Rheodyne introduces new concept for active LC/MS splitting at ASMS 2001
HPLC flow splitters are used to couple mass spectrometers to chromatography applications when it is desirable to reduce the amount of sample delivered to the mass spectrometer. Flow splitting to a mass spectrometer has become important in facilitating HPLC purification of combinatorial libraries, drug metabolites, and characterizable impurities.
Conventional splitters require care in choosing tubing diameters and lengths on both sides of the splitting tee for each desired split ratio. Rheodyne's Mass Rate Attenuator, or MRA, as it is termed by the firm, is an automated device that requires no reconfiguration to change discrete LC/MS split ratios over a range of 100:1 to 100,000:1 under programmable user control.
The MRA provides users with accurate and consistent split ratios that remain unaffected by mobile phase viscosity, tubing length, or temperature changes. In addition, the MRA is not susceptible to plugging.
Rheodyne's new MRA is a smart, active flow control device that periodically gates a small aliquot from a post-column stream to the analytical stream of a mass spectrometer.
The MRA permits user control through serial interface or via a touchpad input on the face of the device.
The MRA accommodates a wide range of flow rates in either the LC or MS channel, allows user control of split ratios without "re-plumbing," and produces little or no observable post-column analyte band broadening.
Rheodyne's MRA is the newest addition to its family of LC/MS related products and
is available to analytical instrument manufacturers as a sub-assembly for integration into new systems or as a free standing, modular device for the installed base of LC/MS systems.
Rheodyne is the world's leading manufacturer of precision fluidic platforms and assemblies for the scientific instrument market.
Source: Rheodyne
Rheodyne LLC, P.O. Box 1909, Rohnert Park, CA 94927-1909. Tel: 707-588-2000; Fax: 707-588-2020.