ESA Introduces Revolutionary HPLC Detector.

CHELMSFORD, Mass. -- Corona(TM) CAD(TM) is first, real, universal detector for measuring compounds

ESA, Inc., announced today a major breakthrough in HPLC technology: the Corona Charged Aerosol Detector. Charged Aerosol Detection (CAD) offers all-in-one performance benefits that refractive index (RI), low wavelength (UV), evaporative light scattering (ELS), and chemiluminescence nitrogen (CLN) detector methods lack.

"The Corona CAD is the first new HPLC detection technology in twenty years," said ESA Vice President John Christensen. "Its superior performance typically provides ten times the sensitivity of ELS, a broad dynamic range over four orders of magnitude, more consistent response factors and the gradient performance missing from RI, delivering for the first time to the HPLC market almost complete universality. With the Corona, researchers will have everything they have ever wanted, and perhaps more, in one detector."

Charged Aerosol Detection is a robust HPLC detection technology that delivers advanced capabilities of interest to every HPLC user-lab. The HPLC column eluent is nebulized and the resulting droplets dry at ambient temperature producing analyte particles. A second stream of gas is positively charged as it passes a high-voltage, platinum corona wire. The charged gas collides with and transfers charges to the opposing stream of analyte particles. A negatively charged, low-voltage ion trap removes high-mobility particles while analyte particles transfer their charges to a collector. The charge transferred to the collector is in direct proportion to analyte mass.

Corona CAD's major benefits include:

    Excellent sensitivity

    Corona CAD technology provides consistently high sensitivity and
    low limits of detection independent of molecular structure.
    The Corona can readily detect compounds in low nanogram
    quantities.

    More consistent response

    Corona CAD shows consistent inter-analyte response independent of
    chemical structure. The detector uses superior technology to
    achieve improved accuracy in relative mass measurements
    demonstrating how ideal it is for this application.

    Wide dynamic range

    Corona CAD's innovative technology enables quantitation across a
    range that exceeds four orders of magnitude. This large,
    dynamic range allows use of the Corona detector in
    applications where detecting compounds in widely varying
    amounts is important.

    Broad applicability

    Corona CAD can effectively analyze a wide diversity of chemical
    structures and classes. For example, in a study of diverse
    compound classes, the Corona CAD detected all analytes (with
    exception of Naphthol, a low MW, volatile compound) and even
    detected compounds without chromophores.

Corona CAD's revolutionary technology is applicable for measuring virtually any non- or semi-volatile compound such as drug compounds, carbohydrates, steroids, proteins, lipids, peptides and sugars. The groundbreaking method can be used effectively in a wide range of industries: pharmaceutical, industrial chemical, polymer, food and life science research.

ESA's Corona Charged Aerosol Detector installs easily with any HPLC system and takes up minimal bench space due to its small footprint. Set-up time is reduced as the detector requires only gas pressure and signal output range to be set. An intuitive control panel with large, clearly labeled touch-pads and a bright LED display allows easy access to detector functions, while an extensive, context-sensitive 'Help' feature guides operators when assistance is needed, resulting in higher productivity with less training. The Corona CAD is highly versatile and can be easily integrated with existing instruments to support a wide range of applications.

ESA, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and supplier of analytical instruments for the life science, clinical diagnostic, drug discovery and pharmaceutical industries. Founded in 1968, ESA offers a complete line of HPLC systems, components, and advanced detectors, along with a broad range of analytical services. Contact: ESA, Inc., 22 Alpha Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824. Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail]; Web: www.esainc.com; or: www.coronacad.com