DE102011078904A1 - Sample separation device, particularly high-pressure liquid chromatography system for separating components of fluid, through which fluid is passed and load removal device is detachably attached to fluid transfer body - Google Patents

Abstract

The sample separation device (10) comprises a fluid transfer body (75), through which a fluid is passed. A load removal device (80) is detachably attached to the fluid transfer body and is designed for discharging electric charges that are generated in the fluid passing through the fluid transfer body, against a ground potential (90). The load discharge device has an electrically conductive fastening element (82), which is designed for electrical coupling and simultaneous fastening to an element located at the ground potential. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a load discharge device with a mounting portion; and (2) a method for removing electric charges from a fluid transfer body of a sample separation device.

Description

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a sample separation apparatus for separating components of a fluid, a charge discharge device for such a sample separation apparatus, and a method for removing electrical charges from a fluid transfer body of a sample separation apparatus.

In an HPLC, a liquid (mobile phase) is typically run at a very accurately controlled flow rate (for example in the range of microliters to milliliters per minute) and at a high pressure (typically 20 bar to 1000 bar and beyond, currently up to 2000 bar ), in which the compressibility of the liquid is perceptible, is moved by a stationary phase (for example a chromatographic column) to separate individual components of a sample liquid introduced into the mobile phase from each other. Such an HPLC system is known, for example from the EP 0,309,596 B1 same Applicant, Agilent Technologies.

In such and other sample separation devices, a frequently long fluid transfer body, for example a plastic tube, may be provided at various locations through which fluids (such as a solvent, the fluidic sample to be separated, the separate fluidic sample, etc.) are passed. After the sample separation, such a fluid can be discharged from the fluid transfer body, for example into a waste container or into a sample vessel. The transport of the fluid through the fluid transfer body can be carried out under quite high pressure, so that by friction of the fluid on the inner wall of the fluid transfer body, an electrical charge can be carried out, for example, in the waste container inferred fluid transfer body. Since flammable solvents of the fluid, such as ethanol, may also be contained in the waste container, in some unfavorable cases the electrical charge may cause ignition or even explosion.

EPIPHANY

It is an object of the invention to make a sample separation device, in which plastic hoses or similar fluid transfer bodies can be used, safe to operate even at high pressures. The object is achieved by means of the independent claims. Further embodiments are shown in the dependent claims.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sample separation apparatus for separating components of a fluid, the sample separation apparatus comprising a fluid transfer body through which the fluid is passed and a charge transfer device attached to or detachably attachable to the fluid transfer body and for discharging electric charges, which are generated in passing the fluid through the fluid transfer body, at ground potential (or at ground potential) is set up.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a charge removal device for a sample separation device for separating components of a fluid is provided, wherein the sample separation device has a fluid transfer body, through which the fluid is hindurchleitbar, and wherein the charge removal device on a mounting portion, which is for fastening, in particular for external attachment to the fluid transfer body is arranged, and having a magnetic portion which is electrically coupled to the fixing portion, and which is adapted for magnetic attachment to a grounded element such that the generated electrical charges are discharged from the fluid transfer body to the element.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of removing electrical charges from a fluid transfer body of a sample separator for separating components of a fluid, wherein the electrical charges are generated on the fluid transfer body while passing the fluid through the fluid transfer body, the method comprising a first A portion of a charge removal device is attached to the fluid transfer body, a second portion of the charge dissipation device, which is electrically coupled to the first portion, is attached to a grounded (or grounded) element such that by means of the charge dissipation means the generated electrical charges from the fluid transfer body be discharged to the element.

In the context of this application, the term "ground potential" can be understood in particular to mean the electrical potential of a conductive body (for example of a housing of the sample separation device), which corresponds to the potential 0 Volts can be defined and represents the reference potential for signal and operating voltages. In particular, the electrical potential of the ground can be defined as ground potential. A corresponding grounding is an electrically conductive connection with the electrical potential of the ground. But such a grounding is only one possible form of ground connection. By a ground connection is in the general sense a conductive connection with the conductive environment. If this environment covers the ground or is conductively connected to it, grounding exists in particular.

In the context of this application, a "charge removal device" can be understood to mean in particular a physical structure which is configured such that electrical charge carriers generated by influence, the triboelectric effect or similar effects in the friction of a fluid on a conduit wall from the fluid transfer body by means of the charge removal device be derived from another body or to ground or to the soil, so that the successive charging of the fluid transfer body is avoided.

