Thermally modulated variable restrictors used in chromatography systems enable independent control of system pressure and linear velocity of a compressible mobile phase passing through a chromatography column. A method for configuring a chromatography system with independent control of system pressure and mass flow rate of a compressible mobile phase includes determining a type of chromatography separation column to be used in the chromatography system, matching a thermally modulated variable restrictor to the type of chromatography separation column for use together during operation of the chromatography system, and bundling the chromatography column with its matching thermally modulated variable restrictor for distribution as a single package.

A variable fluidic restrictor of a liquid chromatography system including a stator body, the stator body include a plurality of fluidic channels located within the stator body, wherein each fluidic channel of the plurality of fluidic channels includes a restrictor element, wherein a flow of a fluid through the variable fluidic restrictor is selectively restricted based on a position of an external element coupled to the stator body is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to a switching valve to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system. In some examples, the microfluidic device may include a charging chamber, a bypass restrictor or other features that can provide for added control of the fluid flow in the system. Methods of using the devices and methods of calculating lengths and diameters to provide a desired flow rate are also described.

A configurable injector for injecting a fluidic sample in a separation path of a sample separation apparatus includes a sample accommodation volume for accommodating the fluidic sample to be injected into the separation path, a valve arrangement fluidically couplable with the separation path, fluidically coupled with the sample accommodation volume, and being controllable for injecting the fluidic sample into the separation path, an input interface configured for receiving input data indicative of an injection profile of an injector to be emulated by the configurable injector, and a control unit configured for controlling the configurable injector, in particular the valve arrangement, so that the configurable injector is operated in accordance with the injection profile to thereby emulate the injector to be emulated.

A variable fluidic restrictor of a liquid chromatography system including a stator body, the stator body include a plurality of fluidic channels located within the stator body, wherein each fluidic channel of the plurality of fluidic channels includes a restrictor element, wherein a flow of a fluid through the variable fluidic restrictor is selectively restricted based on a position of an external element coupled to the stator body is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample into a flow path between a fluid drive and a sample separation unit, includes a sample accommodation volume, a sample drive, and a fluidic valve switchable to selectively couple the volume with the flow path or decouple the volume from the flow path. In an injection switching state, the fluid drive, the separation unit and the sample drive are coupled by the valve so that fluid driven by the sample drive and flowing from the volume to the separation unit and further fluid driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit. A control unit controls a pressure of the fluid and/or the further fluid during injecting.

A supercritical fluid chromatograph includes a liquid sender that supplies a mobile phase including a supercritical fluid to a supply flow path, first and second back pressure regulators that are respectively provided in first and second flow paths into which a path from the liquid sender branches and an analysis column provided at a position farther upstream than the first back pressure regulator in the first flow path. An analysis assistance device that assists determination of an analysis condition of the supercritical fluid chromatograph includes a storage that stores a relationship between a sample introduction ratio representing a ratio of an amount of a sample to be introduced into the first flow path with respect to an amount of a sample to be introduced into the second flow path, and a differential pressure between the first and second back pressure regulators as a first relationship, a receiver that receives one value of a value of the sample introduction ratio and a value of the differential pressure, a first calculator that calculates the other value of the sample introduction ratio and the differential pressure from the one received value based on the first relationship and a presenter that presents the calculated value.

A separation system may include a number of parallel fluid paths. Each parallel fluid path may include a separation module, and an adjustable flow restrictor. Each adjustable flow restrictor is operable sequentially and operable such that the hydraulic resistance of all the parallel fluid paths is substantially the same and is equal to or higher than the hydraulic resistance of a fluid path identified to have the highest hydraulic resistance. The system includes a pressure sensor that measures pressure loss over the whole separation system. The system is operable such that the hydraulic resistances of the respective separation modules are synchronised, and such that when operated in parallel and at substantially the same time, the respective modules have substantially the same time residence times. The system may include a control system for automated operation.

A separation system may include a number of parallel fluid paths. Each parallel fluid path may include a separation module, and an adjustable flow restrictor. Each adjustable flow restrictor is operable sequentially and operable such that the hydraulic resistance of all the parallel fluid paths is substantially the same and is equal to or higher than the hydraulic resistance of a fluid path identified to have the highest hydraulic resistance. The system includes a pressure sensor that measures pressure loss over the whole separation system. The system is operable such that the hydraulic resistances of the respective separation modules are synchronised, and such that when operated in parallel and at substantially the same time, the respective modules have substantially the same time residence times. The system may include a control system for automated operation.

In a chromatograph, a mobile phase is supplied to any of a plurality of columns by a mobile phase supplier, and a sample is supplied to the column by a sample supplier. The sample that has passed through the column is detected by a detector. In a chromatographic control device, a flow rate of the mobile phase for the analysis with use of the column is registered by a flow rate registrar in association with column specifying information for specifying each column. The flow rate of the mobile phase registered in association with a selected column is acquired from registered content of the flow rate registrar. The chromatograph is controlled such that the analysis is performed by an analysis controller while the mobile phase is supplied to the selected column with use of the selected column and the flow rate of the mobile phase acquired by a flow rate acquirer.