Abstract:
A method for making a liquid-chromatography apparatus includes inserting two inner conduits into an intermediate tube, inserting the intermediate tube into an outer tube, forming a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and forming a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits. A liquid-chromatography apparatus includes an outer tube, an intermediate tube disposed in the outer tube, two inner conduits disposed in the intermediate tube, a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits.
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:
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:
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:
A method for making a liquid-chromatography apparatus includes inserting two inner conduits into an intermediate tube, inserting the intermediate tube into an outer tube, forming a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and forming a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits. A liquid-chromatography apparatus includes an outer tube, an intermediate tube disposed in the outer tube, two inner conduits disposed in the intermediate tube, a proximal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits, and a distal seal between the intermediate tube and at least one of the inner conduits.
Abstract:
A method and system for measuring the flow rate of a liquid or gas within a flow channel utilizing a centrally located excitation source and a plurality of sensor means. Said excitation means is comprised of a heating element coupled with an alternating current generator. Of the plurality of sensor means, at least one of said sensors is located in a position upstream of the excitation source location, and additionally a second of said plurality of sensors is located in a position downstream of the excitation source. Instantaneous fluid flow rate is calculated utilizing a high gain differential amplifier electrically coupled to said sensors, wherein the convectively induced inductive gradient of the flowing fluid is compared to the symmetrical zero flow induction gradient. Following such a comparison, a voltage signal proportional to the flow of fluid within the channel is derived.
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:
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus for placing a sample in a chromatographic system. The device and method feature placing samples held in a sample loop to pressurization prior to placing such sample loop in communication with high pressure conduits.
Abstract:
A method and system for measuring the flow rate of a liquid or gas within a flow channel utilizing a centrally located excitation source and a plurality of sensors. The excitation source is comprised of a heating element coupled with an alternating current generator. Of the plurality of sensors, at least one of the sensors is located in a position upstream of the excitation source location, and additionally a second of the plurality of sensors is located in a position downstream of the excitation source. Instantaneous fluid flow rate is calculated utilizing a high gain differential amplifier electrically coupled to the sensors, wherein the convectively induced inductive gradient of the flowing fluid is compared to the symmetrical zero flow induction gradient. Following such a comparison, a voltage signal proportional to the flow of fluid within the channel is derived.
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.