A chromatography valve and a chromatography valve group

Abstract

An embodiment of this specification provides a chromatography valve and a chromatography valve group, including: a flow path plate; a valve diaphragm disposed at the bottom of the flow path plate; a base bottom plate, which is detachably and fixedly connected between the base bottom plate and the flow path plate, and the valve diaphragm is disposed between the base bottom plate and the flow path plate, and the flow path plate can be replaced according to the needs of the chromatography process; several valve control units, several valve control units pass through the base bottom plate and are in contact with the valve diaphragm, and the end faces of several valve control units are located in the same plane. The valve is decomposed into smaller unit modules, which is convenient for processing. By setting several valve control units to control the flow path, with the valve control unit as the smallest pixel, the flow path design can be quickly generated, and the processing of the valve is relatively convenient. For different flow paths, only the opening and closing of the valve control unit need to be controlled for adjustment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of chromatography technology, and particularly relates to a chromatography valve and a chromatography valve group. Background Art

[0002] In biopharmaceutical processes, the most complex one is the continuous flow chromatography process. As a new generation of chromatography technology direction, the continuous flow chromatography technology uses multiple chromatography columns, and samples are continuously loaded. According to the adsorption saturation of each column in the series of columns, without pausing the sample loading, the column that has reached adsorption saturation is switched out of the series of columns, and is separately eluted and cleaned by CIP and other steps. After completion, this column is re-added to the end of the series of columns, and so on in rotation, achieving the effect of continuous sample loading and multi-batch elution.

[0003] The characteristic of the whole process is that the flow path is in a grid shape, and there are valves at the nodes of the grid to connect or close the flow path, so as to realize the complex process flow path. Such a grid-shaped process flow path is very common in other traditional industries such as chemical engineering and dairy products. In traditional pharmaceutical industries, such as the continuous flow chromatography production of antibiotics, a rotary valve is usually used to switch the flow path by rotating the rotor. However, on the one hand, there is a risk of cross-contamination in the rotary valve, which is unacceptable in biopharmaceuticals; on the other hand, due to the small batch production volume in biopharmaceuticals, the smallest required pipe diameter is only 1 millimeter, and it is basically impossible to repeat the design of the rotary valve at this scale.

[0004] The current design of the chromatography valve flow path draws on the design of chips, that is, using multi-layer boards, engraving flow paths on each layer of the board, and forming flow channels through the lamination of multi-layer boards. For the valve control part, it is integrally manufactured with stainless steel according to the shape of the flow path. When manufacturing, a series of irregularly shaped bosses need to be engraved on the board, and at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the surfaces of all bosses are on a plane with high precision, which puts forward requirements for processing accuracy and processing ability; in addition, since all valves are engraved on a stainless steel plate, the replacement cost is very high, and the replacement cost of the disposable flow path board used correspondingly is also very high, that is, as long as there is a problem in one place, the whole flow path board needs to be replaced. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the problems raised in the background art, the embodiments of this specification provide a chromatography valve and a chromatography valve group, which decompose the valve into smaller unit modules, so that the processing is simple, and can be combined as needed, with low maintenance cost.

[0006] The embodiments of this specification provide the following technical solutions: A chromatography valve, comprising:

[0007] A flow path board;

[0008] A valve diaphragm disposed at the bottom of the flow path board;

[0009] A base bottom plate, which is detachably and fixedly connected to the flow path plate. The valve diaphragm is arranged between the base bottom plate and the flow path plate, and the flow path plate can be replaced according to the needs of the chromatography process.

[0010] A number of valve control units, which pass through the base bottom plate and are in contact with the valve diaphragm. The end faces of the a number of valve control units are located in the same plane.

[0011] Preferably, a number of valve site holes are provided on the base bottom plate. A number of the valve control units pass through the a number of valve site holes and are in contact with the valve diaphragm, and the chromatography flow path is controlled by the a number of valve control units.

[0012] Preferably, a flow path grid is provided inside the flow path plate. The flow path grid forms the flow path of the flow path plate, and a number of quick connectors are connected to the flow path grid. A number of the quick connectors all pass through the flow path plate.

[0013] Preferably, the valve control unit includes: a connecting pipe and a positioning block. The connecting pipe is connected to the first end face of the positioning block. The connecting pipe passes through the valve site hole. A groove is formed on the second end face of the positioning block, and a medium hole is formed in the groove. The medium hole is communicated with the connecting pipe, and the second end face is the opposite face of the first end face.

[0014] Preferably, that the end faces of the a number of valve control units are located in the same plane includes: that the second end faces of the a number of positioning blocks are located in the same plane.

[0015] Preferably, a limiting surface is formed on the side of the positioning block, and adjacent positioning blocks are limited and fixed through the limiting surface.

