COVER FOR A THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY DEVELOPMENT CHAMBER

Abstract

A thin-layer chromatography development chamber (1) that can be used for developing thin-layer chromatography plates (21) by introducing a liquid solvent onto a sample arranged on the surface of a thin-layer chromatography plate (21), whereby the solvent and the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) can be inserted into the development chamber (1), comprises a housing (2) with an opening (3). The opening (3) of the development chamber (1) can be closed with a cover (4) that comprises a data input unit (10) for entering or collecting data related to a development process performed within the development chamber (1). The cover (4) further comprises a data communication unit (16) that enables a wireless data transmission of the data related to the development process to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device (24).

Claims

1. Cover (4) for a thin-layer chromatography development chamber (1) for developing thin-layer chromatography plates (21) by introducing a liquid solvent onto a thin-layer chromatography plate (21), whereby the solvent and the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) can be inserted into the development chamber (1), and whereby an opening (3) of the development chamber (1) can be closed with the cover (4), characterized in that the cover (4) comprises a data input unit (10) for entering or collecting data related to a development process performed within the development chamber (1).

2. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4) comprises an information display unit (14) for displaying data that has been entered or collected with the data input unit (10).

3. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the cover (4) comprises a data communication unit (16) that enables a wireless data transmission of the data that has been entered or collected with the data input unit (10) to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device (24).

4. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) comprises a timer device that can be set to indicate the development process duration.

5. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4) comprises a plate reception device (30) that is suitable for moving a thin-layer chromatography plate (21) between a storage position without contact to a solvent (29) of a solvent bath within the development chamber (1), and a development position with a part of the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) immersed in the solvent (29) of the solvent bath.

6. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) comprises a temperature sensor device (11) for sensing the temperature inside the development chamber (1) during the development process.

7. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) comprises a humidity sensor device for sensing the humidity inside the development chamber (1) during the development process.

8. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) comprises a pressure sensor device (12) for sensing the pressure inside the development chamber (1) during the development process.

9. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) comprises a bubble sensor device for sensing bubbles within a solvent (29) inside the development chamber (1) during the development process.

10. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) comprises a filling level sensor device for sensing the filling level of a solvent (29) in a solvent bath within the development chamber (1).

11. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) comprises a solvent homogeneity sensor device (34) for sensing the homogeneity of a solvent (29) before or during the development step.

12. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4) comprises an orientation measurement device for measuring the orientation of the cover (4) with respect to a reference orientation.

13. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4) comprises a compartment (8) for at least one sensitive part, of the data input unit (10) and of the data communication unit (16) that is sealed from the inner side facing the development chamber (1) with a sealing that is inert to the solvent.

14. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing comprises a glass plate and an annular seal surrounding the glass plate that allows for sealing a gap between the glass plate and an opening edge of the opening (3) of the development chamber (1).

15. Cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data communication unit (16) comprises a data reception device for receiving data related to the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) that is developed during the development process.

16. System for developing and analyzing a thin-layer chromatography plate (21) with a development chamber (1) for developing the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) and with a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device (23) for collecting and analyzing results of chromatography on a thin-layer chromatography plate (21) developed with the development chamber, characterized in that the development chamber (1) comprises a cover (4) according to claim 1.

17. System for developing and analyzing a thin-layer chromatography plate (21) according to claim 16, characterized in that the thin-layer chromatography evaluation device (23) comprises a data communication unit that enables a wireless data transmission of the data related to the evaluation process to the thin-layer chromatography data storage device (24).

