A socket unit for a capillary connection system, especially for use in HPLC applications, includes a housing with a housing outer surface and a housing inner surface that define a housing axial cavity. The socket unit also includes a socket connecting mechanism adapted to engage with a corresponding plug connecting mechanism of a plug unit to connect the plug unit and the socket unit together, wherein the socket connecting mechanism is adapted for a predetermined number of discrete connection states between the socket unit and the plug unit.

An integrated system for liquid separation and electrospray ionization includes an emitter-enabled capillary column including an emitter portion and a column portion; and a retractable protective sleeve for covering and/or supporting the emitter portion along at least a portion of its axis. The protective sleeve is mounted around the emitter-enabled capillary column. The retractable protective sleeve is moveable to an extended position wherein a tip of the emitter portion is covered by the protective sleeve. A resilient member is provided to bias the protective sleeve towards the extended position. The protective sleeve is enclosed and moveable within an outer electrically conductive sheath adapted for insertion within a holder having a high-voltage contact point. The sheath is adapted to contact the high-voltage contact point and provide an electrical connection to enable the emitter-enabled capillary column to receive a high voltage. The sheath has a recess to receive the high-voltage contact point.

A liquid junction assembly for providing a flow connection between two tubular conduits. The assembly includes respective bodies configured to define elongated passages of respective first and second cross sections to receive and locate the respective tubular conduits, a plate with at least one hole therethrough of a third cross section smaller than the first and second cross sections, and a seat for the plate, defined in a face of one or both of the bodies. The bodies and the plate are assembled with the plate in the seat and the elongated passages and the hole aligned along a common axis.

The invention relates to a connector unit for connecting capillaries, in particular for high-performance liquid chromatography, wherein a sealing element sealing the capillary protrudes at least partially into the interior of the capillary, while a portion of the sealing element that protrudes axially from the capillary can be subjected to a compressive force that is introduced via the capillary to obtain an axial or radial plastic and/or elastic deformation.

Chromatography apparatus and methods are described, especially for expanded bed adsorption. A column tube has a process fluid input device at the bottom and a movable piston in the top. The piston is enclosed in the column by a cover plate. The piston body has an inflatable seal, and is connected by a frame to a contact ring which carries another inflatable member to contact the tube wall. Process fluid leaves the operating volume through an opening of the piston and flexible hose, through the enclosed space and out through the cover plate. The space above the piston can be pressurised to control piston movement. The contact ring maintains piston alignment. The inflatable seals are used to fix the piston in position, allow it to slide or allow washing. The piston outlet may include a vortex-inhibitor. Bed and piston levels may be monitored by ultrasound sensors.

A fitting for providing a fluid connection between a capillary and a fluidic conduit of a fluidic component, wherein the fitting comprises a capillary reception configured for receiving the capillary, a force applicator configured for being operable to apply a fixing force for fixing the capillary within the fitting, a force limitation mechanism configured for limiting the fixing force being applicable by the force applicator to the capillary, a force splitter configured for splitting the fixing force into an advance force component for advancing the capillary received in the capillary reception towards the fluidic component and into a clamping force component for clamping the capillary received in the capillary reception within the fitting, and a biasing mechanism particularly arranged between the force applicator and the force splitter and configured for biasing the force splitter against the capillary.

A GC fitting for an inner tube of a heated transfer line of a gas chromatography interface probe, the fitting comprising a first section comprising a substantially cylindrical projection for fluid connection to a GC source in use, and a second section having a larger radius than the first section in at least one direction, the second section being provided with at least one flat.

A cylindrical column body (101) holds a filler. A pair of end caps (105, 106) covers both ends of the column body (101) and has a flow hole for a carrier liquid (111, 112) arranged in the center thereof. An end surface on the side of a large diameter portion (113a, 114a) of a pair of columnar joint members (113, 114) contacts an end surface of the pair of end caps (105, 106) and also has a communication hole (115, 116) arranged in the center thereof. A sealing member (117, 118) is arranged on a contact surface between the end cap (105, 106) and the joint member (113, 114). A bottomed cylindrical case (121) accommodates the pair of end caps (105, 106) and a large diameter portion of the pair of joint members (113, 114) in an engaged state. A cover member (124) is detachably installed on a side of an opening of the case (121).

A method for coupling a tubing to a liquid chromatography column comprises: passing an end of the tubing through a coupling apparatus comprising: (i) at least one chamber; (ii) a first spring within the at least one chamber configured to transmit a spring force to the tubing; (iii) a second spring within the at least one chamber; and (iv) a deformable sealing member configured to receive a second force from the second spring; inserting the tubing end into a receptacle of an end fitting of the column; and moving the coupling apparatus towards the chromatography column such that the first spring urges the tubing into the receptacle whereby a pressure of the tubing end against the end fitting exceeds a maximum operating fluid pressure of the column and, further, whereby the second spring causes the deformable sealing member to form a fluid seal between the column and the receptacle.

A biocompatible tube and fitting system that can be used in a liquid chromatography system is described. The tube can have a polymer tip and can be used in conjunction with one or more fitting assembly.