Abstract: Described is a dispensing needle for a fraction collector. The dispensing needle includes a conduit having a fluid channel to conduct a chromatographic flow, an interior wall that defines the fluid channel, an exterior surface and an endface through which the chromatographic flow is dispensed. The dispensing needle also includes a coating of a hydrocarbon material or a fluorocarbon material that is bonded to the endface. The coating is also bonded to at least a portion of the exterior surface that is adjacent to the endface and at least a portion of the interior wall that is adjacent to the endface. The coating operates to reduce a droplet volume of a liquid dispensed from the endface that may remain at the tip of the dispensing needle. Consequently, the concentration variation in a collected fraction due to a missing droplet or extra droplet is reduced.

Abstract: A high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) capillary column device, system and method for processing a HPLC sample with a cartridge housing a packed capillary column; at least one inlet connection to the capillary column for a sample fluid; and at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid. The outlet connection is able to accommodate either a spray tip for atomizing the sample fluid or a transport tube for transporting the sample fluid from a spray tip column to a spray tip. Inlet connections enable supply of electrical power to the capillary column through electrical connections disposed within the cartridge housing; and gas for evaporating the sample liquid is supplied to at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid through a gas supply line within the cartridge housing. The temperature of the sample liquid can be controlled through a heat connection.

Abstract: Described is a dispensing needle for a fraction collector. The dispensing needle includes a conduit having a fluid channel to conduct a chromatographic flow, an interior wall that defines the fluid channel, an exterior surface and an endface through which the chromatographic flow is dispensed. The dispensing needle also includes a coating of a hydrocarbon material or a fluorocarbon material that is bonded to the endface. The coating is also bonded to at least a portion of the exterior surface that is adjacent to the endface and at least a portion of the interior wall that is adjacent to the endface. The coating operates to reduce a droplet volume of a liquid dispensed from the endface that may remain at the tip of the dispensing needle. Consequently, the concentration variation in a collected fraction due to a missing droplet or extra droplet is reduced.

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a first fluid conduit (14) to one or more other fluid conduits (12) or elements such as an electrode (92) or heating element. The method comprises positioning a first fluid conduit (14) substantially in contact with the other fluid conduits or elements (12) wherein a bond region (16) is created. The bond region is wetted with a liquefied thermoplastic polymer (34) which is then subsequently cooled forming a substantially fluid tight bond between the first fluid conduit (14) and the other fluid conduits or elements (14).

Abstract: A check valve includes a valve seat and a compliant member that moves to seal the check valve by contacting the valve seat. A method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump, drawing fluid into the pump from a fluid source, and expelling the fluid from the pump through the valve, thus wetting the check valve. Another method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump, drawing fluid through the valve into the pump, and expelling the fluid from the pump.

Abstract: The invention comprises a terminal and a method for making such a terminal for placing one or more fluidic conduits in communication. The invention comprises a conduit for transporting fluid having a proximal and a distal end and a substantially cylindrical housing with an axial bore and a proximal face, the proximal end of the conduit being housed within the axial bore with their axes parallel, and the bore being back-filled with a thermoplastic polymer, most preferably PEEK, liquefied and cooled providing for the conduit to breach the sealing face and the thermoplastic to bond the conduit and housing.

Abstract: A high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) capillary column device, system and method for processing a HPLC sample with a cartridge housing a packed capillary column; at least one inlet connection to the capillary column for a sample fluid; and at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid. The outlet connection is able to accommodate either a spray tip for atomizing the sample fluid or a transport tube for transporting the sample fluid from a spray tip column to a spray tip. Inlet connections enable supply of electrical power to the capillary column through electrical connections disposed within the cartridge housing; and gas for evaporating the sample liquid is supplied to at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid through a gas supply line within the cartridge housing. The temperature of the sample liquid can be controlled through a heat connection.

Abstract: A high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) capillary column device, system and method for processing a HPLC sample with a cartridge housing a packed capillary column; at least one inlet connection to the capillary column for a sample fluid; and at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid. The outlet connection is able to accommodate either a spray tip for atomizing the sample fluid or a transport tube for transporting the sample fluid from a spray tip column to a spray tip. Inlet connections enable supply of electrical power to the capillary column through electrical connections disposed within the cartridge housing; and gas for evaporating the sample liquid is supplied to at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid through a gas supply line within the cartridge housing. The temperature of the sample liquid can be controlled through a heat connection.

Abstract: A valve including a linear positioning component operatively connected to a valve body and an actuating element.

