Abstract: An ion guide generates a first RF field of Nth order where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and a second RF field of 2Nth order superimposed on the first RF field. The first and second RF fields may be generated by respective first and second sets of electrodes. Another ion guide may include a converging entrance section followed by an exit section. The converging section may have a hyperbolic profile. A hyperbolic profile may be presented by electrodes having a twisted configuration relative to an ion guide axis.

Abstract: A sample injector (200) for use in a fluid separation system (10) for separating compounds of a fluidic sample in a mobile phase, the sample injector (200) comprising a switchable valve (202), a sample loop (204) in fluid communication with the valve (202) and configured for receiving the fluidic sample, a metering device (206) in fluid communication with the sample loop (204) and configured for introducing a metered amount of the fluidic sample on the sample loop (204), and a control unit (208) configured for controlling switching of the valve (202) to transfer the sample loop (204) between a low pressure state and a high pressure state via an intermediate state and for controlling the metering device (206) during the intermediate state to at least partially equilibrate a pressure difference in the sample loop (204) between the low pressure state and the high pressure state.

Abstract: A scroll pump isolates vibrations of a pump head/motor assembly of the pump from the exterior of the pump and thus, suppresses the production of airborne noise. The pump includes a sound-muffling enclosure surrounding the pump head/motor assembly, feet supporting the enclosure, and elastic vibration isolators. The pump head/motor assembly is fixed to the tops of the vibration isolators, and the sound-muffling enclosure is fixed to the vibration isolators at the bottoms of the isolators. The scroll pump also has a locking system by which motion of the pump head/motor assembly relative to the sound-muffling enclosure can be limited or prevented, and by which the sound-muffling enclosure can be hard-mounted to a support surface independently of the feet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling depressurization of a vial containing a gas sample. The disclosed systems and methods are employed during sampling and/or analysis of the gas sample. One exemplary method for controlling depressurization of a vial containing a gas sample includes establishing fluid communication between a sample loop of a head space sampling device and the head space of the vial. A sample gas pressure is established within the head space of the vial. The sample loop is connected in fluid communication with a lower pressure environment through a ventilation pathway. A ventilation valve within the ventilation pathway is used to vent gas from the vial through the sample loop to the lower pressure environment at a predetermined rate. Devices and systems for depressurizing a vial containing a gas sample at a predetermined rate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma source for generating microwave-induced plasma includes a plasma torch integrated with a microwave energy source. The torch establishes a gas flow path from one side of the plasma source to the other side. The torch may be integrated with the microwave energy source such that a plasma-forming gas flowing through the torch is subjected to microwave radiation, which serves to initiate and/or sustain plasma in the torch. The plasma may be ejected from the torch and utilized in various applications involving the use of plasma, including analytical techniques such as optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A scroll pump includes a frame, a stationary plate scroll, an orbiting plate scroll, a non-energized type of tip seal or seals, an eccentric drive mechanism assembled to and supported by the frame and to which the orbiting plate scroll is assembled so as to be drivable by the eccentric drive mechanism in an orbit about a longitudinal axis of the pump, and an axial compliance system including a flexure. The flexure is interposed between a bearing of the eccentric drive mechanism and a flexure-locating surface of the eccentric drive mechanism. The flexure allows the orbiting plate scroll to move away from the stationary plate scroll in the case of an assembly process which would otherwise result in the tip seal(s) being too forcefully engaged with the plate of the opposing plate scroll.

Abstract: An apparatus (200) for deriving an operation mode from a first fluidic device to a second fluidic device, wherein the first fluidic device has a first target operation mode (300) representing a desired behavior of the first fluidic device and has a first real operation mode (304) representing the actual behavior of the first fluidic device, wherein the second fluidic device has a second target operation mode (312) representing a desired behavior of the second fluidic device and has a second real operation mode (314) representing the actual behavior of the second fluidic device, the apparatus (200) comprising a first determining unit (202) adapted for determining the first real operation mode (304) based on the first target operation mode (300) and based on a preknown parameterization (302) of the first fluidic device, and a second determining unit (204) adapted for determining the second target operation mode (312) based on the determined first real operation mode (304) and based on a preknown parameterizatio

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes: a plasma generation device for generating plasma for ionizing an introduced sample; an interface device for drawing the plasma into vacuum; an ion lens device for extracting and inducing ions as an ion beam from the plasma; a collision/reaction cell for removing an interference ion from the ion beam; a mass analyzer or filter for allowing a predetermined ion in the ion beam from the collision/reaction cell to pass along a first axis based on a mass-to-charge ratio; an ion detector for detecting the ion; an ion deflection device before the mass analyzer, and also an ion deflection device between the mass analyzer and the ion detector. The mass spectrometer reduces background noises in a mass analyzer by removing neutral particles from the ion beam without reducing the measurement sensitivity on ions to be analyzed as much as possible.

Abstract: A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method may comprise: a) contacting under primer extension conditions a genomic sample comprising a test genome with a set of at least ten sequence-specific primers that are complementary to sites in only one strand of a reference chromosomal region, to produce primer extension products, and b) analyzing the primer extension products to identify a chromosomal rearrangement in the test genome.

Abstract: A sample separation device for separating a sample comprises a first fluid supply path for supplying a first fluid, a second fluid supply path for supplying a second fluid, a sample separation unit adapted for separating the sample, a sensor configured for determining a value of a parameter related to the fluid, and a valve configured for selectively coupling both of the first and second fluid supply paths to the sensor and to the sample separation unit, or coupling one of the first and second fluid supply paths to the sensor.