[0016] Preferably, an internal thread structure is formed on the inner wall of the connecting pipe.

[0017] Preferably, the chromatography valve further includes: a number of positioning screws, which position between the base bottom plate, the flow path plate and the valve diaphragm. Positioning holes matched with the positioning screws are formed on the base bottom plate, the flow path plate and the valve diaphragm, and one end of the positioning screw far away from the flow path plate passes through the base bottom plate.

[0018] Preferably, the chromatography valve further includes: a number of fastening bolts, which are used to tightly press the flow path plate and the valve diaphragm on the base bottom plate. Fastening holes matched with the fastening bolts are formed on the base bottom plate, the flow path plate and the valve diaphragm.

[0019] A chromatography valve group includes a number of the chromatography valves, and the number of the chromatography valves are connected to each other through connecting hoses. The chromatography valve includes the chromatography valve described in any one of the above.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by at least one of the above technical solutions adopted in the embodiments of the present specification at least include:

[0021] The valve is decomposed into smaller unit modules, which is convenient for processing. The flow path is controlled by setting a number of valve control units. Taking the valve control unit as the smallest pixel, the flow path design can be quickly generated. The processing of the valve is relatively convenient. For different flow paths, only the opening and closing of the valve control unit need to be controlled for adjustment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic exploded view of a chromatography valve of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural view of a chromatography valve of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural view of a chromatography valve of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural view of a valve control unit of a chromatography valve of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural view of a valve control unit and a base bottom plate of a chromatography valve of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural view of a flow path plate of a chromatography valve of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural view of a chromatography valve group of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural view of a chromatography valve group of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0032] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation manners of the present application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. The present application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementation manners. Various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present application. It should be noted that, without conflict, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0033] It should be noted that the following describes various aspects of the embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. It should be obvious that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any specific structure and / or function described herein is illustrative only. Based on the present application, those skilled in the art should understand that one aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number and aspects described herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. In addition, this device can be implemented and this method can be practiced using other structures and / or functions in addition to one or more of the aspects described herein.

[0034] It should also be noted that the drawings provided in the following embodiments only schematically illustrate the basic concept of the present application. The drawings only show the components related to the present application, rather than being drawn according to the number, shape, and size of the components in actual implementation. The type, quantity, and ratio of each component in actual implementation can be arbitrarily changed, and the component layout type may also be more complex.

[0035] In addition, in the following description, specific details are provided to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the described aspects can be practiced without these specific details.

[0036] Currently, in the production process of chromatography valves, the following problems mainly exist:

[0037] 1. The valve control part is generally integrally manufactured from stainless steel according to the shape of the flow path. When manufacturing, a series of irregularly shaped bosses need to be engraved on the plate, and at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the surfaces of all bosses are kept in a plane with high precision, and the processing accuracy requirements are relatively high;

[0038] 2. All valves are engraved on a stainless steel plate, and the replacement cost is very high. The replacement cost of the disposable flow path plate used correspondingly is also very high. At the same time, it is rather troublesome to replace the flow path of the chromatography valve.

[0039] Through extensive and in-depth experiments, the inventor decomposes the valve into smaller unit modules, which are easy to process, can be combined as needed, and have low maintenance costs.

[0040] The technical problem solved by the present invention is to reduce the production and maintenance costs of the chromatography valve.

[0041] More specifically, the solution adopted by the present invention includes: controlling the flow path by setting a number of valve control units. Taking the valve control unit as the smallest pixel, the flow path design can be quickly generated. The processing of the valve is relatively convenient. For different flow paths, only by controlling the opening and closing of the valve control unit can the adjustment be carried out.

[0042] The following will describe the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0043] As Figures 1 - 3 shown, a chromatography valve includes:

[0044] A flow path plate 1;

[0045] A valve diaphragm 2 provided at the bottom of the flow path plate 1;

[0046] A base bottom plate 6, which is detachably and fixedly connected to the flow path plate 1. According to the flow path requirements, the base bottom plate 6 or the flow path plate 1 can be replaced. The valve diaphragm 2 is provided between the base bottom plate 6 and the flow path plate 1. In order to ensure that the valve diaphragm 2 and the flow path plate 1 are tightly pressed on the base bottom plate 6, the surface of the base bottom plate 6 needs to ensure flatness. Since the base bottom plate 6 is a flat plate, it is very easy to manufacture and control the flatness. The flow path plate 1 can be replaced according to the chromatography process requirements;

[0047] A number of valve control units 3, a number of valve control units 3 pass through the base bottom plate 6 and are in contact with the valve diaphragm 2. The end faces of a number of valve control units 3 are located in the same plane; during operation, the compression medium provided by the valve control unit 3 compresses the valve diaphragm 2, so that the valve diaphragm 2 blocks a pair of adjacent branch pipes on the flow path plate 1, cutting off the connection of this pair of branch pipes. When the pressure is removed, the pressure of the flowing medium pushes the valve diaphragm 2 open, thus opening the passage of this pair of branch pipes. According to the change of the flow path, the compression medium is only connected to the valve points that need to be controlled to control the valve.

