Liquid chromatography detection unit, system, and method
View Patent ↗An embodiment of a liquid chromatography detection unit includes a fluid channel and a radiation detector. The radiation detector is operable to image a distribution of a radiolabeled compound as the distribution travels along the fluid channel. An embodiment of a liquid chromatography system includes an injector, a separation column, and a radiation detector. The injector is operable to inject a sample that includes a radiolabeled compound into a solvent stream. The position sensitive radiation detector is operable to image a distribution of the radiolabeled compound as the distribution travels along a fluid channel. An embodiment of a method of liquid chromatography includes injecting a sample that comprises radiolabeled compounds into a solvent. The radiolabeled compounds are then separated. A position sensitive radiation detector is employed to image distributions of the radiolabeled compounds as the radiolabeled compounds travel along a fluid channel.
1. A liquid chromatography detection unit comprising:
a fluid channel;
a position sensitive radiation detector positioned along a length of the fluid channel, the position sensitive radiation detector operable to acquire images of a distribution of a radiolabeled compound as the distribution travels along the length of the fluid channel over a period of time; and
a data acquisition unit operable to combine the images of the distribution that are obtained over the period of time.
2. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 1 wherein the fluid channel comprises tubing.
3. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 2 wherein the tubing is arranged in a helix.
4. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 2 wherein the tubing is positioned along a substantially straight line.
5. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 1 wherein the fluid channel comprises a separation column.
6. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 1 wherein the position sensitive radiation detector comprises a positron emission tomography camera.
7. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 6 wherein the positron emission tomography camera comprises a first positron emission tomography detector with a first detection surface facing a second detection surface of a second positron emission tomography detector.
8. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 7 wherein the length of the fluid channel is parallel to the first and second detection surfaces.
9. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 7 wherein the first positron emission tomography detector and the second positron emission tomography detector are each 5 centimeters wide by 50 centimeters long.
10. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 7 wherein the first detection surface and the second detection surface are separated by 1 centimeter.
11. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 6 wherein the positron emission tomography camera includes positron emission tomography detector modules.
12. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 1 wherein the position sensitive radiation detector comprises a gamma camera.
13. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the fluid channel is 50 centimeters.
14. The liquid chromatography detection unit of claim 1 wherein the data acquisition unit is further operable to determine a concentration of the radiolabeled compound using the combined images.