Interchangeable chromatography cartridge adapter system

Abstract

A chromatography system has a cartridge adapter that is detachably attachable to enable a chromatography cartridge to be quickly interchanged. Chromatography cartridges are configured with threads for coupling to a corresponding interchangeable coupling component having matching threads. The interchangeable coupling component may be secured to the chromatography system by a coupling retainer. A coupling retainer may have a keyway that is configured for quick interchanging of the interchangeable coupling components. The interchangeable coupling component may have a pair of parallel sides that align with a slot of the keyway to secure the interchangeable coupling components to the coupling retainer. An inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge may extend through an opening in the coupling components and couple to an inlet conduit for sample gas. Analyte gas may flow back to the chromatography system for detection and collection.

Description

D.INTERCHANGEABLE CHROMATOGRAPHY CARTRIDGE ADAPTER SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application No. 18 / 623,582, filed on April 1 , 2024; which is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates chromatography system having a cartridge adapter for quickly interchanging chromatography cartridge.Background

[0003] Chromatography system utilize cartridges packed with absorbents to separate out components of a sample from a solvent. The cartridges have to be changed out between samples. The cartridges are typically clamped and sealed to the chromatography system and coupled to a sample gas inlet. The outlet from the cartridge is coupled to a detector for analysis. The process of changing out the cartridges is laborious and time consuming.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention is directed to a chromatography system having a cartridge adapter that is detachably attachable to enable chromatography cartridge to be quickly interchanged. An exemplary chromatography system comprises chromatography cartridges that are configured with threads for coupling with thread of a cartridge coupling component having matching threads. The interchangeable coupling component may be secured to the chromatography system by a coupling retainer. A coupling retainer may have a key way that is configured for quick interchanging of the interchangeable coupling components. The interchangeable coupling component may have a pair of parallel sides that align with a slot of the keyway to secure the interchangeable coupling components to the coupling retainer. An inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge may extend through an opening in the coupling components and couple with an inlet conduit for sample gas. AnalyteD. gas may flow back to the chromatography system for detection and collection. It is to be understood that the sample and analyte may be a gas, a liquid or a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide; the term gas may be used throughout however, for simplicity.

[0005] An exemplary chromatography system comprises chromatography cartridges having threads of different sizes, such as different diameters or different pitch configurations. The threads of the chromatography cartridges may be configured proximal to the inlet end, such as around the outer diameter of the cartridge. The threads of the cartridge may be male threads and the threads of the interchangeable coupling component may be female threads or the threads of the cartridge may be female threads and the threads of the interchangeable coupling component may be male threads. An exemplary chromatography cartridge has an inlet on an inlet end and an inlet nipple may extend from the inlet end. The inlet nipple may extend through an opening in the interchangeable coupling component to couple with an inlet gas conduit, for receiving sample gas. An exemplary chromatography cartridge has an outlet on an outlet end that is coupled to a detector. An outlet conduit may extend from the outlet of the cartridge to the detector or to the cartridge adapter and subsequently to the detector.

[0006] An exemplary interchangeable coupling component has threads for coupling with the threads on a cartridge. The plurality of interchangeable coupling components may be provided for coupling with different threads of different size or type cartridges. An exemplary interchangeable coupling component has a cartridge end for coupling with the cartridge and a retainer portion that is retained by the coupling retainer. An exemplary retainer portion extend from the cartridge portion and has a planar side or a pair of opposing parallel planar sides that are retained int the retainer slot of the coupling retainer. The planar sides may extend a portion of the length of the retainer portion the extended end of the retainer portion may have a circular cross-section that extends through the coupling retainer to the chromatography side of the coupling retainer. An exemplary interchangeable coupling component has an opening, such as a centrally located opening that extends from the cartridge end to the retainer end to receive the inlet nipple of a cartridge.

[0007] An exemplary coupling retainer is configured for quickly coupling with an interchangeable coupling component and has a keyway having a coupling apertureD. for receiving the retainer end therethrough and a retainer slot that is configured around the pair of parallel sides of the retainer portion of the interchangeable coupling component. The interchangeable coupling component is inserted through the coupling aperture of the keyway and then the coupling component is then slid or move to configure the retainer slot around the pair of parallel sides of the retainer portion. This enables quick interchange of coupling components and therefore quick interchanging of cartridges. An exemplary coupling component comprises a fastener slot or preferably a pair of fastener slots that allow a fastener to retain the coupling retainer to the chromatography system while allowing it to slide or move for positioning the retainer slot around the interchangeable coupling component. The inlet nipple of the cartridge may extend through the keyway opening of the coupling retainer.

[0008] An exemplary chromatography system may comprise an interface component that is configured between the coupling retainer and the chromatography system or a fixed component. The fasteners that extend through the fastener slots of the coupling retainer may be secured into fastener apertures of the interface component, which may be threaded apertures for receiving a bolt, for example. An exemplary interface component may have apertures for fasteners to extend therethrough and into a fixed component of the chromatography system. One or more seals may be configured between components to prevent leakage of gases.

