Chromatographic cartridge and holder
AssigneeWaters Associates, Inc.
InventorsCarl W. Rausch, Yury Tuvin, Uwe D. Neue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A chromatography cartridge stabilized by radial compression is disclosed with integral distributors each composed of two abutting thin plates, one with generally radial slits and the other with radially-displaced apertures. Also disclosed are a replaceable filter cap which fits in the cartridge inlet and a holder for radially compressing the cartridge with pressure sequentially generated by pistons and applied across a flexible sleeve.
Claims10
Apparatus for radially compressing the wall of a chromatography cartridge containing chromatographic packing material, said apparatus comprising:
- means for introducing the chromatographic fluid to the inlet of said cartridge,
- means for removing the chromatographic fluid from the outlet of said cartridge,
- chamber means surrounding said wall of said cartridge,
- pressure generating means communicating with said chamber means, said pressure generating means including
- a plurality of pistons of different working areas,
- said working areas being selected to make the forces required to move said pistons substantially equal when the pistons are moved in order of descending working area,
- a plurality of cylinders in which said pistons move,
- means for sequentially moving said plurality of pistons, and
- conduits connecting the high pressure sides of said pistons to said chamber,
- whereby when said apparatus is filled with working fluid, said means for moving said pistons may be operated to raise in stages the pressure in said chamber and thereby reach the desired pressure for radially compressing said cartridge with lower forces applied to said pistons than would otherwise be required.
Apparatus for radially compressing the wall of a chromatography cartridge containing chromatographic packing material, said apparatus comprising:
- means for introducing the chromatographic fluid to the inlet of said cartridge,
- means for removing the chromatographic fluid from the outlet of said cartridge,
- chamber means surrounding said wall of said cartridge,
- pressure generating means communicating with said chamber means, and
- ejection means for removing said cartridge from said apparatus, said ejection means including
- pin means extending along the axial direction of said cartridge and positioned to abut one axial end of said cartridge and
- rack and pinion means for axially translating said pin means.
A cartridge for chromatography, said cartridge containing chromatographic packing material and comprising:
- a tubular body,
- said body having a flexible plastic wall capable of being radially expanded when subjected to the internal pressure arising during slurry packing of said packing material and of being radially compressed when subjected to external compression pressures during use,
- integral plastic end portions each having
- a cylindrical recess open at the end of the cartridge and
- an annular groove around the interior cylindrical surface of said recess, and
- retention caps secured in said end portions, each said cap comprising
- a tubular member,
- an annular ridge on said member adapted to be received by said annular groove in each said end portion, and
- a thin transversely oriented filter screen secured to said member,
- whereby said packing material is contained within said cartridge and is permanently radially compressed by said plastic wall after slurry packing pressure is removed,
- whereby said filter screens axially retain said packing material inside said cartridge,
- whereby said retention caps can be snapped into place in said end portions of said cartridge by applying axial force to said caps sufficient to snap said ridge into said groove, and
- whereby said cartridge may be sealed to inlet and outlet tubes carrying fluid chromatography samples by applying radial compression to said integral end portions, thereby squeezing said end portions and retention caps inward against a male fitting which may be inserted in said retention caps.
A cartridge for chromatography, said cartridge containing chromatographic packing material and comprising:
- a tubular body,
- said body having a flexible plastic cylindrical wall capable of being radially compressed inward during use,
- retention caps at either end of said tubular body for axially retaining said packing material, said caps including
- a filter screen in contact with said packing material, and
- a removeable filter cap, said filter cap including
- a tubular member having a exterior surface dimensioned to fit tightly within the interior cylindrical surface of said retention caps and
- a thin transversely oriented filter screen secured to one end of said tubular member,
- whereby said filter cap can be inserted in one said retention cap with its filter screen abutting said filter screen of said retention cap and
- whereby said filter cap can be removed and replaced when the pores of its filter screen have become clogged with particles, without having to remove said retention cap and thereby expose said packing material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.