Abstract: A method for rapidly transferring chromatography or adsorption column eluates in a continuous flow directly to the chromatography plate for continuous evaporation of the solvents at a rate compatible with the flow.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for rapidly transferring samples for analysis by thin layer chromatography from a sample container to the chromatography plate and in which a chromatography plate is supported in a housing through which drying air, preferably heated, passes over the working surface of the chromatography plate. A plurality of sample applicators are precisely positioned above the plate by means of a transverse mounting plate having a transverse array of holes through which the applicators are passed to engage the working surface of the plate, the applicators taking the form of an imperforate sleeve surrounding a porous core projecting from the end of the sleeve and sharpened to a point to minimize exposure, with the other end of the sleeve projecting beyond the inner end of the porous core to define a solvent reservoir which if desired can be packed with fiber wadding to control fluid flow and with the reservoir adapted to be closed by a sealing cover member.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for automatically extracting compounds of clinical significance from a plurality of biological samples simultaneously by elution using a multi-channel system with common sources of wash reagents and eluent and common pre-programmed controls for all channels including means to purge wash and dry the channels between stages and means to inject essentially inert gas plugs as the interfaces between subsequent liquid phases. The extracted compounds can be mixed with reagents, mechanically agitated and examined qualitatively and/or quantitatively as by spectrophotometry to yield output readings for all channels. The flow patterns within the channels are determined by liquid-apportioning means and fluid distribution and metering, including both liquid and gaseous is accomplished by valves which respond to single control inputs to effect flow in all channels simultaneously.