[0009] A method of changing out cartridges comprises, first removing a first cartridge and interchangeable coupling component from the chromatography system. The cartridge may be detached from the coupling component and then the coupling component can be removed by moving the coupling retainer and associated keyway to align the coupling aperture with the retainer end. A second and different cartridge, having different threads, may then be attached to the chromatography system. A new interchangeable coupling component configured for attachment to the second cartridge may first be configured with the retainer portion through the coupling retainer of a second coupling retainer. The keyway of the second coupling retainer may then be slid to align the retainer slot around the pair of parallel sides of the retainer portion of the second interchangeable coupling component. The second cartridge may then be secured to the second interchangeable coupling component by screwing the two components together. It is to be understood that the chromatography system and the cartridge adapter may be configured for anyD. number of cartridges, which may all have different threads for attachment to a cartridge adapter.

[0010] An exemplary chromatography system utilizes a cartridge adapter, having a cartridge body, configured to receive a chromatography cartridge and configured for coupling with a cartridge adapter receiver of the chromatography system. The chromatography cartridge is detachably attachable to the cartridge adapter and the cartridge adapter is detachably attachable to the cartridge adapter receiver of the chromatography system. One or more springs elements, such as a coiled spring or elastomeric material, may be configured on a retainer surface of the cartridge adapter and configured to engage with an adapter retainer surface of an adapter retainer, to create a firm connection of the cartridge adapter with the cartridge adapter receiver, to prevent leaks of an analyte composition. The cartridge body may be a monolithic part made from a single piece of material, such as being machined or otherwise made from a piece of metal.

[0011] An exemplary cartridge adapter has a cartridge key configured to fit within a keyway recess extending from an adapter recess of a cartridge adapter receiver. The cartridge adapter may have a cartridge recess for receiving a chromatography cartridge therein and for coupling the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge with the inlet conduit. The inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge may be a male fitting that is inserted into the cartridge adapter to couple the inlet nipple with the inlet conduit into the chromatography cartridge. Also, the cartridge adapter has a centering feature for centering within the cartridge receiver. The centering feature is a recess in the retainer surface of the cartridge adapter and may be configured to receive a tool for removal of the cartridge adapter from the cartridge adapter receiver. The cartridge adapter body forms an insert surface and the cartridge key extends from this engagement surface to form a protrusion from the insert surface for insertion into the keyway recess that enables effective alignment. A nipple of a chromatography cartridge as used herein may be coupled through insertion into or around a receiver or may be coupled via a Luer lock coupling.

[0012] An exemplary chromatography cartridge has an inlet end with an inlet and inlet nipple, and an outlet end with an outlet and outlet nipple. The outlet nipple may be a male connector and the inlet nipple may be a female connector. TheD. chromatography cartridge has an absorbent therein. Sample gas, comprising a solvent and a specimen, flows into the inlet through the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge and an analyte gas flows out of the outlet through the outlet nipple of the cartridge and to a detector of the chromatography system.

[0013] The exemplary chromatography cartridge is inserted into the cartridge adapter and the cartridge adapter has a cartridge key that extends from the insert surface for locating the cartridge adapter in a chromatography cartridge receiver. The inlet nipple is coupled with the inlet conduit of the cartridge adapter. The outlet nipple s configured for coupling with the cartridge outlet nipple receiver of the cartridge adapter receiver.

[0014] A cartridge adapter receiver of a chromatography system has adapter opening that extends into a cartridge receiver surface. A keyway for receiving the cartridge key of the cartridge adapter extends distal from insert surface of the cartridge adapter with respect to the adapter opening in the cartridge adapter receiver. The cartridge key may extend a fraction the cartridge receiver surface and may extend about 40 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, about 20 degrees or less so that the cartridge receiver surface provides a substantial surface for the insert surface of the cartridge adapter. Likewise, the keyway recess may be sized to correspond with the cartridge key and may extend about 40 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, about 20 degrees or less within the adapter opening or from the cartridge receiver surface. The chromatography cartridge adapter receiver has a keyway, a recessed area from the adapter recess that is sized for positive rotational location of the cartridge adapter therein. A process flow inlet coupler for coupling with the process flow inlet of the cartridge adapter, and a cartridge outlet nipple receiver for coupling with the inlet nipple of the cartridge.

[0015] The process flow, includes an analyte suite composition, which may include one to seven analytes, a super critical CO2 and a solvent, are introduced through the process flow inlet coupler which couples with the process flow inlet of the cartridge adapter. The analyte suite composition then flows through the process flow conduit to the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge, through the cartridge and the absorbent, such as a silica media, to the outlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge. The absorbent causes the analytes to pass through the cartridge atD. different speeds to stratify the analytes into separate analytes for analysis. The analytes then flow the cartridge outlet nipple receiver to then detector for analysis.

