Abstract: A method for monitoring a fluidic system of a liquid chromatography system is characterized by: (a) drawing a fluid into a syringe pump; (b) configuring a valve so as to fluidically couple the pump to either a fluidic pathway through the fluidic system or to a plug that prevents fluid flow; (c) causing the syringe pump to progressively compress the fluid therein or expel the fluid to the fluidic pathway, while measuring a pressure of the fluid; (d) determining a profile of the variation of the measured pressure; (e) comparing the determined profile to an expected profile that depends upon the fluid; and (f) providing a notification of a sub-optimal operating condition or malfunction if the determined profile varies from the expected profile by greater than a predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a whole blood sample can include injecting whole blood into a first zone of a dual zone sample loop, applying sufficient heat or energy to the whole blood to disintegrate the cellular components of the whole blood sample to produce cell disintegrated blood, and injecting a sufficient volume of the buffer into the dual zone sample loop to move the cell disintegrated blood into a second zone of the dual zone sample loop. The method can further include switching a multiport value to an inject position, flowing the cell disintegrated blood from the dual zone sample loop into a solid phase extraction column, and eluting components of the cell disintegrated blood from the solid phase extraction column into a liquid chromatography column.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a whole blood sample can include injecting whole blood into a first zone of a dual zone sample loop, applying sufficient heat or energy to the whole blood to disintegrate the cellular components of the whole blood sample to produce cell disintegrated blood, and injecting a sufficient volume of the buffer into the dual zone sample loop to move the cell disintegrated blood into a second zone of the dual zone sample loop. The method can further include switching a multiport value to an inject position, flowing the cell disintegrated blood from the dual zone sample loop into a solid phase extraction column, and eluting components of the cell disintegrated blood from the solid phase extraction column into a liquid chromatography column.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a fluidic system of a liquid chromatography system is characterized by: (a) drawing a fluid into a syringe pump; (b) configuring a valve so as to fluidically couple the pump to either a fluidic pathway through the fluidic system or to a plug that prevents fluid flow; (c) causing the syringe pump to progressively compress the fluid therein or expel the fluid to the fluidic pathway, while measuring a pressure of the fluid; (d) determining a profile of the variation of the measured pressure; (e) comparing the determined profile to an expected profile that depends upon the fluid; and (f) providing a notification of a sub-optimal operating condition or malfunction if the determined profile varies from the expected profile by greater than a predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: A method and system of screening or selecting a mobile phase eluent for a chromatography column is provided. A sample for chromatographic analysis or purification is combined with a solvent and passed through a membrane. A pressure measurement is taken of the sample/solvent combination in the system prior to the membrane. The pressure measurement may be compared to a second pressure and an appropriate solvent may be selected based on the relationship between the first measured pressure and the second pressure.

Abstract: A method and system of screening or selecting a mobile phase eluent for a chromatography column is provided. A sample for chromatographic analysis or purification is combined with a solvent and passed through a membrane. A pressure measurement is taken of the sample/solvent combination in the system prior to the membrane. The pressure measurement may be compared to a second pressure and an appropriate solvent may be selected based on the relationship between the first measured pressure and the second pressure.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for liquid chromatography at improved analytical and preparative speeds and quantities involves flow of fluids through the column at flow rates sufficient to induce turbulent flow in those fluids. In one embodiment, the apparatus and method includes a substantially uniform chromatography column created by packing together a multiplicity of rigid, solid, porous particles having diameters of not less than about 30 .mu.m, surfaces of the particles being chromatographically active. A fluid mixture containing at least one solute that is reactive with the particle surfaces is injected into the column and subsequently eluted therefrom by a eluant fluid flow, both the injection and elution being effected at a velocity sufficient to induce flow within at least a substantial portion of the interstitial volume between the particles at a reduced velocity greater than about 5,000.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for liquid chromatography at improved analytical and preparative speeds and quantities involves flow of fluids through the column at flow rates sufficient to induce turbulent flow in those fluids. In one embodiment, the apparatus and method includes a substantially uniform chromatography column created by packing together a multiplicity of rigid, solid, porous particles having diameters of not less than about 30 .mu.m, surfaces of the particles being chromatographically active. A fluid mixture containing at least one solute that is reactive with the particle surfaces is injected into the column and subsequently eluted therefrom by a eluant fluid flow, both the injection and elution being effected at a velocity sufficient to induce flow within at least a substantial portion of the interstitial volume between the particles at a reduced velocity greater than about 5,000.