Abstract: A scroll pump has a metallic bellows that angularly synchronizes the stationary and orbiting scroll blades of the pump, and a hack-up system for the bellows. The back-up system consists of pins integral with and fixed relative to one of the stationary and orbital parts of the scroll pump, and a guide part that is integral with and fixed relative to the other of the stationary and orbital parts. The back-up system may be a non-contacting hack-up system in which there is no contact between the pins and guide part during normal operation of the pump. Therefore, no particles are created by a wearing away of such parts which would otherwise have the potential to contaminate the fluid being worked by the pump and reduce the useful life of the pump.

Abstract: A system for chilling a pumping system includes a Peltier cooling element, and first and second heat exchangers. The Peltier element is arranged near a pump head of a pump such that the Peltier element and the pump head are in thermal contact, where the Peltier element chills the pump head and a mobile phase flowstream prior to fluid from the mobile phase flowstream entering the pump. The first heat exchanger is attached to the Peltier element, and removes heat from the Peltier element using a circulating fluid. The second heat exchanger cools the circulating fluid, where the Peltier element and the pump head are arranged in an area that is isolated from the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: Compound tags and shifting agents are provided that find use in ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), mass spectrometry (MS), or a combination of IMS and MS, and which can substantially increase separation of multiple components in complex samples and facilitate quantitative and multiplexed analyses. In some cases, the compounds include a linker and a normalizing group, each including a structural unit and separated by a cleaveable group, and a crown ether. Also provided are methods for analyzing peptides in a sample. In some cases, the method includes coupling the compound to peptides which include a terminal guanidinium moiety capable of forming an intra-molecular complex with the crown ether.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for adding an adaptor to a genomic sequence by invasive cleavage, as well as a kit for performing the method. In some embodiments, the method comprises: a) hybridizing genomic DNA to an adaptor comprising a double stranded region and a single stranded region comprising a 5? overhang to produce a substrate for a flap endonuclease; b) cleaving the substrate using the flap endonuclease; c) ligating the recessed end of the double stranded region to the fragment to produce an adaptor-ligated DNA; d) intramolecularly ligating the ends of the adaptor-ligated DNA to produce a circular DNA molecule; and e) enzymatically processing the circular DNA molecule using an oligonucleotide that hybridizes to the adaptor and an enzyme. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum type of scroll pump includes a frame, a stationary plate scroll, an orbiting plate scroll, a non-energized type of tip seal or seals, an eccentric drive mechanism assembled to and supported by the frame and to which the orbiting plate scroll is assembled so as to be drivable by the eccentric drive mechanism in an orbit about a longitudinal axis of the pump, and a mechanism for adjusting the seal(s) created by the tip seal(s) without having to disassemble any of the frame, plate scrolls or parts of the eccentric drive mechanism from one another, i.e., while a pump head assembly of the pump remains intact.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a pump unit, where the pump unit includes a primary piston pump having a primary piston and a secondary piston pump having a secondary piston. The primary piston pump is fluidically connected with the secondary piston pump. The primary piston pump includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve, and the pump unit operates periodically according to a pump cycle. The method includes determining a fluid pressure of fluid dispensed by the pump unit, and performing a closed loop control of a position of the primary piston in dependence on the fluid pressure of the fluid dispensed by the pump unit during a first time interval of the pump cycle.

Abstract: A scroll pump includes a frame, a stationary plate scroll, an orbiting plate scroll, a tip seal(s), an eccentric drive mechanism which drives the orbiting plate scroll, and an axial compliance system. The eccentric drive mechanism includes a crankshaft, and bearings and a counterbalance disposed on the crankshaft. The counterbalance is mounted so as to be slidable along the crankshaft in the axial direction of the crankshaft. The axial compliance system includes a flexure and one set of springs for pre-loading the bearings. The flexure is interposed between one of the bearings and the counterbalance. The flexure allows the orbiting plate scroll to move away from the stationary plate scroll in the case of an assembly process which would otherwise result in the tip seal(s) being too forcefully engaged with the plate of the opposing plate scroll.

Abstract: A fluidic apparatus for a sample separation system includes a fluid inlet path for supplying a fluid, an inlet sensor adapted for measuring a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid inlet path, a splitting point arranged downstream of the fluid inlet path and adapted for splitting the fluid into a first path and into a second path, and a second path sensor adapted for measuring a flow rate of a part of the fluid conducted into the second path.

Abstract: An orbiting plate scroll of a scroll pump includes an orbiting plate having a first side and a second side, an orbiting scroll blade projecting in an axial direction from the first side of the orbiting plate, and a flexure whose compliance is in the axial direction. The flexure is coupled to the orbiting plate at the second side of the orbiting plate, and couples the orbiting plate and orbiting scroll blade to bearings that allow for free rotation of the orbiting plate scroll about a longitudinal axis, while constraining motion of the orbiting plate scroll in the remaining degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for back pressure regulator used in liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction allows very fine automated control over a very wide range of pressures by combining a linear actuator compressing a spring, pushing a pin. The nozzle assembly of the regulator comprises a flow through chamber containing a diaphragm and a seat, in which the pin pushes the diaphragm against the seat, together with an upstream pressure sensor and electronic feedback control to the motor of the actuator. The BPR of the embodiments exhibits high pressure stability and extremely low pressure noise, even at moderate to high pressures. The exemplary BPR can be use at either constant pressure or to generate pressure programs where the pressure is varied versus time. Further, the nozzle assembly has a field-replaceable head, requiring no mechanical adjustment on replacement.