[0016] An adapter retainer has an adapter-retainer surface configured to engage with the retainer surface of the cartridge adapter and has retainer flanges configured to rotate under the receiver flanges to secure the cartridge adapter to the cartridge adapter receiver. The adapter retainer may have a handle portion that extends out from the adapter recess or from the cartridge adapter receiver, to allow a user to push the adapter retainer inward and rotate it to secure the receiver flanges against the retainer flanges. The spring elements are compressed to produce a force on the retainer flanges against the receiver flanges to secure the cartridge adapter in position within the adapter recess. Sealing the nipples of the chromatography cartridge to the cartridge adapter and process flow inlet with the process flow inlet coupler is difficult and often requires multiple attempts to get all three connections to seal simultaneously. The use of these spring elements aids in alignment and compression sealing of each of the three connections to ensure the process flow through the system. It is important to keep the process flow through the cartridge and not into the recess and to prevent gas, not process flow, into the analyte composition.

[0017] A cartridge sleeve fixture may be configured to receive an interchange chromatography cartridge therein and may be coupled via an outlet conduit for the process flow and a process flow inlet conduit that are each coupled with the cartridge adapter receiver and may each have stored length to enable the cartridge sleeve fixture to be pulled out from a cartridge containment vessel configured between the cartridge adapter receiver and the cartridge adapter for interchanging the chromatography cartridge. The outlet conduit for the process flow and the process flow inlet conduit may be coiled for example and may be elastic to allow the conduits to extend to an extended orientation for interchanging the chromatography cartridge and then recoil back to a coiled configuration for insertion of the cartridge sleeve fixture back into the cartridge containment vessel.

[0018] A pressure equalization inlet to cartridge containment vessel through the cartridge adapter or the cartridge adapter receiver may receive a flow of equalization fluid such as a gas that is configured to pressurize the outside of the chromatography cartridge to balance or equalize the pressure within the interior of the chromatography cartridge. This pressure equalization inlet to the pressureD. containment space or cartridge containment vessel enables use of disposable cartridges even for high pressure use. Pressure equalization may produce a differential between the sealed cartridge containment vessel and the internal pressure of the chromatography cartridge that is maintained within 13.8bar (200psi) or less. This may be accomplished by supplying an equalization fluid, such as a gas, into the cartridge containment vessel through the pressure equalization inlet that is maintained within this pressure differential with the process flow of gas into the process flow inlet. The process flow gas and the equalization gas may be the same gas and may come from the same gas source wherein the process flow gas it split to flow both to the pressure equalization inlet and into the process flow inlet. The internal pressure of the chromatography cartridge may be operated at a pressure of about least 120 bar (1750psi) during chromatography, or up to about 207 bar (3,000psi), or even up to about 350bar (5000psi) or more. The higher pressure may be for traditional high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

[0019] The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction to some of the embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting. Additional example embodiments, including variations and alternative configurations of the invention, are provided herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary chromatography cartridge having threads for coupling with an interchangeable coupling component of an exemplary cartridge adapter.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary chromatography cartridge having threads of a different dimension from that shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows top cross-sectional view of a chromatography system comprising an exemplary cartridge adapter and a cartridge retained by said cartridge adapter.D.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows perspective view of a chromatography system comprising an exemplary cartridge adapter and a cartridge retained by said cartridge adapter.

[0025] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an exemplary coupling component comprising threads for coupling with the threads of a cartridge and a retainer end for insertion into the keyway of the coupling retainer.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows a front view of an exemplary coupling retainer having a keyway and coupling aperture to receive the retainer end of a coupling component.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an exemplary coupling retainer having a keyway and coupling aperture to receive the retainer end of a coupling component.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge adapter comprising a coupling component that is retained by a coupling retainer.

[0029] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cartridge adapter comprising a coupling component that is retained by a coupling retainer and an inlet conduit for coupling to an inlet nipple of a cartridge.

[0030] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary interface component having apertures for coupling the interface component to the fixed component and apertures for retaining the coupling component to the interface component by fasteners, such as bolts.

[0031] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary interface component having an outlet conduit and outlet for the analyte gas.

[0032] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an exemplary fixed component having apertures for coupling the fixed component to the chromatography device by fasteners, such as bolts.

[0033] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary fixed component having an inlet conduit and inlet for the sample gas.

[0034] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a cartridge adapter having a cartridge key configured to fit within a keyway of a chromatography cartridge receiver.

[0035] FIG. 16 shows a side view of the cartridge adapter shown in FIG. 15.

[0036] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge adapter shown in FIG. 15 along line 17 shown in FIG. 20.

[0037] FIG. 18 shows a back view of the cartridge adapter shown in FIG. 15.

[0038] FIG. 19 shows a top view of the cartridge adapter shown in FIG. 15.D.

[0039] FIG. 20 shows a side view of an exemplary chromatography cartridge.

[0040] FIG. 21 shows a side view of an exemplary chromatography cartridge inserted into the cartridge adapter and the cartridge adapter having a cartridge key for locating the cartridge adapter in a chromatography cartridge receiver.

