Abstract:
Methods for transferring a carbon dioxide based separation procedure from a reference chromatographic system to a target chromatographic system involve alternative techniques for determining system pressure drops not attributable to the column. One technique involves leveraging experimental chromatography to develop a correction factor that is a function of at least one correction coefficient and at least one ratio of the differential analyte retention time to the retention time in the reference system. Another technique involves leveraging other experimental measurements of tubing pressure drops under various condition to develop a lookup table that can be used to identify likely tubing pressure drops in the target system. A third technique leverages knowledge of the separation procedure and the target system and the likely nature of the relevant flow to calculate tubing pressure drops in the target system.
Abstract:
A method for injecting a diluted sample in a chromatography system includes merging a flow of a sample and a flow of a diluent to form a flow of a diluted sample. A dilution ratio of the diluted sample equals a sum of the volumetric flow rates of the sample and the diluent divided by the volumetric flow rate of the sample. The diluted sample is stored in a holding element before injection into a chromatographic system flow. Sample dilution occurs under low pressure relative to the chromatographic flow thereby allowing lower pressure sample and diluent syringes to be used. Other benefits include reduced compressibility and a reduction in leaks due to the lower pressure operation. The method avoids problems associated with manual techniques which can introduce errors due, for example, to loss of sample, sample precipitation and adsorption of sample to vials.
Abstract:
Described is a chromatography column assembly that includes a permanently deformable outer tube, an intermediate tube, an inner tube and a sorbent bed disposed within the inner tube. The sorbent bed may be in the form of packed chromatographic particles or a porous monolithic structure. A radial seal is provided by one or more uniform radial crimps at longitudinal locations on the assembly. The uniform radial crimp compresses the outer tube and underlying intermediate tube onto the inner tube to achieve a high pressure liquid tight seal between the three tubes. The length and depth of each crimp is accurately formed to accommodate the requirements of the particular application. Leakage along the tubing assembly is prevented and void volume is reduced or eliminated. No external ferrule or ferrule swaging mechanism is needed; therefore the chromatography column assembly is easily adapted for use in various chromatographic column configurations.
Abstract:
Sample preparation and separation can be performed using a sample cartridge. The cartridge incudes a barrel with a first and second end, a column segment connected to the second end of the barrel, and a column containing a sorbent material. The sorbent material includes particles that have antibodies attached to them to selectively retain analytes, proteins attached to them to retain certain classes of antibodies, or enzymes attached to them to perform specific modifications to certain classes of molecules. The column segment can be in thermal communication with a temperature control device in order to control the temperature of the column.
Abstract:
Solvent containers and solvent container trays for chromatography systems are described for providing control over solvent supply and waste collection. Designated solvent containers and exclusively designated solvent containers provide solvents for use by chromatography systems. Control over solvent supply is achieved by requiring matched container shape and container receiving position shape within the tray, and additionally or alternatively, through solvent container coding readable by the solvent tray and chromatography system which provide information about the solvent container to the chromatography system.
Abstract:
Described are a rotary shear seal valve and a method for switching a high pressure fluid. The method includes applying a fixed force between a planar surface of a rotor and a planar surface of a stator. The planar surface of the rotor includes a fluidic channel and the planar surface of the stator has a pair of ports to receive and provide the fluid. A control signal is applied to a linear actuator coupled to the rotor to generate a controllable force between the planar surfaces of the rotor and stator. The control signal is responsive to a rotational state of the rotor. The total force between the planar surfaces of the rotor and the stator is substantially equal to a sum of the fixed force and the controllable force. The method reduces the wear and extends the lifetime of components in a rotary shear seal valve.
Abstract:
An electrokinetic pump can be used to deliver calibrant ("lock mass") ions to a mass spectrometer for calibration of a mass spectrometry system. Electrokinetically controlled calibrant delivery can help to eliminate the need for the more cumbersome mechanisms that are often used for ion delivery. In addition, electrokinetically controlled calibrant delivery can provide for a more user- friendly system in which a calibrant solution can be packaged into a disposable cartridge. Furthermore, when implemented in a microfluidic format, electrokinetically controlled calibrant delivery can be coupled with an electrokinetically controlled separation system, such as capillary electrophoresis (CE), to allow efficient solid-state switching between analytical and calibrant sprays.
Abstract:
Variable- volume injection valves include a stator and a rotor. The stator has a first port, a second port, and a contact surface with a groove therein. The first port opens into the stator groove. The rotor has a contact surface with a groove therein. The contact surface of the rotor is urged against the contact surface of the stator such that the rotor groove opposes the stator groove with one end of the rotor groove overlapping the stator groove and the opposite end of the rotor groove overlapping the second port of the stator. The overlapping grooves of the rotor and stator provide a fluidic channel between the first and second ports of the stator. The rotor is movable with respect to the stator in order to vary a length of overlap between their overlapping grooves.
Abstract:
Described are techniques for fabricating one or more parts of a valve used in a liquid chromatography system. At least one of a rotor and a stator are provided. The rotor is included in the valve and has a first surface facing a stator. The stator is included in the valve and has a second surface facing the rotor. A pattern is formed in at least one of the first surface and the second surface. Forming the pattern includes compressing the at least one surface by applying pressure thereto causing displacement of material to form at least one groove.
Abstract:
A method for switching a high pressure fluid includes applying a fixed force between a planar surface of a rotor and a planar surface of a stator. The planar surface of the rotor includes a fluidic channel and the planar surface of the stator has a pair of ports to receive and provide the fluid. A control signal is applied to a linear actuator coupled to the rotor to generate a controllable force between the planar surfaces of the rotor and stator. The control signal is responsive to a rotational state of the rotor. The total force between the planar surfaces of the rotor and the stator is substantially equal to a sum of the fixed force and the controllable force. The method reduces the wear and extends the lifetime of components in a rotary shear seal valve.