Shimadzu Corporation

Shotaro Ando

Takashi Inoue

Kenichi Yasunaga

Hiroyuki Minato

Tsutomu Watanabe

Nobumitsu Fukushima

A liquid chromatograph includes a sample supplier that supplies a sample into a mobile phase, a chip column having a flow path that functions as a separation column on a substrate, a packed column, a switcher configured to be switchable between a first state in which a mobile phase and a sample are guided from the sample supplier to the chip column and a second state in which a mobile phase and a sample are guided from the sample supplier to the packed column, and a detector that detects a sample that has passed through the chip column and a sample that has passed through the packed column.

Liquid chromatograph

Liquid waste is temporarily received by a liquid waste receiver that is provided on a discharge path for liquid waste generated in an analyzer to a liquid waste tank. An outflow liquid receiver is arranged adjacent to the liquid waste receiver, the liquid waste receiver and the outflow liquid receiver are partitioned by a partition having a certain height, and a liquid sensor is arranged in the outflow liquid receiver. In a case where an abnormality occurs in discharging of the liquid waste, the liquid waste accumulated in the liquid waste receiver flows over the partition to flow into the outflow liquid receiver, and is detected by the liquid sensor. Because the liquid waste flows into the outflow liquid receiver only in a case where an abnormality occurs in discharging of the liquid waste, an abnormality in discharging of the liquid waste can be detected by the liquid sensor.

Liquid waste monitoring device

A column accommodation device () includes a housing in which a column accommodation space () is provided, and a chip column () having a plate-shape and having an internal flow path () filled with a separation medium () is accommodated in the column accommodation space (). An outer surface of the chip column () is provided with openings () respectively communicating with both ends of the internal flow path. Inside of the column accommodation space () is provided with a guide () for guiding the chip column () to a predetermined position. The column accommodation device () includes a seal device () for connecting and releasing pipes () to and from the openings () of the chip column (), and a controller () configured to perform operation control of the seal device (), and the controller () is configured to fluidly connect the pipes () with respect to the openings () of the chip column () when it is determined that the chip column () is arranged at the predetermined position.

Column accommodation device and liquid chromatograph

The auto-sampler for chromatographs includes a needle for sampling configured to move while a tip end thereof faces vertically downward; a switching valve having a plurality of ports to which channels constituting a chromatograph are connected, the switching valve switching between port connecting conditions to switch between channel configurations; and an injection port including an opening at an upper surface thereof through which a tip end of the needle is inserted to make the needle fluidically communicate with a pipe connected to one port of the switching valve, and a needle seal configured to get into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the tip end portion to make the needle fluidically communicate with the pipe in a liquid-tight manner when the tip end of the needle is inserted through the opening.

Auto-sampler for chromatographs

The auto-sampler for chromatographs includes a sampling needle, a pipe, a pump portion, and a connecting mechanism configured to connect the sampling needle and the pipe. The connecting mechanism includes a first component fixed to the sampling needle, a second component fixed to the pipe, a fixing component, and a packing. The fixing component fixes the first component and the second component using screwing of screws while the end surface of the sampling needle and the end surface of the pipe are in contact with the packing. As a result, dead volume at the connecting portion between the sampling needle and the pipe is reduced.

An autosampler includes an injection port for supplying a sample to an analysis device, a needle that collects the sample stored in a vial and injects the sample into the injection port, a cleaning unit that cleans the needle and a gas exhaust fan. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning container which stores a cleaning liquid and into which the needle is inserted, and a unit main body that has a space for storing the cleaning container and receiving the cleaning liquid overflowing from the cleaning container, and a unit gas exhaust passage for exhausting gas in the space outwardly of the cleaning unit. The unit main body has a unit opening through which the needle passes when accessing the cleaning container. The autosampler includes a boundary portion that separates a first region in which the injection port, the needle and the unit opening are arranged from a second region in which the gas exhaust fan is arranged, and a gas exhaust region which is connected to the unit gas exhaust passage via a gas exhaust opening provided at the boundary portion and into which gas exhausted from the space flows due to a negative pressure generated by the gas exhaust fan.

Growing community of inventors

Kyoto, Japan

Shotaro Ando