Flow Distributor for Chromatography Membrane Void Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chromatography devices in bind and elute mode suffer from performance reduction due to voids created by membrane shrinkage during manufacturing, leading to increased elution volume and tailing, which in turn increase costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A disposable or single-use integral chromatography unit with a flow distributor and/or void reduction element between filter plates on the upstream side of the membrane bed, which minimizes dead space and ensures efficient fluid distribution, reducing elution volume and tailing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If thermoplastic devices are manufactured using over-molding with window frame, then manufacturing is simplified and structural integrity is improved, but membrane shrinkage creates voids that reduce device performance in bind and elute mode
Solution Approach 1:
A flow distributor is installed between the membrane and the window frame before the membrane shrinks during cooling. This preliminary placement ensures that the flow distributor occupies the space that would otherwise be voided by shrinkage, preventing membrane warping while maintaining the simplified over-molding manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distributor acts as an intermediary element between the membrane and the window frame structure. It compensates for the membrane shrinkage effect by providing structural support and maintaining uniform spacing, thereby preventing void formation without requiring changes to the manufacturing process itself
2Device complexity
If membrane voids are present in bind and elute devices, then device structure is simpler, but elution volume increases and tailing occurs reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributor is positioned to specifically target and eliminate the void space between the membrane and window frame. By extracting or removing this harmful void volume from the system, the device maintains structural simplicity while achieving improved elution performance through reduced dead volume
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distributor is strategically placed only in the specific region where voids form (between membrane and window frame), providing localized correction without requiring global structural changes. This maintains overall device simplicity while improving local flow distribution and eliminating tailing effects
3Quantity of substance
If dead space is minimized in chromatography device, then elution volume decreases improving efficiency, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributor is pre-positioned in the optimal location before final assembly and curing. This preliminary placement ensures minimum dead space without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments or additional structural components, achieving reduced elution volume with minimal increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A filter plate device has an inlet and an outlet where the filter plate has a polymeric framework having a filtration zone and a membrane bed of one or more membranes bonded and sealed to the polymeric framework in said filtration zone with a thermosetting plastic, where a flow distributor is placed within the membrane bed such that fluid flows evenly through the membrane bed.