[0041] FIG. 22 shows a front view of a cartridge adapter receiver of a chromatography system having a keyway for receiving the cartridge key of the cartridge adapter.

[0042] FIG. 23 shows a side view of the cartridge adapter having a chromatography cartridge therein and inserted into the cartridge receiver.

[0043] FIG. 24 shows a side view of a cartridge sleeve fixture configured to detachably attach a chromatography cartridge and configured for insertion into a cartridge adapter and cartridge adapter receiver.

[0044] Figure 25 shows a bottom perspective view of the cartridge sleeve fixture shown in FIG. 24 having an outlet conduit that is extendable to allow actuating the cartridge sleeve fixture into the cartridge adapter without detachment of the outlet conduit from connection with the nipple receiver of the cartridge adapter receiver.

[0045] Figure 26 shows a side view of the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver of the cartridge sleeve assembly.

[0046] Figure 27 shows a side view of the cartridge sleeve outlet receiver of the cartridge sleeve assembly.

[0047] Figure 28 shows the cartridge sleeve fixture retaining a chromatography cartridge and inserted into the cartridge adapter receiver and the cartridge adapter of the adapter retainer.

[0048] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.D.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0050] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1 , an exemplary chromatography cartridge 30 (cartridge as used herein) has threads 34 for coupling with an interchangeable coupling component of an exemplary cartridge adapter. This first cartridge is smaller than the second cartridge 40, shown in FIG. 2. The first chromatography cartridge 30 has threads 34 that are smaller in dimension than the threads 44 of the second chromatography cartridge 40. Each of the cartridges have an inlet end 31 , outlet end 35, inlet 32, inlet nipple 33, outlet 36, outlet nipple 37 and an absorbent 39 retained within the cartridge. Sample gas, comprising a solvent and a specimen, flows into the inlet and an analyte gas flows out of the outlet of the cartridge and to a detector of the chromatography system.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary chromatography system 10 comprises a cartridge adapter assembly 20 for retaining a chromatography cartridge 30 and includes a cartridge coupling component 70 having threads 76 to engage with the threads 34 of the chromatography cartridge. The threads of the cartridge areD. coupled to, screwed into, the threads 76 of the cartridge coupling component 70. The first cartridge adapter is configured with threads for coupling the first cartridge, and a second cartridge adapter is configured with threads for coupling a second cartridge; wherein the threads of the first and second cartridges are different geometry. The inlet nipple 33 is coupled to the inlet conduit 126 of the fixed component 120 and sample gas flow into the inlet coupling 127 and into the cartridge. The sample gas is separated to produce an analyte gas that flow out of the outlet of the cartridge, such as through the outlet nipple 37 through the outlet conduit 38 to a detector 14 of a chromatography machine 500. The outlet conduit 38 is coupled to the interface cartridge adapter by the outlet coupling which is configured on the interface component, for example, and an analyte conduit 12 extends to the detector 14. This arrangement of the inlet coupling 127 and outlet conduit coupling 106 with a non-rotating portion of the cartridge adapter enables the cartridge to be spun or threaded onto or off of the coupling component without detaching the outlet conduit. The cartridge coupling component 70 is retained by the coupling retainer 90.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, a chromatography system comprises an exemplary cartridge adapter assembly 20 and a chromatography cartridge 30 retained by said cartridge adapter. The inlet 127 for the sample gas is shown on the fixed component 120, and the outlet coupling 107 for the analyte gas is shown on the interface component 100. The chromatography cartridge 30 is screwed into the cartridge coupling component 70, and the coupling component is retained by the coupling retainer 90.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, an exemplary cartridge coupling component 70 comprises threads 76 on a cartridge end 75 for coupling with the threads of a chromatography cartridge, and a retainer end 72 for insertion into the keyway of the coupling retainer. The coupling retainer 90 has a large coupling aperture 94 to receive the retainer end 72 or the cartridge coupling component 70, and a smaller extension portion of the keyway 92, a retainer slot for example, for sliding over the planar portion 78 of the retainer portion 77. An exemplary coupling component has an aperture 73 for gas to flow therethrough and has a pair of parallel planar sides to firmly secure the coupling component to the coupling retainer. The coupling component has an opening for the inlet of sampleD. gas wherein the inlet nipple of the cartridge and / or the inlet conduit of the fixed component is configured therein or therethrough.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an exemplary coupling retainer 90 has a keyway 92 and coupling aperture 94 to receive the retainer end of a coupling component. The coupling aperture 94 of the keyway 92 is large in dimension, and the retainer slot 96 is smaller in dimension and has two parallel sides for engagement with the two parallel sides of the coupling component. The coupling retainer has fastener slots 98 for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt, that secures the coupling retainer to the interface component.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, an exemplary cartridge adapter assembly 20 comprises a cartridge coupling component 70 that is retained by a coupling retainer 90. The inlet conduit 126 extends through the coupling component for coupling to the inlet nipple of the cartridge.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplary cartridge adapter assembly 20 comprises a cartridge coupling component 70 that is retained by a coupling retainer 90 and an inlet conduit 126 for coupling to an inlet nipple 33 of a cartridge 30. A gasket 110 may be configured between the fixed component 120 and the interface component 100.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an exemplary interface component 100 has fixed component apertures 104 for coupling the interface component to the fixed component and coupling retainer apertures 102 for retaining the coupling component to the interface component by fasteners, such as bolts. The interface component 100 has an outlet conduit coupling 106 and an outlet coupling 107 for the analyte gas. A central aperture 101 is configured to receive the inlet conduit of the fixed component.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an exemplary fixed component 120 has interface retainer apertures 122 for coupling the interface component to the fixed component, and device apertures 124 for coupling the fixed component to the gas chromatography system by fasteners, such as bolts.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 15 to 23, an exemplary chromatography system 10 utilizes a cartridge adapter 220, having a cartridge body 221 , configured to receive a chromatography cartridge 230 and configured for coupling with a cartridge adapter receiver of the chromatography system 10. The chromatography cartridge 230 is detachably attachable to the cartridge adapter 220 and the cartridge adapter 220 is detachably attachable to the cartridge adapter receiver 210 of theD. chromatography system 10. One or more springs elements 217, such as a coiled spring or elastomeric material, may be configured on a retainer surface 227 of the cartridge adapter 220 and configured to engage with an adapter-retainer surface 204 of an adapter retainer 200, to create a firm connection of the cartridge adapter with the cartridge adapter receiver, to prevent leaks of an analyte composition. The cartridge body 221 may be a monolithic part made from a single piece of material, such as being machined or otherwise made from a piece of metal.

