Programmable solid phase extraction and elution device

Claim 1

A method for extracting one or more particular solutes from a sample solution, said method comprising the steps of: a. placing an amount of said sample solution into a non-contaminating receptacle, said receptacle being operatively connected to means adapted to meter predetermined amounts of said solution therefrom; b. programmably introducing at least one metered amount of said sample solution into a selected one or more of a plurality of cartridge receiver tubes, each of said selected receiver tubes containing an amount of the same or a different solid phase extractant or sorbent through which said solution will pass, said sorbent being selected to remove substantially all of one of said particular solutes from said sample solution; c. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes a predetermined amount of one or more solvents to pass through said sorbent, said solvents being adapted to selectively dissolve and remove substantially all of any residual sample solution and residual contaminants remaining on or absorbed by said sorbent while permitting substantially all of said particular solute to remain; d. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes one or more predetermined amounts of at least one solvent to pass through said sorbent and selectively form a contamination-free solution with a selected one of said particular solutes resident therein; and e. removing said contamination-free solution from said selected receiver tubes for further use.

Claim 2

A method for extracting one or more particular solutes from a sample solution, said method comprising the steps of: a. placing an amount of said sample solution into a non-contaminating receptacle, said receptacle being operatively connected to means adapted to meter predetermined amounts of said solution therefrom; b. programmably introducing at least one metered amount of said sample solution into a selected one or more of a plurality of cartridge receiver tubes, each of said selected receiver tubes containing an amount of the same or a different solid phase extractant or sorbent through which said solution will pass, said sorbent being selected to remove substantially all of one of said particular solutes from said sample solution; c. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes a predetermined amount of one or more solvents to pass through said sorbent, said solvents being adapted to selectively dissolve and remove substantially all of any residual sample solution and residual contaminants remaining on or absorbed by said sorbent while permitting substantially all of said particular solute to remain; d. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes one or more predetermined amounts of at least one solvent to pass through said sorbent and selectively form a contamination-free solution with a selected one of said particular solutes resident therein; and e. removing said contamination-free solution from said selected receiver tubes for further use.

Claim 8

A method for extracting one or more particular solutes from a sample solution, said method comprising the steps of: a. placing an amount of said sample solution into at least a selected one of a plurality of cartridge receiver tubes, each of said receiver tubes containing an amount of the same or a different solid phase extractant or sorbent through which said solution will pass, said sorbent being selected to remove substantially all of one of said particular solutes from said sample solution; b. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes a predetermined amount of one or more solvents to pass through said sorbent, said solvents being adapted to selectively dissolve and remove substantially all of any residual solution and residual contaminants remaining on or absorbed by said sorbent while permitting substantially all of said particular solute to remain; c. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes one or more predetermined amounts of at least one solvent to pass through said sorbent and selectively form a contamination-free solution with a selected one of said particular solute resident therein; and d. removing said contamination-free solution from said selected receiver tubes for further use.

Claim 9

A method for extracting one or more particular solutes from a sample solution, said method comprising the steps of: a. placing an amount of said sample solution into at least a selected one of a plurality of cartridge receiver tubes, each of said receiver tubes containing an amount of the same or a different solid phase extractant or sorbent through which said solution will pass, said sorbent being selected to remove substantially all of one of said particular solutes from said sample solution; b. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes a predetermined amount of one or more solvents to pass through said sorbent, said solvents being adapted to selectively dissolve and remove substantially all of any residual solution and residual contaminants remaining on or absorbed by said sorbent while permitting substantially all of said particular solute to remain; c. programmably introducing into said selected receiver tubes one or more predetermined amounts of at least one solvent to pass through said sorbent and selectively form a contamination-free solution with a selected one of said particular solute resident therein; and d. removing said contamination-free solution from said selected receiver tubes for further use.