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 form 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: One embodiment of the present invention is a device and method for detecting the presence or absence of a signal nucleic acid. The device has comprising an electrode and a first nucleic acid covalently bound to the electrode. The first nucleic acid has two or more donor nucleotides capable of donating an electron. The donor nucleotides have a position in the first nucleic acid where one donor nucleotide is proximal to the electrode. The first nucleic acid has a modified nucleotide adjacent to one of the donor nucleotides. The modified nucleotide is capable of receiving an electron from said donor nucleotides upon photo-excitation and maintaining the electron for a first period of time when the first nucleic acid is unhybridized and a second period of time when the first nucleic acid is hybridized to the signal nucleic acid. The first and second periods are different. The electrode is in communication with the first nucleic acid to receive and donate electrons.

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 As the displacement rod is withdrawn from the bore hole, a sample is drawn into the bore hole.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: A method and apparatus for measuring the viscosity of a sample solution which comprises an input tube for transporting a sample solution flow towards a splitter for diverting input flow into two distinct flow streams where three capillary tubes are located in the two flow streams placed downstream from the flow splitter, where each flow stream has one or two capillary tubes, a delay volume, and a flow through transducer having hydraulic connections placed in one stream or in two streams used for measuring the pressure difference across the capillary tubes; where the method of using such viscometer can enhance the viscometer output by effecting compensation for non-linearity and different fluidic properties in pressure transducers to provide viscometer detector outputs independent of both low and high frequency flow components.

Abstract: A non-reactive electrospray needle structure that can be used with relatively low electrical potential introduced externally at a selectable location along the length of the needle structure. The electrospray device or apparatus includes a non-conductive tube with an inner diameter, with one end of the tube having a reduced inner diameter thereby forming a tip. The tube is configured to have a fracture in it, positioned a predetermined or selectable distance from the tip. An electrically conductive path, such as a wire or electrode, is provided external to the tube and proximate to the fracture. A collar surrounds the tube proximate the fracture. The electrically conductive path provides a voltage potential to charge the spray. The collar maintains the conductive path in place, seals the tube at the fracture, and provides structural strength. In one embodiment, the tube is packed with a binding material to form a column bed.

Abstract: Selective adjustment of astigmatism is provided by a spherical mirror bent to simultaneously increase radius of curvature in one plane and decrease radius of curvature in the plane at right angles thereto. In one implementation the mirror disposed in a mounting that includes a plurality of abutment surfaces against which a front surface of the spherical mirror abuts to effect bending of the mirror when it is appropriately disposed in the mounting. The plurality of abutment surfaces includes at least two bending surfaces and at least two support surfaces. The bending surfaces are higher than the support surfaces, relative to a surface of the mounting from which they extend. When the mirror is appropriately disposed in the mounting, the bending surfaces push the mirror at particular bending locations at opposite sides of the mirror in the plane of incidence, while the mirror is supported by the support surfaces at two particular support locations at right angles to the plane of incidence.

Abstract: A serial, dual piston high pressure fluid pumping system that overcomes the difficulties of gas in the fluid stream without the need for added mechanical valves or fluid paths. A bubble detection and recovery mechanism monitors compression and decompression volumes of the serially configured dual pump head pump, and the overall system delivery pressure. Bubble detection is effected by sensing a ratio of compression to decompression volume and determining if the ratio exceeds an empirical threshold that suggests the ratio of gas-to-liquid content of eluent or fluid in the system is beyond the pump's ability to accurately meter a solvent mixture. The magnitude of the ratio of compression to decompression volume indicates that either the intake stroke has a bubble or that the eluent has a higher-than-normal gas content.

Abstract: A fluid delivery method and apparatus implementing active phasing to actively restore the substantially exact mechanical positions of driven components in a delivery system in order to precisely reproduce the mechanical signature and hydraulic characteristics of the system from run to run without perturbing output flow. The delivery system is configured to intelligently drive pump pistons to a known position and to delivery fluid(s) at a known pressure, and includes a plurality of pump modules each including motor driven syringes having respective pistons configured to reciprocate under control of a control mechanism. Pump phasing is accomplished through a mechanism of compensation delivery of the syringes. An independent, motor-driven syringe of any given pump in a plurality of pumps in a system has the ability to act as a delivering syringe to maintain a prescribed output flow while one other syringe of each of the plurality of pumps is repositioned under load.

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 differential refractometry apparatus that maintains optimal optical alignment of components while accurately providing differential refractometry measurements at elevated temperatures. The differential refractometry apparatus has a first thermal zone, a thermal isolation zone and a second thermal zone. The first thermal zone is configured to be located in an oven and exposed to higher temperatures. The thermal isolation zone is located adjacent to the first thermal zone and acts as a barrier to the conduction of heat from the first thermal zone into the second thermal zone. The second thermal zone is at a relatively lower temperature than the first thermal zone and its temperature is regulated using a thermal electric cooler located at its base. A flow cell, a mirror which reflects the incoming light beam, and an imaging lens are located in the first thermal zone.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of electrokinetic chromatography. In particular, the invention is directed to reagents and methods of performing electrokinetic chromatography. The reagents and methods afford fast, high resolution separations with increased detectability.

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: A sample handling mechanism including a direct drive carrier for positioning multiple trays or carousels of sample vials and a direct drive carousel handling mechanism that eliminates pulleys and belts and the problems associated therewith. The carousels handled by the sample handling mechanism are individually identifiable, stackable and include a viewing area for identifying and viewing the individual sample vials grouped in a respective carousel. The sample handling mechanism consists of two logical drive modules. A single center line or axis of rotation is effected in each of the drive modules. The two logical drive modules include a carrier mechanism that transports a plurality of sample carousels to a sampling station, and a carousel drive mechanism which engages a single carousel and presents the appropriate vial to be sampled. The carrier mechanism includes a multi-position spoke-like carrier portion that is driven by a single drive shaft coupled to a gear reduction stepper motor by a coupling.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing data from a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) or size exclusion chromatography (SEC) system for determining a polymeric sample's molecular weight distribution (MWD) and intrinsic viscosity law (IVL). Data from two or more detectors is used with a least-squares minimization fit. A novel method includes the simultaneous determination of a sample's MWD and IVL using data from two or more detectors. Detectors include a Light Scattering (LS) detector, viscometer (V) and a refractive index (RI) detector. The present invention is insensitive to detector noise in the baseline regions of the peak curve.

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 component of human telomerase 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: A durable electrospray needle uses a capillary having a substantially large outside diameter. Provision of a porous bead at the spray tip advantageously allows a fine electrospray to be formed without the need for finely machining a needle tip and orifice, which allows for economical construction. Further, because the bead itself may serve as the anode in an electrospray field circuit, costs associated with electrode placement are eliminated.

Abstract: Method and devices for performing chromatographic pattern analysis determine chromatographic variability due to a plurality of sources without requiring identification or characterization of peaks or other chromatographic features, receives data indicative of a standard chromatogram and a first sample chromatogram generated from a first mixture by a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) device and data indicative of a plurality of additional sample chromatograms generated by the HPLC device from a plurality of different mixtures. The method and devices generate from the standard chromatogram, a plurality of sets of chromatographic variability data, each set being indicative of a different effect of the chromatographic variability of the HPLC. The standard chromatogram is modified as a function of the variability data, and a residual value, indicative of a difference between the modified standard chromatograms and the first sample chromatogram is generated.

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.