In the context of this application, a "fluid transfer body" can be understood in particular as any physical structure having a channel or a lumen for passing a fluid in order to convey the fluid from a starting position to an end position. The fluid transfer body may be formed at least partially from an electrically insulating material.

In the context of this application, a "fluid" may be understood as meaning, in particular, a liquid and / or a gas. A fluid may optionally also have solid particles.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, electrically positive or negatively charged charge carriers that can be generated in fluid transfer bodies, such as plastic tubing of sample separators, during a high pressure separation process due to interaction of the fluid with the fluid transfer body, can be safely removed, resulting in ESD problems (electrostatic discharge, electrostatic discharge, ESD) can be avoided or at least greatly suppressed. Electrostatic discharge is a spark or breakdown resulting from a large potential difference in an electrically insulating material, which can cause a very short high electric current pulse. With often very long plastic hoses (for example in the range of a meter and more), small inside diameters or high flow rates, the frictional fluid can be offered a large exchange area along which such electrical charges can be generated. Since a fluid transfer body such as a plastic hose can be at least partially electrically insulating, conventionally, no reliable removal of such electrical charges is ensured. If such charges occur approximately at one end of the plastic tube on which the plastic tube is guided into a waste container, a sample collection vessel or the like, then in particular when organic solvents such as alcohol are used, an accumulation of such charge carriers can lead to an explosion, if appropriate with the participation of the solvent , to lead. According to the invention, such unwanted effects which impair the reliability of operation are avoided or suppressed by virtue of the fact that the fluid transfer body, i. at the location of the emergence of the free charge carriers, an electrically conductive component is fixed, which can be brought to ground potential by a user by placing an electrically connected counterpart, so that by a simple accessory reliable removal of the electrical charge carriers and thus improve the reliability is achievable ,

In particular, when using a magnet that may be attached to an end portion of the charge dissipation device, the charge dissipation device is particularly convenient to handle because a user can easily attach the magnet to a grounded laboratory device (for example, a metal housing thereof). An opposing electrically conductive portion of the charge dissipation device may be connected to the magnet via an electrical cable or the like and secured to the plastic tube at a desired location. This allows the user to at least partially remove the parasitic charge carriers from the fluid transfer body with a single manipulation. According to the invention, use is made in particular of the effect that magnetic materials (such as, for example, the 3d magnets iron, cobalt, nickel) can both provide a magnetic fastening force and have an electrical conductivity.

In addition, additional embodiments of the sample separation device will be described. These embodiments apply in each case both for the charge removal device and for the method.

In one embodiment, the charge dissipation device may include an electrically conductive fastener configured to be electrically coupled to and secured to a grounded element (such as a metallic housing of a laboratory device that is at ground potential) at the same time. Thus, with a common handle, an electrical coupling and a mechanical connection between the fastener and mass element can be done. An electrical fastening element can in principle be any electrically conductive component which can be placed on an electrically conductive element, which in turn is at ground potential.

According to one embodiment, the fastening element may be a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet. This particular preferred embodiment simultaneously uses the attachment effect of a magnet due to an attractive magnetic force and its electrical conductivity for charge carrier removal. By the fastening effect, it is possible to simply dock the magnet to a vertical metal wall, for example, to accomplish the charge removal. A permanent magnet is particularly advantageous since it can be used for a long period of time, for example many years, without the magnetic properties changing. Alternatively, an electromagnet can be used, which is acted upon to exert the fastening effect with an electric current.

According to one embodiment, a part of the surface of the magnet may be provided with an electrically insulating protective layer. By partially electrically insulating the surface of the magnet, it is possible to prevent a user operating the charge dissipation device from coming into contact with the discharged electrical charges and the current connected thereto during installation or when the charge dissipation device is touched. In particular, a handling region of the magnet may be electrically insulated, whereas a region of the magnet to be placed on the surface of the mass element should be free of insulation in order not to impair the charge discharge.

