Abstract: A liquid chromatographic (LC) system and a method of exchanging a liquid in an LC system are disclosed. The LC system includes an LC pump with at least one pump head having a primary and a secondary pump head, each with a syringe-like cylinder body having an inner wall surface and a plunger translatable through the cylinder body leaving an interspace between the inner wall surface and the plunger when the plunger is translated through the cylinder body, an upstream inlet valve configured to allow liquid into the cylinder body and a downstream outlet valve configured to allow liquid out of the cylinder body. The LC system further includes at least one liquid-exchange pump connected either to the upstream inlet valve of the primary pump head or to the downstream outlet valve of the secondary pump head.

Abstract: A sample injector is disclosed comprising a switching valve comprising an input port, an aspiration/dispensing port, a loop input port and a loop output port, a pump port and a column port, an aspiration pump connected to the aspiration/dispensing port via a buffer loop for aspirating a sample into the buffer loop when the aspiration/dispensing port is connected to the loop input port, a sample loop connected to the switching valve between the loop input port and the loop output port, for receiving the sample aspirated into the buffer loop when the loop input port is connected to the aspiration/dispensing port, a column connected to the column port, and a pump connected to the pump port, for injecting the sample received into the sample loop into the column when the pump port is connected to the loop output port and the column port is connected to the loop input port.

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic (LC) system is introduced which comprises at least one fluidic stream, the fluidic stream comprising a sample-injection valve, a trap-bypass-selection valve, a column-bypass valve, a load-elute valve and a trap-selection valve. Also, a liquid chromatographic (LC) system is introduced which comprises at least one fluidic stream. The fluidic stream comprises a first substream and a second substream. The first substream comprises a first sample-injection valve, a load-elute valve and a trap-selection valve. The second substream comprises a second sample-injection valve and a column-bypass valve. The fluidic stream further comprises a trap-LC substream transfer valve and a substream-selection valve. The LC systems provide a broad choice of chromatographic options and modes and enable to flexibly and rapidly switch between them.

Abstract: A sample concentrating unit and a sample concentrating method are described, which enable fast, precise and reproducible analyte concentration in a sample by evaporation of sample solvent. A specifically directed gas stream in cooperation with a vacuum generated in the sample concentrating unit keeps the sample at boiling point during the entire evaporation procedure while reducing analyte loss and risk of cross-contamination. The fully automated sample concentrating unit is designed to be integrated into an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer.

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic (LC) system is introduced which comprises at least one fluidic stream, the fluidic stream comprising a sample-injection valve, a trap-bypass-selection valve, a column-bypass valve, a load-elute valve and a trap-selection valve. Also, a liquid chromatographic (LC) system is introduced which comprises at least one fluidic stream. The fluidic stream comprises a first substream and a second substream. The first substream comprises a first sample-injection valve, a load-elute valve and a trap-selection valve. The second substream comprises a second sample-injection valve and a column-bypass valve. The fluidic stream further comprises a trap-LC substream transfer valve and a substream-selection valve. The LC systems provide a broad choice of chromatographic options and modes and enable to flexibly and rapidly switch between them.

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic (LC) system and a method of exchanging a liquid in an LC system are disclosed. The LC system includes an LC pump with at least one pump head having a primary and a secondary pump head, each with a syringe-like cylinder body having an inner wall surface and a plunger translatable through the cylinder body leaving an interspace between the inner wall surface and the plunger when the plunger is translated through the cylinder body, an upstream inlet valve configured to allow liquid into the cylinder body and a downstream outlet valve configured to allow liquid out of the cylinder body. The LC system further includes at least one liquid-exchange pump connected either to the upstream inlet valve of the primary pump head or to the downstream outlet valve of the secondary pump head.

Abstract: A sample injector is disclosed comprising a switching valve comprising an input port, an aspiration/dispensing port, a loop input port and a loop output port, a pump port and a column port, an aspiration pump connected to the aspiration/dispensing port via a buffer loop for aspirating a sample into the buffer loop when the aspiration/dispensing port is connected to the loop input port, a sample loop connected to the switching valve between the loop input port and the loop output port, for receiving the sample aspirated into the buffer loop when the loop input port is connected to the aspiration/dispensing port, a column connected to the column port, and a pump connected to the pump port, for injecting the sample received into the sample loop into the column when the pump port is connected to the loop output port and the column port is connected to the loop input port.

Abstract: An air-conditioned seat includes a seat area and a backrest, the seat area and/or the backrest being cushioned with foam. For climate-control, a ventilator, in particular a radial ventilator, is provided, which is in operative connection with an air distribution device in the foam of the seat area and/or the backrest, the air distribution device including an air distribution structure on the side (e.g., a B side) facing away from the seated person, as well as air-conducting channels toward the side (e.g., an A side) facing the seated person. The ventilator is to be disposed in the foam itself, on the B side. The air is transported to the A side via the air distribution structure in the form of air trenches introduced into the foam on the B side, and via the air-conducting channels.

Abstract: An air-conditioned seat includes a seat area and a backrest, the seat area and/or the backrest being cushioned with foam. For climate-control, a ventilator, in particular a radial ventilator, is provided, which is in operative connection with an air distribution device in the foam of the seat area and/or the backrest, the air distribution device including an air distribution structure on the side (e.g., a B side) facing away from the seated person, as well as air-conducting channels toward the side (e.g., an A side) facing the seated person. The ventilator is to be disposed in the foam itself, on the B side. The air is transported to the A side via the air distribution structure in the form of air trenches introduced into the foam on the B side, and via the air-conducting channels.