US5312535A — Capillary electrophoresis detection

Claim 1

Independent Claim 100 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore, an outer surface, and a wall thickness of the tube defined between the surfaces, the bore having a width and being for transporting fluid, an input window in an outer surface portion of the tube and an output window in an outer surface portion of the tube, the input window and output window being spaced apart, at least one of the input window or output window defining a window width, and wherein the window width is not substantially greater than the bore width.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 100 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore, an outer surface, and a wall thickness of the tube defined between the surfaces, the bore having a width and being for transporting fluid, an input window in an outer surface portion of the tube and an output window in an outer surface portion of the tube, the input window and output window being spaced apart, at least one of the input window or output window defining a window width, and wherein the window width is not substantially greater than the bore width.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the width of both the windows are not greater than the bore width.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the width of at least one of the windows is equal to the bore width.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the width of both the windows is equal to the bore width.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 161 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the bore, the input window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the input window width, and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, the output window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the output window width, and wherein the input and output window widths are additionally defined by a pair of intersecting straight lines directed from each respective opposite interface of an input window radially through the center of the bore to each respective opposite interface of the output window, and wherein the intersecting lines define a LaGrange Invariant for the detection path.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 161 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the bore, the input window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the input window width, and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, the output window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the output window width, and wherein the input and output window widths are additionally defined by a pair of intersecting straight lines directed from each respective opposite interface of an input window radially through the center of the bore to each respective opposite interface of the output window, and wherein the intersecting lines define a LaGrange Invariant for the detection path.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 130 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the tube and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, wherein the input window and the output window define respective widths, the detection path being defined between the input window through the bore and to the output window, and wherein there is a LaGrange Invariant for the detection path and wherein the input and output windows have a width such that the LaGrange Invariant is substantially consistent through the detection path.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 130 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the tube and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, wherein the input window and the output window define respective widths, the detection path being defined between the input window through the bore and to the output window, and wherein there is a LaGrange Invariant for the detection path and wherein the input and output windows have a width such that the LaGrange Invariant is substantially consistent through the detection path.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the LaGrange Invariant is determined by the substantially maximum angle for receiving a signal in the bore relative to the substantially least signal through the tube wall.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the LaGrange Invariant is selected to be the substantially highest value for the detection path.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 209 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the tube, the input window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the input window width, and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the bore, the output window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the output window width, an axis through the center of the bore and a position midway between the interfaces of the input window and midway between the interfaces of the output window, and wherein the input and output window widths are established by H=Yn 1 u 0 wherein Y is substantially half the window widths and substantially half the diameter of the bore, n 1 is the refractive index of the tube, u 0 is the angle between the axis and the line from an interface of the windows through the center, and H is an optical constant for the system.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 209 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the tube, the input window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the input window width, and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the bore, the output window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the output window width, an axis through the center of the bore and a position midway between the interfaces of the input window and midway between the interfaces of the output window, and wherein the input and output window widths are established by H=Yn 1 u 0 wherein Y is substantially half the window widths and substantially half the diameter of the bore, n 1 is the refractive index of the tube, u 0 is the angle between the axis and the line from an interface of the windows through the center, and H is an optical constant for the system.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 114 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 including an fiber optic input for directing input light to the input window, the fiber optic input having a Numerical Aperture and wherein the fiber optic input includes a core having an end face spaced a distance from the input window whereby light is transmitted from the fiber optic input end face, the end face having an interface and wherein lines of light from the interface are directed at a converging angle substantially equal to a half angle for the Numerical Aperture, and wherein the converging lines of light are directed towards the input window at a location defining a width substantially equal to the window width.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lines of light at the half angle for a Numerical Aperture of the fiber are directed towards a center of the bore.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system as claimed in claim 10 including a fiber optic output for receiving light from the output window.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 119 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 including an fiber optic output for receiving light from the output window, and the fiber optic output having a Numerical Aperture, and wherein the fiber optic output includes a core having an output end face spaced a distance from the output window, the end face having an interface with a cladding and wherein output lines of light from the output window define a diverging angle related to the Numerical Aperture, the diverging angle of light from the interface of the output window impacting the output fiber, such lines defining a width at the end face at least substantially no wider than the width of the end face of the fiber optic output.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the diverging lines of light emanate from a center of the bore.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 including multiple input windows spaced from each other and multiple output windows, the windows being spaced from each other.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input window is located opposite the output window.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein respective input windows are related to opposite output windows.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 14 words

