Fluidic system and corresponding method
A fluidic system for fraction collection comprises a switching valve having a plurality of ports for connecting first and second ports in different configurations. An inlet line is directly connected to the first port, and a collection device is directly connected to the second port. In a collection configuration, the first port and the second port are connected. The ports further comprise third and fourth ports, and the fluidic system further comprises a buffer section directly connected to the third and fourth ports. The fluidic system further comprises a first collection reservoir and is configured to position the collection device to expel a fluid into the first collection reservoir. In a buffer configuration, fluid flows through the inlet line, the first port, the third port, the buffer section, the fourth port, the second port, and the collection device.
1 . A fluidic system, comprising:
a switching valve comprising a plurality of ports that includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a discharge port, wherein the switching valve is configured for connecting the ports in different configurations, the switching valve further comprising:
a stator, wherein the stator comprises the plurality of ports,
a rotor, wherein the rotor comprises at least one connecting element for connecting the ports in the different configurations, wherein the at least one connecting element is at least one groove, wherein the rotor comprises a groove connected to the second port and extending between the second port and the discharge port, wherein the switching valve is configured to:
assume a collection configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the second port,
assume a discharge configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the discharge port, and
to transition from the collection configuration to the discharge configuration such that the first port is always connected to the second port or the discharge port during the transition;
an inlet line directly connected to the first port; and
a collection device directly connected to the second port,
wherein the fluidic system is configured to assume a collection configuration, wherein the first port and the second port are connected,
wherein the fluidic system comprises a buffer section directly connected to the third port and the fourth port, and
wherein the fluidic system is configured to assume a buffer configuration, wherein the first port and the third port are connected and the fourth port and the second port are connected.
2 . The fluidic system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the ports comprise a pump port directly connected to a pump and a waste port directly connected to waste, and
wherein the fluidic system is configured to assume a buffer section wash configuration, wherein the pump port and the fourth port are connected and the third port and the waste port are connected.
3 . The fluidic system according to claim 1 , wherein the switching valve comprises a first connecting element for connecting the ports.
4 . The fluidic system according to claim 3 , wherein the first connecting element connects the first port and the second port in the collection configuration.
5 . The fluidic system according to claim 1 , wherein the fluidic system comprises a first collection reservoir, and wherein the fluidic system is configured to position the collection device to expel a fluid into the first collection reservoir.
6 . The fluidic system according to claim 1 , further comprising a second collection reservoir, and wherein the fluidic system is configured to position the collection device to expel a fluid into the second collection reservoir.
7 . A computer program product comprising instructions configured to, when run on a control unit of a fluidic system having (1) a switching valve comprising a stator defining a plurality of ports that includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a discharge port, a rotor having at least one connecting element for connecting the ports in different configurations, wherein the at least one connecting element is at least one groove, wherein the rotor comprises a groove connected to the second port and extending between the second port and the discharge port, (2) an inlet line directly connected to the first port, (3) a collection device directly connected to the second port, and (4) a buffer section directly connected to the third port and the fourth port, cause the fluidic system to perform a method, comprising:
configuring the switching valve to assume a collection configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the second port causing a fluid flow through the inlet line, the first port, the second port, and the collection device into a first collection reservoir;
configuring the switching valve to assume a discharge configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the discharge port;
configuring the switching valve to transition from the collection configuration to the discharge configuration such that the first port is always connected to the second port or the discharge port during the transition; and
configuring the switching valve to assume a buffer configuration, wherein the first port and the third port are connected and the fourth port and the second port are connected.
8 . A method of operating a fluidic system having (1) a switching valve comprising a stator defining a plurality of ports that includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a discharge port, a rotor having at least one connecting element for connecting the ports in different configurations, wherein the at least one connecting element is at least one groove, wherein the rotor comprises a groove connected to the second port and extending between the second port and the discharge port, (2) an inlet line directly connected to the first port, (3) a collection device directly connected to the second port, and (4) a buffer section directly connected to the third port and the fourth port, the method comprising:
configuring the switching valve to assume a collection configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the second port causing a fluid flow through the inlet line, the first port, the second port, and the collection device into a first collection reservoir;
configuring the switching valve to assume a discharge configuration fluidly connecting the first port and the discharge port;
configuring the switching valve to transition from the collection configuration to the discharge configuration such that the first port is always connected to the second port or the discharge port during the transition; and
configuring the switching valve to assume a buffer configuration, wherein the first port and the third port are connected and the fourth port and the second port are connected.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
with the fluidic system assuming the buffer configuration, causing a second fluid flow flowing through the inlet line, the first port, the third port, the buffer section, the fourth port, the second port, and the collection device.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the second fluid flow causes fluid to flow into the first collection reservoir.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the ports of the fluidic system comprise a pump port directly connected to a pump and a waste port directly connected to waste and the fluidic system is configured to assume a buffer section wash configuration, wherein the pump port and the fourth port are connected and the third port and the waste port are connected, the method further comprising:
with the fluidic system assuming the buffer section wash configuration after the fluidic system assumes the buffer configuration, causing a washing flow through the pump port, the fourth port, the buffer section, the third port, the waste port, and towards the waste port.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the fluidic system includes a second collection reservoir, and the fluidic system is configured to position the collection device to expel a fluid into the second collection reservoir, the method further comprising:
with the fluidic system again assuming the collection configuration after the fluidic system assumes the buffer section wash configuration, causing a fluid flow through the inlet line, the first port, the second port, and the collection device into the second collection reservoir.