Abstract: A flow cytometer can include: at least one light emitter configured to emit light in a light path; a rectangular flow cell having flow cell width that is substantially lateral to the light path and a flow cell depth that is longitudinal to the light path, wherein the light path has an interrogation width at the flow cell that is narrower than the flow cell width; and a spherical reflector positioned adjacent to the rectangular flow cell and having a concave reflective surface that has a reflective direction that is positioned substantially orthogonal with the light path such that reflected light is reflected along a reflected path that is substantially orthogonal with the light path. At least one light absorbing member is positioned at least partially around the reflected path to absorb reflected light at an angle to the reflected path.

Abstract: A system may include a needle and source providing fluid to the needle. The system may include a sheath defining an opening. The needle may be within the sheath. The needle and sheath may define a cavity. The system may include a gasket movable between open and closed positions. The gasket may fluidly seal an end of the sheath so that the fluid exits the needle into the cavity and exits via the opening. The system may include a bottle including a septum proximate the end of the sheath. The system may include a movement system that may displace the gasket to permit fluid to exit the cavity via the end of the sheath and displace the sheath or needle such that the needle extends beyond the sheath. The movement system may displace the needle or bottle such that the needle penetrates the septum and fluid exits into the bottle.

Abstract: A system may include a needle and source providing fluid to the needle. The system may include a sheath defining an opening. The needle may be within the sheath. The needle and sheath may define a cavity. The system may include a gasket movable between open and closed positions. The gasket may fluidly seal an end of the sheath so that the fluid exits the needle into the cavity and exits via the opening. The system may include a bottle including a septum proximate the end of the sheath. The system may include a movement system that may displace the gasket to permit fluid to exit the cavity via the end of the sheath and displace the sheath or needle such that the needle extends beyond the sheath. The movement system may displace the needle or bottle such that the needle penetrates the septum and fluid exits into the bottle.

Abstract: An online liquid autosampler may include a pipette, a depyrogenation system, a sample source, and a movement system. The depyrogenation system may be configured to selectively depyrogenate the pipette. The sample source may be configured to provide a liquid to be sampled to the pipette. The movement system may be coupled to one or more of the pipette, the depyrogenation system, or the sample source. The movement system may be configured to: position the pipette within the depyrogenation system for depyrogenation; position a tip of the pipette within the sample source to aspirate a sample of the liquid from the sample source; and position the pipette to dispense an aliquot of the sample of the liquid into an aliquot sample target.

Abstract: A method to analyze a sample includes performing sample interrogation cycles on the sample to generate replicates. Each of the sample interrogation cycles is performed by: illuminating the sample with two or more fluorescence excitation signals at different wavelengths; and detecting both a fluorescence emission spectral profile and a fluorescence lifetime profile of the sample for each of the two or more fluorescence excitation signals to generate two or more fluorescence emission spectral profiles and two or more fluorescence lifetime profiles of the sample. Each replicate includes the two or more fluorescence emission spectral profiles and the two or more fluorescence lifetime profiles generated for a corresponding one of the sample interrogation cycles. The method includes performing a comparison of the replicates to predetermined spectroscopic relationships.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprises a plurality of reactors/reaction vessels controlled by a single graphical user interface. Each of the reactor modules is independent and may be used as such. A magnetic impeller is located inside each reaction vessel, the impeller having a magnet integrated into the profile. External magnets are located radially outside of the wall of each reaction vessel. Rotational motion is provided to these external magnets thereby inducing the internal magnetic impellers to rotate and induce mixing/agitation to the reaction vessel contents. The usage of strong external magnets enables strong magnetic coupling to the internal impeller enabling mixing of normally difficult to mix contents. The ability to adjust the vertical location of the external magnets further enhances functional ability enabling optimized location of the internal magnet for the specific volume/vessel content mixtures combinations.

Abstract: A multi-channel separation device is provided for use in separation technology, particularly in electrophoresis and in isoelectric focusing. The device includes two mating plates, at least one of which contains an array of at least three cavities arranged to define a serpentine fluid pathway through the cavities when the plates are mated. Each of the cavities includes fluid input and output ports to facilitate transfer of process fluid through the cavities. A septum is disposed between the plates for streamlining fluid flow between the input and output ports by restricting but not preventing free fluid flow between adjacent cavities. The device also includes anodic and cathodic compartments containing electrodes for establishing an electric field across the cavities.

Abstract: A novel pH buffering system which is functionally stable under electrophoretic conditions employs buffering components in complementary buffer pairs. The buffering components are selected from among simple chemically defined ampholytes, weak acids and weak bases, and are paired together on the basis of their dissociation characteristics to define narrow overlapping buffering zones in which the buffering components exhibit low net electrophoretic mobility combined with desired pH buffering capacity. The narrow buffering zones cover from 0.4 to 1.25 pH units within a broad range of pH values of from about pH 3 to about pH 10. Specific buffering pH values within the narrow buffering zones are obtainable by varying the molar ratios of the two buffering components of the selected buffer pair. The buffering system may be used to form functionally stable precast narrow pH zone gradients in free solution, and has particular utility in isoelectric focusing and other electrophoretic processes.

Abstract: A matrix of valves being formed using a sandwich of three layers with a pliable membrane interposed between two of the layers. Supply channels and delivery channels are created through etching, routing, or other such means on the middle layer. Each supply channel communicates with all of the delivery channels via a valve location which is opened or closed by pneumatic pressure on the pliable membrane. Movement of the pliable membrane is affected through suction or pressure as communicated via holes in the overlying layer. In this manner, selected supply and delivery lines are connected by appropriate suction being placed on the membrane. Selected valves are simultaneously opened to provide parallel operations.