According to one embodiment, the sample separation device may have an at least partially electrically conductive (for example a metallic) housing, through which the fluid transfer body passed, in particular galvanically separated (that is without direct electrical conductive contact connection between housing and fluid transfer body), at least partially electrically conductive housing can be brought or brought to ground potential and the magnet is placed or attached to an electrically conductive region of the housing. If a sample separation device has such an electrically conductive housing, then this is often already brought to ground potential for reasons of reliability. Advantageous use can be made of this ground connection (in particular grounding effect) simply by placing the fastening element, preferably a magnet, on such a metallic housing.

According to exemplary embodiments, the fastener may include an electrically conductive clip (for example, for clamping to the mass element), a suction cup provided with an electrically conductive coating (for example, for attachment to the mass element by means of a negative pressure), an electrically conductive weight (for example, a sufficiently heavy body, the example, is placed horizontally on the mass element and due to the acting gravitational and static friction force remains there) and / or an electrically conductive adhesive element (which can be glued, for example, on the mass element by means of an electrically conductive adhesive). Thus, as an alternative or in addition to the use of a magnet, any other fastening systems can be used. By combining several such fastening systems, the adhesion effect can be further improved.

According to one embodiment, the fluid transfer body can have an electrically conductive structure, in particular electrically conductive fibers, more particularly carbon fibers, with which an inner wall of the fluid transfer body is electrically coupled to an outer wall of the fluid transfer body. An inner wall may define the lumen for passage of the fluid, whereas the outer wall may constitute a boundary of the entire fluid transfer body from the environment. Under undesired circumstances, it may happen that the charge carriers are generated on the inner wall of the example designed as a plastic hose fluid transfer body and do not reach the outer wall, where the charge removal device can be placed. To prevent or remedy this, it is possible to provide the fluid transfer body, which may be formed as a hollow cylinder, with electrically conductive fibers, which preferably extend from the inner wall to the outer wall through the fluid transfer body. For example, electrically conductive carbon fibers can be used for this purpose. But there are also other electrical connection mechanisms between inner wall and outer wall possible, such as an electrical connection structure, which is guided as a metallic conductor along the inner and outer walls, without extending through the plastic tube therethrough.

According to one embodiment, the sample separation device may comprise an electrically conductive housing, which encloses partially or completely at least one fluidic component, wherein the at least one fluidic component is brought into fluid communication with an exterior of the electrically conductive housing by means of the fluid transfer body. Such fluidic components may be, for example, a fluid pump, a chromatographic separation column, a sample injector, a flow cell, or the like. Such fluidic components may in particular be components for liquid chromatography. In a modular construction of a life science apparatus, in particular a liquid chromatography apparatus, various modules are provided with a respective housing and components disposed therein fluidly and / or communicatively connected to each other, wherein the fluidic connection can be made via plastic tubing or other fluid transfer body. Since particularly high pressures of 1000 bar and more can occur in such sample separation devices, a reliable removal of the charge carriers generated on the plastic tube is particularly important here because a high pressure with small amounts of fluid carries a particularly high risk that an excess number of charge carriers will be generated.

According to one embodiment, an end of the fluid transfer body led out of the electrically conductive housing can be guided into or guided into a fluid collection container (for example a waste container or a sample collection container). At this point, the pressurized fluid can escape from the fluid transfer body into the fluid collection container and relaxes. In many cases, the plastic tube, which is led out of such an electrically conductive housing, electrically insulated from the electrically conductive housing, so that not already on the connection to the housing, a discharge of the optionally generated electrical charge carriers is possible. For example, if a plastic tube is introduced into a fluid collection container in which fluid is collected at the end of the separation process, then vapor formation may occur in the fluid collection container (such as when using organic solvents such as ethanol) so that it may be used in combination with the Plastic tube generated or influenzierten charges may cause a spark or even an explosion. This can be efficiently avoided by providing a grounding mechanism.

In one embodiment, the sample separation apparatus may include a flow cell for detecting the components of the separated fluid, wherein an output of the flow cell is in fluid communication with the fluid transfer body. In a flow cell, using an electromagnetic detection mechanism, in particular by means of a fluorescence measurement, each component of the separated fluid can be identified.

According to one embodiment, the charge removal device may have an electrically conductive connection structure, which can be fastened to the fluid transfer body at one section and can be fastened to another, opposite section on an element (also referred to as ground element) which is at the electrical ground potential. In particular, the charge removal device can have an electrically conductive, preferably flexible, structure (for example a cable that is electrically insulated toward the outside), with which one section is electrically coupled to the other section.

