Abstract: Operations performed according to the example techniques described herein include controlling a probe to pierce a stopper of a container containing a substance, where the stopper provides an air-tight seal for the container, and where the air-tight seal supports an internal pressure in the container. The operations also include detecting the internal pressure based on information from a pressure sensor; determining that the internal pressure is not at a target pressure and, based on determining that the internal pressure is not at the target pressure, controlling the probe either to aspirate air from the container or to dispense air into the container in order to move the internal pressure toward the target pressure.

Abstract: A cleaning device, and method of using the same, for cleaning a probe. The device includes a body defining an inner chamber. An air intake is connected to at least one air channel through the body, the at least one air channel configured to allow air from the air intake to flow into the inner chamber and towards the inner chamber. A liquid intake is connected to at least one liquid channel through the body, the at least one liquid channel configured to allow liquid from the liquid intake to flow into the inner chamber.

Abstract: An example medical diagnostic system includes one or more containers that are usable in a medical diagnostic test. Each container has an identification (ID) tag associated therewith. An ID tag of a container includes memory that is readable and writeable. The memory is for storing information relating to the container. Antennas are configured to communicate wirelessly with ID tags associated with the one or more containers. A control system is configured to store a location of the container based on an identify of the antenna, to select the antenna for communication with the ID tag, and to use the antenna to read at least some of the information from, or to write at least some of the information to, the memory on the ID tag.

Abstract: Operations performed according to the example techniques described herein include controlling a probe to pierce a stopper of a container containing a substance, where the stopper provides an air-tight seal for the container, and where the air-tight seal supports an internal pressure in the container. The operations also include detecting the internal pressure based on information from a pressure sensor; determining that the internal pressure is not at a target pressure and, based on determining that the internal pressure is not at the target pressure, controlling the probe either to aspirate air from the container or to dispense air into the container in order to move the internal pressure toward the target pressure.

Abstract: A cleaning device, and method of using the same, for cleaning a probe. The device includes a body defining an inner chamber. An air intake is connected to at least one air channel through the body, the at least one air channel configured to allow air from the air intake to flow into the inner chamber and towards the inner chamber. A liquid intake is connected to at least one liquid channel through the body, the at least one liquid channel configured to allow liquid from the liquid intake to flow into the inner chamber.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for controlling the mass flow rate within a CO2 based chromatography system. The pressure within a CO2 pump is measured and received at a computing system, and the computing system retrieves a target temperature value corresponding to the new pressure measurement within the CO2 pump. The computing system then generates a temperature control command that controls a CO2 pump heater or cooler in order to achieve the target temperature value at the CO2 pump. Thus, a target mass flow rate of CO2 from the CO2 pump is achieved by adjusting the temperature of the CO2 pump in response to changes in pressure.

Abstract: Methods for transferring a carbon dioxide based separation procedure from a first chromatographic system to a second one involve identifying an average column pressure for the separation in the first system is identified, determining a measured average column pressure for the separation in the second system, and comparing the measured average column pressure with the identified average column pressures. To more closely match the identified average column pressure, the methods involve: (a) altering a cross-sectional area of a column packed with media in the second system; and/or (b) adding makeup fluid along the length of the column in the second system. Columns with the characteristics used in the methods and second chromatographic systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for controlling the mass flow rate within a CO2 based chromatography system. The pressure within a CO2 pump is measured and received at a computing system, and the computing system retrieves a target temperature value corresponding to the new pressure measurement within the CO2 pump. The computing system then generates a temperature control command that controls a CO2 pump heater or cooler in order to achieve the target temperature value at the CO2 pump. Thus, a target mass flow rate of CO2 from the CO2 pump is achieved by adjusting the temperature of the CO2 pump in response to changes in pressure.

Abstract: Mixers in microfluidic separation systems comprise multiple fluidic paths that extend from a distribution well to a mixing well. An incoming flow of solvent composition splits at the distribution well into as many streams as fluidic paths. The streams recombine at the mixing well to produce an output stream. One embodiment has fluidic paths with different dwell volumes that determine a percentage of the incoming flow flowing through each path. These dwell volumes can be targeted to attenuate a known noise characteristic in the incoming compositional flow. Another embodiment of mixer has a contoured surface disposed between the distribution and mixing wells. The paths extend from the distribution well to the mixing well through this contoured surface, each path passing through a different valley defined by opposing upwardly sloping banks. The valleys can have different dwell volumes that determine a percentage of the incoming compositional flow flowing through each valley.

Abstract: Mixers in microfluidic separation systems comprise multiple fluidic paths that extend from a distribution well to a mixing well. An incoming flow of solvent composition splits at the distribution well into as many streams as fluidic paths. The streams recombine at the mixing well to produce an output stream. One embodiment has fluidic paths with different dwell volumes that determine a percentage of the incoming flow flowing through each path. These dwell volumes can be targeted to attenuate a known noise characteristic in the incoming compositional flow. Another embodiment of mixer has a contoured surface disposed between the distribution and mixing wells. The paths extend from the distribution well to the mixing well through this contoured surface, each path passing through a different valley defined by opposing upwardly sloping banks. The valleys can have different dwell volumes that determine a percentage of the incoming compositional flow flowing through each valley.