Abstract: An apparatus for the delivery of a biological composite and a method, kit, and system for preparing a biological composite is described herein. The biological composite includes both inorganic and biological materials.

Abstract: A bioactive spinal implant used in cervical fusion, Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF), and Transforaminal Interbody Fusion (TLIF), having properties and geometries that enhance bone contact, stability, and fusion between adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a first conduit to a second conduit including a body having a passageway therethrough, a first cavity and a second cavity, a first sealing member, a second sealing member, a first compression, a second compression fitting, a first set of one or more keys and one or more mated key ways for preventing rotation of the first conduit when the first sealing member is compressed, and a second set of one or more keys and one or more mated key ways for preventing rotation of the second conduit when the second sealing member is compressed, wherein each of the first cavity and the second cavity in the body is configured to receive one of the sealing members or a detachable holder configured to receive one of the sealing members.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a chromatography system includes a microfluidic substrate having a fluidic channel configured as an analytical chromatographic column and a fluidic port on one side of the microfluidic substrate. The fluidic port opens at a head end of the analytical chromatographic column. A dried blood spot (DBS) collection device holds one or more dried biological samples. The DBS collection device is directly coupled to the microfluidic substrate whereby one of the biological samples is placed into fluidic communication with the fluidic channel of the microfluidic substrate and an extraction of that biological sample flows toward the head end of the analytical chromatographic column. A diluent source fluidically coupled to the fluidic port supplies a solvent to the head end of the analytical column to dilute the extracted biological sample before the biological sample flows into the analytical chromatographic column.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a chromatography system includes a first microfluidic substrate having a first fluidic channel. One end of the first fluidic channel terminates at a first fluidic port on a first side of the first microfluidic substrate and an opposite end of the first fluidic channel terminates at a second fluidic port on a second side of the first microfluidic substrate. A second microfluidic substrate has a second fluidic channel. One end of the second fluidic channel terminates at a first fluidic port on a first side of the second microfluidic substrate. The first side of the second microfluidic substrate abuts the second side of the first microfluidic substrate such that the fluidic port of the second microfluidic substrate aligns with one of the fluidic ports of the first microfluidic substrate and the alignment produces a fluidic path comprised of the first and second fluidic channels.

Abstract: A bioactive spinal implant used in cervical fusion, Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF), and Transforaminal Interbody Fusion (TLIF), having properties and geometries that enhance bone contact, stability, and fusion between adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A fitting assembly includes a first fitting that is configured to receive a first fluid tube and a second fitting that is configured to receive a second fluid tube. The first fitting defines a first groove. The second fitting includes a spring that is configured to engage the first groove to connect the first and second fittings such that the first and second fluid tubes are placed in fluid communication and a fluid tight seal is established between the first and second sealing fittings.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a portable housing and a plurality of separately operable microfluidic emitters disposed within the housing. Each microfluidic emitter h an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet for emitting a spray. Each microfluidic emitter is movable within the portable housing between a first position in which the outlet of that microfluidic emitter is fully retracted within the portable housing and a second position in which the outlet of that microfluidic emitter projects out of the portable housing. The portable housing with the multiple emitters is adapted to be detachably coupled to another housing portion. This housing portion includes a microfluidic substrate with a channel for transporting an eluent and an outlet aperture for emitting the eluent. The inlet of one of the emitters is detachably coupled to the outlet aperture of the microfluidic substrate.

Abstract: An electrospray emitter assembly (4) for an interface device (1) used to connect the output of a liquid chromatograph to the inlet of an electrospray ion source of a mass spectrometer (10). The device (1) incorporates an electrospray emitter assembly (4) that includes an emitter needle (40), a sheath (6) and a housing (5) with an attachment means in the form of a flange (55) for attachment to a mass spectrometer (10). The sheath (6) is arranged to shield the electrospray emitter needle (40) when the assembly is not attached to a mass spectrometer (10). The assembly (4) is operable to move the sheath (6) thereby to reveal, in use, the electrospray emitter needle (40) when the assembly (4) is attached to the mass spectrometer (10).

Abstract: Surgical devices permitting a surgeon to access repeatedly tissue at a particular surgical site in a patient to perform multiple surgeries over time. The devices have two substantially planar and parallel leaves that are sterile, nonresorbable, and biocompatible. Each leaf forms a continuous structure and defines the entire longitudinal length of the device to accommodate the size and location of the surgical site. A base member is located in situ and adjacent the surgical site. An anchoring surface secures the device to the tissue of the patient at the surgical site. The leaves have a conjoined portion such that a manual force is required to separate the leaves, thereby expeditiously creating a pathway through which access to the tissue at the surgical site is realized with minimal tissue dissection, and the proximal ends of the leaves are not conjoined to facilitate separation of the leaves and creation of the pathway.