18. Method for developing and analyzing a thin-layer chromatography plate (21), whereby the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) is developed within a thin-layer chromatography development chamber (1) with a cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that during a data transmission step at least one data related to the development of the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) that is entered or collected by the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) is transmitted during or after the development step to a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device (23) for collecting and analyzing the results of chromatography of the thin-layer chromatography plate (21).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The present invention will be more fully understood, and further features will become apparent, when reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the following specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto without deviating from the innovative concepts of the invention. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic section view of a thin-layer chromatography development chamber with a housing and with a cover that covers an opening of the housing and that comprises a data input unit for entering or collecting data related to the and a data communication unit that enables a wireless data transmission,

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cover as shown in FIG. 1,

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the cover,

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a method for developing and analyzing a thin-layer chromatography plate, and

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic section view of the thin-layer chromatography development chamber that is covered with another embodiment of the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a thin-layer chromatography development chamber 1 that is designed and suitable for developing thin-layer chromatography plates. The development chamber 1 comprises a housing 2 with an opening 3 on a top side of the housing 2. The housing 2 is large enough to receive several thin-layer chromatography plates and a solvent forming the mobile phase for developing the thin-layer chromatography plates within the development chamber 1. The thin-layer chromatography plates and the solvent can be inserted through the opening 3 into the housing 2. Afterwards, the opening 3 can be closed and sealed by a cover 4 in order to avoid any interference or contamination during development of the thin-layer chromatography plates inside of the development chamber 1.

[0042] The cover 4 has a circumferential groove 5 designed to receive an upper edge 6 of the housing 2, with an elastic seal 7 arranged within the groove 5. The groove 5 is designed to allow a clampable sealing to be used simplifying sealing swap procedure. The cover 4 can be placed on top of the housing 2, thereby covering the opening 3 and sealing the opening 3 with the elastic seal 7 that is clamped within the circumferential groove 5 by the weight of the cover 4. The sealing of the cover 4 generates a contact pressure and a retention force that withstands a pressure which might arise within the housing 2 during a development step that is performed with the development chamber 1, resulting in a firm and reliable closure of the development chamber 1.

[0043] The cover 4 comprises a compartment 8 below a front plate 9 that provides for a closure of the compartment 8. A data input unit 10 is arranged inside the compartment 8. The data input unit 10 comprises a temperature sensor 11, a pressure sensor 12, a data processing unit 13, a display 14 and several touch-sensitive buttons 15. A user can enter some data related to the development step that is performed with the development chamber 1 by using the touch-sensitive buttons 15. The data can be displayed with the display 14. Furthermore, additional data can be collected with the temperature sensor 11 and the pressure sensor 12 before, during or after the development step. The data input unit 10 is connected with a data communication unit 16 and an antenna 17 that allows for a wireless data transmission of some or all of the data that has been entered into or collected by the data input unit 10 to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device or a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device which is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] By arranging the data input unit 10 within the compartment 8, the data input unit 10 is protected against mechanical stress and against interference or damage by solvents or ingredients that are used during a development step that is performed with the development chamber 1. The temperature sensor 11 and the pressure sensor 12 are each arranged above a small hole 25 within a bottom wall 26 of the compartment 8. Each sensor 11, 12 interacts with an interior space 27 inside the housing 2 through the corresponding hole 25. Furthermore, each sensor 11, 12 covers the respective hole 25 and provides for a sealing that protects the inside of the compartment 8 against solvent vapor. As handling the cover 4 and closing the development chamber 1 with the cover 4 is mandatory for developing a thin-layer chromatography plate, entering data is facilitated by allowing manual data input via the touch-sensitive buttons 15. Automatic or manually triggered data collection by the temperature sensor 11 and the pressure sensor 12 further facilitates the gathering of data that can be relevant for evaluation of a thin-layer chromatography plate after developing said plate within the development chamber 1 that is closed and sealed by the cover 4. All data can be transferred from the data input unit 10 to the data storage device or to the evaluation device by the data communication unit 16, whereby the data transfer is either automatically or after manually triggered and performed by the data communication unit 16.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cover 4 with the display 14 and the touch-sensitive buttons 15 arranged within a front plate 9 made of glass.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the cover 4 with a rotary knob 18 that can be used for handling of the cover 4 and for closing and sealing the opening 3 of the housing 2 of the development chamber 1. The rotary knob 18 allows for actuating pressure pads to be pressed against the housing 2, resulting in an enhanced contact pressure and retention force that is generated by the cover 4 and supports a firm and reliable closure of the housing 2 with the cover 4. Furthermore, the cover 4 comprises several buttons 19 that can be manually pressed or released by a user. The cover 4 also comprises two spirit levels 38 indicating an undesired inclination of the cover 4 with an air bubble 39 inside a tubular housing that is filled with a liquid.