[0061] An exemplary cartridge adapter 220 has a cartridge key 222 configured to fit within a keyway recess 212 extending from an adapter recess 219 (cartridge containment vessel) of a cartridge adapter receiver 210. The cartridge adapter may have a cartridge recess 225 for receiving a chromatography cartridge therein and for coupling the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge with the inlet conduit 226. The inlet nipple 233 of the chromatography cartridge 230 may be a male fitting that is inserted into the cartridge adapter 220 to couple the inlet nipple with the inlet conduit 226 into the chromatography cartridge. Also, the cartridge adapter 220 has a centering feature 224 for centering within the cartridge receiver. The centering feature is a recess in the retainer surface 227 of the cartridge adapter 220 and may be configured to receive a tool for removal of the cartridge adapter 220 from the cartridge adapter receiver 210. The cartridge adapter body forms an insert surface 223 and the cartridge key 222 extends from this engagement surface to form a protrusion from the insert surface 223 for insertion into the keyway recess 212 that enables effective alignment.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 20 and 21 , an exemplary chromatography cartridge 230 has an inlet end 231 with an inlet 232 and inlet nipple 233, and an outlet end 235 with an outlet 236 and outlet nipple 237. The outlet nipple 237 may be a male connector and the inlet nipple 233 may be a female connector. The chromatography cartridge 230 has an absorbent 234 therein. Sample gas, comprising a solvent and a specimen, flows into the inlet 232 through the inlet nipple 233 of the chromatography cartridge 230 and an analyte gas flows out of the outlet 236 through the outlet nipple 237 of the cartridge and to a detector of the chromatography system.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 21 , the exemplary chromatography cartridge 230 is inserted into the cartridge adapter 220 and the cartridge adapter has a cartridge key 222 that extends from the insert surface 223 for locating the cartridge adapter in aD. chromatography cartridge receiver. The inlet nipple 233 is coupled with the inlet conduit 226 of the cartridge adapter 220. The outlet nipple 237 is configured for coupling with the cartridge outlet nipple receiver 216 of the cartridge adapter receiver 210, shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23, a cartridge adapter receiver 210 of a chromatography system has adapter opening 215 that extends into a cartridge receiver surface 218. A keyway recess 212 for receiving the cartridge key 222 of the cartridge adapter 220 extends distal from insert surface 223 with respect to the adapter opening 215 in the cartridge adapter receiver. The cartridge key 222 may extend a fraction the cartridge receiver surface 218 and may extend about 40 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, about 20 degrees or less so that the cartridge receiver surface 218 provides a substantial surface for the insert surface 223 of the cartridge adapter. Likewise, the keyway recess 212 may be sized to correspond with the cartridge key and may extend about 40 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, about 20 degrees or less within the adapter opening or from the cartridge receiver surface 218. The chromatography cartridge adapter receiver 210 has a keyway 212, a recessed area from the adapter recess 219 that is sized for positive rotational location of the cartridge adapter therein. A process flow inlet coupler 214 for coupling with the process flow inlet 228 of the cartridge adapter 220, and a cartridge outlet nipple receiver 216 for coupling with the inlet nipple of the cartridge.

