METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTI-DIMENSIONAL REAL-TIME CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract: In a multi-dimensional chromatographic system, an unknown is first chromatographically separated into an array of constituents through a first retention medium. It is then separated into a second array of sub-constituents by subjecting it to chromatographic separation in a direction orthogonal to the first array through a second retention medium. The second separation is accomplished according to the invention by forcing a fluid, liquid or gas, across the constituents, through a thin two-dimensional plate-like co­ lumn and detecting thr sub-constituents as they flow past a fixed multiple linear array detector aligned in a direction orthogonal to the fluid flow. The detector disclosed com­ prises an ultraviolet source and a multiple photo diode array. The second chromatographic separation is preferably accomplished using a different retention medium than the first; that is, the first may be polar and the second nonpolar; the first polar, the second by molecular weight, or vice versa, for example. Three dimensional chromatography according to the invention may be carried out by separating an unknown into a linear array of constituents in a first retention medium, then subjecting the constituents to chromatographic se­ paration in the second direction in a second retention medium to for a planar array of sub-constituents and then separating the sub-constituents in a third dimension through a cube of a third retention medium and detecting the sub sub-constituents tomagraphically or with a multiple planar array detector as they exit the cube. In this way three separate chromatographic separations may be successively practiced, utilizing three separate retention media such as polar, non-polar and molecular weight, in any order desired.

Description: SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-DIMENSIONAL REAL-TIME CHROMATOGRAPHY This application relates to multi-dimensional multiphase chromatography employing real-time detection. More particularly it relates to such chromatography employing fluid separation of an unknown's constituents, particularly thin layer chromatography, with at least the second dimensional, second phase, separation performed by continuous overpressured thin-layer chromatography with novel real-time multiple linear array detection means. A three dimensional scheme according to the invention is also disclosed. Use of the two-dimensional system employing real-time detection permits separation of as many as five hundred to one thousand components of an unknown depending on the size of the chromatographic plate and the use of data processing means to process the data and present it in convenient form. BACKGROUND ART Recently two-phased thin layer chromatography has come into use. In this method a plate is covered with silica gel. In single phase chromatography, an unknown is placed on the plate and the plate is placed in a beaker containing enough solvent to wet the lower edge of the plate. As the solvent climbs up the silica gel layer on the plate by capillary attraction, it moves the sample along with it. However, the different constituents of the sample having different affinities for the silica gel, are separated. The development is stopped when the first constituent reaches the top of the plate. The plate is dried. The constituents can be detected as spots at different positions on the silica gel. The silica gel may also be treated in various ways: e.g,, so that it is polar, in which case non-polar solvents may be utilized; or vice versa; or it may be coated with certain molecules having specific affinities for the suspected unknowns. Thus the unknowns may be separated by their polar properties, by their molecular weights or by certain chemical affinities. In two-phased two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography the chromatographic plate is coated in a strip along one edge with one form of treated or untreated silica gel and along the rest of the plate with a different form of treated or untreated silica gel. The plate is first developed along the strip by placing an edge perpendicular thereto into a beaker of appropriate solvent to separate the unknown into a linear array of constituents. After drying the plate is placed into another beaker of another solvent along the edge parallel to the linear array of constituents and they are developed up the plate to form-a planar array of subconstituents. After drying, in order to analyze the plate, these subconstituents must be detected and their position on the plate, and density, measured either by eye or by automatic means. Such means are expensive, and due to the spread out nature of the spots of the sub-constituents on the plate, are not very accurate. Since there is no control of the speed of the solvent moving up the plate reproduceability is not good. This greatly limits the efficacy of this system of analysis. In terms of quantitative analysis (derived from density measure ments) results better than 10 to 20% accuracy are very difficult to obtain. Furthermore, the development of such thin-layer chromatographic plates is time consuming, taking up to several hours in each direction. Recently however pressurized thinlayer chromatography has come into use to try to avoid this time difficulty. In this system the solvent is forced through the thin layer of a retention medium by placing a cover plate over the thin layer of retention medium. This system has increased the speed of development. