In-line flow through micro-dialysis apparatus and method for high performance liquid phase separations

Abstract

Apparatus for in-line flow-through sample treatment includes a sample channel that has a sample inlet and a sample outlet and is defined in part by inner surfaces of walls of a solid material and in part by an inner surface of a first membrane, and a first flushing channel that has an inlet port and an outlet port and is defined in part by inner surfaces of walls of a solid material and in part by an outer surface of the first membrane. An electric field is applied across the first membrane in liquids carried within the sample channel and the first flushing channel. The analytical stream flows from an upstream liquid analysis device, such as a liquid chromatographic column, into the sample inlet and through the sample channel and out from the sample outlet, and a flushing liquid flows into the inlet port and through the flushing channel and out from the outlet port. Charged particles (such as ions of inorganic salts) in the analytical stream move in a direction generally away from or toward the membrane. Particles (including solvent molecules) sufficiently small to pass through the membrane move across the membrane from the sample channel to the flushing channel, in which they are carried away by the flushing liquid. Thus, a rapid enrichment of sample analytes in the analytical results.