Abstract: A thermal control module for a bioseparation system, comprising: a thermal platform thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module, wherein the thermal platform comprises: a base, and at least a thermal block thermal conductively supported on the base, wherein the thermal block is structured to receive a receptacle containing at least a sample, and wherein the thermal block comprises a body comprising a split longitudinal block having two longitudinal sides defining a valley, wherein the facing walls of the sides each has a scalloped concave profile conforming to convex conical tube shaped profile of bottom surfaces of the wells of the receptacle tray; a heat sink; and a thermoelectric module thermal conductively coupled between the base of the thermal platform and the heat sink, heating/cooling the thermal platform in accordance with desired heating/cooling temperature profile.

Abstract: A multi-channel bio-separation system configured to utilize a cartridge that has a individual, separate integrated reagent (i.e., a separation buffer) reservoir dedicated for each separation channel. The multiple channels may have different characteristics, such as different separation medium of different chemistries, different separation length, different channel sizes and internal coatings. In one embodiment, the cartridge does not include integrated detection optics. Not all channels need to be operative. One or more of the channels in the cartridge may be “dummy channels” that are not operative (e.g., not provided with a capillary tube). A capillary tube may be routed between the reservoir/electrode (anode) of one channel to an electrode (cathode) in another channel, thus allowing a longer length of capillary tube to be used to define a longer separation channel to improve resolution.

Abstract: A method for glycan profiling by capillary electrophoresis (CE), and a CE system for glycan analysis (N-Glycan). The CE system uses integrated dual optical fibers for both radiation excitation and emission detection. The CE system is configured for performing a two-color detection for data analysis. A single radiation excitation source is used to excite two emission fluorophores or dyes in the sample solution to be analyzed. One emission dye is to tag the sample and the other dye is used to provide a reference marker (e.g., a Dextran Ladder) for the sample run. Two detectors (e.g., photomultipler tubes (PMTs)) are applied to simultaneously detect the fluorescent emissions from the dyes. The data collected by both detectors are correlated (e.g., synchronized, and/or super-positioned for analysis) for accurate data peak identification.

Abstract: A micro-vial for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section holds a small volume of a sample fluid and receives the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, receiving a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section. The conical section guides the capillary tube and the support tube into the alignment section and the tip of the capillary tube into the sample section.

Abstract: A multi-channel bio-separation system configured to utilize a cartridge that has a individual, separate integrated reagent (i.e., a separation buffer) reservoir dedicated for each separation channel. The multiple channels may have different characteristics, such as different separation medium of different chemistries, different separation length, different channel sizes and internal coatings. In one embodiment, the cartridge does not include integrated detection optics. Not all channels need to be operative. One or more of the channels in the cartridge may be “dummy channels” that are not operative (e.g., not provided with a capillary tube). A capillary tube may be routed between the reservoir/electrode (anode) of one channel to an electrode (cathode) in another channel, thus allowing a longer length of capillary tube to be used to define a longer separation channel to improve resolution.

Abstract: A simple, low cost, efficient and stable micro-vial configuration for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall geometry of the inventive vial is designed to include several axial sections of various interior diameters to provide a range of functionalities to address various design considerations. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section is designed to hold a small volume of a sample fluid, and to receive the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, designed to receive a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section.

Abstract: A method for glycan profiling by capillary electrophoresis (CE), and a CE system for glycan analysis (N-Glycan). The CE system uses integrated dual optical fibers for both radiation excitation and emission detection. The CE system is configured for performing a two-color detection for data analysis. A single radiation excitation source is used to excite two emission fluorophores or dyes in the sample solution to be analyzed. One emission dye is to tag the sample and the other dye is used to provide a reference marker (e.g., a Dextran Ladder) for the sample run. Two detectors (e.g., photomultipler tubes (PMTs)) are applied to simultaneously detect the fluorescent emissions from the dyes. The data collected by both detectors are correlated (e.g., synchronized, and/or super-positioned for analysis) for accurate data peak identification.

Abstract: A multi-channel bio-separation system configured to utilize a cartridge that has a individual, separate integrated reagent (i.e., a separation buffer) reservoir dedicated for each separation channel. The multiple channels may have different characteristics, such as different separation medium of different chemistries, different separation length, different channel sizes and internal coatings. In one embodiment, the cartridge does not include integrated detection optics. Not all channels need to be operative. One or more of the channels in the cartridge may be “dummy channels” that are not operative (e.g., not provided with a capillary tube). A capillary tube may be routed between the reservoir/electrode (anode) of one channel to an electrode (cathode) in another channel, thus allowing a longer length of capillary tube to be used to define a longer separation channel to improve resolution.

