Quick disconnect liquid chromatograph columns
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-7901574-B2
Publication Date
2011-03-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A chromatography column comprising a chromatography tube, a piston tube with a porous obstruction that inhibits the movement of particle solids therethrough, and a quick connect/disconnect clamp for use in coupling the chromatography tube to the piston tube. This column is for use in a liquid chromatography process where fluid is pumped under pressure through the chromatography tube which contains a packed particulate solid. The clamp allows for the quick removal and replacement of chromatography tubes when the particulate needs replacement.
Core Innovation
A liquid chromatography column is described that includes a chromatography tube coupled to a piston tube via quick connect/disconnect clamps. The piston tube has an opening at both ends and an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the chromatography tube, so the piston tube can move axially within the chromatography tube. The chromatography clamp is selectively movable between open and closed positions and extends substantially 360 degrees about the periphery of the chromatography tube when closed, while no single component of the clamp extends substantially 360 degrees of the chromatography tube.
The clamp is configured to releasably maintain the chromatography tube and piston tube in fluid communication. In one configuration, an interior surface of the chromatography clamp is threaded, sized and shaped to threadably engage an outer surface of the piston tube, and the chromatography clamp is configured to rotate relative to a periphery of the chromatography tube while the piston tube is held rotationally static relative to the chromatography tube. In this configuration, rotation of the chromatography clamp moves the piston tube axially within the chromatography tube.
The piston tube is described as having at least one porous layer obstructing a transverse cross section of its interior, including embodiments using screens or screens-like layers, to prevent particle solids of stationary phase from passing. A substantially fluid-tight fit is described between the piston tube and the chromatography tube using an o-ring to prevent piston rotation relative to the chromatography tube. The described embodiments also include flanged openings, threaded piston surfaces, a threaded collar/nut block, a clamp opening along an axial plane, and optional filler-tube coupling for packing.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims. Across these claims, the main inventive features are a chromatography tube and a smaller-diameter piston tube maintained in fluid communication by a selectively movable clamp that extends substantially 360 degrees while no single component extends substantially 360 degrees, and a threaded clamp/collar with constrained rotational relationships that produce axially moving piston positioning, together with porous-layer obstruction and rotational stasis using a substantially fluid-tight fit or threaded interfaces.
Quick connect/disconnect clamp with 360-degree engagement while no single component extends 360 degrees
A chromatography column configured such that a chromatography clamp is selectively movable between open and closed positions and configured to extend substantially 360 degrees about the periphery of said chromatography tube when closed, with no single component of said chromatography clamp extending substantially 360 degrees of said chromatography tube.
Threaded clamp that rotates to move a rotationally static piston tube axially
A chromatography clamp with an interior surface that is threaded, sized and shaped to threadably engage an outer surface of said piston tube, wherein said chromatography clamp is configured to rotate relative to a periphery of said chromatography tube while said piston tube is held rotationally static relative to said chromatography tube, and rotation of said chromatography clamp moves said piston tube axially within said chromatography tube.
Porous layer obstructing a transverse cross section of the piston tube interior
Said piston tube having at least one porous layer obstructing a transverse cross section of its interior.
Substantially fluid-tight fit to prevent piston rotation relative to the chromatography tube
An arrangement in which an o-ring provides a substantially fluid-tight fit between said piston tube and said chromatography tube to hold said piston tube rotationally static relative to said chromatography tube.
Flanged opening, threaded piston, and threaded collar capturing by relative rotation
A chromatography column in which at least one opening of the chromatography tube is flanged; the piston tube outer surface is threaded; and a collar having an interior surface threaded sized and shaped to threadably engage said piston tube, wherein said collar is configured to capture said piston tube by rotating relative to said piston tube so that the exterior threads of said piston tube are captured by the interior threads of said collar.
Clamp opening along a substantially axial plane to hold axial alignment of flange and collar
A chromatography clamp configured to open along a substantially axial plane, capture said flange and said collar, and hold said chromatography tube and piston tube in axial alignment, wherein said chromatography clamp is free to rotate relative to said flange and is held static relative to said collar, and wherein said piston tube is rotationally held static relative to said chromatography tube.
The independent claims center on a chromatography column using a selectively movable clamp that provides near-complete periphery engagement without a single 360-degree-extending component, and uses threaded engagement with a smaller-diameter piston tube to produce axial movement under constrained rotational relationships. Both claims also require a piston tube porous layer obstructing a transverse interior cross section, and define specific rotational-stasis relationships to control how the piston tube is positioned within the chromatography tube.
Stated Advantages
Enables rapid tube replacement to reduce technician force and inefficiency.
Documented Applications
Used in a liquid chromatography process, configured to convey eluent through the column and through adsorbent contained in the column.
Packing workflow in which a filler assembly is used for slurry-packing with controlled settling, followed by setting piston position for running chromatography [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Interested in licensing this patent?