초록 ▼

A micro-machined back-flush injector that allows for a sample introduced into the injector to be properly injected into a gas chromatography apparatus in a short time period of between 10 and 100 milliseconds. A micro-machined injector having back-flushing capability that allows back-purging of unwa

A micro-machined back-flush injector that allows for a sample introduced into the injector to be properly injected into a gas chromatography apparatus in a short time period of between 10 and 100 milliseconds. A micro-machined injector having back-flushing capability that allows back-purging of unwanted components in the device and provides clean-up of channels in contact with the sample. Further, a method of operating an injector such that a sample is properly injected and purged from the system to which the injector is operably attached.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A micro-machined back-flush injector comprising: a sample inlet; an analytical column inlet channel; and a plurality of channels that connect the sample inlet and the analytical column inlet channel, wherein the plurality of channels include a fixed sample loop connecting a sample valve and

1. A micro-machined back-flush injector comprising: a sample inlet; an analytical column inlet channel; and a plurality of channels that connect the sample inlet and the analytical column inlet channel, wherein the plurality of channels include a fixed sample loop connecting a sample valve and a fore-flush valve in the injector. 2. The micro-machined back-flush injector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels further comprise: an inlet channel connecting the sample inlet and the sample valve. 3. The micro-machined back-flush injector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels further comprise: a pre-column inlet channel connecting an injection valve and a pre-column. 4. The micro-machined back-flush injector of claim 1, wherein a dead volume channel comprises a channel along the shortest available path length between the sample valve and an injection valve. 5. The micro-machined back-flush injector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels further comprise: a main carrier gas loop connecting the fore-flush valve and a carrier gas inlet. 6. The micro-machined back-flush injector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels further comprise: a pre-column back-flush loop connecting a main carrier gas loop and a back-flush valve. 7. The micro-machined back-flush injector of claim 1, wherein the analytical column inlet channel connects a back-flush valve and an analytical column. 8. The micro-machined back-flush injector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels further comprise: a pre-column outlet channel connecting a back-flush valve and a pre-column. 9. A method of operating a back-flush injector comprising: introducing a sample into the injector; injecting the sample into an analytical device; and purging substantially all of the sample from the injector. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the introducing step comprises: allowing the sample to fill an inlet channel, a dead volume channel, a fixed sample loop and a sample chamber of the injector. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the introducing step comprises: filling a main carrier gas loop, a reference column back-flush loop, a pre-column back-flush loop and an analytical column inlet channel of the injector with carrier gas. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the introducing step comprises opening a vacuum pump and subsequently opening a sampling valve. 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising compressing the sample. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the compressing step comprises allowing carrier gas to flow into a sample chamber of the injector. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the compressing step comprises compressing the sample into a sample chamber, a fixed sample loop and a dead volume channel. 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the injecting step comprises allowing the sample to flow into a pre-column inlet channel of the injector. 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the back-flushing step comprises allowing carrier gas to flow into a fixed sample loop, a dead volume channel and a pre-column inlet channel of the injector. 18. The method of claim 9, wherein the back-flushing step comprises allowing carrier gas to displace any sample in a pre-column. 19. A micro-machined back-flush injector comprising: a sample inlet; an analytical column inlet channel; a plurality of channels that connect the sample inlet and the analytical column inlet channel, wherein the plurality of channels include a fixed sample loop connecting a sample valve and a fore-flush valve in the injector; and a dead volume channel connecting the sample valve and an injection valve. 20. A method of operating a back-flush injector comprising: introducing a sample into the injector; injecting the sample into an analytical device; purging substantially all of the sample from the injector; and allowing a carrier gas to push the sample through a dead volume channel.