Chromatography Column Groove Venting for Faster Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chromatography columns require a time-consuming and costly process to remove trapped air during priming, and existing methods struggle to efficiently flush out chromatography material during unpacking.
Innovation Solution
A chromatography column design with a groove positioned near the base assembly allows for efficient air removal using a reduced amount of priming liquid, and a fluid flow path through the adaptor assembly facilitates effective flushing of residual media during unpacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the column is filled with pure water during priming to remove trapped air, then air removal is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires large amounts of water
Solution Approach 1:
The column is divided into two functional zones: an upper separation zone for chromatography and a lower priming zone for air removal. The groove structure creates a dedicated air venting path in the lower zone, allowing air to be removed without filling the entire column volume with priming liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The air removal function is extracted from the general priming process. The groove structure provides a specific extraction path for air bubbles to escape through the side wall, separating the air removal mechanism from the bulk liquid filling operation.
2Reliability
If the column is filled with pure water during priming to remove trapped air, then air removal is achieved, but large amounts of water are required
Solution Approach 1:
The column is divided into two functional zones: an upper separation zone for chromatography and a lower priming zone for air removal. The groove structure creates a dedicated air venting path in the lower zone, allowing air to be removed without filling the entire column volume with priming liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The air removal function is extracted from the general priming process. The groove structure provides a specific extraction path for air bubbles to escape through the side wall, separating the air removal mechanism from the bulk liquid filling operation.
3Strength
If traditional base assembly design is used, then structural support is provided, but residual media cannot be efficiently flushed out during unpacking
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary element between the base assembly and the media bed. It provides a dedicated fluid communication path that allows flushing liquid to effectively remove residual media from the column during unpacking operations.
4Productivity
If the groove is positioned in the inner wall near the base assembly, then air removal efficiency is improved with reduced liquid volume, but the groove position must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is pre-positioned at an optimal location in the lower half of the column during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that the groove will be effective for air removal when the adaptor assembly is in its normal operating position, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces priming time and costs by minimizing the required liquid volume and enhances media removal efficiency during unpacking, ensuring a sealed bed space free from air.
Implementation Method 1
The bed of particulate media is formed under gravity, washing with a mobile phase
Implementation Method 2
a bed support; a layer of mesh, screen, filter, sinter or other fluid-permeable media-retaining material which permits process liquid flow into and out of the chromatography bed space
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a chromatography column (100; 100') comprising a tubular side wall (110) having an inner wall (112), an adaptor assembly (120) and a base assembly (125). An enclosed bed space (130) is defined between said adaptor assembly (120), said base assembly (125) and said inner wall (112) of said tubular side wall (110). The adaptor assembly (120) is axially movable inside said tubular side wall (110) in relation to said base assembly (125). The inner wall (112) comprises at least one groove (180; 180'; 180''; 180''') which is positioned in a lower half of the tubular side wall (110) of the chromatography column (100), via which groove (180; 180'; 180''; 180''') air and other fluid can pass the adaptor assembly (120) when the adaptor assembly is positioned in a priming position, in which priming position said adaptor assembly intersects with at least a part of the at least one groove (180; 180'; 180''; 180''').