Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing headspace vial presence are described herein. In one embodiment, a system can include a sample probe, a fluid source in fluid communication with the sample probe, one or more of a pressure sensor and a flow sensor in fluid communication with the sample probe, and a processor configured to: (a) receive a first set of signals from the one or more of the pressure and flow sensors, execute an ejection procedure to remove a sample vial from the sample probe, receive a second set of signals from the one or more of the pressure sensor and the flow sensor during step (b), (d) detect whether the ejection procedure is successful from the first set of signals and the second set of signals, and (e) in response to the detecting, initiate one or more actions selected from the group consisting of: a remediation and an alert.

Abstract: In gas chromatography (GC), a sample is introduced into a flow of carrier gas and the mixture is driven through a heated GC column to acquire chromatographic data from the sample. During this time, the column is heated from an initial temperature to a final temperature. Subsequently, the column is cooled according to a cooling program. The cooling program may include a first cooling ramp, a subsequent isothermal hold, and a subsequent second cooling ramp. Alternatively, while the column is cooled down the flow of carrier gas through the column may be slowed down or ceased for a period of time, after which the flow of carrier gas through the column may be resumed at the original flow rate in preparation for processing another sample. Controlling column temperature and/or flow in this manner may be effective for reducing column bleed carryover and/or the effects thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first column heating apparatus, which includes: a first substrate; a second substrate including silicon; and a first heating element disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The apparatus also includes a second column heating apparatus, which includes: a third substrate; a fourth substrate including silicon; and a second heating element disposed between the third substrate and the fourth substrate.

Abstract: In gas chromatography (GC), a sample is introduced into a flow of carrier gas and the mixture is driven through a heated GC column to acquire chromatographic data from the sample. During this time, the column is heated from an initial temperature to a final temperature. Subsequently, the column is cooled according to a cooling program. The cooling program may include a first cooling ramp, a subsequent isothermal hold, and a subsequent second cooling ramp. Alternatively, while the column is cooled down the flow of carrier gas through the column may be slowed down or ceased for a period of time, after which the flow of carrier gas through the column may be resumed at the original flow rate in preparation for processing another sample. Controlling column temperature and/or flow in this manner may be effective for reducing column bleed carryover and/or the effects thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a GC column is described. The apparatus includes first and second temperature sensors. Temperature data are used to set power provided to a heating element of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gas chromatography (GC) column heating apparatus is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a first substrate; a heating element disposed over the first substrate; and a second substrate. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described. The GC column cooling and heating apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a heating apparatus, the heating apparatus comprising a first side and a second side; a first thermal insulation layer disposed over the first side; a second thermal insulation layer disposed over the second side; and an actuator connected to the housing and configured to move the first and second thermal insulation layers in contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a heating sequence, and to move the first and second layers of insulation out of contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a cooling sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first column heating apparatus, which includes: a first substrate; a second substrate including silicon; and a first heating element disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The apparatus also includes a second column heating apparatus, which includes: a third substrate; a fourth substrate including silicon; and a second heating element disposed between the third substrate and the fourth substrate.

Abstract: A gas chromatography (GC) column heating apparatus is described. The GC column heating apparatus includes a first substrate; a heating element disposed over the first substrate; and a second substrate. A gas chromatography (GC) column heating and cooling apparatus is also described. The GC column cooling and heating apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a heating apparatus, the heating apparatus comprising a first side and a second side; a first thermal insulation layer disposed over the first side; a second thermal insulation layer disposed over the second side; and an actuator connected to the housing and configured to move the first and second thermal insulation layers in contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a heating sequence, and to move the first and second layers of insulation out of contact with the first and second sides, respectively, during a cooling sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a GC column is described. The apparatus includes first and second temperature sensors. Temperature data are used to set power provided to a heating element of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow comprises a first fluid conduit having a length, an inner diameter, an input pressure and an output pressure, and a second fluid conduit having a length, an inner diameter, an input pressure and an output pressure where the output pressure of the first fluid conduit is the input pressure of the second fluid conduit. The system also comprises a pressure sensor configured to determine the output pressure of the first fluid conduit, and a controller configured to control the output pressure of the first fluid conduit, thereby establishing a desired fluid flow through the second fluid conduit based on the length of the second fluid conduit, the inner diameter of the second fluid conduit, the temperature of the second fluid conduit and the type of fluid flowing in the second fluid conduit.

