Orion Research, Inc.

Ati Orion

Srdjan Krstanovic

James Reineck

A connectorized capillary and in-line flow cell system which greatly expedites the construction of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and other separation instrumentation. A capillary is mounted within a cavity formed in a body, and a mechanical fastener is positioned about the body. The inner diameter of the fastener is less than the outer diameter of the body, so that the connector may be firmly coupled to any system component having a corresponding portion adapted to accept the fastener. The connectorized capillaries thus permit permanent or semi-permanent attachment to various in-line flow cell devices such as detectors, valves, buffer reservoirs and the like. For example, an in-line conductivity detector is assembled by connecting a conductivity meter to the opposing ends of the flow cell body. Annular sensing surfaces can also be provided within the cell. The same basic flow cell structure can also be used as a discrete separation valve by forming two transverse openings in the flow cell body and by using a ferrule having a slotted or castleated end. The valve can be electrically operated by switching a ground reference electrode between two or more buffer reservoirs. The same connectorized capillaries may also be used with fused plate-type systems containing etched channels.

Connectorized capillaries for use with separation instrumentation

An off-column conductivity detector for ion electrophoresis measurements is formed from a first connector having a body carrying the discharge end of a separation capillary and a second connector having a body carrying a measuring electrode. The geometry of the detector, and the relative positioning of the capillary and the measuring electrode within the connectors, result in an active measuring cell of precise and minute dimensions that provides measurements of high resolution and high sensitivity rapidly and reliably, despite the provision for rapid disassembly and reassembly by the end user for purposes of cleaning, electrode substitution, and the like.

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Windham, NH, United States of America

Srdjan Krstanovic