Releasable Chromatography Coupling for Sanitary High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chromatography systems face challenges with reconnectable fluid couplings that are difficult to sanitize, require tools for connection/disconnection, and have dead-ends that harbor contaminants, especially under high pressure conditions, limiting their ease of use and cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A releasable fluid coupling system using a collet and locking collar design that allows for quick connection and disconnection without twisting or screwing, featuring a smooth, easy-to-clean design with no dead-ends, suitable for high-pressure applications and compatible with a wide range of chromatography systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If typical plumbing fittings with multiple components (metal springs and O-rings) are used, then fluid sealing is achieved, but dead-ends and O-ring grooves harbour contaminants and are difficult to sanitise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes traditional sealing components (O-rings, metal springs) that create dead-ends and grooves. Instead, it uses a simple tapered bore design where the tubing is compressed directly against the tapered surface, eliminating the grooves and dead-ends that harbour contaminants while maintaining fluid sealing through the compression mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling is divided into distinct functional zones: a tapered bore for sealing, a compression zone for securing the tubing, and a smooth external surface for easy cleaning. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while preventing contaminant accumulation in any single area.
2Ease of operation
If reconnectable fluid couplings are used for flexible tubing, then ease of connection is improved, but hygiene and repeated sealing under high pressure are questionable
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling employs a dynamic compression mechanism where the tubing is elastically deformed as it is pushed onto the tapered bore. This dynamic action creates a tight seal that can withstand high pressures (up to 20 Bar or above) while allowing for easy insertion and removal of the tubing without tools.
3Reliability
If conventional couplings requiring screwing or twisting are used, then secure connection is achieved, but speed and ease of connection/disconnection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered bore is pre-configured to guide and automatically align the tubing during insertion. As the tubing is pushed onto the taper, the geometry itself performs the alignment and sealing actions that would otherwise require manual screwing or twisting, achieving secure connection in a single quick motion without tools.
4Strength
If metal parts are used in couplings, then strength and durability are improved, but gamma irradiation sanitisation becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling uses a composite construction combining a rigid body (providing structural strength) with a compliant sealing surface (the tapered bore that deforms elastically to seal the tubing). This allows the use of gamma-radiation-resistant materials while maintaining both strength and sanitisation compatibility, as the entire coupling can be sterilized without compromising material integrity.
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
The system provides a sanitary, easy-to-use, and efficient fluid coupling solution that maintains a fluid-tight seal at high pressures (up to 30 Bar), facilitating quick reconfiguration and cleaning, reducing contamination risks, and enhancing operational flexibility in both GMP and non-GMP environments.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deflectable portion arranged to compress the tubing onto the spigot
Implementation Method 2
maintains a fluid-tight seal at high pressures (up to 30 Bar)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed are chromatography systems employing a releasable coupling (100) for holding a fluid tubing to a spigot, the coupling comprising: a cylindrical inner component (110) for accepting a fluid tubing (30), said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion (118) arranged to urge an outer surface of the tubing toward a spigot; and a cylindrical collar (130) having and internal through-aperture (132) for slideably accepting the inner component, the aperture and resilient portion having complementary surface formations which in a first position of the collar mounted to the inner component provide for said resilient deflection in use, and which in a second different position do not cause said deflection, the coupling being characterized in that the collar comprises a collar flange (134) extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar between the first and second positions. Chromatography systems employing said couplings is disclosed also.