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NEW MICROEXTRACTION DEVICE AUTOMATED
ES3030757A1
The determination of biomarkers in biological fluids using extraction techniques before measuring is a common practice in laboratories. Conventional extraction techniques usually require large amounts of solvent or sorbent as well as large amounts of sample. Microextraction techniques, of which there are numerous modalities, are based on the same fundamentals as conventional techniques. However, although the quantities of the extractant phase have been drastically reduced to a few microlitres (solvent) or milligrams (sorbent), the same level of reduction has not been achieved for the sample, which is still in the order of millilitres. In terms of process automation, there are no known commercial automated devices for dispersive microsolid-phase extraction techniques, so this invention could be widely accepted in the scientific community.
The invention presents the following advantages: Automation of DMSPE (dispersive solid phase microextraction), reducing operator involvement and time. Application of DMSPE to micro-samples. Low solvent and sorbent consumption. Low waste generation and therefore less need for waste treatment, thus reducing the ecological footprint. Reduced risk of contamination between samples. Portability, as the elements are miniaturised and integrated in a small size spport. Low production cost. The present invention may have applications in analytical laboratories, especially in clinical analysis laboratories where low sample volume and minimal sample intervention procedures is required. This invention would be useful in hospital laboratories, universities and research centres.