Abstract: A column oven includes a substantially sealed space surrounded by wall surfaces made of a heat conductive material to accommodate an analytical column, a heater for heating the wall surfaces made of the heat conductive material, and a heat insulating material surrounding an outside of the wall surfaces made of the heat conductive material. That is, a space inside the column oven in which the analytical column is accommodated is formed as a substantially sealed structure surrounded by the heat conductive wall surfaces, and the wall surfaces surrounding the substantially sealed space are heated by the heater, thereby heating the substantially sealed space uniformly from circumferential directions.

Abstract: Obtaining sufficient suppression effect of channel diffusion and stably transferring solution are made possible even in a piping having an extremely small inner diameter used for an analysis apparatus such as an HPLC. A piping device for an analysis apparatus includes a piping equipped with a folded shape that suppresses inner channel diffusion, and a member directly or indirectly in contact with the piping from at least one side to support the piping to suppress deformation of the folded shape.

Abstract: Described are techniques for use in connection with analyzing a droplet. One or more droplets of a sample are formed on a surface of a digital microfluidic device. The droplets are manipulated to perform processing using said one or more droplets generating one or more resulting droplets. The one or more resulting droplets may be transferred from the microfluidic device to another device for analysis. The one or more droplets may also be provided to the digital microfluidic device from yet another device or analysis instrument.

Abstract: A plurality of suctioning flow paths for suctioning mobile phases meet each other at a meeting portion. The meeting portion is connected to an inlet flow path communicating with an inlet of a reciprocating pump. The suctioning flow paths are respectively provided with solenoid valves for opening and closing the respective flow paths. The suctioning flow paths are respectively provided with orifices between the solenoid valves and the meeting portion. The orifices are sections of the respective suctioning flow paths having smaller diameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for substantially eliminating destructive transients of pressure or flow rate which can degrade the efficiency and useful lifetime of chromatography columns. The present invention enables a substantially constant flow of mobile phase liquid to be maintained through the chromatography system by eliminating the flow blockage interval associated with the actuation of sample injection valves. The present invention further provides a method to reduce the pressure and flow rate transients associated with pressurization of the sample loop contents when the sample loop is introduced to chromatography system delivery pressure.

Abstract: A thermal system for use in a column manager of a liquid chromatography system comprises a plurality of spatially separated individually controlled thermoelectric chips. A column module houses a plurality of thermally conductive troughs. Each trough resides in a separate thermal zone to be thermally conditioned individually by one of the individually controlled thermoelectric chips. Each trough is adapted to hold one or more liquid chromatography columns therein. A plurality of spatially separated thermal bridges includes a first thermal bridge thermally coupling one of the thermoelectric chips to a first one of the plurality of troughs and a second thermal bridge of the plurality of thermal bridges thermally coupling another of the thermoelectric chips to a second one of the plurality of troughs.

Abstract: A liquid gas vaporization and measurement system, and associated method, for efficiently vaporizing a continuous sample of liquid gas, such as liquid natural gas (LNG), and accurately determining the constituent components of the gas. A constant flow of liquid gas sampled from a mass storage device is maintained in a vaporizing device. Within the vaporizing device the liquid gas is flash vaporized within heated narrow tubing. The liquid gas is converted to vapor very quickly as it enters one or more independently operating vaporizer stages within the vaporizing device. The vapor gas is provided to a measuring instrument such as a chromatograph and the individual constituent components and the BTU value of the gas are determined to an accuracy of within +/?0.5 mole percent and 1 BTU, respectively.

Abstract: Devices for heating and cooling chromatographic columns, transfer tubing, fittings and accessories and can also be placed next to the mass spectrometer's inlet region are disclosed. These devices have the advantage of allowing the user to dramatically reduce the post-column dead-volume while using the heating or cooling devices, a necessity for low-flowrate liquid chromatography. These devices also do not require the user to heat or cool the entire column with fittings to achieve optimized benefits for chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid chromatography apparatus X, which is provided with a deaerator 4. The liquid chromatography apparatus X is further provided with a dissolved oxygen density adjusting means for maintaining a density of dissolved oxygen in an eluting solution to be supplied to a column 60 constant. Preferably, the dissolved oxygen density adjusting means is configured so as to adjust the density of the dissolved oxygen in the eluting solution by adjusting a degree of decompression in a decompression space of the deaerator 4 based on a measurement result by temperature measurement means 40A, 40B, and 40C for measuring the temperature of the eluting solution.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a flow sensing apparatus for sensing fluid flow in a nano-scale high-performance liquid chromatography apparatus. The flow sensing apparatus includes: a fluid channel that allows a fluid to flow in a first direction; a first infrared sensor arranged at a first position along the fluid channel such that it senses a temperature of the fluid; a second infrared sensor arranged at a second position along the fluid channel and separated from the first sensor by a predetermined distance along the fluid channel; and a heating element arranged between the first and second infrared sensors. The heating element is equally spaced from the first and second infrared sensors.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a flow sensing apparatus including: a fluid channel that allows a fluid to flow in a first direction; a first thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a first position along the fluid channel such that it senses a temperature of the fluid; a second thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a second position along the fluid channel and separated from the first sensing element by a predetermined distance along the fluid channel; and a heating element arranged between the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements, the heating element being equally spaced from the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements.

Abstract: An injection device (10) includes a carrier inlet (40), a sample inlet (46), waste outlet (44) and a chamber outlet (64) attached to separation column (66). Valves (52, 54, 56) are used to control flow such that sample flows into chamber (22) and is carried into the chamber outlet (42).

Abstract: In order to obtain a temperature gradient elution method which is rapid and accurate, a mobile phase (1) is supplied through two mobile-phase flow channels (2a) and (2b), mixed together, and introduced into the column (15) while the column (15) is made adiabatic. In this operation, the temperature of the mobile phase in one mobile-phase flow channel, i.e., the channel (2a), is regulated to a constant temperature higher than the upper limit of the target temperature range to be obtained in the column (15), while the temperature of the mobile phase in the other mobile-phase flow channel, i.e., the channel (2b), is regulated to a constant temperature lower than the lower limit of the target temperature range in the column (15). By controlling the flow rates in the two mobile-phase flow channels (2a) and (2b), the proportion in which these mobile-phase portions are mixed is changed with time to thereby change the temperature of the mobile phase in the column (15) with time.

Abstract: An auto-sampler cleaning mechanism is provided, which is capable of maintaining the supply of a liquid in a non-time-consuming manner when a cleaning solution is supplied. The auto-sampler cleaning mechanism of the present invention includes: a sample-metering sample loop 14 having a sample-injecting needle 15 at a front end thereof, a metering pump 24, a multi-ported valve 11a, a multi-position valve 11b, and a liquid-supply valve 11c. A diaphragm pump 25 is disposed between the port of the multi-position valve 11a and the port of the liquid-supply valve 11b, and used to supply a cleaning solution 26 or a mobile phase 20 to the sample loop 14.

Abstract: A liquid gas vaporization and measurement system, and associated method, for efficiently vaporizing a continuous sample of liquid gas, such as liquid natural gas (LNG), and accurately determining the constituent components of the gas. A constant flow of liquid gas sampled from a mass storage device is maintained in a vaporizing device. Within the vaporizing device the liquid gas is flash vaporized within heated narrow tubing. The liquid gas is converted to vapor very quickly as it enters one or more independently operating vaporizer stages within the vaporizing device. The vapor gas is provided to a measuring instrument such as a chromatograph and the individual constituent components and the BTU value of the gas are determined to an accuracy of within +/?0.5 mole percent and 1 BTU, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a column tip processing device and a column tip processing method, and its objective is to enhance the contact between a packing and a fluid as a subject to be processed whereby accomplishing a highly efficient reaction as well as an accurate processing, which has a nozzle head having a single or multiple-channeled nozzle, a suction and discharge mechanism, one or more types of column tips in which a packing is enclosed, a stage provided with a fluid housing part group including a plurality of fluid housing parts in which various solutions are or can be housed, and moving means for moving the nozzle head relatively to the fluid housing part group, and also has a controlling part which controls the suction and discharge mechanism and the moving means with regard to quantities, pressure, flow rate, the number of cycles, time or position of the suction or discharge by the nozzle based on a structural requirement relating to the structure of the one or more types of column tips to

Abstract: In order to obtain a temperature gradient elution method which is rapid and accurate, a mobile phase (1) is supplied through two mobile-phase flow channels (2a) and (2b), mixed together, and introduced into the column (15) while the column (15) is made adiabatic. In this operation, the temperature of the mobile phase in one mobile-phase flow channel, i.e., the channel (2a), is regulated to a constant temperature higher than the upper limit of the target temperature range to be obtained in the column (15), while the temperature of the mobile phase in the other mobile-phase flow channel, i.e., the channel (2b), is regulated to a constant temperature lower than the lower limit of the target temperature range in the column (15). By controlling the flow rates in the two mobile-phase flow channels (2a) and (2b), the proportion in which these mobile-phase portions are mixed is changed with time to thereby change the temperature of the mobile phase in the column (15) with time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and accompanying device for separating a known or unknown sample into one or more subsamples. By comparing the subsample's measurement profile data to the sample measurement profile data, the performance of the separation can be determined. The separation could be chromatography [such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), or the like], electrophoresis [such as capillary electrophoresis (CE) or the like], or another separation technique. The measurement profile data could be ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectra, mass spectra (MS), or another measurement technique.

Abstract: A device (100) for detecting a condition in a fluid system (14) and initiating a response based on the condition. The device consists of a sensor (12) that responds to a first and second condition of the fluid (13) in the system and a control means (10) that receives the responses and generates command signals in based on the received response. In a liquid chromatography system, the device is used to determine the volume of components of the fluid system. In addition, the device allow leaks to be detected and permits the fluid in the system to be transported at a optimum speed. The device is well implemented utilizing to a light emitter and light receptor that are sensitive to the fluid in either a gaseous or liquid state.

Abstract: Provided is a differential refractive index detector having a light receiving element, a zero glass, a zero glass driving unit and a storing portion, and is capable of performing purging operation thoroughly based on a unified standard. The light receiving element receives a measuring light passing through cells (S, R) to generate a slit image. The zero glass makes the slit image parallelly move on the light receiving element. The zero glass driving unit makes the zero glass rotate. The storing portion stores a rotating angle of the zero glass when the same solution fills up the two cells (S, R). When a purging operation for replacing a reference solution in the flow cell is performed, the stored rotating angle is taken as a standard value for being compared with a current rotating angle of the zero glass. If the two angles are the same, the purging operation is finished.

Abstract: An apparatus for liquid chromatography comprises a liquid chromatography separation column on a substrate, wherein the separation column is coupled to a heater on the substrate. A chip-based temperature controlled liquid chromatography device comprises a substrate, a thermal isolation zone, and a separation column thermally isolated from the substrate by the thermal isolation zone. An apparatus for chip-based liquid chromatography comprising a cooling device is provided. A temperature gradient liquid chromatography system comprises a chip-based temperature controlled liquid chromatography device, a fluidic coupling, and an electrical interface. Methods of making and methods of using of chip-based temperature gradient liquid chromatography devices are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a defined fluid flow, especially for use in liquid chromatography. According to the method, a constant total flow (f0) is subdivided into an internal excess flow (fie) in an excess branch and into an internal working flow (fiw) in a working branch. The ratio of subdivision of the internal working flow (fiw) and the internal excess flow (fie) depends on the reverse ratio of a fluidic resistance provided in the working branch and a fluidic resistance in the excess branch. The excess branch and the working branch are interlinked at the respective outputs of the two fluidic outputs of the fluidic resistances by a cross-branch. The equalizing flow occurring between the outputs of the fluidic resistances is measured by means of a flow sensor. A desired, external working flow in the further course of the working branch can be fed to a working device, for example a chromatography column mounted downstream of the device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and a method for the rapid detection of a low molecular substance in a liquid flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling nano-scale flow rate of fluid in the operating flow path of a HPLC system provide fluid flow without relying on complex calibration routines to compensate for solvent compositions gradients typically used in HPLC. The apparatus and method are used to correct the flow output of a typical, analytical-scale (0.1-5 mL/min) HPLC pump to enable accurate anti precise flow delivery at capillary (<0.1 mL/min) and nano-scale (<?L/min) HPLC flow rates.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes, (a) monitoring a pressure on a fluid being conveyed through an intake tube into a chamber by a pump, (b) determining a deviation of the pressure from a predefined value, (c) determining a blockage of the intake tube based on the deviation, and (d) determining an amount of an adjustment of a parameter of the pump to compensate for the blockage.

Abstract: The preparative liquid chromatograph uses a plurality of detectors including a mass spectrometer, and a chromatogram generator is provided for generating a plurality of chromatograms each corresponding to each of the plurality of detectors. The plurality of chromatograms are converted into a respective binary signal by comparing the chromatogram with a predetermined threshold, and a logical operator performs a binary operation on the plurality of respective binary signals, whereby a resultant binary signal is generated. A separation controller controls the fraction collector of the preparative liquid chromatograph based on the resultant binary signal to separate components from a sample. When “AND” is used as the binary operation, the resultant binary signal is “1” only when all the respective binary signals are “1”. This assures a high precision, high purity separation where an impurity mingling is minimized.

Abstract: A parallel fluid processing system including multiple fluid process regions containing solid material in fluid communication with a common first fluid source may be used to conduct analyses and/or synthesis in parallel. A parallel fluid processing data correction method includes supplying and processing a calibrant in each fluid process region, measuring a first physical parameter and deriving at least one correction factor based on the parameter, supplying and processing at least one second fluid in each fluid process region, and then applying the correction factor to yield corrected process data. Retention time correction, peak area correction, and other useful data corrections may be performed. Parallel fluid processing may be performed with microfluidic devices and systems. A system for correcting retention times in parallel liquid chromatography is further provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fraction collection in an eluent stream flowing from an LC column. A triggering detector recognizes the presence of a target substance according to characteristics of chromatographic peaks in the eluent stream and initiates a delay timer to trigger the fraction collector. A waste stream detector is disposed at any distance from the fraction collector to detect peaks in the waste stream flowing from a fraction collector. The signature of fraction collector actuation is seen by the waste stream detector, permitting the delay time to be adjusted for optimal collection of the target compound. The presence or absence of a peak or the characteristics of a remnant peak detected by the waste stream detector are used to confirm that the target component of the eluent stream was collected as intended by the fraction collector.

Abstract: Microfluidic analytical devices and systems have at least one porous element disposed downstream of one or more optical detection regions in a pressure-based separation system. A porous element elevates the backpressure within an optical detection region, thus suppressing bubble formation and enhancing optical detection. Various types of porous elements include porous membranes, packed particulate material, and polymerized monoliths. Preferred devices may be fabricated with substantially planar device layers, including stencil layers, that are directly bonded without adhesives to form a substantially sealed microstructure suitable for performing pressure-based chromatographic separations at elevated operating pressures and with organic solvents.

Abstract: In obtaining an accurate mixing ratio of a liquid mixture, an actual mixing ratio of at least two different liquids mixed together is obtained, wherein the two kinds of liquids have a predetermined mixing ratio and are mixed by setting switching valves for the liquids. A mixing ratio error is calculated as a difference between the actual mixing ratio and the predetermined mixing ratio, and is stored. A switching timing of the switch valves is corrected based on the stored mixing ratio error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fraction collection in an eluent stream flowing from an LC column. A triggering detector recognizes the presence of a target substance according to characteristics of chromatographic peaks in the eluent stream and initiates a delay timer to trigger the fraction collector. A waste stream detector is disposed at any distance from the fraction collector to detect peaks in the waste stream flowing from a fraction collector. The signature of fraction collector actuation is seen by the waste stream detector, permitting the delay time to be adjusted for optimal collection of the target compound. The presence or absence of a peak or the characteristics of a remnant peak detected by the waste stream detector are used to confirm that the target component of the eluent stream was collected as intended by the fraction collector.

Abstract: A fraction collection system for liquid chromatography includes a conduit, which directs a sample eluent from an LC column through a flow splitter to a destructive analytical detector such as a mass spectrometer to analyze sample components, and to a fraction collector. A nondestructive detector such as a photodetector is positioned near the fraction collector to detect arrival of sample components. Optionally, a nondestructive detector such as a photodetector is situated upstream from the splitter, to detect passing sample components. Time intervals between detection of a calibrant or a sample component at any two of the detectors provide for automatable identification of selected sample components at the sample collector.

Abstract: To economically perform preparatory chromatography, a plurality of pumps each having a corresponding one of a plurality of pistons and a corresponding one of a plurality of cylinders are driven by one motor to draw and pump solvent simultaneously into corresponding columns. To form a gradient, the pumps are connected to two-way valves that are connected alternately to a first solvent and a second solvent, whereby the time said valve is in a first position controls the amount of solvent drawn from the first reservoir into said pumps and the amount of time in said second position controls the amount of said second solvent drawn from the second reservoir into said pumps and the solvent is mixed in the pumping systems. The detectors are photodiodes mounted to light guides in the flow cells that generate signals related to light absorbance and communicate with a controller, whereby the controller receives signals indicating solute between the light guides and causes collection of solute.

Abstract: A method of reducing baseline instabilities in liquid chromatographic measurements is disclosed. A mobile phase comprising sample substances passes through a chromatographic column comprising a stationary phase, and subsequently through a detector. An additional solid body or liquid bath having a high heat capacity and heat conductance is coupled to the column and to an inlet capillary of the column such that the inlet capillary and the column are enclosed by said solid body or liquid bath. In that way temperature stabilization of the column and inlet capillaries is achieved and baseline variations due to temperature dependent adsorption of water at the stationary phase, in particular stationary phases with amino functional groups, are reduced.

Abstract: A system for conducting high-temperature liquid chromatographic analysis includes a mobile phase transport tube configured to operably convey mobile phase from a source to respective chromatographic instruments in the system, a pre-heater apparatus operably coupled to the mobile phase transport tube for heating the mobile phase to a desired temperature, a chromatographic column operably coupled to the pre-heater apparatus, and including temperature-maintaining means for maintaining the column at a pre-determined temperature and a counter-flow heat exchanger operably exchanging heat from outlet mobile phase to inlet mobile phase through conductive heat transfer means. In a particular embodiment, the mobile phase passing through the chromatographic column is maintained in a substantially adiabatic environment.

Abstract: A method of reducing baseline instabilities in liquid chromatographic measurements is disclosed. A mobile phase comprising sample substances passes through a chromatographic column comprising a stationary phase, and subsequently through a detector. An additional solid body or liquid bath having a high heat capacity and heat conductance is coupled to the column and to an inlet capillary of the column such that the inlet capillary and the column are enclosed by said solid body or liquid bath. In that way very good temperature stabilization of the column and inlet capillaries is achieved and baseline variations due to temperature dependent adsorption of water at the stationary phase, in particular stationary phases with amino functional groups, are reduced.

Abstract: A thermal exchanger for a liquid chromatography system is provided. The tube-in-tube thermal exchanger comprises a first and a second sections of tubing, a first connector and a second connector. The first section of tubing carries sample solution from the packed chromatography column. The second tubing carries the sample solution from the detector out of the system, i.e., in an opposite direction to the direction of the first section of tubing. Both the first section of tubing and the second section of tubing connect to the first connector, which combines the two sections of tubing into a thermal exchange tubing. The thermal exchange tubing comprises the first section of tubing placed inside the second section of tubing such that waste fluid from the second tubing can optimally exchange thermal energy with fluid from the chromatography column. The thermal exchange tubing is configured into a plurality of coils.

Abstract: A detection device for an apparatus for carrying out analysis such as a chromatograph includes not only a detector for outputting detection signals but also a stabilization judging unit for measuring drift and noise of these detection signals over time and automatically transmitting a start signal which permits the apparatus for analysis to start its operations when the measured drift becomes smaller than a standard drift value such as one-tenth of the optical absorbance measured for a spectrum of an analyzed sample at the detection wavelength. A standard noise value setting unit may be further provided for receiving detection signals at detection wavelength while a standard sample is placed inside a detection cell, calculating a standard noise value on the basis of intensity of the detection signals, and transmitting the calculated standard noise value to the stabilization judging unit.

Abstract: A fraction collection system for liquid chromatography includes a conduit, which directs a sample eluent from an LC column through a flow splitter to a destructive analytical detector such as a mass spectrometer to analyze sample components, and to a fraction collector. A nondestructive detector such as a photodetector is positioned near the fraction collector to detect arrival of sample components. Optionally, a nondestructive detector such as a photodetector is situated upstream from the splitter, to detect passing sample components. Time intervals between detection of a calibrant or a sample component at any two of the detectors provide for automatable identification of selected sample components at the sample collector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing mixtures of components by a process selected from the group consisting of flow based separation processes and flow analysis processes. The method comprising the steps of: obtaining measurement signals by measuring process conditions at a plurality of positions throughout the system; applying signal processing to the measurement signals, said signal processing comprising multivariate data analysis for condensing the plurality of measurement signals to a smaller number of main signals being non-correlated; logging said main signals; and displaying said main signals versus time, where changes of said system conditions are indicated by one or more of the displayed main signals; detecting any error occurrence during an on going process, and determining what part of said system cause said error.

Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

Abstract: A method of reducing the effects of varying environmental conditions, such as varying temperature, on the measuring results in a measuring instrument, is disclosed as well as a corresponding measuring instrument using the method, for example an optical detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the viscosity of a sample solution which comprises an input tube for transporting a sample solution flow towards a splitter for diverting input flow into two distinct flow streams where three capillary tubes are located in the two flow streams placed downstream from the flow splitter, where each flow stream has one or two capillary tubes a delay volume, and a flow through transducer having hydraulic connections placed in one stream or in two streams used for measuring the pressure difference across the capillary tubes.