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In the system and apparatus described, an unknown mixture is placed at one end of a strip of material utilizing, a first retention mechanism and an appropriate solvent is forced through the strip which is placed under a cover plate so that the solvent is eluted out the other end of the strip until a first constituent reaches the end of the strip at which time the elution is stopped. Adjacent to the first strip is a two-dimensional thin layer of material having a second retention mechanism. The layer and strip which may be on a single plate are then placed under a cover plate anc the appropriate solvent for the second retention mechanism is forced across the strip orthogonal to the array of constituents and eluted out the other side of the plate opposite the strip. A vacuum device may be attached to the eluting edge to aid in this process. The plate is either supplied with a transparent slit at the edge of the,plate or a transparent slit is provided adjacent the edge through which the solvent elutes in a laminar fashion. In one embodiment of the invention the slit is illuminated with ultraviolet light and a multi-photo diode linear array on the other side of the slit detects the ultraviolet light. When a subconstituent passes through the slit, it is detected by the diode array. The time d position of the detection is an indication of the nature of the sub-constituent and theamount of absorption is an indication of the quantity of the sub-constituent. The output from the diode array may be recorded on magnetic tape and processed by a computer in order to provide a pseudo-three-dimensional plot or cathode ray display in the form of mountain peaks of the subconstituents arrayed on a two-dimensional flat plate. The position of the peaks indicat'es the nature of the constitue=, and the volume of the mountain the quantity of the constituezt. Alternatively the computer may be programmed to provide a list of the components and their quantities. In a three-dimensional form of the apparatus, the second dimensional development is ceased when the first subconstituent reaches the edge of the plate. The plate is permeable and when dried, is placed against a cube of a material having a third retention mechanism and a third solvent is forced through the plate and through the cube. vacuum device at the opposite side of the cube aids in the elution. Detection is effective through a transparent plane in the cube by tomagraphic means or a multiple array planar detector. Those skilled in the art will understand that many different retention mechanisms may be utilized, chosen for their respective appropriateness to the unknown being analyzed. Furthermore, many different detectors may be employed, such optical detectors for detecting changes in the index of refraction, polarization rotation and the like. If the materials being analyzed are radioactive or are made radioactive, radiation detectors may be employed. Fluorescence detectors and detectors of any appropriate physical phenomena, such as hot wire or flame detectors, may be utilized. The invention also contemplates that one or more of the separation steps may be carried out with a gas rather than a liquid. Thus the first step could be carried out by gas chromatography until the first constituent reached the edge of the packed linear column and the second orthogonal step carried out by eluting a gas through the two-dimensional. plate-like column. Liquid and gas chromatography could be used alternately, either one first. Each dimensional separation except the last can be carried out using conventional thin-layer chromatography without overpressure -- the last dimensional separation utilizing-overpressured fluid (gas or liquid) chromatography with a real-time multiple linear, array detector (in the case of two-dimensional chromatography) or a real-time multiple planar array or tomagraphic detector (in the case of threedimensional chromatography). OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide multi-dimensional chromatographic systems and apparatus. Another object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus utilizing real-time detection of constituents eluting over a period of time. A further object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus utilizing successively different retention mechanisms. Still another object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus providing output data which may be conveniently analyzed by means of digital computers. Yet still another object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus providing for three-dimensional chromatography. A further object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus utilizing gas or liquid chromatography or both. Another object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus which decrease the time required for analysis. Still another object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus which may utilize conventional thin-layer chromatography¯¯for separation in any dimension but the last. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus which utilize overpressured thin-layer chromatography or gas chromatography for the last dimensional separation. A further object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus providing for more accurate detection of constituents of an unknown. A still further object of the invention is to provide such systems and apparatus for providing 'more accurate measure of the quantities of various constituents of an unknown. Other objects of the invention such as speeding up and automating the process of multi-dimensional chromatography will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others and the apparatus and systems embodying the features of construction and arrangements of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure. The scope of the invention is indicated in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects or the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyng drawing in which: FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a two-dimensional thinlayer chromatographic plate utilized in the invention; FIGURE 2 is a diagramatic view of overpressured elution apparatus and real-time detection means utilized in the system and apparatus of the invention; and FIGURE 3 is a diagramatic view of a system and apparatts for automatic three-dimensional chromatography according to the invention. The same reference characters refer to the same elements throughout the several views of the drawings. