Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Dh Technologies Development Pte. Ltd.

Sunil S Deliwala

Peter S Kotowski

Barry L Karger

Bart Jan Wanders

Chitra Kumari Ratnayake

Brian D Peterson

Arthur W Miller

Craig A Hudson

Ronald W Franck

Anna X Lou

Jane Luo

Varouj Amirkhanian

Jean-Marc Rene Lucien Busnel

Dale Alan Owens

James H Reyes

Stephen A Frye

Gary Tepermeister

Clive Cheung

Chiranjit Deka

Tom Tran

Aspects of the innovations presented herein relate to improved systems that in some embodiments perform capillary electrophoresis (CE) and CE in conjunction with electrospray ionization (ESI) as an input to a mass spectrometry system (MS). Some embodiments use a high voltage isolated CE power supply that is configured to float on the high voltage output of an ESI-MS power supply, with a protective resistance in the ESI-MS path, as well as DC/DC converter isolation and communication system isolation for the isolated CE power supply. Some embodiments additionally use a cartridge assembly integrating separation and conductive fluid capillaries with fluid cooling and protective retractable housings for the capillary end portions and for the ESI output. The protective housing may further be used with an adapter for interfacing with different MS systems.

Capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry system

Aspects of the present innovations relate to improved systems that may perform capillary electrophoresis (CE) and CE in conjunction with electrospray ionization (ESI) as an input to a mass spectrometry system (MS). Embodiments may use a current sense circuit at a high voltage output from an MS-ESI power supply in conjunction with additional elements to identify fault conditions associated with leakage current, to confirm the continuity of CE connections, and to provide improved system protection.

Leakage current sense circuit for error detection in an improved capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry system

An apparatus for use in controlling the temperature of one or more substances passing through one or more microfluidics channels in an analysis device is set forth. The apparatus includes a heating unit having first and second surfaces. The first surface of the heating unit is constructed so that it is at least partially exposed for cooling of the heating unit. The apparatus also includes a thermally conductive medium that is disposed proximate the second surface of the heating unit. The one or more microfluidics channels are disposed in the thermally conductive medium. In one embodiment, the one or more microfluidics channels are in the form of a plurality of capillary columns, such as those used in instruments for capillary electrophoresis. Each capillary column is substantially surrounded by the material forming the thermally conductive medium. In another embodiment, the thermally conductive medium, along with the corresponding plurality of capillary columns, can be easily disengaged from the heating unit in a non-destructive manner thereby allowing the heating unit to be reused.

Analysis apparatus having improved temperature control unit

An optical apparatus for and method of improving collection efficiency and signal strength of optical instruments used in capillary electrophoresis, such as laser-induced fluorescence detectors are provided. The apparatus and method provides a concave reflector positioned at one side of the capillary flow cell as a first high numerical aperture (N.A.) collector, a lens collector positioned at an opposite side of the flow cell as a second high N.A. collector, and an optical fiber positioned at close proximity of the flow cell for delivery of an excitation light to cause a sample contained in the flow cell to emit emission lights. The reflector has a concave surface for reflecting the emission lights, and the collector has a proximal convex surface for collecting the emission lights, and a distal convex surface for collimating the emission lights. This arrangement achieves a larger solid collection angle from both sides of the flow cell and therefore an increased collection efficiency. Two or more optical fibers may be used to deliver excitation lights from different sources. The optical fibers are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the reflector and collector to reduce the interference from the scattered background lights and therefore improve the signal to noise ratio. The collimated emission lights can be detected by, e.g., a photo-multiplier tube detector.

Miniature multiple wavelength excitation and emission optical system and method for laser-induced fluorescence detectors in capillary electrophoresis

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Placentia, CA, United States of America

Sunil S Deliwala