Sample deposition device

Abstract

A device for collecting a sample and for depositing the sample in a sample-receiving port of a measuring apparatus comprises a first connection element ( 8 ) with three connections for fluid, and a second connection element ( 7 ), and a hollow needle ( 5 ) for collecting and depositing the sample. A first feed line ( 9 ) for a first washing liquid is connected via a first pump to a first connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ). A second feed line ( 10 ) for a second washing liquid is connected via a second pump to a second connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ). A connection for fluid of the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to the third connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ), and the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to a dosing device ( 1 ) and to the hollow needle ( 5 ). A valve ( 2 ) is arranged between the third connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ) and the second connection element ( 7 ).

1 . Device for collecting a sample and for depositing the sample in a sample-receiving port of a measuring apparatus,
 a) comprising a first connection element ( 8 ) with three connections for fluid, and a second connection element ( 7 ), and a hollow needle ( 5 ) for collecting and depositing the sample,   b) wherein a first feed line ( 9 ) for a first washing liquid is connected via a first pump to a first connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ), and a second feed line ( 10 ) for a second washing liquid is connected via a second pump to a second connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ), characterized in that   c) a connection for fluid of the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to the third connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ), and the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to a dosing device ( 1 ) and to the hollow needle ( 5 ), and   d) a valve ( 2 ) is arranged between the third connection for fluid of the first connection element ( 8 ) and the second connection element ( 7 ).   
   
   
       2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the valve ( 2 ) is designed as a solenoid valve, in particular as a solenoid valve with a nominal volume of less than 0.1 ml. 
   
   
       3 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the second connection element ( 7 ) comprises three connections for fluid, wherein
 a first connection for fluid of the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to the valve ( 2 ),   a second connection for fluid of the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to the dosing device ( 1 ), and   a third connection for fluid of the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to the hollow needle ( 5 ).   
   
   
       4 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the dosing device ( 1 ) comprises a syringe body ( 1 . 2 ) and a ram ( 1 . 1 ) and can be actuated in particular by motor. 
   
   
       5 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the dosing device ( 1 ) is exchangeable and in particular can be replaced by dosing devices ( 1 ) of different volumes. 
   
   
       6 . Dosing device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the hollow needle ( 5 ), the dosing device ( 1 ) and the valve ( 2 ) are secured on a movable support ( 25 ). 
   
   
       7 . Device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the support ( 25 ) is movable in three different spatial directions. 
   
   
       8 . Device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the two connection elements ( 7 ,  8 ) are secured on the movable support ( 25 ). 
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a first fluid connection between the connection for fluid of the second connection element ( 8 ) and the dosing device ( 1 ) and/or a second fluid connection between the second connection element ( 7 ) and the hollow needle ( 1 ) is made of a rigid material, in particular of a metal or a solid plastic. 
   
   
       10 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the second connection element ( 7 ) is connected to the hollow needle ( 5 ) via a third fluid connection, wherein the third fluid connection is advantageously exchangeable in order to permit variation of a sample volume. 
   
   
       11 . Device according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the load loop ( 6 ) and the hollow needle ( 5 ) are designed in one piece. 
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sample is liquid. 
   
   
       13 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the measuring apparatus comprises a chromatograph, in particular a liquid chromatograph. 
   
   
       14 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that, in order to clean the hollow needle ( 5 ), it comprises a wash module ( 15 ) with a waste tank ( 17 ) and at least one immersion position ( 18 ,  19 ). 
   
   
       15 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises an injection valve ( 22 ) with an injection port ( 21 ), and the sample, with the hollow needle ( 5 ) positioned in the injection port ( 21 ), can be discharged via the injection valve ( 22 ) into the sample-receiving port of the measuring apparatus. 
   
   
       16 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a sample holder ( 20 ) for the provision of samples. 
   
   
       17 . Method for cleaning a device used for collecting a sample and for depositing the sample in a sample-receiving port of a measuring apparatus with a hollow needle ( 5 ), a first feed line ( 9 ) for a first washing liquid, a second feed line ( 10 ) for a second washing liquid, and a dosing device ( 1 ), in particular a device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first washing liquid is pumped by the first wash pump ( 11 ) and the second washing liquid is pumped by the second wash pump ( 12 ), in particular sequentially, past the dosing device ( 1 ) and through the hollow needle ( 5 ).