According to one embodiment, the fluid transfer body may comprise a plastic such as Teflon, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene and / or polypropylene. PEEK or another material from the material class PAEK can thus be used to form the fluid transfer body. These plastic materials have the advantageous property of being able to withstand even the highest pressures, in particular also several hundred bars and more, which can act on the fluid transfer body when the arrangement is used, for example, in a liquid chromatography application (HPLC). At the same time, PEEK also has good sealing properties. However, the fluid transfer body can also be made of another material, for example a ceramic, for example when the fluid transfer body is designed as a sample injection needle.

According to one embodiment, the charge removal device can be attached to an outer circumference of the fluid transfer body by means of a crimping element (for example a crimping sheet) or can be detachably attached, for example crimped. Crimping is a particularly effective method of coupling a metallic fastener to the plastic tubing to form a durable, electrically conductive and mechanically strong bond. For example, using an electrically conductive mandrel of the charge removal device, which is passed through the fluid transfer body during crimping, an electrically conductive connection can be formed between the interior and the exterior of the fluid transfer body.

According to one embodiment, the fluid transfer body may have a length in a range between about 10 cm and about 3 m, in particular in a range between about 50 cm and about 2 m. These dimensions show that, for example, very long plastic hoses can be used. Since the amount of charge generated increases with increasing length of the plastic tube, a reliable removal of generated charge carriers at the mentioned lengths is particularly important.

According to one embodiment, the fluid transfer body, for example if it is formed as a fluid tube, a lumen for guiding the fluid having an inner diameter in a range between about 1 micron and about 3 mm, in particular between about 25 microns and about 800 microns. The friction between the plastic tube and the fluid is especially important small inner diameter high. For the mentioned inner diameters, a reliable charge removal is thus particularly important.

According to exemplary embodiments, the fluid transfer body may be an at least partially electrically insulating tube (in particular a plastic tube), an at least partially electrically insulating injection needle or an at least partially electrically insulating valve body (a fluidic valve, consisting for example of stator and rotor). Embodiments of the invention for discharging charge carriers from a plastic tube (or a tube made from another at least partially electrically insulating material) are preferably used. Since problems with the generation of charge carriers by friction between conveyed fluid and an inner wall of the body are particularly pronounced in such elongated fluid transfer bodies, the use of a charge removal device is particularly effective here. However, it is also the case, for example, in the case of a plastic or ceramic needle, through which a fluid to be injected into a seat is passed, to take into account the risk of undesired electrical charging, which can at least be reduced according to the invention. Also, a plastic or ceramic body of a fluidic valve (for example, a rotor valve of two mutually rotatably arranged valve bodies, such as a stator and a rotor) may be exposed to such unwanted electrical charge, which can be avoided by the charge removal device according to the invention.

The sample separation device may be a microfluidic measuring device, a life science device, a liquid chromatography device, a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a gas chromatography device, an electrophoresis device and / or a gel electrophoresis device. However possible for other applications.

The sample separator may comprise a separation element, for example a chromatographic separation column. The release material may comprise beads, which may for example have a particle size in a range between about 1 micron and about 50 microns. For example, such beads can be made of silica gel or other porous material. The beads may in turn have pores with a dimension in a range between about 0.01 μm and about 0.2 μm. This is advantageous in the light of good separation performance of fluidic samples, for example biological or chemical samples.

The sample separator may include a pump for moving a mobile phase. For example, such a pump may be configured to pump the mobile phase through the system at a high pressure, for example, from a few hundred bars up to 1000 bars or more.

Alternatively or additionally, the sample separation device may comprise a sample detector for detecting separate components of the sample. Such a sample detector may be based on a detection principle that detects electromagnetic radiation (for example in the UV range or in the visible range) originating from certain components of the sample.

Alternatively or additionally, the sample separation apparatus may include a sample fractionator for fractionating the separated components. Such a fractionator may carry the various components, for example, into different liquid containers. The analyzed fluid sample can also be fed to a waste container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be readily appreciated and become better understood by reference to the following more particular description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Features that are substantially or functionally the same or similar are given the same reference numerals.

1 shows an HPLC device with a charge transfer system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

2 shows a module of a sample separation device with a charge removal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

3 shows a cross section through a plastic tube, which can be provided according to the invention with electrically conductive particles to form an electrical coupling between an inner wall and an outer wall for improved removal of charge carriers.

