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An analytical instrument fitting assembly for coupling first and second analytical fluid conduits is provided. The fitting assembly includes a first fitting defining a central passage adapted to receive a first fluid conduit defining an internal diameter of no greater than 0.040 inch and a second fi

An analytical instrument fitting assembly for coupling first and second analytical fluid conduits is provided. The fitting assembly includes a first fitting defining a central passage adapted to receive a first fluid conduit defining an internal diameter of no greater than 0.040 inch and a second fitting. The second fitting defines a central passage extending between first and second ends and is in fluid communication with the first fitting. A separation device is disposed within a central passages of the first and second fittings to selectively separate liquids passing therethrough. The fitting assembly further includes a retractable end fitting having a housing, a tube extending within the housing, and a biasing member. Selective positioning of the tube within the housing minimizes dead space between the tube and the second end.

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1. An analytical instrument fitting assembly for coupling first and second analytical fluid conduits, the fitting assembly comprising: (a) a first fitting defining a central passage adapted to receive a first fluid conduit defining an internal diameter of no greater than 0.040 inch;(b) a second fitt

1. An analytical instrument fitting assembly for coupling first and second analytical fluid conduits, the fitting assembly comprising: (a) a first fitting defining a central passage adapted to receive a first fluid conduit defining an internal diameter of no greater than 0.040 inch;(b) a second fitting defining a central passage extending between first and second ends and is in fluid communication with the first fitting;(c) a coupler releasably connecting the first and second fittings by application of a coupling force to the coupler, wherein the coupling force is substantially within a range of 0.1-5.0 inch-pounds;(d) a separation device disposed within the central passages of the first and second fittings to selectively separate liquids passing therethrough;(e) a retractable end fitting at least partially disposed within the second end of the second fitting, the retractable end fitting having: (i) a housing,(ii) a tube extending within the housing; and(iii) a biasing member extending between the housing and a washer slidably disposed on the tube, wherein the washer is movable relative to the housing to allow selective positioning of the tube within the housing relative to the second end of the second fitting to minimize dead space between the tube and the second end of the second fitting; and(f) a restraint slidingly engaging at least one of the second fitting and the housing to prevent rotation of the housing relative to the second fitting, wherein movement of the housing relative to the second fitting is limited to a longitudinal direction. 2. The fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein the separation device comprises a packed bed, the packed bed including: (i) a body at least partially filled with a separating media; and(ii) a first seal disposed on a first end of the body to seal the separating media within the body. 3. The fitting assembly of claim 2, wherein the packed bed further comprises a second seal disposed on a second end of the body, the first and second seals each having a tip portion of a pliable material, wherein the first and second tips are deformable to define secondary sealing surfaces between the tip portions and corresponding sealing surfaces of the first and second fittings, respectively. 4. The fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a spring. 5. The fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein the fitting assembly is in substantially zero-dead volume communication with a second fluid conduit when the fitting assembly is coupled to the second fluid conduit. 6. The fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein the restraint comprises a pin having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tube. 7. The fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupler is a lock ring adapted to rotatably couple the first fitting to the second fitting. 8. The fitting assembly of claim 7, wherein the coupler rotatably couples the first and second fittings by application of substantially between 0.5 and 2.0 inch pounds of coupling force to the coupler to cause the coupler to rotate substantially between 45°-60° from an unlocked position. 9. The fitting assembly of claim 7, wherein the lock ring is rotatably coupled to the first fitting and threadedly coupled to the second fitting. 10. The fitting assembly of claim 1, wherein the separation device comprises a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge including: (i) a body at least partially filled with a separating media; and(ii) a first seal disposed on a first end of the body to seal the separating media within the body. 11. The fitting assembly of claim 10, wherein the filter cartridge includes a second seal disposed on a second end of the body, the first and second seals each having a tip portion of a pliable material, wherein the first and second tips are deformable to define secondary sealing surfaces between the tip portions and corresponding sealing surfaces of the first and second fittings, respectively. 12. The fitting assembly of claim 11, wherein the filter cartridge may be disposed within the central passages of the first and second fittings in only one direction. 13. An analytical instrument fitting assembly fitting assembly for coupling first and second analytical fluid conduits, the fitting assembly comprising: (a) a first fitting defining a central passage adapted to receive a first fluid conduit defining an internal diameter of no greater than 0.040 inch;(b) a second fitting defining a central passage extending between first and second ends and is in fluid communication with the first fitting;(c) a separation device disposed within the central passages of the first and second fittings to selectively separate liquids passing therethrough;(d) a retractable end fitting at least partially disposed within the second end of the second fitting, the retractable end fitting having: (i) a housing;(ii) a tube extending within the housing, the tube having a first end in fluid communication with the first fitting and a second end adapted to receive a second fluid conduit defining an internal diameter of no greater than 0.040 inch; and(iii) a biasing member extending between the housing and a washer slidably disposed on the tube, wherein the washer is movable relative to the housing to allow selective positioning of the tube within the housing relative to the second end of the second fitting to minimize dead space between the tube and the second end of the second fitting; and(f) a restraint slidingly engaging at least one of the second fitting and the housing to prevent rotation of the housing relative to the second fitting, wherein the restraint limits movement of the housing relative to the second fitting to a longitudinal direction. 14. The fitting assembly of claim 13, wherein the separation device comprises a packed bed disposed within the central passages of the first and second fittings, the packed bed including: (i) a body at least partially filled with a separating media; and(ii) a first seal disposed on a first end of the body to seal the separating media within the body. 15. The fitting assembly of claim 13, wherein the separation device comprises a filter cartridge disposed within the central passages of the first and second fittings. 16. The fitting assembly of claim 15, wherein the filter cartridge includes: (a) a body having an inlet end and a discharge end;(b) first and second seals adapted to fit within the inlet and discharge ends, respectively; and(c) a filter element disposed within the body. 17. The fitting assembly of claim 16, wherein the filter cartridge is configured to be disposed within the central passages of the first and second fittings in only one direction. 18. The fitting assembly of claim 13, wherein the fitting assembly is in substantially zero-dead volume communication with the second fluid conduit when the fitting assembly is coupled to the second fluid conduit. 19. The fitting assembly of claim 13, wherein the restraint comprises a pin having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tube. 20. The fitting assembly of claim 13, wherein the biasing member is a helical spring disposed coaxially around the tube. 21. The fitting assembly of claim 13, further comprising a coupler releasably connecting the first and second fittings by application of a coupling force to the coupler, wherein the coupling force is substantially within a range of 0.1-5.0 inch-pounds. 22. The fitting assembly of claim 21, wherein the coupler rotatably couples the first and second fittings by application of substantially between 0.5 and 2.0 inch pounds of coupling force to the coupler to cause the coupler to rotate substantially between 45°-60° from an unlocked position. 23. The fitting assembly of claim 21, wherein the separation device comprises a packed bed disposed within the central passages of the first and second fittings, the packed bed including: (i) a body at least partially filled with a separating media and(ii) a first seal disposed on a first end of the body to seal the separating media within the body.