Patent ID: 7936457

Claim:
A system for performing at least one of gel filtration, liquid chromatography and particle purification, comprising: a liquid system containing a packing material and receiving a mixture containing particles during use, said fluid system defining a flow path for facilitating smooth flow of the mixture; a light source configured and located to illuminate a portion of said flow path with coherent light in a direction along said flow path so as to cause light scattering by ones of the particles in the mixture; and an optical sensor for detecting the light scattering; wherein; said light source is located external to said flow path and said liquid system includes a multitask tube that includes a directional bend that allows said light source to illuminate said portion of said flow path in said direction; and said multitask tube includes an effluent section immediately adjacent said directional bend, said effluent portion containing said portion of said flow path, said multitask tube having a flat face opposite said effluent section and perpendicular thereto for receiving light from said light source.