Abstract: A method for glycan profiling by capillary electrophoresis (CE), and a CE system for glycan analysis (N-Glycan). The CE system uses integrated dual optical fibers for both radiation excitation and emission detection. The CE system is configured for performing a two-color detection for data analysis. A single radiation excitation source is used to excite two emission fluorophores or dyes in the sample solution to be analyzed. One emission dye is to tag the sample and the other dye is used to provide a reference marker (e.g., a Dextran Ladder) for the sample run. Two detectors (e.g., photomultipler tubes (PMTs)) are applied to simultaneously detect the fluorescent emissions from the dyes. The data collected by both detectors are correlated (e.g., synchronized, and/or super-positioned for analysis) for accurate data peak identification.

Abstract: A simple, low cost, efficient and stable micro-vial configuration for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall geometry of the inventive vial is designed to include several axial sections of various interior diameters to provide a range of functionalities to address various design considerations. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section is designed to hold a small volume of a sample fluid, and to receive the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, designed to receive a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section.

Abstract: A detection optics configuration for bio-analysis, in which the direction of incident radiation, the axis of the separation channel, and the direction of collection of the output radiation are coplanar at the detection zone. The detection configuration incorporates ball-end optical fibers to direct incident radiation at and collection of output radiation from the detection zone. The detection optics configuration may be implemented in an improved bio-separation instrument, in particular a capillary electrophoresis instrument.

Abstract: A cartridge-based bio-separation system configured to utilize a pen shaped bio-separation cartridge that is easy to assemble and use with no moving parts and that has an integrated reagent (separation buffer) reservoir. The cartridge includes a body, defining an opening as a detection window for receiving external detection optics, at least one capillary column supported in the body, having a first end extending beyond a first end of the body, wherein the detection window exposes a section along the capillary column, to which the external optics are aligned through the detection window, and a reservoir attached to a second end of the body in fluid flow communication with a second end of the capillary column. The reservoir is structured to be coupled to an air pressure pump that pressurizes the gel reservoir to purge and fill the capillaries with buffer as the separation support medium.

Abstract: A cartridge-based bio-separation system configured to utilize a pen shaped bio-separation cartridge that is easy to assemble and use with no moving parts and that has an integrated reagent (separation buffer) reservoir. The cartridge includes a body, defining an opening as a detection window for receiving external detection optics, at least one capillary column supported in the body, having a first end extending beyond a first end of the body, wherein the detection window exposes a section along the capillary column, to which the external optics are aligned through the detection window, and a reservoir attached to a second end of the body in fluid flow communication with a second end of the capillary column. The reservoir is structured to be coupled to an air pressure pump that pressurizes the gel reservoir to purge and fill the capillaries with buffer as the separation support medium.

Abstract: A detection optics configuration for bio-analysis, in which the direction of incident radiation, the axis of the separation channel, and the direction of collection of the output radiation are coplanar at the detection zone. The detection configuration incorporates ball-end optical fibers to direct incident radiation at and collection of output radiation from the detection zone. The detection optics configuration may be implemented in an improved bio-separation instrument, in particular a capillary electrophoresis instrument.

Abstract: A laser surgical apparatus is disclosed in which laser energy can be directed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The probe includes a reflecting surface directing the laser energy. The reflecting surface is transparent to visible light. In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting surface is on a rod cut at an angle to form a wedge, and a collimator is used to collimate the light beam before it reaches the reflecting surface.

Abstract: An optical probe configured for insertion into the anterior chamber of an eye, adjacent to the cataractous lens of the eye, comprises an optical source, and an optical waveguide connected to deliver optical radiation from the source to the probe. The optical radiation is in the form of pulses which have a repetition rate, a wavelength and an optical energy selected to cause significant ablation-induced damage to the lens within an ablation zone, and significant acoustic-induced damage to the lens within an acoustic zone, such that the acoustic zone is significantly larger in size than the ablation zone. The acoustic zone is created by generating shock waves which radiate from the ablation zone and propagate through hard nuclear material of the cataractous lens, such that the nuclear material is microfractured.

Abstract: Procedures using a laser surgical probe are disclosed in which laser energy can be directed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the probe. In a preferred procedure, the laser probe is inserted into an internal portion of a mammal with a laser light beam being directed into the probe along a longitudinal axis. A reflecting surface on the probe reflects the laser light beam so that the beam exits the probe at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, thereby directing the laser light onto tissue of the mammal. The tissue contacted by laser light can be viewed during the procedure by looking through the reflecting surface. A particularly preferred procedure comprises an anterior capsulotomy.

Abstract: A laser surgical apparatus is disclosed in which laser energy can be directed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The probe includes a reflecting surface directing the laser energy. The reflecting surface is transparent to visible light. In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting surface is on a rod cut at an angle to form a wedge, and a collimator is used to collimate the light beam before it reaches the reflecting surface.