Abstract: A solid phase extraction (SPE) device having a reservoir with an opening; a well comprising an internally tapered wall, the well having a wider interior diameter at an end closest to the opening than at an exit spout; a first filter within the well; a bed of sorbent particles within the well below the first filter, and a second filter having a diameter smaller than the first filter within the well below the bed of sorbent particles and above the exit spout is provided. A method of performing SPE using the device is also provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic amplifier system for an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography system. The hydraulic amplifier system includes a hydraulic cylinder comprising a primary piston chamber in which a primary piston is disposed and a secondary piston chamber in which a secondary piston is disposed. The cross-sectional area of the primary piston is larger than the cross-sectional area of the secondary piston. The difference in the cross-sectional areas of the pistons creates an amplification of the pressure in the primary piston chamber and a reduction in flow rate.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a cylinder and a displacement rod. The cylinder is fabricated rigid enough to minimize distortion of volume yet compliant enough to create a seal between itself and the surface of the displacement rod. The cylinder is constructed with a bore hole through its central portion running from end to end. The diameter of the bore hole is larger than the diameter of the displacement rod. The displacement rod is constructed of a rigid material. At least one end of the cylinder has a diameter reduced so the diameter of the bore hole and the diameter of the displacement rod are substantially the same to form a seal with each other. As the displacement rod is withdrawn from the bore hole, a sample is drawn into the bore hole. The volume of the sample drawn into the bore hole is a function of the volume of the displacement rod withdrawn from the bore hole. A cross hole, for venting undesired fluid such as gas bubbles or previous sample(s), is located on the displacement rod.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention features a chromatographic device. The chromatographic device comprises a body having a cylindrical wall having an exterior diameter. The cylindrical wall is flexible, expanding and contracting in response to radial pressure. The cylindrical wall defines a cavity for holding a chromatographic media. A chromatographic media is retained within said cavity. A spring element surrounds the cylindrical wall, permanently radially compressing said cylindrical wall and opposing the expansion of the wall in response to internal pressure within the cavity. The radial compression prevents the movement of the chromatographic media in the cavity and the opening of channels about the walls of the body.

Abstract: High pressure capillary liquid chromatography solvent delivery is effected at substantially low volume and atmospheric pressure. The low volume solvent composition is subsequently pressurized and expelled at high pressure into a receiving device such as a column. The solvent composition is expelled from a fluid metering system configured to deliver liquids at low pressures to a storage matrix via an isolation valve. The solvent composition is delivered to the storage matrix in reverse order such that the first volume of liquid delivered into the storage matrix is the last volume of liquid expelled out. Liquid pre-existing within the storage matrix is transferred into a fluid accumulator in fluid communication with the storage matrix. The fluid accumulator is enveloped in a pressure caisson which can be pressurized or depressurized in response to sensor signals obtained from a fluid volume displacement transducer and a pressure sensor, in accordance with solvent composition cycle formation.

Abstract: A chromatography column with filters having minimal volume. A stamped screen disk is coated with fluorocarbon polymer on both sides, leaving a center area open. The fluorocarbon polymer coating serves as a gasket, providing reliable sealing for pressure up to approximately 10000 psi. The chromatography column comprises a fitting having an internal cavity. A fluorocarbon polymer coated screen is placed within the cavity. A threaded capillary tubing is screwed inside the cavity. At the end of the capillary lies a compression screw solvent tubing connection.

Abstract: A modular flow cell having a high optical throughput, a long optical path length and a small cross-section. The modular flow cell configuration includes remote ports or connections for liquid and light input, and liquid and light output. The flow cell includes a flow cell body having two ends, each with a respective end interface secured thereto. The flow cell is configured to formn a part of a modular flow cell assembly. The flow cell body includes a channel having a through-aperture with an inner surface. A light guiding material, e.g. a transparent fluoropolymer material having a refractive index less than the refractive index of common chromatography solvents, is disposed proximate to the channel to form a light guiding through-aperture in the flow cell body.

Abstract: A compact high-performance mass spectrometer includes an ion source, an ion filter, a collision cell, a fragment filter, and an ion detector, along with one or more ion deflectors and one or more gas removal rings. An ion deflector allows a straight ion filter and a straight collision cell to be coupled in a folded configuration to make a compact design without the loss of performance associated with the use of curved quadrupole components. A gas removal ring, located proximate to an ion path aperture of the collision cell, allows an ion path aperture to be large for high sensitivity while minimizing performance degradation associated with the tendency of collision cell gas to escape via the collision cell ion path apertures to enter the high vacuum region and the detector.

Abstract: A permanently radially compressed chromatographic column having a flexible-walled encasement containing chromatographic media, and a wound element surrounding the encasement for radially compressing the column.

