Nanoseparations' Column Switching System.

Nanoseparations has developed an effective column switching technology based on remote directing of the HPLC solvent stream simply by switching a 6-port valve. Advantages include:

• no contact of sample with the interior surface of  valve ports;

• no special demands on valves concerning dead volume and materials used (inertness);

• no accumulation of loose material onto the top of the analytical column from switching valves;

• lowest possible dead volume between trap and analytical column;

• adaptable restrictor to backpressure (length, particle size) of column

• lowest possible pre-column dead volume;

• independent choice of pump flow rate to values  complying the hold-up volume of the pump;

• no delay in gradient;

• allows extreme shallow gradients (<20% in 7 h) (see also performance extended length columns);

• allows  use of <25 umID columns for highest sensitivity;

• system can be built on any conventional LCMS hardware combination enabling true nanoflow  operation;

• cheap;

• reliable;

• flexible.