Patent ID: 8925375
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A sample introduction apparatus comprising: a sample collection valve having at least four ports; a sample introduction valve having at least four ports; a first sample loop, configured to hold an aliquot of liquid sample, functionally connected at one end to a first port of the sample collection valve and at the other end to a first port of the sample introduction valve; a second sample loop, configured to hold an aliquot of liquid sample, functionally connected at one end to a third port of the sample collection valve and at the other end to a third port of the sample introduction valve, wherein the sample collection valve has a second port connected to a carrier fluid pump and a fourth port connected to a sample collection probe, and the sample introduction valve has a second port connected to a nebulizer and a fourth port connected to a sample loop pump, wherein the sample collection valve and the sample introduction valve are configured to alternate between a first state and a second state, and when the sample collection valve is in the first state, the sample introduction valve is in the first state, and when the sample collection valve is in the second state, the sample introduction valve is in the second state, wherein when the valves are in the first state, the first port of the sample collection valve is connected to the fourth port of the sample collection valve and the third port of the sample collection valve is connected to the second port of the sample collection valve, and the first port of the sample introduction valve is connected to the fourth port of the sample introduction valve and the third port of the sample introduction valve is connected to the second port of the sample introduction valve, and the sample collection probe is in fluid communication with the sample loop pump through the first sample loop and the carrier fluid pump is in fluid communication with the nebulizer through the second sample loop, wherein when the valves are in the second state, the first port of the sample collection valve is connected to the second port of the sample collection valve and the third port of the sample collection valve is connected to the fourth port of the sample collection valve, and the first port of the sample introduction valve is connected to the second port of the sample introduction valve and the third port of the sample introduction valve is connected to the fourth port of the sample introduction valve, and the sample collection probe is in fluid communication with the sample loop pump through the second sample loop and the carrier fluid pump is in fluid communication with the nebulizer through the first sample loop.