[0065] The process flow, as indicated by the bold arrows, includes an analyte suite composition, which may include one to seven analytes, a super critical CO2 and a solvent, are introduced through the process flow inlet coupler 214 which couples with the process flow inlet 228 of the cartridge adapter. The analyte suite composition then flows through the process flow conduit 229 to the inlet nipple 233 of the chromatography cartridge 230, through the cartridge and the absorbent 239, such as a silica media, to the outlet nipple 237 of the chromatography cartridge 230. The absorbent causes the analytes to pass through the cartridge at different speeds to stratify the analytes into separate analytes for analysis. The analytes then flow the cartridge outlet nipple receiver to then detector for analysis.

[0066] An adapter retainer 200 has an adapter-retainer surface 204 configured to engage with the retainer surface 227 of the cartridge adapter 220 and has retainer flanges 202 configured to rotate under the receiver flanges 213 to secure theD. cartridge adapter 220 to the cartridge adapter receiver 210. The adapter retainer 200 may have a handle portion 206 that extends out from the adapter recess 219 or from the cartridge adapter receiver 210, to allow a user to push the adapter retainer inward and rotate it to secure the receiver flanges 213 against the retainer flanges 202. The spring elements 217 are compressed to produce a force on the retainer flanges 202 against the receiver flanges 213 to secure the cartridge adapter in position within the adapter recess 219. Sealing the nipples of the chromatography cartridge to the cartridge adapter and process flow inlet 228 with the process flow inlet coupler 214 is difficult and often requires multiple attempts to get all three connections to seal simultaneously. The use of these spring elements aids in alignment and compression sealing of each of the three connections to ensure the process flow through the system. It is important to keep the process flow through the cartridge and not into the recess and to prevent gas, not process flow, into the analyte composition.

[0067] Spring elements 217 secure the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 with the cartridge adapter receiver 210 and cartridge adapter 220 to produce a cartridge containment vessel 239 that is sealed and that is maintained at an equalization pressure via the pressure equalization inlet 240 through the cartridge adapter receiver 210.

[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 24 to 29, a cartridge sleeve fixture 300 is configured to detachably attach a chromatography cartridge 230 and is configured between the cartridge adapter 220 and cartridge adapter receiver 210 in a cartridge containment vessel 239 during chromatography analysis. The cartridge sleeve fixture 300 has sleeve extensions 306, 306’ that extend between the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver 320 and cartridge sleeve outlet receiver 310. The inlet nipple 233 of the chromatography cartridge 230 is inserted into the inlet process flow coupling 328 extending from the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver 320 or the cartridge body 221 of the cartridge adapter 220 and the outlet nipple 237 of the chromatography cartridge 230 is coupled with the cartridge sleeve outlet receiver 310 and the outlet conduit 323 which is extendable, such as being a coiled outlet conduit 324 to allow the entire cartridge sleeve fixture 300 with a chromatography cartridge 230 configured therein, to be extracted enough from the cartridge containment vessel 239 for interchanging the chromatography cartridge 230. The outlet conduit 323 for the process flow isD. coupled with the process flow outlet aperture 261 in the cartridge adapter receiver 210 which couples with an analyte conduit and detector, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0069] The inlet end 231 of the chromatography cartridge 230 is coupled with the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver 320 of the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 and the outlet end 235 of the chromatography cartridge 230 is coupled with the cartridge sleeve outlet receiver of the cartridge sleeve fixture 300. The chromatography cartridge 230 extends within the perimeter of the sleeve extensions 306, 306’ to allow easy insertion and removal of the chromatography cartridge 230 from the cartridge sleeve fixture 300.

[0070] Also, the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 has a process flow inlet conduit 329 extending along the fixture from the process flow inlet 318 to the inlet process flow coupling 328 and may extend through the cartridge sleeve outlet receiver 310 and the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver 320, wherein the process flow conduit is configured to receive a process flow that flows through the chromatography cartridge 230 from the inlet nipple 233 to the outlet nipple 237. The process flow conduit may be contiguous or have couplings along the length of the conduit. Also, the process flow conduit may have a stored length portion 330, wherein the process flow conduit has a coiled portion or folded portion which may be configured between the process flow inlet 228 in the cartridge adapter receiver 210 and the cartridge sleeve fixture 300. The process flow inlet coupling 318 may be configured distal from the cartridge sleeve outlet receiver 310 with respect to the inlet nipple 233 and the outlet nipple 237. As shown, the process flow inlet conduit 329 may extend within the sleeve or sleeve extensions 306, 306’ of the cartridge sleeve fixture 300.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 25, the outlet conduit 323 has a stored length portion or stored length portion 322, such as a coiled outlet conduit 324 and the process flow inlet conduit 329 has a stored length portion 330 that may also be coiled such that both are extendable to allow actuating the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 from the cartridge adapter receiver without detachment of the process flow inlet conduit 329 or outlet conduit 323 from connection with couplings with the cartridge sleeve fixture 300. As shown, both the outlet conduit 323 and process flow inlet conduit 329 are coiled conduits having folds or coils to produce the stored length portion and allow extension and retraction. The outlet conduit 323 and process flow inlet conduit 329 or a portion thereof may be elastic to enable extension and retraction back to a coiled or folded geometry.D.

