초록 ▼

The description describes a test sample preparation device comprising a housing, a filter assembly disposed over an opening in the housing and including a plurality of wells, a sampler tray removably disposed in the housing, and a plurality of vials removably coupled to the sampler tray and being in

The description describes a test sample preparation device comprising a housing, a filter assembly disposed over an opening in the housing and including a plurality of wells, a sampler tray removably disposed in the housing, and a plurality of vials removably coupled to the sampler tray and being in liquid receiving relationship with the wells. A filter assembly is also disclosed and which comprises a cover defining an impervious wall and plurality of wells formed in the wall, each wall having first and second open ends, the second open end of the well comprising a tubular protrusion. A housing is also disclosed and comprises a generally cylindrical body, a vacuum channel providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the cylindrical body, and a key mechanism including a post having first and second ends, the key mechanism being arranged to orient a sampler tray and vials with respect to the housing. A method for simultaneously preparing multiple test samples for automated liquid chromatography and a method for automated liquid chromatography are also disclosed and comprise depositing test samples into a plurality of wells, simultaneously passing the test samples through porous media disposed in the wells, and depositing the filter test samples directly into vials removably coupled to a sampler tray.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A test sample preparation device for simultaneously preparing multiple samples directly into vials coupled to a sampler tray, the device comprising:a housing having an opening, an interior and an exterior, the housing including a vacuum channel, the vacuum channel providing fluid communication be

1. A test sample preparation device for simultaneously preparing multiple samples directly into vials coupled to a sampler tray, the device comprising:a housing having an opening, an interior and an exterior, the housing including a vacuum channel, the vacuum channel providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing and being capable of coupling a vacuum source to the interior of the housing; a filter assembly disposed over the opening of the housing, the filter assembly including a plurality of wells, each well having two open ends, and a plurality of porous media disposed in the wells, respectively; a sampler tray removably disposed in the housing; a plurality of vials removably coupled to the sampler tray, the vials being in liquid receiving relationship with the wells, respectively, and a key mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the housing and the sampler tray each have a generally cylindrical configuration and the key mechanism uniquely defines the circumferential position of the vials in the housing. 2. The test sample preparation device of claim 1 wherein the filter assembly includes a cover defining an impervious wall and the plurality of wells are unitarily formed in the wall, wherein the first and second open ends of each well define a fluid flow path through the wall of the cover via the well between the first end of the well and the second end of the well, wherein each well includes a support and the porous medium is mounted to the support, the support extending across the fluid flow path of the well and contacting the porous medium whereby fluid flowing through the well from the first end of the well to the second end of the well flows through the porous medium and past the support, the first end of the well being upstream of the porous medium and the second end of the well being downstream of the porous medium, and wherein the second end of the well comprises a tubular protrusion which, when a vial is placed in liquid receiving relationship with the well, is capable of extending into the vial to minimize cross-contamination.3. A housing which holds a sampler tray containing vials for receiving a liquid sample, the housing comprising:a generally cylindrical body including open and closed ends and having an interior and an exterior; a vacuum channel providing fluid communication between the interior of the cylindrical body and the exterior of the cylindrical body; and a key mechanism including a post having first and second ends, the first end of the post being attached to the closed end of the cylindrical body, an annular protrusion disposed at the second end of the post, and a notch disposed within the annular protrusion, wherein the key mechanism is arranged to orient the sampler tray and the vials with respect to the housing. 4. A test sample preparation device for simultaneously preparing multiple samples directly into vials coupled to a sampler tray, the device comprising:a housing having an opening, an interior and an exterior, the housing including a vacuum channel, the vacuum channel providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing and being capable of coupling a vacuum source to the interior of the housing; a filter assembly disposed over the opening of the housing, the filter assembly including a plurality of wells, each well having two open ends, and a plurality of porous media disposed in the wells, respectively; a sampler tray removably disposed in the housing; a plurality of vials removably coupled to the sampler tray, the vials being in liquid receiving relationship with the wells, respectively; and a key mechanism coupled between the sampler tray and the housing to uniquely define the position of each vial with respect to the housing. 5. The test sample preparation device of claim 4 wherein the housing and the sampler tray each have a generally cylindrical configuration and the key mechanism uniquely defines the circumferential position of the vials in the housing.6. The test sample preparation device of claim 5 wherein the key mechanism comprises a post having a notch and further comprises a ridge which engages the notch.7. The test sample preparation device of claim 5 wherein the post is mounted to the housing and the ridge is mounted to the sampler tray.8. The test sample preparation device of claim 4 wherein the key mechanism comprises a notch and a ridge which engages the notch.9. The test sample preparation device of claim 1 wherein the key mechanism comprises a notch and a ridge which engages the notch.10. The test sample preparation device of claim 9 wherein the notch is associated with the housing and the sampler tray has the ridge.11. A test sample preparation device for simultaneously preparing multiple samples directly into vials coupled to a sampler tray, the device comprising:a housing having an opening, an interior and an exterior, the housing including a vacuum channel, the vacuum channel providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing and being capable of coupling a vacuum source to the interior of the housing; filter assembly disposed over the opening of the housing, the filter assembly including a plurality of wells, each well having two open ends, and a plurality of porous media disposed in the wells, respectively; a sampler tray removably disposed in the housing; a plurality of vials removably coupled to the sampler tray, the vials being in liquid receiving relationship with the wells, respectively; and a key mechanism coupled to the housing to uniquely define the position of each vial with respect to the housing, wherein the key mechanism includes a post having first and second ends, an annular protrusion at the second end of the post, and a notch in the annular protrusion. 12. The test sample preparation device of claim 11 wherein the first end of the post is attached to the housing and the key mechanism further includes a ridge mounted to the sample tray and engaged with the notch.