GB2210456A

GB2210456A - Sleeve for locating a vial in an autosampler

Info

Publication number: GB2210456A
Application number: GB8822433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Alexander Baxter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-25
Filing date: 1988-09-23
Publication date: 1989-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-23
Also published as: GB8722634D0; DE3732767A1; GB8822433D0; GB2210456B

Description

22 10450' 3 2 07 DEVICES AND METHOD The present -Lnven-t.-Lo,-i relates to

i-ocat-L-.-ig and supporting sleeve devices for vials, and in parti.cular to devices of a certain shape and si-ze for locating and supporting vials in analytical J.nstruments, for example autosamplers used in Gas (GC) and Liquid (LC) Chromatography.

In the analytical scienPes it has become JJtcreas-,igly commonplace to use instruments with n- L L - automatic sampling facilities (autosamplers), e.g.

with chromatographs or spectrophotometers. Such facilities usually take the form of a Carlousel arrangement in which vials containing samples fo-r examination are located around the periphery of the carousel. Thus samples may be separately presented for analysis 3n -.otatij-.1 of the Carousel.

A known disadvantage of such autosamplers t is not normally possible for a needle, is that J. 1 J_ Probe or othe-r extraction deviCe to remove all of the sample from any given vial in the sampler. In some Lnstances, due to the size of the gap between the bottom of the vial and the extraction device, the amount of available sample is simply too small for withdrawal.

In cases where an adequate volume of sample is ava-Llable the existence of a gap between the bit-tom of the v.-Lal and the extraction device presents no pr3blem, but many laboratories, especially those hospitals, frequently have to accept inadequate sample volumes for exam inat JL on, and difficculties may then arise.

In partiCular chromatographic auto-samplers produced by Hewlett-Packard Company of 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, California 94304, U.S.A. present particular problems as standard vilals used by thei.r -2GC autosampler- model 7673A, must be pos-itioned by a robotic arm, whilst the standard vials of their high Performance (HP) IC model 1090A must --ema2.n immovable 2 - - dge dur-rig sample extract-or in a ca-tri Thus, there is a Clear- ieed to provide a low volume v-al which is suffic-ently narrow to cause displacement of the sample contents when ar.

extraction devi-ce enters the vial, enabli-ng small quantities to be extracted from small sample volumes.

Prefe-rably, the vial also has an external convex shaped bottom.

Unfortunately, vials meeting these requIlrlements have been found to be too narrow to fIt J.!-ito tYD-'-al autosampler dev--es of!-:lewlett-Pa--ka-rd.

_ Thus, the present provides a precLsion locating and supporting devi-ce ---or a vial which enables the user to fit the vial accurately into autosamplers produced by Hewlett-Packa-rd for- (IC and HPL,' 3.

More the preseat invent-Lon provi.'.des a precision lo-cating and supporting for accomodating a small outer di-ameter. vial J1.r. the larger diameter openings of a variety of autosamplers and whi-ch controls the depth of insertion of the autosampler ext.-y-act2L3r. means compri-s-ing a sleeve, means defined by an exterior su--:,,L0ace of said sleeve for accurately fit-ting the sleeve in a large diameter opening of an autosampler and means defined by an 4L-.,te-.-Lo--!, surface of said sleeve for accurately f-itt-ing the--e2-.--. a small outer diameter vial whereby an otherwise -.'.rl-lomDat4Lble small outer diameter vial and larger d--amete-- ope-:-,J2.---,g autosampler are rendered compatible.

T- part-ula- "-he nte-2or surface o."' the L- - U - L - cyl2L,-,d--2J.,-,al sleeve device may be ar. axial bore 3207 -3 where the ratio of the height of the sleeve to outside diameter is in the range of 1.5 to A.5, and the ratio of the outside diameter to the inside diameter is in the range of 1.5 to 2.75.

The Dresent invention also provides a combination of the precision locating and supporting device with a fitted vial.

The present invention further provides a combination of an autosampler and a precision vial locating and supporting device as described above comprising an autosampler having a -plurality of large diameter openings for receiving in each a small outer diameter vial, said precision vial locating and supporting device comprising a sleeve, said sleeve having means defined by an exterior surface for accurately matching the large diameter openings of said autosampller, said sleeve being accurately fitted in one of saild' autosampler openings, means defined by an interior surface of said sleeve for accurately matching a small outer diameter vial, and a smaller outer diameter vial accurately fitted in said sleeve interior surface whereby an otherwise incompatible small outer diameter vial and larger diameter opening autosamnier are rendered com-Datible.

In addition the present invention provides a method for accommodating a small outer diameter vial in the larger diameter openings of a variety of different autosamnlers and controlling the depth of insertion of the autosampler extraction means by locating and supporting the vial in a device according to the present invention.

