Chromatographic device and method of forming a chromatographic device

A chromatographic device comprising:

• a tube extending longitudinally along a tube axis, the tube comprising first and second opposite ends, and an inner surface, the inner surface of the tube at least in part defining an intermediate region, the intermediate region being generally between the first and second ends;
• a chromatographic medium within the intermediate region;
• a piston assembly within the tube and positioned generally between the first end of the tube and the chromatographic medium, the piston assembly defining a passage for flow of process fluid, the piston assembly comprising a piston body portion;
• a locking body portion having an outer surface and a shoulder surface, the outer surface defining a peripheral boundary lying in a plane perpendicular to the tube axis, the shoulder surface being radially inward of the peripheral boundary;
• the tube being crimped such that the inner surface includes a locking body engaging surface portion operatively engaging the shoulder surface of the locking body portion in a manner to prevent the piston assembly from moving axially toward the first end of the tube, the locking body engaging surface portion being radially inward of the peripheral boundary.

A method of forming a chromatographic device comprising:

• providing a tube having a primary end, a secondary end margin defining a secondary end opposite the primary end, and an inner surface, the tube extending longitudinally along a tube axis;
• providing a piston assembly;
• placing a chromatographic medium in the tube and inserting the piston assembly into the tube such that the piston assembly is between the chromatographic medium and the secondary end;
• moving the piston assembly along the tube axis and toward the primary end such that the piston assembly is between the secondary end margin and the chromatographic medium;
• and
• removing the secondary end margin of the tube from rest of the tube;
• the removing step occurring after the moving step.