A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the windows have a rectangular cross-section.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 121 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the tube and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, at least one of the input window and output window defining a width, the width being substantially equal to the bore diameter, means for generating a signal, and wherein the signal directed along the detection path between the input and output windows essentially does not pass through the wall without additionally passing through the bore.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 121 words

A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past a detection path, an input window on an outer surface portion of the tube and an output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, at least one of the input window and output window defining a width, the width being substantially equal to the bore diameter, means for generating a signal, and wherein the signal directed along the detection path between the input and output windows essentially does not pass through the wall without additionally passing through the bore.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 89 words

A system as claimed in claim 25 including a fiber optic input having a core and cladding for directing input light to the input window, and wherein the fiber optic input includes an end face for the core, the end face being spaced a distance from the input window whereby light related to a Numerical Aperture of the fiber optic input from an interface of the core and cladding defines a substantially straight line adjacent an edge of the input window width and to the center of the bore.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 97 words

A system as claimed in claim 25 including a fiber optic output including a core and cladding for receiving output light from the output window, and wherein the fiber optic output includes an end face for the core, the end face being spaced a distance from the output window whereby output light related to a Numerical Aperture of the fiber optic output directed along a substantially straight line from the center of the bore adjacent an edge of the output window width is directed to a position at least within the interface of the core and cladding.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 82 words

A system as claimed in claim 26 including a fiber optic output including a core and cladding for receiving output light from the output window, and wherein the fiber optic output includes an end face for the core, the end face being spaced a distance from the output window whereby the light from the center of the bore directed adjacent an edge of the output window width is directed to a position at least within the interface of the core and cladding.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 101 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore with a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, and a wall thickness of the tube defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window in an outer surface of the tube and an optical output window in an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, at least one of the input window or output window defining an aperture width, and wherein the window width is not substantially greater than the bore diameter.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 101 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore with a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, and a wall thickness of the tube defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window in an outer surface of the tube and an optical output window in an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, at least one of the input window or output window defining an aperture width, and wherein the window width is not substantially greater than the bore diameter.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein the width of both the windows are not greater than the bore diameter.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein the width of at least one of the windows is equal to the bore diameter.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the width of both the windows is equal to the bore diameter.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 161 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surface, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window on an outer surface portion of the bore, the input window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the input window width, and an optical output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, the output window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the output window width, and wherein the input and output window widths are defined by a pair of intersecting straight lines directed from each respective opposite interface of an input window radially through the center of the bore to each respective opposite interface of the output window and the window widths are substantially equal to the bore diameter.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 161 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surface, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window on an outer surface portion of the bore, the input window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the input window width, and an optical output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, the output window having opposite interfaces with the surface thereby defining the output window width, and wherein the input and output window widths are defined by a pair of intersecting straight lines directed from each respective opposite interface of an input window radially through the center of the bore to each respective opposite interface of the output window and the window widths are substantially equal to the bore diameter.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 118 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window on an outer surface portion of the tube and an optical output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, wherein the input window and the output window define respective widths, the optical path being defined between the input window and output window and wherein there is a LaGrange Invariant for the optical path and wherein the LaGrange Invariant is substantially consistent through the optical path.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 118 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window on an outer surface portion of the tube and an optical output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the tube, wherein the input window and the output window define respective widths, the optical path being defined between the input window and output window and wherein there is a LaGrange Invariant for the optical path and wherein the LaGrange Invariant is substantially consistent through the optical path.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 34 words

A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein the LaGrange Invariant is determined by the substantially maximum angle for receiving light in the bore relative to the substantially least light through the tube wall.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as claimed in claim 35 wherein the LaGrange Invariant is selected to be substantially the highest value for the optical path.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 213 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window on an outer surface portion of the tube, the input window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the input window width, and an optical output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the bore, the output window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the output window width, an optical axis through the center of the bore and a position midway between the interfaces of input window and midway between the interfaces of the output window, and wherein the input and output window widths are established by H=Yn 1 u 0 wherein Y is substantially half the window widths and substantially half the diameter of the bore, n 1 is the refractive index of the tube, u 0 is the angle between the optical axis and the line from an interface of the windows through the center, and H is an optical constant for the system.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 213 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore, the bore having a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input window on an outer surface portion of the tube, the input window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the input window width, and an optical output window on an opposite outer surface portion of the bore, the output window having opposite interfaces with the outer surface of the tube thereby defining the output window width, an optical axis through the center of the bore and a position midway between the interfaces of input window and midway between the interfaces of the output window, and wherein the input and output window widths are established by H=Yn 1 u 0 wherein Y is substantially half the window widths and substantially half the diameter of the bore, n 1 is the refractive index of the tube, u 0 is the angle between the optical axis and the line from an interface of the windows through the center, and H is an optical constant for the system.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 122 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 including a fiber optic input for directing input light to the input window, the fiber optic input having a Numerical Aperture, and wherein the fiber optic input includes a core having an end face spaced a distance from the input window whereby light is transmitted from the fiber optic input end face, the end face having an interface with a cladding and wherein lines of light from the interface are directed at a converging angle substantially equal to a half angle for the Numerical Aperture, and wherein such converging lines of light are directed towards the input window to impact the input window at a location defining a width substantially equal to the window width.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 31 words

