Patent ID: 9207152
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A biological sample preprocessing apparatus, comprising: solid-phase extraction cartridges that each purify/concentrate specific constituents of a biological sample; cartridge holders that each hold one of the solid-phase extraction cartridges; cartridge transport means that carries the cartridge holders along a continuous track surface thereof; a sample probe that discharges the biological sample into the solid-phase extraction cartridge held in one of the cartridge holders; a water-based solvent probe that discharges a water-based solvent into the solid-phase extraction cartridge held in the cartridge holder; an organic solvent probe that discharges an organic solvent into the solid-phase extraction cartridge held in the cartridge holder; a pressure loader that applies an pressure load to the solid-phase extraction cartridge held in the cartridge holder; an elute probe that suctions/discharges a eluted extract and introduced the eluate into a mass analyzer; a washing port that washes the eluate probe; a receiving tray transport means configured to carry receiving tray holders along a continuous track surface thereof, the receiving tray transport means and the cartridge transport means rotating about a first rotational axis, the cartridge transport means being disposed over the receiving tray transport means, and the washing port being disposed at a point on an edge of the receiving tray transport means; and a controller that controls operation of the cartridge transport means, the sample probe, the water-based solvent probe, the organic solvent probe, the eluate probe, and the pressure loader; wherein the cartridge holders are located in four places and the pressure loaders in two places, and the pressure loading positions B and D, and the sample and solvent adding positions A and C are located alternately on a circumference of the cartridge transport means, which is a rotating body; wherein the controller is configured to perform: a procedure of transporting the solid-phase extraction cartridge and a receiving tray to a cartridge storage unit and a receiving tray storage unit; a procedure of discharging the organic solvent into the solid-phase extraction cartridge at the position A; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position B by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of applying a pressure in the solid-phase extraction cartridge by the pressure loader at the position B; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position C by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of discharging the water-based solvent into the solid-phase extraction cartridge at the position C; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position D by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of applying a pressure in the solid-phase extraction cartridge by the pressure loader at the position D; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position A by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of discharging a sample and an internal standard substance into the solid-phase extraction cartridge at the position A; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position B by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of applying a pressure in the solid-phase extraction cartridge by the pressure loader at the position B; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position C by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of discharging the water-based solvent into the solid-phase extraction cartridge at the position C; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position D by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge by the pressure loader at the position D; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position A by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of discharging the organic solvent into the solid-phase extraction cartridge at the position A; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position B by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of applying a pressure in the solid-phase extraction cartridge by the pressure loader at the position B; a procedure of rotating the solid-phase extraction cartridge to the position C by the cartridge transport means; a procedure of injecting an analyte-containing eluate into an eluate injection port by the eluate probe at the position C; and a procedure of discarding the solid-phase extraction cartridge and the receiving tray.