[0072] Referring now to FIG. 26, the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver 320 couples with the inlet end 231 of the chromatography cartridge 230, wherein the inlet nipple 233 couples with the inlet process flow coupling 328 that extends from the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver 320 of the cartridge sleeve fixture 300. The cartridge sleeve fixture 300 may be coupled with the cartridge adapter 220 (shown in FIG. 28) such that they are both extracted from the cartridge containment vessel for interchanging the chromatography cartridge 230.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 27, the cartridge sleeve outlet receiver 310 couples with the outlet end 235 of the chromatography cartridge 230, wherein the outlet nipple 237 couples with the outlet flow coupling 321 that extends from the cartridge sleeve outlet receiver 310 of the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 and with the outlet conduit 323 that may be extendable. The outlet conduit 323 is coupled with and in is in fluid communication with the outlet flow coupling 321 and outlet nipple 237 of the chromatography cartridge 230. The outlet conduit 323 extends to the process flow outlet 326 at the outlet conduit extended end 325 which couples with the process flow outlet aperture 261 in the cartridge adapter receiver 210 (shown in FIG. 28)

[0074] With reference to FIG. 28, the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 is configured with a chromatography cartridge 230 therein and is coupled with the cartridge adapter 220. The chromatography cartridge 230 and cartridge sleeve fixture 300 are inserted into cartridge containment vessel 239 and the outlet conduit 323 and the process flow inlet conduit 329 extend to the respective outlet aperture 261 and process flow inlet 228 in the cartridge adapter receiver 210.

[0075] A chromatography cartridge is interchanged after a chromatography processing by first detaching the cartridge adapter 220 from the cartridge adapter receiver, such as by pressing and turning to slide the flanges for extraction. Then the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 can be pulled up by the cartridge adapter 220 with the outlet conduit 323 and process flow inlet conduit 329 extended, as shown in FIG. 29, to enable interchanging the chromatography cartridge 230 from the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 without detaching the outlet conduit 323 and process flow inlet conduit 329. After changing out the chromatography cartridge 230, the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 with the new chromatography cartridge 230 therein, can be reinserted into the cartridge containment vessel 239 and the cartridge adapter 220 can be attached back to the cartridge adapter receiver. The bold double arrowD. indicates that the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 can be moved with respect to the cartridge adapter receiver 210 for coupling the inlet nipple with the inlet conduit 226 of the cartridge adapter 220. More specifically, the inlet nipple 237 of the chromatography cartridge is coupled with the inlet process flow coupling 328 of the cartridge sleeve inlet receiver 320 (shown in FIG. 24). Spring elements 217 secure the cartridge sleeve fixture 300 and the cartridge adapter receiver 210 to the cartridge adapter 220 to produce a cartridge containment vessel 239 that is sealed and that is maintained at an equalization pressure via the pressure equalization inlet 240 through the cartridge adapter receiver 210. This assembly is configured for detachable attachment to a chromatography machine 500 for chromatography processing.

[0076] The pressure differential between the sealed cartridge containment vessel and the internal pressure of the chromatography cartridge may be maintained within 13.8bar (200psi) of the pressure within the chromatography cartridge. This may be accomplished by supplying an equalization gas into the cartridge containment vessel through the pressure equalization inlet 240 that is maintained within this pressure differential with the process flow of gas into the process flow inlet 228. The process flow gas and the equalization gas may be the same gas and may come from the same gas source wherein the process flow gas it split to flow both to the pressure equalization inlet 240 and into the process flow inlet 228.

[0077] The internal pressure of the cartridge may be operated at a pressure of about least 120 bar (1750psi) during chromatography, or up to about 207 bar (3,000psi), or even up to about 350bar (5000psi) or more. The higher pressure may be for traditional high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

[0078] Note that the inlet nipple 233 and outlet nipple 235 of the chromatography cartridge 230 may be coupled with the respective inlet process flow coupling and outlet flow coupling 321 by insertion or via a Lure lock connection.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 29 the cartridge adapter 220 is detached from the cartridge adapter receiver 210 and has the adapter retainer 200 configured on the opposing side from the cartridge adapter receiver. As shown, the outlet conduit 323 and the process flow inlet conduit 329 are in an extended state to enable interchanging the chromatography cartridge 230 from the cartridge sleeve fixture 300.D.