4 shows how a charge dissipation device according to the invention can be attached to a plastic tube.

5 shows how a magnet of a charge dissipation device according to the invention can be placed on a vertical metal wall.

6 shows a portion of a HPLC device with a charge transfer system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with which a ceramic capillary can be brought to electrical ground potential.

7 shows an HPLC chip with a charge dissipation device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, whereby a valve body can be brought to electrical ground potential.

The illustration in the drawing is schematic.

In particular, according to one embodiment of the invention, a magnetic grounding structure for electrostatic discharge of plastic tubing or the like is provided. When using such plastic tubing in combination with organic solvents and high flow rates, significant amounts of charge carriers can be generated on the inner wall of the plastic tubing, thereby undesirably electrically charging the fluid. This can lead to unwanted inflammation in the presence of certain chemicals, such as when the fluid is directed into a tank. In a chromatographic flow cell, for example, a 2 m long Teflon hose can be led to a waste container, which can be done along a long way, a large electrostatic charge. According to the invention, the charge can first be conducted from the inner wall to the outer wall, in particular by providing carbon-fiber-filled Teflon tubes or by using thorns penetrating the insulated plastic tube wall. Then the charge can be removed from the outer wall. This can be done by crimping around a metallic fastener, which can then be connected to a strand. In turn, the strand can be brought to electrical ground potential via a magnet to dissipate the electrostatic charges. In this case, the magnet can be easily attached to a metal object, that is, no complex screw or the like is required (although a screw according to another embodiment of the invention is possible). A further advantage is that charge removal devices according to the invention can be retrofitted since only a grounded metallic component (also called a ground element) is required, to which a magnet can be coupled. Such a mass element may be, for example, a gas / fluid line, a rack, an electronics rack or a housing of a sample separator or module. As the material for the electrical cable or the conductive wire, for example, metal or a conductive plastic can be used. Preferably, the conductive wire should have a resistance of less than 100K ohms. With the advent of high flow rates of 5 ml / min and more, and in view of a wider range of flux media used, the ESD problem that is aggravated by this can be defused according to the invention in life science apparatuses in that the charges are removed by a separate charge removal device. Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments, the goal of keeping a sample path of a sample separation device as free of metal as possible can be achieved by coupling a metal-free or metal-poor fluid transfer body to the charge removal device and thus making it secure.

1 shows the basic structure of an HPLC system 10 , as it can be used for example for liquid chromatography. A pump 20 drives a mobile phase by a solvent container 25 provided and by means of a degasser 27 can be degassed by a separation device 30 (such as a chromatographic column) containing a stationary phase. A sample application unit 40 is between the pump 20 and the separation device 30 arranged to introduce a sample liquid in the mobile phase. The stationary phase of the separation device 30 is intended to separate components of the sample fluid. A detector 50 Detects separated components of the sample, and a fractionator 60 may be provided to dispense separated components of the sample liquid, for example, in designated containers or a drain. A control unit 70 controls the components of the HPLC system 10 ,

While a fluid path between the pump 20 and the separation device 30 typically at high pressure, the sample liquid under normal pressure is first in a separate area from the liquid path, a so-called sample loop (English: Sample Loop), the sample unit 40 entered, which then introduces the sample liquid in the high-pressure liquid path. When connecting the initially under normal pressure sample liquid in the sample loop in the high-pressure liquid path, the content of the sample loop abruptly (typically in the range of milliseconds) on the system pressure of the HPLC system 10 brought.

1 also shows that on a plastic tube 75 for connecting a flow cell of the detector 50 with the example designed as a waste container fractionation device 60 a charge removal device according to the invention 80 can be attached as a separate accessory. This can easily be done later by a user put on and attached. The charge removal device 80 has a metallic crimping section 84 on, for attaching to the plastic tube 75 is arranged to produce a circumferential crimp connection. The crimp section 84 is via an electrically conductive cable 86 of metal or an electrically conductive plastic, surrounded by an insulating jacket, with a cylindrical or disc-shaped permanent magnet, for example 82 connected to an electrical connection between the crimping section 84 and the magnet 82 manufacture. If the magnet 82 to an element at ground potential 90 , For example, a metal wall or a gas line is placed, so can electrical charges, the fluid flowing through the plastic hose 75 be formed, to the mass element 90 be dissipated. As a result, the ESD safety is increased and the risk of explosions or sparking on the example designed as a waste container fractionation device 60 , where also flammable organic solvent vapors may be present, is significantly reduced.

