초록 ▼

A high throughput high performance chromatography system operating at a high mixing pressure including a plurality of pressurized solvent reservoirs, e.g. pumps, each maintaining an associated solvent at a substantially constant pressure. A plurality of flow control valves are connected downstream o

A high throughput high performance chromatography system operating at a high mixing pressure including a plurality of pressurized solvent reservoirs, e.g. pumps, each maintaining an associated solvent at a substantially constant pressure. A plurality of flow control valves are connected downstream or upstream of the reservoirs for controlling the flow rate of the solvent into the respective columns. The number of reservoirs equals the number of solvents. Accordingly, the system reduces the number of pumps required thereby saving money and space. Furthermore, the system increases sample throughput, accelerates method development and minimizes organic waste.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A high throughput high performance chromatography system operating at a high mixing pressure, comprising: at least one pressurized solvent reservoir maintaining an associated solvent at a substantially constant pressure, wherein the number of solvent reservoirs equals the number of solvents;

1. A high throughput high performance chromatography system operating at a high mixing pressure, comprising: at least one pressurized solvent reservoir maintaining an associated solvent at a substantially constant pressure, wherein the number of solvent reservoirs equals the number of solvents; a plurality of flow control valves connected downstream of and in fluid communication with each of said reservoirs; a plurality of columns connected downstream of said at least one reservoir, said valves controlling the flow rate of the solvent into the respective columns; and a plurality of injectors in communication with said plurality of columns such that one injector introduces one sample into one column, the injectors being operable such that multiple samples can be simultaneously introduced into multiple columns and a sample gradient introduced to each column is controllable independent from gradients introduced to other columns. 2. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an s-shaped sample detection cell for measuring absorbance.3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said solvent reservoir is selected from the group consisting of a pump and an accumulator piston.4. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein each flow control valve comprises a valve and a flow meter.5. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein each flow control valve comprises a high-pressure solenoid controlled using pulse width modulation and a flow meter for metering a desired flow range.6. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the number of flow control valves associated with each column is equal to the number of solvents.7. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein each flow control valve maintains a substantially constant flow rate of solvent.8. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a mixing device associated with each column for mixing the solvent output from at least two of said flow control valves.9. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the system is one of a liquid, gas, fluid, microbore, capillary, preparative, and electro chromatography system.10. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a gradient for each column may be independently specified.11. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of columns are connected downstream of each flow control valve, said flow control valves controlling the flow rate of the solvent into the respective columns.12. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of columns are connected upstream of each flow control valve, said flow control valves controlling the flow rate of the solvent from the respective columns.13. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of columns are connected one of upstream and downstream of each flow control valve, said flow control valves controlling the flow rate of the solvents from the respective columns.14. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the number of flow control valves associated with each lane is equal to a maximum number of different solvents to be mixed to form a gradient in the associated column.15. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a solvent selection valve disposed in each lane between the pressurized solvent reservoir and the flow control valve.16. A high throughput high performance chromatography system operating at a high mixing pressure, comprising: a plurality of pressurized solvents reservoirs maintaining associated solvents each at substantially constant pressure, the number of solvent reservoirs equaling the number of solvents; a plurality of flow control valves connected downstream of each reservoir, a plurality of columns connected downstream of the plurality of the valves, each valve controlling the flow rate of one solvent into one column, wherein fluid communication is permitted between each reservoir and a plurality of columns with one valve being disposed within the connecti on between each reservoir and each column; and a plurality of injectors in communication with said plurality of columns such that one injector introduces one sample into one column, the injectors being operable such that multiple samples can be simultaneously introduced into multiple columns and a sample gradient introduced to each column is controllable independent from gradients introduced to other columns. 17. The system in accordance with claim 16, further including a mixing chamber for receiving solvent from at least two reservoirs, the mixing chamber being disposed downstream of the valves associated with at least two reservoirs.18. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the plurality of columns are arranged in parallel.19. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the plurality of valves control the compositional makeup of each solvent that is directed into one column.20. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein one column receives a first solvent and another column receives a second solvent that is different from the first solvent.21. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein each flow control valve comprises a valve and a flow meter.22. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the number of flow control valves associated with each column is equal to the number of solvents.23. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein each flow control valve maintains a substantially constant flow rate of solvent.