:   a sample loop that retains a liquid;   a container that contains the flowing solvent;   a drawing section that draws the sample;   a liquid passing section that passes a liquid; and   a flow path switching section that switches between a first flow path joining the flowing solvent and the sample loop, and a second flow path joining the drawing section and the sample loop,   wherein the liquid passing section under the control of the automatic analyzer injects the sample from the sample loop into the detector with air layers disposed on both sides of the sample.   
     
     
         6 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 5 , wherein the sample is injected into the detector with a washing solution disposed behind the air layers. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 5 , wherein the velocity of the liquid passed by the liquid passing section is increased according to a signal produced by the detector upon detecting the air layers. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 5 , wherein the detector is a mass analyzer. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic analyzer according to  claim 5 , wherein the start and the end of data collection are determined according to a signal produced by the detector upon detecting the air layers. 
     
     
         10 . A sample injection method for injecting a sample into a detector,
 the method comprising injecting the sample into the detector with air layers disposed on both sides of the sample.   
     
     
         11 . The sample injection method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sample is injected into the detector with a washing solution disposed behind the air layers. 
     
     
         12 . The sample injection method according to  claim 10 , wherein the velocity of the liquid passed by the liquid passing section is increased according to a signal produced by the detector upon detecting the air layers. 
     
     
         13 . The sample injection method according to  claim 10 , wherein the start and the end of data collection are determined according to a signal produced by the detector upon detecting the air layers. 
     
     
         14 . The sample injection method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sample is disposed in the sample loop with the air layers disposed on both sides of the sample, and wherein the sample is passed to the detector with a washing solution upon switching a flow path with a flow path switching valve.