2 shows a detailed embodiment of the embodiment. A metallic case 90 surrounds flow cell 50 , As with reference numerals 220 indicated schematically, is the metallic housing 90 at ground potential, in particular at ground potential brought. In contrast, as with reference numerals 230 indicated, a fluid-carrying plastic tube 75 that made the metallic case 90 using an interface unit 240 led out, decoupled by a galvanic isolation of the electrical ground potential. Thus, electrical charge carriers, when passing a fluid through the plastic tube 75 produced at a pressure of, for example, 500 bar on the inner wall by frictional effects, conventionally not be dissipated before the plastic tube 75 in the waste container 202 dips. In the waste container 202 is a liquid 250 included, which may also contain methanol, for example. Therefore, a vapor level may be above the liquid 260 form. When the electrical charge carriers on the plastic tube 75 can not be dissipated, it may be due to interaction between the at the open end of the plastic tube 75 at the waste container 202 released charge carriers and the vapors 260 come to an uncontrolled explosion. This is particularly critical when the plastic tube 75 has a large length of, for example, l = 2m, since the longer the plastic tube, the larger the amount of the generated electrical charge carriers is usually 75 is.

According to the invention, a crimped connection is used for discharging the charges 84 around the plastic tube 75 put around by plastic deformation on the plastic tube 75 pressed and a circumferentially insulated electrically conductive cable 86 with the magnet 82 coupled. The magnet 82 Can be easily accessed by a user on the metal wall 90 be placed so that then a continuous electrically conductive connection between the Krimpabschnitt 84 , the electrical cable 86 , the magnet 82 , the metallic housing 90 and the electrical ground potential 220 is trained. As a result, the generated charge carriers reliably from the plastic tube 75 be discharged and an explosion in the waste container 202 or even just an unwanted charging of the plastic tube 75 be avoided.

3 shows a cross section through a plastic tube 75 , which can be developed according to the invention. The hollow cylindrical plastic hose 75 has an inner wall 302 and an outer wall 304 on. Through the inner wall 302 the lumen is limited, through which a fluid perpendicular to the paper plane of 3 can be performed. In this case, due to friction effects on the inner wall 302 Charge carriers are generated. To this first on the outside (at the Krimpabschnitt 84 can be attached) of the plastic tube 75 dissipate and as a result completely from the plastic tube 75 can dissipate electrically conductive structures as a connecting means between the inner wall 302 and the outer wall 304 be used. According to 3 These are electrically conductive carbon fibers 300 which are performed by the container wall. However, there are many alternatives to these carbon fibers 300 possible, for example, electrically conductive particles which are admixed in a concentration of a plastic material, thereby continuous conductive paths from the inner wall 302 up to the outer wall 304 be formed.

4 shows a cross-sectional view of a plastic tube 75 on which a crimping sheet 84 put on the plastic tube 75 folded over and under formation of positive connection sections 400 is attached by crimping. This can be done, for example, by using a conventional crimping tool. An electrical cable 86 is, in this case via a solder joint 310 , with the crimping plate 84 electrically connected. 4 shows one too 3 alternative possibility of establishing an electrical connection between the inner wall 302 and the outer wall 304 of the plastic tube 75 , This is here through optional mandrels 306 realized, which may be made of electrically conductive plastic or metal and the plastic tube 75 penetrate without affecting its tightness. This allows the by the flowing fluid (see arrow 308 ) on the inner wall generated electrical charge carriers via the electrically conductive mandrels 306 to the crimping element 84 be discharged, leaving a charge flow bridge between the inner wall 302 and the outer wall 304 is formed.

5 shows schematically how a magnet 82 on a metallic container wall 90 is attached. An electrical cable 86 is, in this case via a solder joint 310 , with the magnet 82 electrically coupled. The magnet 82 is along part of its surface with an electrical insulation jacket 500 plated to allow a user while gripping the magnet 500 does not come in contact with any occurring electrical currents. Also the cable 86 is with an electrical insulation jacket 502 surround.

5 shows that according to an exemplary embodiment, the magnet may be formed as a cylindrical body or as a disk. For example, a diameter d may be 10 mm, generally between 3 mm and 100 mm.