Abstract: A data manipulation method to make local chromatography data more usable and comparable to a reference. The method provides time axis correction to better match local data to a reference of the same time scale, time axis transformation to correspond more directly to a reference based on a different time scale, and response axis correction to better match a reference of the same or different response scale, while maintaining the original peak areas. The method may be used along or concurrently with other data manipulation technique to facilitate operations such as searching, matching, visual comparison, mathematical manipulation, and pattern recognition of chromatographic data.

Abstract: A data manipulation method to make local chromatography data more usable and comparable to a reference. The method provides time axis correction to better match local data to a reference of the same time scale, time axis transformation to correspond more directly to a reference based on a different time scale, and response axis correction to better match a reference of the same or different response scale, while maintaining the original peak areas. The method may be used along or concurrently with other data manipulation technique to facilitate operations such as searching, matching, visual comparison, mathematical manipulation, and pattern recognition of chromatographic data.

Abstract: A data manipulation method to make local chromatography data more usable and comparable to a reference. The method provides time axis correction to better match local data to a reference of the same time scale, time axis transformation to correspond more directly to a reference based on a different time scale, and response axis correction to better match a reference of the same or different response scale, while maintaining the original peak areas. The method may be used along or concurrently with other data manipulation technique to facilitate operations such as searching, matching, visual comparison, mathematical manipulation, and pattern recognition of chromatographic data.

Abstract: A data manipulation method to make local chromatography data more usable and comparable to a reference. The method provides time axis correction to better match local data to a reference of the same time scale, time axis transformation to correspond more directly to a reference based on a different time scale, and response axis correction to better match a reference of the same or different response scale, while maintaining the original peak areas. The method may be used along or concurrently with other data manipulation technique to facilitate operations such as searching, matching, visual comparison, mathematical manipulation, and pattern recognition of chromatographic data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for enhanced integration of signals, such as those generated by chromatographs. In one embodiment an approximate baseline used for integration of a signal is improved to reduce error. Alternate embodiments filter drift, noise, or both from a signal prior to integration or simulated distillation. The signals are processed according to a computer program stored in a memory. The methods include steps for subtracting an approximate baseline from the signal, defining a noise band in the resulting difference, and forming a composite baseline by substituting signal data for baseline data wherever the difference does not exceed the threshold, thus leaving the parts of the approximate baseline that correspond to signal peaks unchanged.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting sample components from complex matrices using supercritical fluid as the principal extracting solvent are disclosed. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the solvent power of a supercritical fluid is stepwise settable by the parameters of density, modifier concentration, and temperature. Accordingly, methods and apparatus for extracting a component from a sample using fluid flow system having a variable and controllable flow restriction are disclosed. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of inserting the sample into the sample container section, inputting temperature, pressure, flow rate and extraction time set points. Flow rate is controlled and system pressure regulated by the variable flow restriction. The output stream from the extraction is then expanded through a nozzle and into a trap. In certain embodiments, the trap is filled with chemically active packing material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting sample components from complex matrices using supercritical fluid as the principal extracting solvent are disclosed. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the solvent power of a supercritical fluid is stepwise settable by the parameters of density, modifier concentration, and temperature. Accordingly, methods and apparatus for extracting a component from a sample using fluid flow system having a variable and controllable flow restriction are disclosed. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of inserting the sample into the sample container section, inputting temperature, pressure, flow rate and extraction time set points. Flow rate is controlled and system pressure regulated by the variable flow restriction. The output stream from the extraction is then expanded through a nozzle and into a trap. In certain embodiments, the trap is filled with chemically active packing material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting sample components from complex matrices using supercritical carbon dioxide as the principal extracting solvent are disclosed. The present invention takes advantage of the fact that the solvent power of a supercritical fluid is stepwise settable by the parameters of density, modifier concentration, and temperature. Accordingly, methods and apparatus for extracting a component from a sample using flow system having a variable and controllable flow restriction are disclosed. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of inserting the sample into the sample container section, inputting temperature, pressure, flow rate and extraction time setpoints. The flow rate is controlled and the system pressure regulated by the variable flow restriction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting sample components from complex matrices using supercritical fluid as the principal extracting solvent are disclosed. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the solvent power of a supercritical fluid is stepwise settable by the parameters of density, modifier concentration, and temperature. Accordingly, methods and apparatus for extracting a component from a sample using fluid flow system having a variable and controllable flow restriction are disclosed. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of inserting the sample into the sample container section, inputting temperature, pressure, flow rate and extraction time set points. Flow rate is controlled and system pressure regulated by the variable flow restriction.