Abstract: Methods of preparing bioactive composites are described. Also described are methods of molding such composites. Shaped bodies comprising bioactive composites are further described.

Abstract: Described are techniques for tuning parameters of a system. For one or more values of a distance, mass spectral analysis of a liquid analyte stream is performed. A corresponding ion signal intensity of a selected ion is obtained. The distance is measured from a first end of a first tube to a second end of a second tube which surrounds said first tube. Using a computing device, a current value of the distance is automatically adjusted in accordance with corresponding ion signal intensities obtained for the selected ion. Using a computing device, a desired value for the distance is automatically determined using the corresponding ion signal intensities. The desired value results in an ion signal intensity for the selected ion which is any of more than a threshold intensity and a maximum of ion signal intensities obtained by performing mass spectral analysis using different values for the distance.

Abstract: Described are techniques for tuning parameters of a system. For one or more values of a distance, mass spectral analysis of a liquid analyte stream is performed. A corresponding ion signal intensity of a selected ion is obtained. The distance is measured from a first end of a first tube to a second end of a second tube which surrounds said first tube. Using a computing device, a current value of the distance is automatically adjusted in accordance with corresponding ion signal intensities obtained for the selected ion. Using a computing device, a desired value for the distance is automatically determined using the corresponding ion signal intensities. The desired value results in an ion signal intensity for the selected ion which is any of more than a threshold intensity and a maximum of ion signal intensities obtained by performing mass spectral analysis using different values for the distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a first substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a first fluidic port; a second substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a second fluidic port; and a coupler disposed between the first and second substrates, the coupler defining a fluidic path in fluidic alignment with the ports of the first and second substrates. The coupler includes a material that is deformable relative to a material of the first substrate and a material of the second substrate. The substrates are clamped together to compress the coupler between the substrates and form a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A method for making a fluid-processing apparatus involves mixing a colloidal suspension with a matrix material, applying the mixture to a surface of a conduit, and curing the applied mixture to provide a conductive coating. A fluid-processing apparatus includes a conduit and a conductive layer adjacent to a surface of the conduit. The conductive layer includes graphite particles embedded in a matrix. The fluid-processing apparatus supports, for example, electrospray-ionization for mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, or capillary electro-chromatography.

Abstract: Methods of preparing bioactive composites are described. Also described are methods of molding such composites. Shaped bodies comprising bioactive composites are further described.

Abstract: A method of analyzing samples includes loading a sufficient quantity of the sample onto a trap column to overload the trap column; heating an analytical column and the trap column to a greater temperature than the analytical column; and pumping a solvent, to the trap column, having a solvent composition profile that, in cooperation with a temperature differential, causes at least some of the components to elute sequentially from the trap column to the analytical column and focus on the analytical column prior to eluting from the analytical column; or optionally: loading a small-molecule sample onto a cooled portion of an analytical column; heating the analytical column; and pumping a solvent, to the heated analytical column, to elute the components from the analytical column. Chromatographic separation includes: a trap column; a separation column; a trap-column heater; a separation-column heater; a solvent pump unit; and a control unit can be used.

Abstract: Described is a rotary valve including a stator element and a rotor element. The stator element defines a first inlet passage, a second inlet passage, and a first outlet passage, respectively, having a first inlet port, second inlet port and first outlet port in a stator face. The rotor element has a rotor face in contact with the stator face and has a first channel and a second channel formed therein. The rotor element is rotatably movable about a rotational axis to at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first inlet port is fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage by the first channel and the second inlet port is fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage by the second channel. In the second position, the first inlet port is fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage by the first and second channels.

Abstract: Described are techniques for fabricating one or more parts of a valve used in a liquid chromatography system. At least one of a rotor and a stator are provided. The rotor is included in the valve and has a first surface facing a stator. The stator is included in the valve and has a second surface facing the rotor. A pattern is formed in at least one of the first surface and the second surface. Forming the pattern includes compressing the at least one surface by applying pressure thereto causing displacement of material to form at least one groove.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a first conduit to a second conduit including a body having a passageway therethrough, a first cavity and a second cavity, a first sealing member, a second sealing member, a first compression, a second compression fitting, a first set of one or more keys and one or more mated key ways for preventing rotation of the first conduit when the first sealing member is compressed, and a second set of one or more keys and one or more mated key ways for preventing rotation of the second conduit when the second sealing member is compressed, wherein each of the first cavity and the second cavity in the body is configured to receive one of the sealing members or a detachable holder configured to receive one of the sealing members.