6 shows a portion of a HPLC device with a charge transfer system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention to a ceramic capillary 600 that is a fluidic conduit 602 encloses to bring to electrical ground potential. The ceramic capillary 600 is on a housing 604 connected. If in the ceramic capillary 600 a fluid has been absorbed, this is in a seat 606 retracted, in turn, on a housing 608 is appropriate. Is the ceramic capillary 600 in the seat 606 absorbed, so can fluid from the ceramic capillary 600 in a connected capillary 610 in the case 608 be injected. Such an arrangement can be used, for example, in a sample injector of an HPLC (see references 40 in 1 ).

If it during the fluid transfer operation to an electrical charge of the ceramic capillary 600 comes or if such a charge is to be feared, for example, designed as a metallic clamp fastening device 84 around the outer circumference of the capillary 600 be folded over and attached to it so that then electrical charge carriers on the electrically conductive terminal 84 , an electrically conductive and insulated cable 86 and finally a magnet or the like can be dissipated to ground. The system according to 6 can thus selectively by a user at the capillary 600 be mounted or removed from it. Furthermore, according to 6 , for example, in the 3 or in 4 shown manner, an electrically conductive connection between the inner surface and outer surface of the ceramic capillary 600 be formed.

7 shows an HPLC chip with a charge transfer system according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention for electrical grounding of a valve body. More specifically shows 7 a fluidic chip 710 in which in a laminate arrangement 702 from a plurality of plastic layers and / or metal layers fluidic channels and a chromatographic separation column may be integrated (not shown). By means of a valve body 700 made of ceramic, a fluidic sample in the fluidic channels of the fluidic chip 710 be injected. reference numeral 704 Figure 12 shows a fluid outlet port after processing of the fluid in the fluidic chip 710 the fluidic sample can be discharged to the outside again. The valve body 700 contains, as is known in the art, a plurality of relatively rotatable bodies with which the valve can be opened or closed. When flowing through the fluid channels of the valve body 700 generated by friction electrical charge carriers, these can be applied via a charge discharge device according to the invention 80 be dissipated.

It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements and that the "on" does not exclude a plurality. Also, elements described in connection with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0309596 B1 [0002]

Claims (16)

