Patent ID: 7958774

Claim:
System for sample preparation and/or sample enrichment, the system comprising the following components: a gradient pump for supplying fluid to an injector ( 12 ); a first switch element ( 14 ) with a switch element input ( 14 a ) and at least two mutually exclusive switch element outputs ( 14 b , 14 c , 14 d ) and a second corresponding switch element ( 16 ) with at least two mutually exclusive switch element inputs ( 16 b , 16 c , 16 d ) and a switch element output ( 16 a ), the first and second switch elements being connected to control means for opening and closing the switch element inputs ( 14 a , 16 b , 16 c , 16 d ) and switch element outputs ( 14 b , 14 c , 14 d , 16 a ); a first distributor element ( 18 , 40 ) with at least three ports and a second distributor element ( 20 , 40 ) with at least three ports; as well as a first separation column ( 22 ) and a second separation column ( 24 ), wherein the components are arranged in such fluidic communication with each other that by means of different positions of the switch elements ( 14 , 16 ), achievable through the control means, it is possible to configure at least two different fluidic paths in the system, such that in sequence, the injector ( 12 ), the first switch element ( 14 ), the first distributor element ( 18 ), the first separation column ( 22 ), the second distributor element ( 20 ) and the second switch element ( 16 ) are in such fluidic communication that they configure a first fluidic path when the switch elements ( 14 , 16 ) are in a first position, and in sequence, the injector ( 12 ), the first switch element ( 14 ), the second distributor element ( 20 ), the first separation column ( 22 ), the first distributor element ( 18 ), the second separation column ( 24 ) and the second switch element ( 16 ) are in such fluidic communication that they configure a second fluidic path when the switch elements ( 14 , 16 ) are in a second position, with the result that the flow direction along the first fluidic path through the first separation column ( 22 ) is opposite to the flow direction of the second fluidic path through said first separation column ( 22 ).