Dynamic axial compression for preparative columns using external compression

Inventors

Belisle, Christopher • Snyder, Mark A.

Assignees

Bio Rad Laboratories Inc

Abstract

A dynamic axial compression column is disclosed herein. This dynamic axial column utilized external compression to prevent the creation of end plate space in the column. The dynamic axial column can include a tube defining a first opening, a second opening, and a lumen extending there between. The dynamic axial column can include a first end plate assembly sealing the first opening and movably extending at least partially into the lumen via the first opening, a second end plate assembly sealing the second opening, a plurality of rods extending along the outside of the tube and connecting the first end plate assembly and the second end plate assembly, and a first plurality of compression devices external to the tube and engaging one of the plurality of rods to bias the first end plate assembly towards the second end plate assembly.

Core Innovation

The dynamic axial compression column includes a tube defining a first opening, a second opening, and a lumen extending from the first opening through the tube to the second opening. A first end plate assembly seals the first opening and movably extends at least partially into the lumen via the first opening, and a second end plate assembly seals the second opening. A plurality of rods each extends along an outside of the tube and connects the first end plate assembly and the second end plate assembly.

Stop features are provided at the first end of each rod, and external compression devices are positioned between the first end plate assembly and the stop feature of one rod and engage the stop feature to bias the first end plate assembly toward the second end plate assembly. In an arrangement with an equalizing plate, the equalizing plate is positioned between the first plurality of compression devices and the first end plate assembly, and is configured to equally transfer force from the first plurality of compression devices to the first end plate assembly.

In a further arrangement, each rod includes a second stop feature located at the second end of each rod, and a second plurality of compression devices is provided. The first plurality of compression devices engages the first stop feature to bias the first end plate assembly toward the second end plate assembly, and the second plurality of compression devices engages the second stop feature to bias the second end plate assembly toward the first end plate assembly. The external compression arrangement is described with optional pressure behavior to bias ends so that cavities or end spaces are prevented and homogeneous packing is maintained, including a first pressure less than a maximum pressure and optionally a backpressure to eliminate headspace.

Claims Coverage

The document provides three independent claims, covering a dynamic axial compression chromatography column with a tube lumen sealed by movable end plate assemblies and externally biased end plates via rods and compression devices. The independent claims are distinguished by whether an equalizing plate distributes force and whether a second set of compression devices and a second stop feature provide bidirectional biasing.

Across the independent claims, the core inventive structure is an axial compression column that seals a tube lumen with end plate assemblies and uses external compression devices acting on rod stop features to bias end plates toward one another. Variations include adding an equalizing plate to equally transfer force to the first end plate assembly and providing a second stop feature with a second plurality of compression devices to bias the second end plate assembly back toward the first.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications