Oxford Glycosystems Limited

Antonis C Ioannides

Alan Pindar

Rajesh B Parekh

Albert Edward Platt

Anthony H Merry

James Bruce

Ashok Patel

James S Wilson

An instrument that is particularly designed for the automatic release and isolation saccharides from glycoconjugates comprises a source of inert gas that can be passed along a line, to bring together all the required reagents with the sample, heat the sample in the presence of the reagents for the required time and at the required temperature, pass the resultant mixtures through chromatographic columns, and deliver the separated material to a collection point. The release and separation can be conducted on two samples of glycoconjugate simultaneously, even when the samples are of different glycoconjugates requiring different processing parameters. The material of one sample can be prevented from mixing with or otherwise contaminating the material of the other sample.

Automated process equipment

A fluid pressure control system comprising a first chamber, the pressure in which is to be controlled, a second chamber and a valve means for controlling communication between the first and second chambers. A controller is arranged such that, if the pressure in the first chamber differs from a required pressure, the controller i) operates the valve means to close off communication between the first and second chambers, ii) varies the pressure in the second chamber, iii) opens communication between the first and second chambers to deliver a discrete pressure step to the first chamber, and, iv) repeats i) to iii) until the pressure in the first chamber reaches a required level.

Pressure regulating system

A system for delivering measured amounts of liquid, such as reagents used in chromatography. Liquid is first moved under gas pressure from a reservoir, such as a reagent bottle, through a valve into a narrow pipe. It reaches a detector which, detecting its presence, closes the valve thus trapping an amount of liquid between the valve and the detector, this amount of liquid then constituting a `unit` or `pulse` of liquid. The movement of the valve is used to connect a gas supply which drives the `unit` or `pulse` out of the pipe to an ultimate destination, such as a chromatographic column. A further `unit` or `pulse` can then be moved into the pipe and this repeated so that delivery to the destination is made in a series of such `units` or `pulse`. By timing the delivery of one `unit` or `pulse`, an amount less than one `unit` or `pulse` can be delivered by passing liquid into the pipe for less than the time taken to deliver one `unit`. This can be used to make up a delivery which is not a unitary multiple of one `unit` or to deliver a small amount of less than one `unit`. No moving parts are involved and delivery of accurately measured amounts is achieved.

System for dispensing a known volume of fluid

A liquid delivery system which can deliver liquid from a pressurized vessel holding a volume of the liquid, out through an outlet under a controlled pressure, thereby controlling the delivery rate of the liquid. The vessel can be re-filled while controlled liquid delivery continues, either by re-filling directly into the vessel and allowing any excess of pressure to be relieved, or by using a second pressurized vessel and continuing delivery from one vessel while the other is re-filled.

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Abingdon, United Kingdom

Antonis C Ioannides