Delivery and assessment system for the automated manufacturing of high performance nanofluidic separation devices
AssigneeCorSolutions, LLC
InventorColleen K. Van Pelt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-column packing system and packed bed assessment system for producing small bore LC columns of superior quality, improved column-to-column reproducibility, and lower cost than current commercially available columns. The process utilizes an automated multi-column packing system with an integrated sensor that detects when the slurry-packed bed has reached the desired length. The optical packed bed assessment system examines the packed bed within the column and detects any packing inconsistencies or voids within the column. The multi-column packing system makes automated connections to tubes via an automated compression mechanism.
Claims20
An automated column packing device comprising:
- a frame jig capable of holding small bore capillaries, small bore tubes or a microchip comprising a channel;
- and
- a compression fitting mechanism.
A packed-bed assessment system comprising:
- optics for viewing a column;
- an energy or light source directed at said column;
- a detector for measuring characteristic changes in energy or light reflected from or transmitted through said column;
- a display for viewing a magnified image of the changes in energy or light;
- and
- a storage system for storing image data:
- wherein the characteristic changes in energy or light represent voids or density changes in a column bed.
A method for packing small bore LC columns comprising:
- loading a plurality of small bore capillaries, small bore tubes or at least one microchip comprising at least one channel into a frame jig:
- connecting said at least one small bore capillaries, small bore tubes or at least one microchip comprising at least one channel via a compression connection to a reservoir containing a slurry for packing said column;
- and
- applying pressure to said slurry causing said small bore capillaries, small bore tubes or at least one microchip comprising at least one channel to fill with slurry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.