Automated column equilibration, column loading, column washing and column elution
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorPudur Jagadeeswaran
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for automatic chromatographic column operations, including column equilibration, column loading, column washing, and column elution. A novel pipette tip column is shown which is packed with a binding material sandwiched between two permeable spheres.
Claims22
An apparatus adapted to perform chromatographic analysis and capable of column equilibration, column loading, column washing, and column elution, comprising a chromatographic column with a tapered tip and which is adapted at a terminal end with a permeable plug capable of holding a charge of binding material;
- a source of binding material;
- a plurality of column chromatographic stations including at least one separate fluid dispensing station and at least one separate receptacle station;
- and an automatic column handler programmable to automatically engage the column in a substantially upright position so that a bottom portion of the column is proximate the tapered tip during use, move the substantially upright column sequentially between a plurality of said stations during use, receive fluid upwardly through the tapered tip into the bottom portion of the column at each dispensing station during use, and discharge fluid downwardly from the bottom portion and through the tapered tip of the column at each receptacle station during use.
An apparatus adapted to perform chromatographic analysis, comprising:
- a chromatographic column with a tapered tip which is adapted at a terminal end with a permeable plug capable of holding a charge of binding material;
- a source of binding material;
- a plurality of column stations including at least one loading fluid dispensing station, at least one charging fluid dispensing station, at least one equilibrating fluid dispensing station, at least one eluting fluid dispensing station, and at least one receptacle station;
- and
- an automatic column handler programmable to automatically engage the column in a substantially upright position so that the column has a bottom portion proximate the tapered tip, move the substantially upright column sequentially between a plurality of the dispensing and receptacle stations to load, charge, equilibrate, and elute the column during use such that fluid is received upwardly through the tapered tip into the bottom portion of the column at each dispensing station during use, and such that fluid is discharged downwardly from the bottom portion and through the tapered tip of the column at each receptacle station during use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.