[0047] In FIG. 4, a main advantage of using the cover 4 is illustrated. All parts, components and equipment that are used during the preparation of a thin-layer chromatography plate, of the development of said thin-layer chromatography plate and of the evaluation and analysis of the developed thin-layer chromatography plate can be identified and corresponding data can be compiled and taken into consideration for analyzing the results. The identification can be performed by making use of e.g. an individual two-dimensional barcode 20 that is attached to the thin-layer chromatography plates 21 that are used for analyzing a sample. A further barcode 20 is attached to the solvent container 22 with a solvent that is used for developing the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 with the sample. Yet another barcode 20 is attached to the front plate 9 of the cover 4 that is used to close the development chamber 1 during the development step. An additional barcode 20 is attached to an evaluation device 23 that is used for illuminating and evaluating the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 after performing the development step with the development chamber 1. Each of these barcodes 20 can be read with a barcode reader. Each individual barcode 20 can be referenced with additional information about the corresponding component or equipment. Thus, all information that is relevant for a development and analysis of a thin-layer chromatography plate 21, e.g. about the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 itself, the solvent used for the development within the development chamber 1 and the evaluation device 23 used for evaluation of the developed thin-layer chromatography plate 21 can be referenced and collected via the barcodes and can be transferred to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device 24. This data is then available and can be accessed for performing an analysis of the results any time. It is also possible to make use of other two-dimensional codes like e.g. QR-codes or data matrix codes instead of two-dimensional bar codes 20. Furthermore, it is also possible to make use of non-optical coding methods like radio-frequency identification, near-field communication or magnetic stripes that allow for a contact-less identification.

[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the development chamber 1 with another embodiment of the cover 4 that is also designed and suitable for developing thin-layer chromatography plates 21. All features that are not shown or referenced in FIG. 5 or that are not explicitly described below can be identical to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The development chamber 1 comprises a housing 2 with a cup 28 that can be filled with a solvent 29 to provide for a solvent bath at the bottom of the development chamber 1. A plate reception device 30 is mounted at the bottom wall 26 of the compartment 8 that is facing the interior space 27 of the development chamber 1. The plate reception device 30 comprises slots 31 for receiving and fixing a thin-layer chromatography plate 21 within a corresponding slot 31. The plate reception device 30 comprises a lifting mechanism that allows for lowering a small region 32 next to a lower edge 33 of the thin-layer chromatography plates 21 into the solvent 29 within the cup 28. After performing the development step, the thin-layer chromatography plates 21 can be lifted upwards with the plate reception device 30 which removes the lower edge 33 from the solvent bath and stops any further contact of the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 with the solvent bath.

[0049] The cover 4 comprises a combined optical sensor device 34 that projects a laser beam through a first hole 25 in the bottom wall 26 into the solvent bath below, and that detects a returned laser light intensity that is reflected from the surface of the solvent 29 or scattered by bubbles within the volume of the solvent 29. Thus, the combined optical sensor device 34 can be used as filling level sensor device and as solvent homogeneity sensor device for monitoring the amount and usage of the solvent 29 during the development step.

[0050] The cover 4 also comprises a status indication unit 35 with a light emitting diode. Illumination with green light corresponds to an on-state of the cover 4. Illumination with different light, e.g. with red light, or with intermittently flashing light emissions corresponds to a malfunction that has been detected before or during execution of a development step.

[0051] Within the compartment 8 there is a rechargeable battery 36 that can be recharged with a wireless recharging unit 37 comprising a receiving coil for inductive charging of the battery 36.