The invention relates to containers or bags for chromatographic media and methods of packing chromatography columns using such containers. The bags may be used for storing and/or transporting chromatographic media and can be inserted directly into the chamber of a chromatography column in readiness for use.

A chromatographic device includes a primary channel having a cross-sectional area and characteristic length such that analyte travel within the primary channel is substantially convective. A plurality of secondary channels each having a cross-sectional area and characteristic length such that analyte flow into and out of a secondary channel is substantially diffusive, each of the plurality of secondary channels having an entrance in fluidic communication with the primary channel wherein the entrance intersects the primary channel.

A lattice and distribution network for a stackable chromatography cassette comprising: a peripheral seal; at least one screen forming the lattice surrounded by the peripheral seal, each at least one screen comprising a plurality of struts in a latticed arrangement; a first internal distribution network fluidly coupled to the lattice and surrounded by the peripheral seal; a second internal distribution network disposed opposite the first internal distribution network, fluidly coupled to the lattice and surrounded by the peripheral seal; wherein a direction of fluid flow is established from the first internal distribution network through the lattice to the second internal distribution network; and wherein preferential streamlines are minimized.

Herein is reported the use of a chromatography column support comprising at least one plane of symmetry, one axis of symmetry, at least three legs, at least three straight connectors, whereby the connectors define a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the support, whereby the connectors are connected to each other at the axis of symmetry, whereby each leg is connected to a connector, whereby each leg is perpendicular to the plane defined by the connectors, whereby all legs are on the same side of the plane defined by the connectors for stabilizing the packing of a chromatography column.

A repeatable method for detecting circulating tumor cells in vitro is provided. The method involves combining a test sample from a patient suspected of having circulating tumor cells, and a non-lytic adenoviral system, and culture media for the cells. The adenoviral system utilizes (i) a first replication-defective adenoviral particle in which an expression cassette is packaged, said expression cassette comprising an adenoviral 5 and 3 ITRs and a tumor-specific promoter; and (ii) a coding sequence for a reporter protein which is expressed in the presence of circulating tumor cells, and an adenoviral 3 ITR. The test sample and the non-lytic adenoviral system are incubated for a sufficient time to permit expression of the reporter protein, and measuring reporter protein expression in the test samples, whereby presence of reporter expression indicates the presence of circulating tumor cells in the sample. Because the system is non-lytic, the testing can be repeated on the cells which remain viable in culture. Also provided is a method for enriching test samples having circulating tumor cells and a microfluidics device suitable for CTC-specification identification and enumeration.

A repeatable method for detecting circulating tumor cells in vitro is provided. The method involves combining a test sample from a patient suspected of having circulating tumor cells, and a non-lytic adenoviral system, and culture media for the cells. The adenoviral system utilizes (i) a first replication-defective adenoviral particle in which an expression cassette is packaged, said expression cassette comprising an adenoviral 5 and 3 ITRs and a tumor-specific promoter; and (ii) a coding sequence for a reporter protein which is expressed in the presence of circulating tumor cells, and an adenoviral 3 ITR. The test sample and the non-lytic adenoviral system are incubated for a sufficient time to permit expression of the reporter protein, and measuring reporter protein expression in the test samples, whereby presence of reporter expression indicates the presence of circulating tumor cells in the sample. Because the system is non-lytic, the testing can be repeated on the cells which remain viable in culture. Also provided is a method for enriching test samples having circulating tumor cells and a microfluidics device suitable for CTC-specification identification and enumeration.

A chromatographic column analog may include chromatography media. The chromatographic column analog may further include a void configured to create a zone of preferential flow within the chromatography media, a block configured to create a zone of reduced flow within the chromatography media, or a void and a block. The block may include a top face, a bottom face, and a thickness between the top face and the bottom face. A width of a top or bottom face of the block may be about 50 percent to about 90 percent of an inner diameter of the analog.

Microstructure separation filters are provided herein, as well as chromatography and other separation devices. An exemplary filter device includes a microstructure filter has a plurality of layers of alternating sacrificial and/or structural material which have been etched to create inlet channels and outlet channels. Adjacent ones of the inlet channels and the outlet channels are spaced apart from one another by cross channels that filter a fluid from the inlet channels to the outlet channels. The cross channels include filter features formed by etching away of a portion of the layers. The device also includes a housing configured to receive the microstructure filter.

A sample cartridge for a liquid chromatography device includes a microfluidic chip. A collector in the microfluidic chip includes a collector flow channel and a first window for acquisition of spectral data from a sample in the collector flow channel.

A reticulated annular capillary GC column is disclosed including a capillary wall, a core disposed within the capillary wall, an annulus disposed between the capillary wall and the core, and vanes disposed in the annulus. The vanes extend along the length of the capillary wall for less than the length of the capillary wall. The vanes define a reticulated flow path through the annulus. The vanes structurally support the core within the capillary wall. A method for forming the reticulated annular capillary GC column is disclosed including forming a preform master pattern by an additive manufacturing technique, the preform master pattern including a preform wall, a preform core, a preform annulus disposed between the preform wall and the preform core, and struts disposed in the preform annulus. A preform is cast from the preform master pattern, and the preform is drawn down, forming the reticulated annular capillary GC column.