The present disclosure pertains to sample preparation devices useful for affinity capture and purification that include one or more internal structures that comprise a reservoir, a well, a fluid passageway, sorbent particles, and a filter element that blocks passage of the affinity sorbent particles, which sample preparation devices combine the attributes of both dispersive and flow through designs into a single sample preparation device. The present disclosure also pertains to kits that contain and methods that use such sample preparation devices.

A sample management device which comprises a source flow path in which a fluidic sample can flow, a volume flow adjustment unit configured to adjust a volume flow of the fluidic sample to be branched off from the source flow path at a fluidic coupling point, and a fluidic valve fluidically coupled with the source flow path and with the volume flow adjustment unit, wherein the fluidic valve is switchable into a branch off state in which the fluidic coupling point is established within the source flow path to branch off an adjustable volume of the fluidic sample from the source flow path via the fluidic coupling point while a flow of the fluidic sample in the source flow path continues.

A two-stage filtering system including a first and second filter container. The first filter container has a first filter assembly with a foam filter sleeve enveloping a fluid intake device, a connected valve, and transfer tubing. The second filter includes a pump connected to a spout, a second stage splashguard strainer, a second stage cup filter, and a second filter assembly. The second filter assembly includes at least one main filter comprising at least one carbon body filter enveloping a filter chamber, and exit tubing. The first filter container is structured to stack on top of the second filter container and the transfer tubing is structured to transfer first stage filtered fluid to the second filter container. The pump is structured to draw second stage filtered fluid from the second container through the exit tubing and expel the second stage filtered fluid out the spout to provide purified water.

A two-stage filtering system including a first and second filter container. The first filter container has a first filter assembly with a foam filter sleeve enveloping a fluid intake device, a connected valve, and transfer tubing. The second filter includes a pump connected to a spout, a second stage splashguard strainer, a second stage cup filter, and a second filter assembly. The second filter assembly includes at least one main filter comprising at least one carbon body filter enveloping a filter chamber, and exit tubing. The first filter container is structured to stack on top of the second filter container and the transfer tubing is structured to transfer first stage filtered fluid to the second filter container. The pump is structured to draw second stage filtered fluid from the second container through the exit tubing and expel the second stage filtered fluid out the spout to provide purified water.

A liquid chromatography monitoring system comprises a computer or electronic controller comprising computer-readable instructions operable to: (a) draw a fluid into a syringe pump; (b) configure a valve so as to fluidically couple the pump to either a fluidic pathway through a fluidic system or to a plug that prevents fluid flow; (c) cause the syringe pump to progressively compress the fluid therein or expel the fluid to the fluidic pathway, while measuring a pressure of the fluid; (d) determine a profile of the variation of the measured pressure; (e) compare the determined profile to an expected profile that depends upon the fluid; and (f) provide a notification of a sub-optimal operating condition or malfunction if the determined profile varies from the expected profile by greater than a predetermined tolerance.

A liquid chromatography monitoring system comprises a computer or electronic controller comprising computer-readable instructions operable to: (a) draw a fluid into a syringe pump; (b) configure a valve so as to fluidically couple the pump to either a fluidic pathway through a fluidic system or to a plug that prevents fluid flow; (c) cause the syringe pump to progressively compress the fluid therein or expel the fluid to the fluidic pathway, while measuring a pressure of the fluid; (d) determine a profile of the variation of the measured pressure; (e) compare the determined profile to an expected profile that depends upon the fluid; and (f) provide a notification of a sub-optimal operating condition or malfunction if the determined profile varies from the expected profile by greater than a predetermined tolerance.

A pump unit comprises a primary piston pump, a secondary piston pump, and a flow path adapted for fluidically connecting in series the primary piston pump and the secondary piston pump. The pump unit's duty cycle comprises a delivery-and-fill phase, in which the primary piston pump supplies a flow of liquid to the secondary piston pump, and during the delivery-and-fill phase, the flow of liquid supplied by the primary piston pump is partly used for filling up the secondary piston pump and partly used for maintaining another flow of liquid dispensed across the secondary piston pump. The flow path comprises a heat exchanger, wherein liquid supplied by the primary piston pump passes through the heat exchanger before being supplied to the secondary piston pump. The heat exchanger is adapted for reducing a temperature difference between a temperature of liquid supplied to heat exchanger and a temperature of the secondary piston pump, in that the heat exchanger is kept at a temperature of the secondary piston pump, so that after having passed the heat exchanger, liquid supplied to the secondary piston pump has substantially the same temperature as the secondary piston pump itself.

A fitting element, in particular for an HPLC application, is configured for providing a fluidic coupling of a tubing to a fluidic device. The fitting element comprises a gripping piece to exert—upon coupling of the tubing to the fluidic device—a grip force (G) between the fitting element and the tubing. The gripping piece comprises a hydraulic element configured to transform an axial force (S) into a hydraulic pressure (P) within the hydraulic element. The hydraulic pressure (P) in the hydraulic element causes the grip force (G).

A fitting element, in particular for an HPLC application, is configured for providing a fluidic coupling of a tubing to a fluidic device. The fitting element comprises a gripping piece to exert—upon coupling of the tubing to the fluidic device—a grip force (G) between the fitting element and the tubing. The gripping piece comprises a hydraulic element configured to transform an axial force (S) into a hydraulic pressure (P) within the hydraulic element. The hydraulic pressure (P) in the hydraulic element causes the grip force (G).

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved buffered vinegar products having substantially reduced color, odor, and flavor, and methods to produce the same. The methods include combining a buffered vinegar product with an activated carbon in a batch or continuous process. The methods can be configured to maintain a total acetate content of the buffered vinegar product.