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Now referring to FIGURE 1, a conventional two-dimensior.--l bi-phase chromatographic plate 20 used in the invention may comprise a glass plate of which a first band or strip 22 of plain silica gel is affixed, the remaining portion of the plate 24 is also covered with silica gel; however, this has been treated to react the OH groups bonded to the silica with octadecyl (C18) alkyl groups. Thus the strip 22 has a normal silica surface which is highly polar, and it interacts with components of the unknown by means of their polar groups. The surface 24 is alkyl-bonded silica which is poorly wetted by water, non-polar, and interacts essentiall with the alkyl or carbon skeleton of the molecule. The unknown 26 is placed at one end of the strip 22 and the edge 28 may be wetted by an appropriate non-polar or moderately polar solvent, like heptane or chloroform. The constituents of the unknown 26 will thus differentially move along the strip 22 and be separated into the constituents indicated by the dotted spots 30. When a dotted spot has reached edge 32 of plate 20 the development is stopped and the plate dried. Now referring to FIGURE 2, the plate 20 is then inserted into apparatus for overpressured development. A cover plate 34 is provided in contact with the silica gel 24 and 22. An appropriate solvent 36 for the retention mechanism of the alkyl bonded silica gel 24, such as water, methanol, acetonitrile, or mixtures thereof, is supplied from reservoir 38 to a pump 40 and from the pump 40 to a plenum chamber 42 which forces the solvent 36 through the strip 22 and the thin plate-like column of silica gel 24. The pressure in the plenum may be several (up to at least 15) atmospheres. A second plenum 44 at the edge 46 of plate 20 may be connected to a vacuum pump 48 to aid in the elution of the solvent 36 through the planar column of FIGURE 2. The solvents mentioned will move at an average rate of about one millimeter per second under these conditions. Now referring to FIGURE 1, a strip 50 at edge 46 of plate 20 is preferably not covered with silica gel 24 and the plate is preferably of glass or quartz. This allows detection of the eluting components in FIGURE 2 by passing light through the glass or quartz cover plate 34 and through the transparent strip 50 of plate 20. Light source 52 illuminates the eluting solvent 36 and components of the unknown and this is detected by detector 54 which may be a linear multi-photo diode array. Since these arrays come in lengths of about 2 1/2 centimeters, and the conventional plates 20 are approximately 10 centimeters on an edge, an optical system (not shown) ma be utilized to focus the image of the strip 50 onto the detector 54. The detector, which may have several thousand diodes, is connected to an analog-to-digital converter and commutator 58 which converts the outputs of each of the diodes to digital form and supplies them at frequent intervals, for example, ten times per second, to a multi-channel tape recorder 60. The rate at which the output of the diode array 54 is recorded by the tape recorder 60 depends of course upon the speed of elution of the solvent 36 and the components of the unknown. Under the conditions stated above each constituent peak is a spot 0.5 to 3 millimeters in diameter. It is preferred that this be fast enough so that a large enough number of readings of the rise and fall of the peak of each component being eluted is recorded so that an integration may be performed of the total size of the peak, thus giving an accurate indication of the quantity of the component. The literally millions of individual measurements recorded on the magnetic tape 60 are then supplied to a large digital computer 62 which converts data either to a pseudo-three-dimensional plot which simulates the components as mountain peaks on a two-dimensional plate, or a listing of components derived from previous test measure ments with the quantity of each found, or to a two-dimentior,-l chromatogram similar to a developed bi-phase plate. The plate 20 of FIGURE 1 may be 5-20 centimeters square and the silica gel, layers 22 and 24 thereon, may be l/lOth to 1/4th of a millimeter thick. The plate 20 is thus conventional except for the transparent strip 50 along the top edge 46 thereof. When no such strip is provided the apparatus of FIGURE 2 may be provided with its own window as indicated at the dotted line 64. The first development of the components 30 along the strip 22 may be performed as described by conventional thinlayer chromatography, or the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 2 may be used, in which case an appropriate solvent 36 is forced into the edge 28 perpendicular to the strip 22 -and the development continues until the first component is detected by the detector 54. T he development is then stopped. The plate dried. Then the plate is again placed into the apparatus of FIGURE 2 with the lower edge 66 in the plenum 42. It-will be understood that the edges of the plate 20 and the cover plate 34,ot ot within the plenum 42 or plenum 44, are sealed to prevent leaks. The apparatus of FIGURE 2 may be thought of as many intercommunicating parallel chromatographic columns and in fact the solvent 36 need not be a liquid, but could be a gas and the apparatus of FIGURE 2 could operate by gas chromatography. The light source 52 may be ultraviolet at 254 nanometers, in which case plate 34 and window 50 are quartz. Alternatimly, there may be a plurality of light sources which are successlely illuminated, such as 254, 280 and 350 nanometers, these wavr lengths being chosen to be specifically absorbed by the unknown constituents being sought. The measurements at the three different wave lengths can then be utilized to make three superimposed plots on a TV screen, each in a different primary color. In this way constituents of an unknown