A system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the lines of light at the half angle for a Numerical Aperture of the fiber are directed towards the center of the bore.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 including a fiber optic output for receiving light from the output window.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 121 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 including a fiber optic output for receiving light from the output window, and the fiber optic output having a Numerical Aperture, and wherein the fiber optic output includes a core having an output end face spaced a distance from the output window, the end face having an interface with a cladding and wherein output lines of light from the output window define an angular diverging angle related to the Numerical Aperture, the diverging angle being such that when lines of light from the interface of the output window impact the output fiber, such lines define a width at least substantially no wider than the width of the end face of the fiber optic output.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system as claimed in claim 41 wherein the diverging lines of light emanate from the center of the bore.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 37 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 41 wherein the capillary tube includes a coating and the windows are formed by selective removal of the coating.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 including multiple input windows spaced from each other and multiple output windows, the windows spaced from each other.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein the input window is located radially opposite the output window.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system as claimed in claim 49 wherein respective input windows are related to radially opposite output windows.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 14 words

A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein the windows have a rectangular cross-section.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 86 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore with a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input to the tube and an optical output to the tube, and wherein the bore diameter defines a LaGrange Invariant, and wherein the optical path between the input and output conforms to the LaGrange Invariant.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 86 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore with a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, a wall thickness of the tube being defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, an optical input to the tube and an optical output to the tube, and wherein the bore diameter defines a LaGrange Invariant, and wherein the optical path between the input and output conforms to the LaGrange Invariant.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 44 words

A system as claimed in claim 53 including a fiber optic input for directing input light to the optical input, and wherein the fiber optic input defines a Numerical Aperture and wherein the Numerical Aperture is related to the LaGrange Invariant of the tube.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 44 words

A system as claimed in claim 53 including an fiber optic output for receiving output light from the optical output, and wherein the fiber optic output defines a Numerical Aperture, and wherein the Numerical Aperture is related to the LaGrange Invariant of the tube.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 41 words

A system as claimed in claim 54 including a fiber optic output for receiving output light from the output window, and defines a Numerical Aperture, and wherein the Numerical Aperture is matched in relation to the LaGrange Invariant of the tube.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 188 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore with a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, and a wall thickness of the tube defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, a fiber optic input for directing input light to the capillary, and wherein the fiber optic input includes a core having an end face spaced a distance from the input window whereby light is transmitted from the fiber optic input end face, the end face having an interface with a cladding and wherein light from the interface is directed at a converging angle related to a Numerical Aperture of the fiber input, a fiber optic output for receiving light from the capillary, and wherein the fiber optic output includes a core having an output end face spaced a distance from the capillary, the fiber optic output including a core having an interface with a cladding and wherein light is directed towards the interface, and wherein the light direction from the interface define a LaGrange Invariant for the optical path.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 188 words

A capillary electrophoresis optical system comprising a capillary tube having a bore with a center, an inner surface defining the bore with a selected diameter, an outer surface, and a wall thickness of the tube defined between the surfaces, the bore being for transporting fluid past an optical path, a fiber optic input for directing input light to the capillary, and wherein the fiber optic input includes a core having an end face spaced a distance from the input window whereby light is transmitted from the fiber optic input end face, the end face having an interface with a cladding and wherein light from the interface is directed at a converging angle related to a Numerical Aperture of the fiber input, a fiber optic output for receiving light from the capillary, and wherein the fiber optic output includes a core having an output end face spaced a distance from the capillary, the fiber optic output including a core having an interface with a cladding and wherein light is directed towards the interface, and wherein the light direction from the interface define a LaGrange Invariant for the optical path.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein the LaGrange Invariant is defined by a Numerical Aperture of the fiber optic input and fiber optic output.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-05-16	1997-11-15	1998-05-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-05-16	2001-11-15	2002-05-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-05-16	2005-11-15	2006-05-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Capillary electrophoresis detection

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