Patent ID: 6494500
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A universal self-adjusting high pressure liquid connector for use in high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) comprising:a body, having a longitudinal bore therethrough, wherein the bore through said body is coincident with longitudinal axis of said body and extends the entire length of said body; a stem having a longitudinal bore therethrough and a first end and a second end, the first end of said stem at least partally disposed within the longitudinal bore of said body, wherein the bore through said stem is coincident with the longitudinal axis of said body, extends the entire length of said stem and said stem is further sized to fit the longitudinal bore of said body; an elongate capillary tube disposed within and extending through said stem and said body, said capillary tube having an outer diameter sized to fit snugly yet slidingly within the longitudinal bore of said stem and an inner diameter of a predetermined size; a fixed ferrule fixedly attached to said capillary tube at a predetermined position on said capillary tube whereby said fixed ferrule is located between the first end of said stem disposed at least partially within said body and said body longitudinal bore; a bias spring slidingly engaged about said capillary tube within the longitudinal bore of said body between said fixed ferrule and said body within the longitudinal bore of said body whereby engaging end of said stem with an HPLC fitting creates a leakproof seal connection and said spring adjusts and constantly biases said stem in sealed mating relationship with the HPLC fitting, thereby eliminating the potential for a dead volume; and an opposing fixed depth connector, located on said capillary tube, wherein said capillary tube is configured in a U-shape.