Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may deploy a valve that introduces a sample of a calibrant coaxially with flow exiting a source of a mobile phase flow, such as a liquid chromatography (LC) column, on a path to an ion source for the mass spectrometer (MS). The valve may be positioned remotely on a branch that has a junction with the path leading form the source of the mobile phase flow to the ion source. Alternatively, the valve may be positioned in line on the flow path from the source of the mobile phase flow to the ion source of the MS. A novel five port valve design may be employed. With this valve design, a first position of the valve allows a sample loop for the calibrant to be filled. In a second position, the calibrant is added coaxially to the flow from the source of the mobile phase to the MS. In a third position of the valve, diversion of or infusion to a post-source flow is enabled.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may compensate for expected frictional heating or Joule-Thomson cooling in chromatography columns. Frictional heating or Joule Thomson cooling are the same thing for a fluid decompressing along a porous material. Either heat is absorbed from or released to the external environment. The exemplary embodiments may cool the mobile phase to a sub-ambient temperature before the mobile phase passes through a chromatography column to compensate for the frictional heating or heat the mobile phase to a super-ambient temperature to compensate for Joule-Thomson cooling. The amount of temperature increase expected from the frictional heating or the amount of temperature decrease expected from the Joule-Thomson cooling may be calculated or estimated. Based on the amount of temperature increase or decrease expected, the set point for the heater/cooler may be determined and applied to the mobile phase.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for thermally controlled interfaces for separation devices and optical flow cell devices with minimized post-column volumes are described. In one embodiment, for example, a column-optical cell assembly may include an insulating device, a chromatography column arranged within the insulating device, and an optical flow cell in fluid communication with the chromatography column, the chromatography column arranged within a minimum distance of the optical flow cell.

Abstract: Described are apparatuses, devices, and systems implementing seals for separation devices. An apparatus for a separation device may include an end nut shaped to be positioned on one of an inlet side and an outlet side of the separation device. The end nut may be further shaped to mate with a connecting fitting. The apparatus may further include a face seal having a device side and a fitting side. The face seal may be positioned, at least in part, in the end nut on the device side of the face seal. The face seal may be positioned to interface with the connecting fitting on the fitting side of the face seal upon the end nut being mated with the connecting fitting. The apparatus may also include a face seal bore of the face seal being axially alignable with at least one of an inlet and an outlet of the separation device.

Abstract: Described is a multi-channel fluidic device that includes a diffusion-bonded body having a device surface and a plurality of fluid channels. Each fluid channel includes a channel segment defined in a plane that is parallel to the device surface and parallel to each of the planes of the other channel segments. The plane of each channel segment is at a depth below the device surface that is different from the depth below the device surface for the other planes. Each channel segment may have a volume equal to the volume of each of the other channel segments. One of the fluid channels may include a plurality of channel segments serially connected to each other and each defined in a plane that is different from the planes of the other channel segments.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may deploy a valve that introduces a sample of a calibrant coaxially with flow exiting a source of a mobile phase flow, such as a liquid chromatography (LC) column, on a path to an ion source for the mass spectrometer (MS). The valve may be positioned remotely on a branch that has a junction with the path leading form the source of the mobile phase flow to the ion source. Alternatively, the valve may be positioned in line on the flow path from the source of the mobile phase flow to the ion source of the MS. A novel five port valve design may be employed. With this valve design, a first position of the valve allows a sample loop for the calibrant to be filled. In a second position, the calibrant is added coaxially to the flow from the source of the mobile phase to the MS. In a third position of the valve, diversion of or infusion to a post-source flow is enabled.

Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a rail extending along the length and configured to receive a first fluidic assembly, and a carriage movably attachable to the rail such that the carriage moves along the rail, the carriage configured to receive a second fluidic assembly, the carriage including an actuator and a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism is configured to selectively prevent and allow movement of the carriage relative to the rail. The stop mechanism is configured to be independently operable from the actuator assembly, and the actuator is configured: to move a chromatography column received by the clamp assembly relative to the rail to create a first fluid tight seal between the chromatography column and the first fluidic assembly, and move the second fluidic assembly relative to the carriage body to create a second fluid tight seal between the second fluidic assembly and the chromatography column.

Abstract: A sprayer assembly for an ion source is disclosed. The sprayer includes a capillary having an outlet, a sheath for the capillary, and an elastic member. The sheath can move relative to the capillary between a first position in which the sheath covers the outlet of the capillary and a second position in which the outlet of the capillary is exposed. When the sheath moves from the first position to or towards the second position, the elastic member provides a restoring force that acts to restore the position of the sheath to or towards the first position.

Abstract: A sprayer assembly for an ion source is disclosed. The sprayer includes a capillary having an outlet, a sheath for the capillary, and an elastic member. The sheath can move relative to the capillary between a first position in which the sheath covers the outlet of the capillary and a second position in which the outlet of the capillary is exposed. When the sheath moves from the first position to or towards the second position, the elastic member provides a restoring force that acts to restore the position of the sheath to or towards the first position.

Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a rail extending along the length and configured to receive a first fluidic assembly, and a carriage movably attachable to the rail such that the carriage moves along the rail, the carriage configured to receive a second fluidic assembly, the carriage including an actuator and a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism is configured to selectively prevent and allow movement of the carriage relative to the rail. The stop mechanism is configured to be independently operable from the actuator assembly, and the actuator is configured: to move a chromatography column received by the clamp assembly relative to the rail to create a first fluid tight seal between the chromatography column and the first fluidic assembly, and move the second fluidic assembly relative to the carriage body to create a second fluid tight seal between the second fluidic assembly and the chromatography column.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may deploy a valve that introduces a sample of a calibrant coaxially with flow exiting a source of a mobile phase flow, such as a liquid chromatography (LC) column, on a path to an ion source for the mass spectrometer (MS). The valve may be positioned remotely on a branch that has a junction with the path leading form the source of the mobile phase flow to the ion source. Alternatively, the valve may be positioned in line on the flow path from the source of the mobile phase flow to the ion source of the MS. A novel five port valve design may be employed. With this valve design, a first position of the valve allows a sample loop for the calibrant to be filled. In a second position, the calibrant is added coaxially to the flow from the source of the mobile phase to the MS. In a third position of the valve, diversion of or infusion to a post-source flow is enabled.

Abstract: Thermally modulated variable restrictors used in chromatography systems enable independent control of system pressure and linear velocity of a compressible mobile phase passing through a chromatography column. A method for configuring a chromatography system with independent control of system pressure and mass flow rate of a compressible mobile phase includes determining a type of chromatography separation column to be used in the chromatography system, matching a thermally modulated variable restrictor to the type of chromatography separation column for use together during operation of the chromatography system, and bundling the chromatography column with its matching thermally modulated variable restrictor for distribution as a single package.

Abstract: A variable fluidic restrictor of a liquid chromatography system including a stator body, the stator body include a plurality of fluidic channels located within the stator body, wherein each fluidic channel of the plurality of fluidic channels includes a restrictor element, wherein a flow of a fluid through the variable fluidic restrictor is selectively restricted based on a position of an external element coupled to the stator body is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A flow cell for a liquid chromatography detector comprises a substrate formed of a glass material; a fluidic channel extending through the substrate; and at least one gas filled region formed in the substrate along at least a portion of a length of the fluidic channel. A portion of the glass material separates the fluidic channel and the gas filled region. An interface between the gas filled region and the portion of the glass material separating the fluidic channel and the gas filled region enables total internal reflection of light propagating along the fluidic channel.

Abstract: Described is a dual mode sample manager for a liquid chromatography system. The dual mode sample manager includes a sample needle, a sample loop, a metering pump, a needle seat and first and second valves. Each valve is configurable in two valve states to enable two modes of operation. In one mode, sample acquired and stored in the sample needle is injected into a chromatography system flow and, in the other mode, sample acquired through the sample needle and stored in the sample loop is injected into the chromatography system flow. The automated switching of the sample manager between the two modes of operation avoids the need for maintaining two separate liquid chromatography systems or manual reconfiguration of a chromatography system for users desiring the capability of both modes of operation.

Abstract: The technology generally relates to tailoring a back pressure regulator in a chromatographic system to reduce unswept volume within the back pressure regulator to achieve better sample detection and a reduction in chromatographic band distortion effects.

Abstract: A rotary valve that includes a stator, a rotor and a plurality of sample channels. The stator includes a stator surface having an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of selectable ports. The rotor includes a rotor surface having a first rotor channel and a second rotor channel. The rotor is configurable in a plurality of rotor positions, each of which couples the inlet port to one of the selectable ports through the first rotor channel and couples the outlet port to another one of the selectable ports through the second rotor channel. The two selectable ports are coupled to each other through one of the sample channels. The rotor has a bypass state defined by a rotor position, or angular range of rotor positions, at which the inlet port is coupled to the outlet port through the second rotor channel.

Abstract: Described is a rotary valve that includes a stator, a rotor and a plurality of sample channels. The stator includes a stator surface having an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of selectable ports. The rotor includes a rotor surface having a first rotor channel and a second rotor channel. The rotor is configurable in a plurality of rotor positions, each of which couples the inlet port to one of the selectable ports through the first rotor channel and couples the outlet port to another one of the selectable ports through the second rotor channel. The two selectable ports are coupled to each other through one of the sample channels. The rotor has a bypass state defined by a rotor position, or angular range of rotor positions, at which the inlet port is coupled to the outlet port through the second rotor channel.

Abstract: A variable fluidic restrictor of a liquid chromatography system including a stator body, the stator body include a plurality of fluidic channels located within the stator body, wherein each fluidic channel of the plurality of fluidic channels includes a restrictor element, wherein a flow of a fluid through the variable fluidic restrictor is selectively restricted based on a position of an external element coupled to the stator body is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: Described is a thermogravimetric analyzer system. The system includes an evaporator having first and second fluidic channels and a thermally controlled heater assembly. The first fluidic channel has a first channel inlet in fluidic communication with a gas supply module, a first channel outlet and an end portion extending from the first channel outlet. The second fluidic channel has a second channel inlet in fluidic communication with a source of liquid and a second channel outlet disposed on the first fluidic channel at a merge location between the first channel inlet and the first channel outlet. The end portion of the first fluidic channel includes a bend to redirect a flow within the first fluidic channel and improve a mixing of the gas and liquid received by the first and second fluidic channels, respectively.