Chromatography Bed Support Storage for Fast Column Changeovers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Facilities performing multiple chromatography operations often lack sufficient physical chromatography columns due to budget or space constraints, leading to challenges in maintaining chromatography column integrity and preventing cross-contamination between operations.

Innovation Solution

The use of reusable chromatography column bed support cases with removable inserts and dividers allows for dedicated storage and management of column bed supports, minimizing contamination and facilitating efficient switching between operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a facility dedicates a single physical chromatography column to a particular operation, then the integrity and cleanliness of the chromatography operation is maintained, but the facility cannot accommodate more operations than the number of physical columns available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechromatography column integrityVSAvoidnumber of operations accommodated

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The chromatography column is segmented into separable components, specifically the column bed support that can be removed and dedicated to specific operations. This allows the column to be divided such that the support structure can be dedicated while the column itself can be shared across multiple operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The column bed support is extracted from the complete chromatography column assembly and designated as a dedicated component for specific operations. This extracted component can be stored separately in dedicated cases, allowing the main column to be reused while maintaining operational dedication through the support component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a facility acquires more physical chromatography columns to accommodate more operations, then more operations can be performed simultaneously, but the budget or physical space constraints are exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of operations accommodatedVSAvoidnumber of physical columns

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The chromatography column is designed with universal components that can serve multiple operations. The column bed support case system allows a single column to be adapted for different operations by swapping supports, making the column multi-functional and reducing the total number of columns needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of acquiring multiple complete physical columns, the facility creates dedicated copies of only the essential support components for each operation. These support copies are stored in dedicated cases, providing the functionality of multiple columns without the full cost and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Volume of stationary object

If chromatography column bed supports are stored without dedicated cases, then storage space is reduced, but cross-contamination between operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The column bed support is nested within a dedicated storage case that is specifically designed to contain and protect that support. This nested arrangement ensures that each support has its own dedicated space, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining compact storage through the efficient use of case interiors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If chromatography column bed supports are frequently switched between operations, then operational flexibility is improved, but cleaning and sterilization time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcleaning and sterilization time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Dedicated storage cases are prepared in advance for each operation, with the appropriate column bed support already in place. When switching operations, the pre-prepared support can be quickly installed without requiring extensive cleaning or sterilization, as each support is dedicated to a specific operation and stored in its designated case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12510521B2Devices and systems for chromatography column bed support management and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure may assist in managing, storing, using, and re-using dedicated chromatography column bed supports. For example, devices and systems disclosed herein may include reusable cases for storing dedicated column bed supports when the column bed supports are not in use. Such cases may include one or more dividers and inserts configured to fit column bed supports, and may be designed and built specifically to ensure efficient, secure storage of column bed supports while minimizing risk of damaging or contaminating them. Methods disclosed herein may include performing a particular chromatography operation in a column, removing the column bed supports from the column, storing the column bed supports in a column bed support storage case, and installing another set of column bed supports in the column for another chromatography operation.