[0048] By setting a number of valve control units 3 to control the flow path, with the valve control unit 3 as the smallest pixel, the flow path design can be quickly generated. The processing of the valve is relatively convenient. Since the base plate 6 is small, the flow path plate 1 is designed according to the base plate 6, so the flow path plate 1 can also be designed to be small. Thus, the thickness of the flow path plate 1 can be reduced under the same strength requirements, saving raw materials.

[0049] As Figures 1 - 3 shown, in some embodiments, a number of valve site holes 61 are provided on the base plate 6. A number of valve control units 3 pass through the number of valve site holes 61 and contact the valve diaphragm 2. The chromatographic flow path is controlled by the number of valve control units 3, and the valve control units 3 are positioned through the valve site holes 61 on the base plate 6, so that the valve control units 3 correspond to the flow path of the flow path plate 1.

[0050] It should be noted that the valve site holes 61 can cover the base plate 6 according to the minimum spacing, and a valve control unit 3 is installed at each valve site hole 61. The valve control units 3 are evenly arranged on the base plate 6 to ensure uniform force on the valve diaphragm 2. For different flow paths, only by controlling the opening and closing of the valve control units 3 can the adjustment be made.

[0051] As Figures 1 - 3 and Figure 6 shown, in some embodiments, a flow path grid 8 is provided inside the flow path plate 1. The flow path grid 8 forms the flow path of the flow path plate 1. The flow path grid 8 can be designed according to process requirements. The flow path grid 8 forms the flow path of the flow path plate 1. A number of quick connectors 7 are connected to the flow path grid 8. The number of quick connectors 7 all pass through the flow path plate 1. It is convenient to connect with an external hose through the quick connectors 7 so that the liquid to be chromatographed can enter the flow path grid 8.

[0052] As Figures 4 - 5 shown, in some embodiments, the valve control unit 3 includes: a connecting pipe 31 and a positioning block 32. The connecting pipe 31 and the first end face of the positioning block 32 are connected. By controlling the thickness of the positioning block 32, it can be ensured that the end faces of the valve control units 3 are in the same plane, and the processing is relatively convenient. The connecting pipe 31 passes through the valve site hole 61. A groove 34 is opened on the second end face of the positioning block 32. The groove 34 provides a movement range for the valve diaphragm 2. A medium hole 35 is opened in the groove 34. The medium hole 35 is communicated with the connecting pipe 31. The second end face is the opposite face of the first end face. The compressed medium provided by the valve control unit 3 enters the groove 34 through the connecting pipe 31 and the medium hole. The compressed medium compresses the valve diaphragm 2, so that the valve diaphragm 2 blocks a pair of adjacent branch pipes on the flow path plate 1, cutting off the connection of this pair of branch pipes; when the pressure is removed, the pressure of the flowing medium pushes the valve diaphragm 2 open, thus opening the passage of this pair of branch pipes.

[0053] As Figure 4 shown, in some embodiments, the end faces of a number of valve control units 3 are located in the same plane, including: the second end faces of a number of positioning blocks 32 are located in the same plane. By processing the thickness of the positioning blocks 32, the second end faces of all the positioning blocks 32 are located in the same plane, so that the valve diaphragm 2 can closely adhere to the second end faces of the positioning blocks 32, ensuring the sealing performance between the valve diaphragm 2 and the positioning blocks 32.

[0054] As Figure 4 shown, in some embodiments, a limiting surface 33 is provided on the side of the positioning block 32. The adjacent positioning blocks 32 are limited and fixed through the limiting surface 33. By flattening the side cross-section of the positioning block 32, the plane parts of the adjacent positioning blocks 32 are closely attached to play a positioning role, so that the positioning block 32 is fixed and will not rotate. At the same time, such a tight structure minimizes the volume of the empty pipe between the valve flow paths, thus meeting the requirements of extremely small throughput in biopharmaceuticals.

[0055] In some embodiments, an internal thread structure is provided on the inner wall of the connecting pipe 31, which is convenient for quickly connecting the pipeline of the compressed medium.

