An apparatus for chemical separations includes a first substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a first fluidic port; a second substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a second fluidic port; and a coupler disposed between the first and second substrates, the coupler defining a fluidic path in fluidic alignment with the ports of the first and second substrates. The coupler includes a material that is deformable relative to a material of the first substrate and a material of the second substrate. The substrates are clamped together to compress the coupler between the substrates and form a fluid-tight seal.

A multi-capillary column pre-concentration trap for use in various chromatography techniques (e.g., gas chromatography (GC) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS)) is disclosed. In some examples, the trap can include a plurality of capillary columns connected in series in order of increasing strength (i.e., increasing chemical affinity for one or more sample compounds). A sample can enter the trap, flowing from a sample vial to a relatively weak column to the relatively strongest column of the trap by way of any additional columns included in the trap, for example. In some examples, the trap can be heated and backflushed so that the sample exits the trap through the head of the relatively weak column. Next, the sample can be injected into a chemical analysis device for performing the chromatography technique (e.g., GC or GCMS) or it can be injected into a secondary multi-capillary column trap for further concentration.

A liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer specifying a location where a flow path is clogged and recovering in a short time. The liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer includes a first flow path passing through a separation column, a second flow path not passing through the separation column, a mass spectrometry unit on the downstream side of the first and second flow paths and analyzes a sample that has passed through the first flow path, a first valve for connecting any one of the first and second flow paths to the mass spectrometry unit, and a controller for controlling driving of the first valve, connecting the first flow path to the mass spectrometric unit, comparing the measured value of the mass spectrometric unit with a predetermined threshold value, and connecting the second flow path to the mass spectrometry unit when it is determined to be abnormal.

A liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer specifying a location where a flow path is clogged and recovering in a short time. The liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer includes a first flow path passing through a separation column, a second flow path not passing through the separation column, a mass spectrometry unit on the downstream side of the first and second flow paths and analyzes a sample that has passed through the first flow path, a first valve for connecting any one of the first and second flow paths to the mass spectrometry unit, and a controller for controlling driving of the first valve, connecting the first flow path to the mass spectrometric unit, comparing the measured value of the mass spectrometric unit with a predetermined threshold value, and connecting the second flow path to the mass spectrometry unit when it is determined to be abnormal.

Tests of channels of a system as a whole can be easily performed without adding a complicated mechanism. A liquid feeding part includes a liquid feeding channel to feed a mobile phase, a drainage channel to release pressure in the liquid feeding channel, an analysis channel that discharges the mobile phase into the sample introduction part, and a channel switching valve that selectively connects the liquid feeding channel to one of the drainage channel and the analysis channel. The channel switching valve is configured to be able to provide a tight stopper state in which the liquid feeding channel is connected to neither the analysis channel nor the drainage channel.

The disclosed chromatographic system enables sample slices to be moved back and forth between columns to rapidly isolate and measure a single or multiple components in a complex matrix. The independently controlled, two column system allows for the flow-recycling to take place since the sample slice can be effectively halted on either column until the second column is thermally ready to accept it again. The plumbing scheme also allows one to make an infinitely long column by being able to move components back and forth between the two by activating and deactivating the valve at the appropriate times.

A gas chromatography system can include a circulatory loop, a gas inlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a gas outlet positioned along the circulatory loop, a micro column positioned in line with the circulatory loop, and an in-line population sensor positioned in line with the circulatory loop. The in-line population sensor can be configured to detect changes in gas population. The gas inlet and gas outlet can be associated with a gas inlet valve and gas outlet valve, and configured to admit or withdraw gas from the circulatory loop, respectively. A gas sample can be circulated through the circulatory loop for at least one cycle, and a component of the gas sample can be detected using the in-line population sensor.

Provided is a preparative separation liquid chromatograph system and preparative separation condition searching method which allows for an easy setting of the preparative separation condition. A sample temporally separated into components by a separation column is introduced into a detector and a fraction collector, with each component fractionated and collected by the fraction collector based on the result of a detection by the detector. A controlling and processing unit holds the following data for each sample or compound in the form of a database: chromatogram data obtained when a liquid chromatograph analysis in a preparative separation condition searching mode is performed for various standard samples under a search condition; and chromatogram data obtained when a liquid chromatograph analysis in a preparative separation mode is performed under one or more sets of preparative separation conditions for the various standard samples, along with the preparative separation condition used in this analysis.

Provided is a preparative separation liquid chromatograph system and preparative separation condition searching method which allows for an easy setting of the preparative separation condition. A sample temporally separated into components by a separation column is introduced into a detector and a fraction collector, with each component fractionated and collected by the fraction collector based on the result of a detection by the detector. A controlling and processing unit holds the following data for each sample or compound in the form of a database: chromatogram data obtained when a liquid chromatograph analysis in a preparative separation condition searching mode is performed for various standard samples under a search condition; and chromatogram data obtained when a liquid chromatograph analysis in a preparative separation mode is performed under one or more sets of preparative separation conditions for the various standard samples, along with the preparative separation condition used in this analysis.

A method and system are disclosed for isolating intact acellular particles using size exclusion and for obtaining size and concentration of such isolated particles. In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to use of Particle Purification Liquid Chromatography (PPLC), a high-resolution chromatographic size-guided turbidimetry-enabled system for dye-free isolation, on-line characterization, and retrieval of intact acellular particles, including extracellular vesicles (EVs) and membraneless condensate particles (MCs) from various biofluids.