mixture may be recognized by their colors in the three color presentation of the chromatogram. Those skilled in the art will understand that the retention media 22 and 24 need not be conventional thinlayer chromatographic retention media in the apparatus of FIGURE 2, but may be any kind of stationary phase used in liquid chromatography, as for example gels used for gel or size exclusion chromatography. Also other means such as the application of electrical fields as used in electrophoresis, to induce separation of components of a mixture, may also be employed. Furthermore if gas chromatography is utilized, any of the well known packing materials utilized in packed gas chromatographic columns may be employed. Many different forms of detection may be utilized in the apparatus of FIGURE 2 other than the straight densometry mentioned above. Conventional means may be employed for detecting the index of refraction of the eluting mixture. If the components fluoresce, fluorescence detection may be employed. The components may be radioactive or may be tagged with radioactive molecules, such as in various radioassay techniques, and the detector 54 may be a radioactivity detector. The components may be ions and the detec=or 54 may be an electro-chemical detector. If the moving phase medium 36 is a gas, various detectors used in gas chromatography may be used, such as flame detectors or hot wire detectors. Those skilled in the art will see that we have provided a method of greatly increasing the number of constituents which may be separated from an unknown mixture in less time and with a real time output capable of being analyzed by data processing techniques. Depending on the size of plate and size of particles used to pack the column as well as packing qualities, the number of components that may be separated from a mixture according to the apparatus of FIGURE 2 may be as high as five hundred to one thousand in a single two-phased chromatcgraphic analysis. The system and apparatus of our invention may be generalized to three dimensions as illustrated in FIGURE 3. There the chromatographic plate 20 is not made of glass but of a porous substance. After being developed in the second dimension (that orthagonal to the strip 22) until the first component reaches the detector 54 development is stopped and the plate 20 is dried. It is then placed against a cube 66 of a stationary phase of a third retention mechanism and then appropriate moving phase 68 for that retention mechanism is pumped from reservoir 69 by pump 70 through plenum chamber 72 into one, face of the cube 66 and thence through the cube 66 in the direction of the arrow to the opposite face of the cube 66 and into an evacuation plenum 74 and vacuum pump 76. Of course the other faces of the cube are sealed by means not shown. Detection of the exiting components. in a plane perpendicular to the arrow may be accomplished by a tomagraphic detector comprising a light source 78 rotating in the plane with detector 80. Information is fed to an analocto-digital converter commutator 82 and then to magnetic tape recorded 84 and thence may be analyzed by a digital computer 86 in the same manner utilizing the same tomagraphic equatic=is presently used in medical tomàgraphy. Alternatively, a plarzr array detector may be incorporated into the plenum 74. Utilizing the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 3, as many as ten thousand components may be separated from a single unknown by a single three-dimensional chromatographic analysis. It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceeding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above methods and systems and in the constructions set forth without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Particularly, although we have discussed the first chromatographic development as producing a linear array of sub-components and the second dimensional chromatographic development as producing a planar array of sub sub-components, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the first development is unidimensional and may be along a curve as well as a straight line, and the second development is two-dimensional and may be on a curved surface as well as a flat surface. Where we have described the use of multiple photo diode detectors, scanning detectors using flying spots, or cathode ray devices may also be employed. In fact any form of detector suitable to measure the quality of an unknown component being sought may be employed, such as electro-chemical detectors. Where we have mentioned two or three retention media, it will be understood that the stationary phase may be the same in successive dimensional developments and the fluid phase changed, or vice Versa, or the'fluid and stationary phases may be different in each separate development. Other separation mechanisms known in the art may be employed such as adsorption chromatography in normal or reverse phase or electrophoresis, It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Having described. our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of multi-dimensional chromatography comprising: A) chromatographically separating an unknown into an array of constituents; B) chromatographically separating said constituents into a second array of sub-constituents by forcinc a fluid across said constituents in a direction orthogonal to said array; and C) detecting said sub-constituents as they flow past fixed positions in said orthogonal direction. 2. The method defined in Claim 1 wherein said first array of constituents is planar. 3. The method defined in Claim 1 in which said first array of constituents is two-dimensional. 4. The method defined in Claim 1 in which said first array of constituents is one-dimensional. 5. The method defined in Claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 in which each of said chromatographic separating steps is carried out using different retention mechanisms. 