[0056] As Figures 1 - 3 shown, in some embodiments, the chromatography valve further includes: a number of positioning screws 5. The positioning screws 5 position between the base bottom plate 6, the flow path plate 1 and the valve diaphragm 2. Positioning holes matching with the positioning screws 5 are provided on the base bottom plate 6, the flow path plate 1 and the valve diaphragm 2. By using the positioning screws 5 to position between the base bottom plate 6, the flow path plate 1 and the valve diaphragm 2, the connection effect between the base bottom plate 6, the flow path plate 1 and the valve diaphragm 2 is ensured. One end of the positioning screw 5 far away from the flow path plate 1 passes through the base bottom plate 6, and the valve can be fixed on the external positioning rack through the positioning screw 5.

[0057] As Figures 1 - 3 shown, in some embodiments, the chromatography valve further includes: a number of fastening bolts 4. The number of fastening bolts 4 is used to tightly press the flow path plate 1 and the valve diaphragm 2 on the base bottom plate 6. Fastening holes matching with the fastening bolts 4 are provided on the base bottom plate 6, the flow path plate 1 and the valve diaphragm 2. By using the fastening bolts 4 to connect between the flow path plate 1, the valve diaphragm 2 and the base bottom plate 6, the flow path plate 1 and the valve diaphragm 2 are tightly pressed on the base bottom plate 6.

[0058] As Figures 7 - 8 shown, based on the same inventive concept, the embodiments of the present specification provide a chromatography valve group, including a number of chromatography valves. The number of chromatography valves are connected to each other through connecting hoses. The chromatography valve includes the chromatography valve as described in any one of the above.

[0059] In implementation, multiple valve module units can be connected by connecting hoses, so that larger valve array requirements can be met with smaller units. At the same time, when replacing the flow path or performing maintenance, only the smallest unit needs to be replaced instead of all the modules. Multiple modules can be arranged three-dimensionally, such as forming a circle, thus saving floor space.

[0060] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner. For the same or similar parts among the embodiments, reference can be made to each other. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, for the method embodiments described later, since they correspond to the system, the description is relatively simple, and reference can be made to the relevant parts of the system embodiments for the relevant content.

[0061] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A chromatography valve, characterized in that, it includes: a flow path plate (1); a valve diaphragm (2) provided at the bottom of the flow path plate (1); a base bottom plate (6), the base bottom plate (6) is detachably and fixedly connected to the flow path plate (1), the valve diaphragm (2) is arranged between the base bottom plate (6) and the flow path plate (1), and the flow path plate (1) can be replaced according to the needs of the chromatography process; a number of valve control units (3), a number of the valve control units (3) pass through the base bottom plate (6) and are in contact with the valve diaphragm (2), and the end faces of a number of the valve control units (3) are located in the same plane; a number of valve site holes (61) are provided on the base bottom plate (6), a number of the valve control units (3) pass through a number of the valve site holes (61) and are in contact with the valve diaphragm (2), and the chromatography flow path is controlled by a number of the valve control units (3); the valve control unit (3) includes: a connecting pipe (31) and a positioning block (32), the connecting pipe (31) and the first end face of the positioning block (32) are connected, the connecting pipe (31) passes through the valve site hole (61), a groove (34) is opened on the second end face of the positioning block (32), a medium hole (35) is opened in the groove (34), and the medium hole (35) is communicated with the connecting pipe (31), and the second end face is the opposite face of the first end face; the end faces of a number of the valve control units (3) being located in the same plane includes: the second end faces of a number of the positioning blocks (32) being located in the same plane; a limiting surface (33) is opened on the side of the positioning block (32), and adjacent positioning blocks (32) are limited and fixed through the limiting surface (33).

2. The chromatography valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, a flow path grid (8) is provided in the flow path plate (1), the flow path grid (8) forms the flow path of the flow path plate (1), and a number of quick connectors (7) are connected to the flow path grid (8), and a number of the quick connectors (7) all pass through the flow path plate (1).

3. The chromatography valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, an internal thread structure is opened on the inner wall of the connecting pipe (31).

4. The chromatography valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, the chromatography valve further includes: a number of positioning screws (5), the positioning screws (5) position between the base bottom plate (6), the flow path plate (1) and the valve diaphragm (2), positioning holes matched with the positioning screws (5) are opened on the base bottom plate (6), the flow path plate (1) and the valve diaphragm (2), and one end of the positioning screw (5) away from the flow path plate (1) passes through the base bottom plate (6).

5. The chromatography valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The chromatography valve further includes: a plurality of fastening bolts (4), and the plurality of fastening bolts (4) are used to tightly press the flow path plate (1) and the valve diaphragm (2) on the base bottom plate (6). Fastening holes matching the fastening bolts (4) are formed on the base bottom plate (6), the flow path plate (1), and the valve diaphragm (2).

6. A chromatography valve group, characterized in that, it includes a plurality of the chromatography valves, and the plurality of chromatography valves are connected by connecting hoses, and the chromatography valve includes the chromatography valve according to any one of claims 1-5.

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