Abstract: In various embodiments a fluid control device suitable for high pressure analytical instruments includes a housing having an interior surface with an end wall. The interior surface defines a chamber. A valve assembly disposed in the chamber controls the flow of fluid through the chamber. An end cap is disposed in the housing opposite the end wall to enclose the chamber. The end wall and end cap each have an opening to pass a fluid to the chamber or to remove a fluid from the chamber. The housing and end cap each has an abutment surface to receive the other abutment surface. At least one of the abutment surfaces has a plastic seal coating. A means of compression, such as a compression housing and compression sleeve, is included to engage the end cap to deform the plastic seal coating between the abutment surfaces and thereby seal the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device having an optical fiber coupled to a high pressure containment vessel and a method for making the same. The high pressure containment vessel can be an optical fiber based flow cell for a chromatography system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and devices (11) for placing light with samples for analysis and method of making and using such apparatus and device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the management of cryogenic agents within analytical systems using freeze thaw valving having an expansion chamber that limits the flow of the cryogenic agent. The expansion chamber is fitted with an expansion nozzle through which a cryogen flows and a porous frit that allows the cryogen to be exhausted. The porous frit initially allows a rapid flow of cryogen into the expansion chamber. This rapid flow lowers the temperature of the expansion chamber causing fluid contents within a freeze thaw segment to freeze. As the cryogen expands into the expansion chamber and turns into a solid, the porous frit is occluded causing the rapid flow to be restricted. The restriction of the cryogen flow by the occlusion of the porous frit allows the freeze thaw valve to use significantly less cryogen. Sublimation of the cryogen trapped within the porous frit provides sufficient cooling to maintain the valve in its closed position.

Abstract: A check valve includes a valve seat and a compliant member that moves to seal the check valve by contacting the valve seat. A method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump, drawing fluid into the pump from a fluid source, and expelling the fluid from the pump through the valve, thus wetting the check valve. Another method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump, drawing fluid through the valve into the pump, and expelling the fluid from the pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and devices (11) for placing light with samples for analysis and method of making and using such apparatus and device.

Abstract: A valve including a linear positioning component operatively connected to a valve body and an actuating element.

Abstract: A high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) capillary column device, system and method for processing a HPLC sample with a cartridge housing a packed capillary column; at least one inlet connection to the capillary column for a sample fluid; and at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid. The outlet connection is able to accommodate either a spray tip for atomizing the sample fluid or a transport tube for transporting the sample fluid from a spray tip column to a spray tip. Inlet connections enable supply of electrical power to the capillary column through electrical connections disposed within the cartridge housing; and gas for evaporating the sample liquid is supplied to at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid through a gas supply line within the cartridge housing. The temperature of the sample liquid can be controlled through a heat connection.

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a first fluid conduit (14) to one or more other fluid conduits (12) or elements such as an electrode (92) or heating element. The method comprises positioning a first fluid conduit (14) substantially in contact with the other fluid conduits or elements (12) wherein a bond region (16) is created. The bond region is wetted with a liquefied thermoplastic polymer (34) which is then subsequently cooled forming a substantially fluid tight bond between the first fluid conduit (14) and the other fluid conduits or elements (14).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature devices and methods for holding fluids at high pressures. One embodiment of the present invention features a device for receiving and discharging fluids. The device comprises a first housing having at least one side wall. The side wall has an interior surface defining at least one chamber and has at least one end cap abutment surface for receiving an end cap. The device has at least one end cap having at least one first housing abutment surface. The first housing abutment surface receives the end cap abutment surface positioning the end cap on the first housing for enclosing the chamber. At least one of the first housing abutment surface and the end cap abutment surface has first seal coating. The first seal coating comprises a deformable plastic adhering to the abutment surface. The device further comprises a fluid path means for receiving and removing fluid from the chamber.

Abstract: A freeze-thaw valve is provided using a Peltier heat pump where the thermal short-circuit path between a cooled thermal mass and a heated thermal mass is reduced or absent and the valve state transition time is minimized. The freeze-thaw valve comprises a Peltier heat pump mounted to a heat exchange surface that comprises a cross-drilled copper water jacket or manifold. The Peltier heat pump is operated to maintain a cooled thermal mass at a substantially constant low temperature. A resistance heating element is used to produce a heated thermal mass. The freeze-thaw segment of a fluid conduit is commutated to contact either the heated or the cooled thermal mass to thaw and therefore open the valve or cool and thus close the valve. The operation of the Peltier heat pump at a constant temperature avoids problems inherent in the use of a Peltier heat pump to both heat and cool a freeze thaw segment.