Aliquot collection adapter for HPLC automatic injector enabling simultaneous sample analysis and sample collection

Claim 1

In combination, a plurality of kettles and a device for transferring dissolution media from a plurality of kettles to a plurality of vessels, comprising: a plurality of kettles containing respective dissolution media; supply pump means for removing said dissolution media from said kettles, said supply pump means having a separate supply channel for each of said kettles; respective separate supply conduits for receiving dissolution media pumped from said separate supply channels; a plurality of vials in fluid communication with respective separate supply channels via said separate supply conduits; a carousel for holding said plurality of vials therein; and switchable fluid return means comprising switching control means for switching between operative and nonoperative modes and having a separate fluid return passage positioned between each said supply channel and each said vial, for removing fluid, pumped by said supply pump means into said supply conduits, which, when operative, causes said dissolution media to flow from said kettles, through said supply conduits, and into said respective fluid return passages so that essentially no dissolution media flows into said plurality of vials, wherein, when said return means is inoperative, dissolution media flow from said kettles through said supply conduits and into corresponding vials, bypassing said return passages, a guide block assembly is positioned between said supply pump means and said plurality of vials, said guide block assembly comprising an upper guide block rigidly mounted to longitudinally reciprocating means, each of said supply conduits comprising a cannula rigidly mounted to a bottom portion of said upper guide block, said cannula having a tapered, needle-shaped lower end and an opening in the periphery thereof, said upper guide block having a plurality of separate inlets each in fluid communication with a respective supply channel, said inlets distributing dissolution media received therein to respective cannulas, a lower guide block through which the lower end of each cannula extends, each cannula extending through a respective longitudinal passage in said lower guide block, and each longitudinal passage having a peripheral seal which is aligned with and seals said peripheral opening in the cannula extending therethrough when said reciprocating means is extended downward, and each longitudinal passage having a respective return channel above said seal, said return channel aligning with said peripheral opening of said cannula when said reciprocating means is retracted upward, whereby dissolution media are pumped from said kettles into said inlets, through said cannulas and into said vials when said reciprocating means is downwardly extended, and dissolution media flow from said kettles through said inlets and said cannulas and into said return passages when said reciprocating means is upwardly retracted.