Abstract: Valve with two-piece stator assembly for use with liquid chromatography or other analytical systems. A separate and removable stator plate is provided with a mounting device to provide a two-piece stator assembly. The mounting device is adapted on one side to engage and contact the stator plate, and on the other side includes a plurality of ports for fluidic connections which are in fluid communication with fluid passageways in the stator plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid flow, and in particular fluid flow through a microfluidic multi-port control valve assembly of a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) unit includes a localized data repository for storing cumulative wear indications of components of the apparatus. The stored information may travel with the apparatus to enable predictive failure of components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for efficiently mapping a pattern, such as a fingerprint, from a set of multiple impressions of portions of that pattern. The system may evaluate images of patterns taken from a series of multiple impressions and map the pattern from the image portions while providing the operator with realtime feedback of a status of the set of images. As each new image portion is evaluated, a display graphic or other indicator provides feedback when a new image portion is added to the reconstructed image, or when a new image portion is not added (such as it representing a duplicate). Other status indications may be provided, and when the indication is visual, a degraded resolution of the pattern map may be provided on the display graphic to improve security.

Abstract: A device comprising: an antenna; a power harvesting circuit for harvesting power from a radio frequency field received at the antenna in order to power functions of the device; a communication unit coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by means of the antenna, the communication device being configured to communicate according to a protocol in which a party to a communication session deems the session to have timed out if during a predetermined period it does not receive a signal from another party to the session; and a module comprising a processing circuit; the device being configured to interrupt the operation of the module when the communication unit is transmitting a signal by means of the antenna.

Abstract: Biometric module configured to perform processing as part of a device configured to perform contactless or contact communication with a terminal, the module comprising: a biometric sensor; a display screen; and a control unit configured to: cause the biometric sensor to capture biometric data of a user which can be used to biometrically authenticate the user; obtain biometric authentication information indicating whether the user was biometrically authenticated based on the captured biometric data; and in response to the biometric authentication information indicating the user was biometrically authenticated, cause the display screen to display authenticated information.

Abstract: Various claims of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some claims, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. Various claims of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some claims, the optical system includes a beam shaping element configured to generate an illumination profile having a flat top.

Abstract: A smart card inlay comprising an inductive antenna and a DC-DC converter. The inductive antenna is configured to (i) communicate wirelessly with a card terminal, and (ii) power card circuitry via inductive coupling to the card terminal. The DC-DC converter has an input coupled to the inductive antenna and an output connectable to card circuitry. The DC-DC converter is configured to receive an input power signal from the inductive antenna and convert that input power signal to an output power signal to send to the card circuitry, the output power signal matching the operating current and/or operating voltage of the card circuitry.

Abstract: A valve for use with liquid chromatography or other analytical systems may include a separate and removable stator plate. The stator plate may be a with a multi-piece stator plate with different layers. A mounting device mounting device may be adapted to engage the stator plate. The mounting plate may include a plurality of ports for fluidic connections in fluid communication with fluid passageways in the stator plate. Liquid chromatography elements, such as a packed chromatography column, a sample loop, or an electronic device may be formed on one or more layers of the stator plate. A first stator plate may be removed from a valve and replaced by a second stator having additional or different liquid chromatography elements than the first stator plate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for detecting a portion of a user's body may be provided. The method may be performed by a system comprising a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells comprising a transmit electrode and a receive electrode. The method may include, in a first timeslot, applying a first driving signal to the transmit electrode of a first cell, and receiving a first measurement signal using the receive electrode of the first cell. The method may further include, in a second timeslot, applying a second driving signal to the transmit electrode of the first cell, and receiving a second measurement signal using the receive electrode of the first cell. The second driving signal may be inverted relative to the first driving signal.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for detecting a portion of a user's body may be provided. The method may be performed by a system comprising a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells comprising a transmit electrode and a receive electrode. The method may include, in a first timeslot, applying a first driving signal to the transmit electrode of a first cell, and receiving a first measurement signal using the receive electrode of the first cell. The method may further include, in a second timeslot, applying a second driving signal to the transmit electrode of the first cell, and receiving a second measurement signal using the receive electrode of the first cell. The second driving signal may be inverted relative to the first driving signal.