Sample Separator ( 10 ) for separating components of a fluid, wherein the sample separation device ( 10 ): a fluid transfer body ( 75 ) through which the fluid is passed; and a charge removal device ( 80 ) attached to the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) or removably attachable, and for discharging electrical charges which, when passing the fluid through the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) generated against ground potential is formed. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the charge removal device ( 80 ) an electrically conductive fastening element ( 82 ) which is adapted for electrical coupling with and for simultaneous attachment to a grounded element ( 90 ) is trained. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to claim 2, wherein the fastening element ( 82 ) has a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to claim 3, wherein a part of the surface of the magnet with an electrically insulating protective layer ( 500 ) is provided. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to claim 3 or 4, comprising an at least partially electrically conductive housing ( 90 ), through which the fluid transfer body ( 75 ), in particular guided galvanically separated, is, wherein the at least partially electrically conductive housing ( 90 ) is brought or brought to ground potential and the magnet ( 82 ) at an electrically conductive region of the housing ( 90 ) is placed or attached. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastening element ( 82 ) is selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive terminal, a suction cup provided with an electrically conductive coating, an electrically conductive substrate, and an electrically conductive adhesive element. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) an electrically conductive structure ( 300 ), in particular electrically conductive fibers, more particularly carbon fibers, wherein the electrically conductive structure ( 300 ) an inner wall ( 302 ) of the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) with an outer wall ( 304 ) of the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) is electrically coupled. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an at least partially electrically conductive housing ( 90 ), the at least one fluidic component ( 50 ) encloses at least partially, wherein by means of the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) the at least one fluidic component ( 50 ) in fluid communication with an exterior of the at least partially electrically conductive housing ( 90 ) is brought. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to claim 8, wherein one of the at least partially electrically conductive housing ( 90 ) led out end of the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) into a fluid collection container ( 202 ) is guided or guided into it. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a flow cell ( 50 ) for detecting the components of the separated fluid, wherein an output of the flow cell ( 50 ) with the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) in fluid communication, in particular directly in fluid communication. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) comprises at least one of the group consisting of an at least partially electrically insulating hose, in particular a plastic hose ( 75 ), an at least partially electrically insulating injection needle ( 600 ) and an at least partially electrically insulating valve body ( 700 ). Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least one of the following features: the charge removal device ( 80 ) has an electrically conductive structure ( 86 ), in particular a connecting line, which is connected to a section ( 84 ) on the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) is attachable and at another section ( 82 ) on an element ( 90 ) is fastened, which is at the electrical ground potential; the charge removal device ( 80 ) has an electrically conductive structure ( 86 ) on a section ( 84 ) on the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) is attachable and at another section ( 82 ) on an element ( 90 ), which is at the electrical ground potential, wherein the electrically conductive structure ( 86 ) has an insulated cable that covers the section ( 84 ) with the other section ( 82 electrically coupled; the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) comprises at least one material from the group consisting of teflon, polyetheretherketone, polyethylene, polypropylene and ceramic; the charge removal device ( 80 ) is by means of a crimping element ( 84 ), in particular by means of a Krimpblechs, on an outer periphery of the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) attached or removably attachable; the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) has a length (l) in a range between 10 cm and 3 m, in particular in a range between 50 cm and 2 m; the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) has a lumen for guiding the fluid having an inner diameter (D) in a range between 1 .mu.m and 3 mm, in particular between 25 .mu.m and 800 .mu.m. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sample separation device ( 10 ) further comprises: a fluid drive ( 20 ), in particular a pumping system, designed to drive a mobile phase in the sample separation device ( 10 ); a sample injector ( 40 ) configured to inject a fluidic sample into the mobile phase, thereby generating the fluid; and a separation unit ( 30 ), in particular a chromatographic column, designed to separate components of the fluid produced. Sample Separator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least one of the following features: the sample separating device ( 10 ) is adapted to analyze at least one physical, chemical and / or biological parameter of at least one component of the fluid; the sample separator ( 10 ) comprises at least one of the group consisting of a chemical, biological and / or pharmaceutical analysis apparatus, a chromatography apparatus, a liquid chromatography apparatus, an HPLC apparatus, a gas chromatography apparatus, an electrophoresis apparatus, a capillary electrophoresis apparatus, a gel electrophoresis apparatus, and a mass spectrometry apparatus; the sample separator ( 10 ) is designed to drive the fluid at a high pressure; the sample separator ( 10 ) is designed to drive the fluid at a pressure of at least 100 bar, in particular of at least 500 bar, more particularly of at least 1200 bar; the sample separator ( 10 ) is designed as a microfluidic device; the sample separator ( 10 ) is designed as a nanofluidic device; the separation unit ( 30 ) is adapted to retain components of the fluid and to allow other components of the fluid, the separation unit ( 30 ) to happen; at least a part of the separation unit ( 30 ) is filled with a release material; at least a part of the separation unit ( 30 ) is filled with a release material, wherein the release material has beads with a size in a range of 1 micron to 50 microns; at least a part of the separation unit ( 30 ) is filled with a release material, wherein the release material has beads with pores having a size in a range of 0.01 microns to 0.2 microns. Charge removal device ( 80 ) for a sample separation device ( 10 ) for separating components of a fluid, wherein the sample separation device ( 10 ) a fluid transfer body ( 75 ) through which the fluid is passable, and wherein the charge removal device ( 80 ): a fixing section ( 84 ), for fastening, in particular for external attachment, on the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) is set up; a magnetic section ( 82 ) connected to the attachment section ( 84 ) is electrically coupled, and which for magnetic attachment to a grounded element ( 90 ) is arranged such that the generated electrical charges from the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) to the element ( 90 ) are discharged. Method for removing electrical charges from a fluid transfer body ( 75 ) of a sample separation device ( 10 ) for separating components of a fluid, wherein the electrical charges on the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) while passing the fluid through the fluid transfer body ( 75 ), the method comprising: attaching a first section ( 84 ) a charge removal device ( 80 ) on the fluid transfer body ( 75 ); Attaching a second section ( 82 ) of the charge removal device ( 80 ), with the first section ( 84 ) is electrically coupled to an element at ground potential ( 90 ) such that by means of the charge removal device ( 80 ) the generated electrical charges from the fluid transfer body ( 75 ) to the element ( 90 ) are discharged.

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