Syringe Chromatography Columns With Direct-Contact Piston Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipette tip and syringe packed bed columns suffer from low pumping pressures, leading to slow liquid flow rates and difficulty in manual operation, especially for biomolecule purification, requiring computer control for effective use.
Innovation Solution
A syringe column design with a water-solvated chromatography bed and a piston pump that directly contacts the media bed without an air gap, allowing for higher pumping pressures and manual or automated operation, using a piston that is modified to match the frit structure and includes physical barriers to prevent crushing the media bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If air pressure or vacuum is applied above the column bed in pipette tip columns, then liquid flow is achieved through the packed bed, but the pumping pressure remains low (less than 1-2 psi) and flow rates are slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic pressure through a piston mechanism directly contacting the liquid phase above the column bed, replacing the traditional air displacement method. This allows transmission of higher pressures (greater than 1-2 psi) to the liquid, thereby increasing flow rates through the packed bed while maintaining controlled pneumatic actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid intermediary phase between the piston and the packed bed, eliminating the air gap present in traditional systems. This liquid mediator transmits pressure more effectively from the piston to the bed, enabling higher pumping pressures and improved flow rates without direct mechanical contact
2Ease of operation
If pipette tip columns are used for manual operation with biomolecules, then portability and simplicity are improved, but flow rates are too slow and control becomes difficult or impossible without computer control
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic pressure applied through a piston to drive liquid flow at rates suitable for manual operation. By controlling the piston movement, operators can achieve flow rates fast enough for practical manual use while maintaining the portability and simplicity of a handheld device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from the low pressure range (less than 1-2 psi) of traditional air displacement systems to a higher pressure range achievable with piston actuation. This parameter change enables flow rates that are practical for manual operation while preserving the ease of use associated with simple column devices
3Productivity
If higher pumping pressures are applied to syringe columns, then flow rates improve, but the column backpressure and vacuum magnitude at the outlet limit the achievable flow
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a liquid intermediary phase between the piston and packed bed, the system can transmit pressure more efficiently throughout the column. This eliminates the air gap that limits pressure transmission, allowing higher pressures to be applied to overcome backpressure and achieve higher flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes the air gap from the system between the piston and column bed. By eliminating this compressible air phase, the system achieves direct pressure transmission from the piston to the liquid and bed, overcoming the limitations imposed by air compression and enabling higher effective pumping pressures
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
Enables efficient and reliable manual or automated operation with higher pressure pumping, preventing damage to biomolecules and ensuring consistent liquid flow, suitable for biomolecule purification and manipulation without the need for complex automation.
Implementation Method 1
Reversing the piston and applying air pressure to the liquid above the column pushes the liquid through the pipette tip column bed and out the distal end
Implementation Method 2
Vacuum above the column bed within the pipette tip column draws liquid into and through the column bringing liquid above the bed
Implementation Method 3
The capture groups or the functional groups of the media or at least a part of the substrate where the biomolecules contact can be solvated or hydrated. This hydration may be necessary to prevent biomolecules, especially proteins and biomolecules containing proteins, from being damaged during the capture and purification process
Data Source
AI summary
A water solvated chromatography bed is packed into the distal end of a syringe barrel. The syringe pumping piston is modified to be flat to match the top frit structure (that is also flat). The piston pump is pushed into the syringe barrel until the piston is directly above the column top frit. The pumping piston is moved forth quickly to dislodge entrained air in the bed. The piston pump moves directly above the resin bed with no air gap above the bed.