6. The methoddefined in Claim 5 in which one or more of said chromatographic separating steps are carried out using liquid chromatography. 7. The method defined in Claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 in which one or more of said chromatographic separating steps are carried out'using liquid chromatography. 8. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said detecting step is carried out by repeatedly recording a quality of said constituents as they flow past said fixed positions. 9. The method defined in Claim 7 wherein said quality is optical absorption. 10. The method defined in Claim 8 wherein said last named step is carried out by repeatedly recording the optical absorption of said components at a plurality of wave lengths. 11. A method of three-dimensional chromatography comprising: A) chromatographically separating an unknown into a one-dimensional array of constituents; B) chromatographically separating said constituents into a second two-dimensional array of sub constituents; C) chromatographically separating said sub-constituets into a three-dimensional array sub sub-constittents by forcing a fluid across said sub-constituents in a direction orthogonal to said two-dimensiondl array; and D) detecting said-sub sub-constituents as they flow past fixed positions in said orthogonal direction. 12. A multi-dimensional chromatographic system comprising: A) first means for chromatographically separating components of an unknown into an array of compone-ts; B) second means for further separating said components into a higher dimensional array of components by forcing a fluid through said first array of com ponents; and C) third means for detecting the time and position or transit of said components past fixed positions spaced away from the initial position array. 13. The multi-dimensional chromatographic system of Claim 12 wherein said first means comprises a thin-layer chromatographic plate. 14. The multi-dimensional chromatographic system of Claims 12 or 13 wherein said second means comprises apparatus adapted for overpressured thin-layer chromatography. 15. The multi-dimensional chromatographic system of Claim 14 wherein said second means elutes all of said higher dimensional array of components past said third means. 16. The multi-dimensional chromatographic system of Claims 12 or 13 wherein said second means elutes all of said higher dimensional array of components which are capable of moving past said third means. 17. The multi-dimensional chromatographic system of Claims 12 or 13 wherein said first means separates said components into a two-dimensional array and said second means comprises means for overpressured fluid chromatography through a solid block retention medium. 18. A multi-dimensional chromatographic system comprising: A) a two-dimensional chromatographic column having an entrance edge and an outlet edge and a thin sheet like stationary phase therebetween; B) means for chromatographically separating components of an unknown to cause them to be linearly disposes along said entrance edge-of said column; C) means for forcing fluid through said column in a direction orthagonal to said linearly disposed components; and D) means for detecting the time and position at which said components exit said column. 19. The system defined in Claims 12 or 18 and E) a chromatographic plate on which said chroma tographic separation is accomplished comprising: a) a flat plate; b) a first area adjacent the edge of said plate on a side of said plate covered with a layer of a first chromatographic retention medium; c) a second area adjacent said first area on said side of said plate covered with a layer of a second chromatographic retention medium; and, d) a third area adjacent said second area on said side of said plate not being optically obscured. 20. The system defined in Claim 19 wherein said first area of said chromatographic plate is a rectangular strip, said second area is a larger rectangle and said third area is a rectangular strip. 21. The system defined in Claim 20 wherein said chromatographic plate is glass. 22. A chromatographic plate for multi-dimensional chromatography comprising: A) a flat plate; B) a first area adjacent the edge of said plate on a side of said plate covered with a layer of a first chromatographic retention medium; C) a second area adjacent said first area on said side of said plate covered with a layer of a second chromatographic retention medium; and, D) a third area adjacent said second area on said side of said plate not being optically obscured. 23. The chromatographic plate defined in Claim 22 wherein said first area is a rectangular strip, said second area is a larger rectangle and said third area is a rectangular strip. 24. The chromatographic plate defined in Claims 22 or 23 wherein said plate is glass. 25. The chromatographic plate defined in Claims 22 or 23 wherein said plate is of porous material. 26. A chromatographic unknown component separation system comprising: A) a two-dimensional chromatographic column having an entrance edge at which unknowns may be introduced and an outlet edge and a thin sheet like stationary phase therebetween; B) means for forcing fluid through said column in a direction orthagonal to said entrance edge; and C) means for detecting the time and position at which components arrive at said outlet edge. 27. A chromatographic plate for multi-dimensional chromatography comprising: A) a flat plate; B) a first area adjacent the edge of sai plate on a side of said plate covered with a layer of a first chromatographic retention medium; and C) a second area adjacent said first area on said side of said plate being free of said chromato graphic retention medium. 28. The chromatographic plate defined in Claim 27 wherein said plate is glass. 29. The method defined in Claim 5 in which one or more of said chromatographic separating steps is carried out using gas chromatography.

Inventors: BEAUER, LOIS ANN, GUIOCHON, GEORGES ANORE
Applicants: VAREX CORPORATION
Application year: 1982
Main classification: G01N30
IPC codes: G01N30