Abstract: Frits for use in analytical instrument systems, including liquid chromatography systems, particularly HPLC and UHPLC systems, and methods of making and using the frits, are provided. The frits can have multiple layers, which may have different surface finishes on different surfaces.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods facilitate enrollment of authenticating biometric data for authenticating an authorized user via a biometric sensor. A data input device and a power source are operatively coupled to a smart card including a fingerprint sensor. An activation code input by the user interacting with the data input device is compared with a predefined activation code, and if the detected activation code matches the predefined activation code, a fingerprint template is enrolled from fingerprint data received from the fingerprint sensor, all without transmitting data from either the power source or the data input device to any device other than the smart card.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement and biocompatible pump head for a pump includes a reinforcement structure having a plurality of ports and fluid pathways therein. The fluid pathways in the reinforcement may be coated or lined with a biocompatible material to form a biocompatible pump head useful for liquid chromatography and other analytical instrument systems. The biocompatible material may be injection molded into the fluid pathways of the reinforcement structure and may be machined after core pins are removed to obtain a desired surface finish and/or size of the biocompatible fluid pathways of the pump head.

Abstract: A cache includes a p-by-q array of memory units; a row addressing unit; and a column addressing unit. Each memory unit has an m-by-n array of memory cells. The column addressing unit has, for each memory unit, m n-to-one multiplexers, one associated with each of the m rows of the memory unit, wherein each n-to-one multiplexer has an input coupled to each of the n memory cells associated with the row associated with that multiplexer. The row addressing unit has, for each memory unit, n m-to-one multiplexers, one associated with each of the n columns of the memory unit, wherein each m-to-one multiplexer has an input coupled to each of the m memory cells associated with the column associated with that multiplexer. The row addressing unit and column addressing unit support reading and/or writing of the array of memory units, e.g. using virtual or physical addresses.

Abstract: A fluidic connection assembly and methods for quickly connecting or disconnecting a tube to a port by hand and without the use of tools. A body is adapted to receive a tube therethrough, and may have at least two sides which are hinged. Each of the hinged sides has corresponding latching portions or projections located near a lower end of the body. These projections are adapted to fit into a port or other fitting and be securely held in place. The assembly may include a tube extending through a body and through a spring located between the end of the body and the end of the tube, whereby the spring exerts a force directly or indirectly against the end of the tube and against the body, thus holding the tubing securely and sealingly engaged in the port when the assembly is connected. The body may further comprise an additional body or an adapter, and/or a cap and latch.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for validating a tensioning and locking procedure for a band using a banding tool and for determining at least one characteristic of the banding tool for determining whether a component needs repair or replacement. The systems and methods include receiving data from one or more sensors disposed on a banding tool, validating and releasing one or more components of the tool based on the data meeting one or more thresholds, and/or determining that the one or more components of the tool requires repair or replacement. The systems and methods also provide for predictive maintenance based on the received data.

Abstract: A torque limited fitting is provided having a head and a body, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The body of the torque limited fitting has a passageway therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing. The torque limited fitting may be adapted for use with a flat bottom port, such as in an analytical instrument, like liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, or in in vitro diagnostic systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a user's finger or other elements may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may include a plurality of electrode groups, and each electrode group may include a respective reference electrode for which a true signal value is a predetermined value. In some embodiments, the system may process signals received by the electrode groups by: (a) modulating the signals received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a modulation pattern; (b) demodulating the signals, or values derived therefrom, received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a demodulation pattern, thereby determining a set of demodulated values for the respective electrode group; and/or (c) using the predetermined value for the reference electrode of the respective electrode group, restoring a mean value to the signals, or values derived therefrom, received from each electrode of the respective electrode group.

Abstract: A chromatography column has a column assembly that further includes a column jacket tube and a column liner tube. The column assembly is configured with end fittings that have compression limiting features and are able to withstand very high pressure, such as used in UHPLC, in conjunction with flange portions of the column liner tube that seal the column assembly. The column liner tube may be biocompatible and may have a smooth consistent inner diameter of less than 2 mm, and an inner diameter of 1 mm in particular embodiments. The end fittings for the microtube assembly may ensure durability and reliability by preventing over- or under-tightening.