Abstract: A thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, comprising a matrix material in a supported dispersion wherein the support is a solid or is formed from a solid. The invention is also directed to a method of making a thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, the layer comprising a matrix-solid composition disposed upon a substrate, comprising the step of depositing a solution containing matrix, solid and solvent upon a spinning substrate at a deposition rate sufficient to allow evaporation of the solvent, thereby interspersing the matrix and support on the substrate in a thin layer. Enhanced mass resolution is described.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present coupler comprises two or more conduits for transporting fluid. Each of the two or more conduits has at least one end defining an opening in said conduit, and each of the conduits has an axis running parallel to the flow of fluid through said conduit. The coupler further comprises a housing body having a first housing planar surface. The housing body holds the two or more conduits in alignment wherein the axis of each conduit is substantially parallel, and at least one end of each conduit is aligned about said first housing planar surface. And, the coupler has a cap element having a cap planar surface. The cap planar surface is fixed to the first housing planar surface in sealed engagement. At least one of the first housing planar surface and the cap planar surface has a channel in fluid communication with the opening in the conduits. The channel allows two or more fluid streams, each fluid stream defined by one of said conduits, to be placed in communication.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention features a chromatographic device. The chromatographic device comprises a body having a cylindrical wall having an exterior diameter. The cylindrical wall is flexible, expanding and contracting in response to radial pressure. The cylindrical wall defines a cavity for holding a chromatographic media. A chromatographic media is retained within said cavity. A spring element surrounds the cylindrical wall, permanently radially compressing said cylindrical wall and opposing the expansion of the wall in response to internal pressure within the cavity. The radial compression prevents the movement of the chromatographic media in the cavity and the opening of channels about the walls of the body.

Abstract: A flow cell for absorbance detection with at least two different optical path lengths. It increases the range of analyte concentrations which can be measured compared with a conventional single path flow cell. Light from the two paths is combined onto the same photodetector. Calibration with known samples allows analyte concentrations to be measured. The dual or multi-path length flow cell may be used in equipment designed for single path flow cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to porous resins for solid phase extractions. The resins feature at least one hydrophobic component, at least one hydrophilic component and at least one ion exchange functional group. The resins exhibit superior wetting and ion exchange performance.

Abstract: High pressure capillary liquid chromatography solvent delivery is effected at substantially low volume and atmospheric pressure. The low volume solvent composition is subsequently pressurized and expelled at high pressure into a receiving device such as a column. The solvent composition is expelled from a fluid metering system configured to deliver liquids at low pressures to a storage matrix via an isolation valve. The solvent composition is delivered to the storage matrix in reverse order such that the first volume of liquid delivered into the storage matrix is the last volume of liquid expelled out. Liquid pre-existing within the storage matrix is transferred into a fluid accumulator in fluid communication with the storage matrix. The fluid accumulator is enveloped in a pressure caisson which can be pressurized or depressurized in response to sensor signals obtained from a fluid volume displacement transducer and a pressure sensor, in accordance with solvent composition cycle formation.

Abstract: An improved electrospray (ES) apparatus has a low pressure ES chamber coupled to a desolvation chamber. The desolvation chamber desolvates the incoming analyte ions of the cone-jet with non-conductive energy. The apparatus stabilizes cone-jet formation in the ES chamber. The apparatus receives solvated ions without pressure reduction, produces desolvated ions with non-conductive energy in a low pressure region, and outputs the desolvated ions towards a mass spectrometer as a substantially solvent-free ion beam suitable for mass spectrometer analysis. The apparatus avoids the degree of pressure reduction featured in prior ES techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, compositions, kits and apparatus to identify and detect the presence or absence of target analytes. The embodiments of the present invention have utility in identification of protein and measurement of its levels in specimens and samples, as well as the design of test kits and apparatus for implementing such methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, compositions, kits and apparatus to identify and detect the presence or absence of target analytes. The embodiments of the present invention have utility in medical diagnosis and analysis of various chemical compounds in specimens and samples, as well as the design of test kits and apparatus for implementing such methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, compositions, kits and apparatus to identify and detect the presence or absence of target analytes. The embodiments of the present invention have utility in medical diagnosis and analysis of various chemical compounds in specimens and samples, as well as the design of test kits and apparatus for implementing such methods.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively detecting a polymer in a solution of the polymer in a solvent is provided, which method comprises the steps of (a) adding to the solution a non-solvent for said polymer in a sufficient amount to make the resulting liquid turbid and (b) measuring the turbidity of the resulting liquid. A detecting device for detecting a polymer in a polymer-containing solution is also provided, which device comprises a line for supplying polymer-containing solution, a line for supplying non-solvent, a mixing chamber, a line connected to said mixing chamber for conveying the mixed liquid, and a detector for measuring turbidity in the mixed liquid, as well as an HPLC apparatus comprising a liquid separation system, especially a Gradient Polymer Elution Chromatography (GPEC)® system, connected to said detecting device.