One embodiment of a precision and supporting device according to the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which:

3207 Fig.1 is a front elevation of the device and Fig.2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig.l.

The device, which has the shame of a sleeve, comprises a body 1 substantially in the form of a cylindrical tube with an axial bore 2. The body 1 has at one end an outer annular collar 3 and at the other end is axially/radially cut out so that it has a semi-tubular end 4 provided with a semi-anular collar 5. The body 1 and the collar 7 are provided with an axial slit 6 extending between the outer and inner surfaces of the elements 1 and -7.

Preferably, the material of the vial sleeve is p oly-t et ra-fluo r oethylene (PIL"FE), though other suitable materials such as other plast-ics, glass, wood, metal, may also be used.

The bore of the vial sleeve is may be closed at one end.

Advantageously, the vials have a cylindrical collar of slightly greater diameter than their cylindrical body primarily to provide means for receiving a crimped-on cap to seal the vial and to ensure the centering of the vial within the sleeve.

The support sleeve has a height of about 32 mm, an outside diameter of about 12 mm and an inside diameter of about 5.8 mm. A typical preferred vial of borosilicate glass with a convex end portion has a length of 32 mm, an outside diameter of 1,33.06 mm and a collar of 7 mm diameter, thus providing a firm and positive -."it within a locating and supporting device. A vial of these dimensions would have a liquid capacity of approximately 0.3 ml.

The vials of the -Present invention may also be used in certain other commercially available 3207 5 chromatographic autosamplers.

The axial slit 6 allows the vial to be gripped securely, preventing the vial from following after the needle when it is extracted. This is essential in the case of the Hewlett-Packard 1090A liquid chromatographic autosampler. The sleeve must also have an indentation, or neck extending from about 4 mm from the top of the sleeve to within about 10 mm from the bottom. This is essential for the GC autosammler 7673A model to enable the robot arm claw to lift the sleeve containing the vial from the carousel, Dosition it in the autosampler turret, and replace it in the carousel after sample extraction.

3207 -6-

Claims

1. A precision locating and supporting device for accomodating a small outer diameter vial in the larger diameter openings of a variety of different autosamplers and which controls the depth of insertion of the autosampler extraction means comprising a sleeve, means defined by an exterior surface of said sleeve for accurately fitting the sleeve in a large diameter opening of an autosampler, and means defined by an interior surface of said sleeve for accurately fitting therein a small outer diameter vial whereby an otherwise incomratible small outer diameter vial and larger diameter opening autosampler are rendered compatible.

2. A precision locating and supporting device according to Claim 1 wherein said interior surface is an axial bore in which the ratio of the height of the sleeve to outside diameter is in the range of 1.5 to 4.5, and the ratio of said outside diameter to said inside diameter is in the range of 1.5 to 2.75.

3. A precision locating and supporting device according to Claim 1 or to Claim 2 wherein said interior surface defines a bore closed at one end.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a tubular body having at one end an annular collar and at the other end a cut-out defining a semi-tubular end provided with a semi annular column, an axial slit extending along the body and collar.

5. A combination of a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 with a fitted vial.

6. A combination according to Claim 5 wherein the vial has a cylindrical collar of slightly greater diameter than its cylindrical body which provides means for receiving a crimped-on cap to seal the vial.

7. A combination according to Claim 6 wherein 7207 the bore of the device is nartially widened at its entrance to accomodate the collar of the vial.

8. A combination of an autosampler and a Drecision vial locating and supporting device as claimed in Claim 1 comprising an autosampler having a plurality of large diameter openings for receiving in each a small outer diameter vial, said Drecision vial locating and supporting device comprising a sleeve, said sleeve having means defined by an exterior surface for accurately matching the large diameter openings of said autosampler, said sleeve being accurately fitted in one of said autosamnler openings, means deffined by an interior surface of said sleeve for accuratley matching a small outer diameter vial, and a smaller outer diameter vial accurately fitted in said sleeve interior surface whereby an otherwise incompatible small outer diameter vial and larger diameter opening autosam-pler are rendered compatible.

9. A method for accomodating a small outer diameter vial in the larger diameter openings of a variety of different autosam-olers and controlling the de-oth of insertion of the autosamnler extraction ".,y locating and supporting the vial Jn a device means according to Claim 1.

10. A precision locating and supporting device according to Claim 1, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described.

411. A combination of an autosam-oler and a precision vial locating and supporting device according to Claim 8 constructed, arranged and adapted to operated substantially as herein described.

12. A method according to Claim 9 substantially as herein described.

Published 198B at The Patent Office. State House. 66 71 High Holborn. London WC1R 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch. St Mary Cray, Orpl.gmr,, Kent lR5 3RD Printed by Multiplex techjUques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con 118-1 -