Abstract:
Described is a device for collecting a fluid sample, such as a biological fluid sample. The device includes a planar collection substrate having an absorbent material. The planar collection substrate includes an impermeable region and a sample collection region. The impermeable region is impermeable to the fluid sample and is embedded in the planar collection substrate in a spatial pattern. The sample collection region is in an area excluded from the spatial pattern and has a shape and a size defined by the spatial pattern. The sample collection region is configured to receive a known volume of the fluid sample. In an alternative form, the device includes a sample collection element disposed in an impermeable planar holder and, in another alternative form, the device includes an absorbent material disposed inside an impermeable tube wall.
Abstract:
An online sample manager of a liquid chromatography system includes a fluidic tee having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, and an outlet port. A diluent pump moves diluent from a diluent source to the first inlet port of the fluidic tee. A valve has a fluidic intake port connected to a process source for acquiring a process sample therefrom. A pumping system moves the acquired process sample from the valve into the second inlet port of the fluidic tee where the process sample merges with the diluent arriving at the first inlet port to produce a diluted process sample that flows out from the outlet port of the fluidic tee.
Abstract:
A sample manager of a liquid chromatography system uses a sample tray having a base with side walls separated by a cross wall that divides the base into two compartments. The side walls and cross wall bound each compartment on three sides. A fourth side of each compartment is open. Each compartment is sized to closely receive a sample-vial carrier. Each compartment has a magnet affixed to a bottom surface at an edge of the open fourth side. Each of two drawers slides into the open fourth side of one compartment. Each drawer has a support surface with a magnet affixed at an edge of its bottom side, which aligns with the magnet affixed to the bottom surface of the compartment. The magnet of the drawer and the magnet of the compartment bias the drawer into its compartment when the magnets are brought into proximity of each other.
Abstract:
Described is a self-sealing thermal enclosure. In various embodiments, the self-sealing thermal enclosure includes an enclosure having a wall with an opening. The enclosure is configured to surround a temperature-controlled environment. The self-sealing thermal enclosure also includes a porous seal disposed adjacent to the wall at the opening. The porous seal is compressible and is fabricated from an open cell foam material. When the porous seal has absorbed a fluid such as a condensate, the temperature-controlled environment is sealed from an ambient environment such that the flow of air into or out of the enclosure is substantially reduced or eliminated.
Abstract:
Described is a compound sample needle for a liquid chromatography system. In one embodiment, the compound sample needle includes a rigid needle having a coupling end with a face and a counterbore. The compound sample needle also includes a flexible tubing having an outer surface and a coupling end disposed in the counterbore of the rigid needle. The coupling end of the flexible tubing has a face adjacent to a base of the counterbore. The coupling ends of the rigid needle and flexible tubing are secured to each other by a weld formed along a circumference of the outer surface and the face of the rigid needle. A rigid sleeve protects the welded joint. The compound sample needle is suitable for injection into the high pressure mobile phase of ultra performance liquid chromatography systems.
Abstract:
A method of analyzing samples includes loading a sufficient quantity of the sample onto a trap column to overload the trap column; heating an analytical column and the trap column to a greater temperature than the analytical column; and pumping a solvent, to the trap column, having a solvent composition profile that, in cooperation with a temperature differential, causes at least some of the components to elute sequentially from the trap column to the analytical column and focus on the analytical column prior to eluting from the analytical column; or optionally: loading a small-molecule sample onto a cooled portion of an analytical column; heating the analytical column; and pumping a solvent, to the heated analytical column, to elute the components from the analytical column. Chromatographic separation includes: a trap column; a separation column; a trap-column heater; a separation-column heater; a solvent pump unit; and a control unit can be used.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention feature methods and apparatus in which fluids circulating between a plurality of vessels containing different cell types or tissues are monitored for metabolites following the introduction of a sample.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to kits and methods for the detection of toxins produced by cyanobacteria. The methods and kits feature sample preparation steps with weak cationic and anionic exchange resins and small particle analytical columns operating at 4.000 to 15,000 psi.
Abstract:
A flow cell for a photometric device includes a module having a body with a distal face defining an annular channel. The body also defines an axial central passage and an axial flow channel. A second module has a body with a proximal face defining an annular channel. The second body also defines an axial flow channel in fluid communication with the first axial flow channel. A light guiding member is within the central passage for exposing a fluid in the flow channels of the modules. An assembly seals an interface between the distal and proximal faces such that the fluid does not leak from the flow channels. The assembly has a metal gasket between the distal and proximal faces, the metal gasket defining a flow path between the flow channels, a first sealing member in the first annular channel and a second sealing member in the second annular channel.
Abstract:
Described are techniques for use in connection with analyzing a droplet. One or more more droplets of a sample are formed on a surface of a digital microfluidic device. The droplets are manipulated to perform processing using said one or more droplets generating one or more resulting droplets. The one or more resulting droplets may be transferred from the microfluidic device to another device for analysis. The one or more droplets may also be provided to the digital microfluidic device from yet another device or analysis instrument.