[0080] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and / or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . A chromatography system comprising: a) a chromatography cartridge comprising: i) an inlet end having an inlet nipple; ii) an outlet end having an outlet nipple; and iii) absorbent configured in the chromatography cartridge; b) a cartridge adapter comprising; i) a cartridge body; ii) an inlet conduit for a process flow that is coupled with the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge; iii) an outlet conduit for said process flow; c) a cartridge adapter receiver comprising: i) a process flow inlet for receiving said process flow and wherein the said process flow inlet is coupled with the inlet conduit; ii) a process flow outlet that is coupled with the outlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge; iii) a cartridge containment vessel for receiving the chromatography cartridge therein; wherein the cartridge adapter receiver is configured to detachably attach to the cartridge adapter and wherein the cartridge adapter is configured to detachably attach to a chromatography machine for chromatography processing; and iv) a pressure equalization inlet for receiving a pressure equalization gas into the cartridge containment vessel.

2. The chromatography system of claim 1 , further comprising a cartridge sleeve fixture and wherein the chromatography cartridge configured for detachable attachment to the cartridge sleeve assembly; and wherein the cartridge sleeve fixture extends between and is coupled to the cartridge adapter and the cartridge adapter receiver.

3. The chromatography system of claim 2, wherein cartridge sleeve fixture comprises an outlet conduit fluidly coupled between the process flow outlet of the cartridge adapter receiver and the outlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge.

4. The chromatography system of claim 3, wherein outlet conduit of the cartridge sleeve fixture has stored length to enable the cartridge sleeve fixture to be extend out from the cartridge containment vessel for interchanging the chromatography cartridge from the chromatography cartridge.

5. The chromatography system of claim 4, wherein cartridge sleeve fixture comprises a process flow inlet conduit fluidly coupled between the process flow inlet of the cartridge adapter receiver and the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge.

6. The chromatography system of claim 5, wherein process flow inlet conduit of the cartridge sleeve fixture has stored length to enable the cartridge sleeve fixture to be extend out from the cartridge containment vessel for interchanging the chromatography cartridge from the chromatography cartridge.

7. The chromatography system of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge adapter receiver further comprises a spring element to produce a force between the cartridge adapter and the cartridge adapter receiver to form a seal to seal the cartridge containment vessel.

8. The chromatography system of claim 7, wherein the spring element is a coiled spring.

9. The chromatography system of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge body is a one piece unit made from a single piece of material.

10. The chromatography system of claim 1 , wherein cartridge adapter further comprises a plurality of retainer flanges and wherein cartridge adapter receiver comprises aplurality of receiver flanges configured to retain the receiver flanges to detachably attach the cartridge adapter to the cartridge adapter receiver.11 . The chromatography system of claim 10, wherein the cartridge adapter receiver further comprises a spring element to produce a force between the cartridge adapter and the cartridge adapter receiver to form a seal to seal the cartridge containment vessel with the retainer flanges retained by the receiver flanges.

12. The chromatography system of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge adapter further comprises an adapter retainer that is configured to detachably attach to a chromatography machine; wherein the cartridge body has an insert surface; wherein the cartridge adapter further comprises a cartridge key that extends from the insert surface; wherein the cartridge adapter receiver comprises: an adapter opening for receiving the cartridge adapter and an adapter recess for receiving the cartridge adapter therein and having a cartridge receiver surface; and wherein the cartridge adapter receiver further comprises a keyway recess extending from the cartridge receiver surface distal from the adapter opening.

13. The chromatography system of claim 12, wherein the chromatography cartridge extends from the cartridge recess in the insert surface of the cartridge adapter past the cartridge key to the outlet nipple.

14. The chromatography system of claim 12, wherein the process flow inlet of the cartridge adapter is on the cartridge key.

15. The chromatography system of claim 12, wherein the cartridge adapter receiver further comprises:a plurality of receiver flanges extending over an adapter opening to the adapter recess; and an adapter retainer having a plurality of retainer flanges located between the plurality of receiver flanges and the cartridge adapter; wherein the adapter retainer is configured to rotate to position the retainer flanges between the plurality of receiver flanges and the cartridge adapter to secure the cartridge adapter to the cartridge adapter receiver.

16. A method of inserting a chromatography cartridge into a chromatography system comprising: a) providing the chromatography system as described in claim 15; b) inserting the chromatography cartridge into the cartridge adapter with the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge coupled with the inlet conduit of the cartridge adapter; c) inserting the cartridge adapter with the chromatography cartridge coupled thereto into the cartridge adapter receiver; and d) turning the adapter retainer to configure the retainer flanges under the receiver flanges to secure the cartridge adapter in the cartridge adapter receiver.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cartridge adapter further comprises a spring element configured on the retainer surface to produce a force between the receiver flanges and the retainer flanges.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the spring element is a coiled spring.

19. A method of inserting a chromatography cartridge into a chromatography system comprising: a) providing the chromatography system as described in claim 12; b) inserting the chromatography cartridge into the cartridge adapter with the inlet nipple of the chromatography cartridge coupled with the inlet conduit of the cartridge adapter;c) inserting the cartridge adapter with the chromatography cartridge coupled thereto into the cartridge adapter receiver.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising coupling the cartridge adapter receiver with a chromatography machine for chromatography processing.

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