title: Fully automated sample handling system for liquid chromatography based on pre-column technology and automated cartridge exchange.
abstract: The design of an automated cartridge exchange module for on-line sample handling in liquid chromatography is described. When combined with a low-cost purge pump, a solvent selection valve and an auto-sampler, a fully automated sample handling system is obtained. Samples are sorbed on a disposable cartridge packed with 40 micron octyl-bonded silica, purged for clean-up and eluted on-line to the analytical column. Unattended operation of the system is demonstrated for various examples, i.e., the determination of anti-epileptic drugs in serum, an anti-cancer drug in plasma, barbiturates in urine, phenylurea herbicides in river water and caffeine in a soft drink.
mesh_terms: D001322:Autoanalysis; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations