Multiple segment chromatography assembly for packing a chromatography column

Abstract

A slurry chamber is fastened to and held in coaxial alignment with a chromatography column by a V-band. One end of the column has an end cap and fit. A slurry of fluid and chromatographic media is placed in the column and chamber. A piston is forced through the chamber and into the column by a hydraulic ram to expel the fluid and form a media bed in the column. The slurry chamber is removed, and a split end cap is fastened to the column. A threaded recess in the split end cap receives a split, threaded collet. The collet is tightened until it pushes against the piston with the same force as the ram, at which point the ram is released and the column removed for use.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
   
   
       32 . A multiple segment chromatography assembly for preparing a chromatography column, the assembly comprising:
 a slurry chamber having first and second open ends, the chamber having walls defining an inner cylinder of diameter D;   a chromatography column having first and second opposing ends and an end cap over the second end, the second end of the slurry chamber being removably attachable to the first end of the column, the column having walls defining an inner cylinder of diameter D;   an annular seal placed between the column and the chamber for providing a fluidic seal therebetween;   a V-band clamp encircling the seal and cooperating with at least one of recesses or protrusions in the exterior of the chamber and column to hold the chamber and column in coaxial alignment;   a piston traversable through the slurry chamber and into the column to provide axial compression during packing of the column.   
   
   
       33 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising a chamfer on an interior edge of the first end of the column. 
   
   
       34 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising a chamfer on an interior edge of the first end of the slurry chamber. 
   
   
       35 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising a slurry of fluid and chromatographic media in the chamber and column. 
   
   
       36 . The assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the piston is in one of the chamber or column, the piston having at least one seal interposed between the piston and the cylindrical wall of the chamber or column in which the piston is located. 
   
   
       37 . The assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the piston is in the column, the piston having a frit with a first diameter about diameter D and having a second, smaller diameter. 
   
   
       38 . The assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the piston has traversed the slurry chamber and has passed into the column to apply a packing pressure to chromatographic media in the column, with the V-band clamp being released while the piston maintains the packing pressure on the media. 
   
   
       39 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising a ram applying a force on the piston sufficient to push the piston and a chromatographic slurry through the slurry chamber and into the column and to maintain a positive packing pressure on the media in the column when the slurry chamber is removed. 
   
   
       40 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising chromatographic media in the slurry chamber and column; and
 and a force applying mechanism configured to apply a force on the piston sufficient to push the piston and chromatographic media through the slurry chamber and into the column and to maintain a packing pressure on the media in the column.   
   
   
       41 . The assembly of  claim 40 , further comprising a clamshell mechanism configured to fasten the piston to the column when the piston is inside the column and exerting a packing pressure on the media in the column. 
   
   
       42 . A multiple segment chromatography assembly for preparing a chromatography column, the assembly comprising:
 a slurry chamber having first and second open ends, the chamber having walls defining an inner cylinder of diameter D;   a chromatography column having first and second opposing ends and an end cap over the second end, the second end of the slurry chamber being removably attachable to the first end of the column, the column having walls defining an inner cylinder of diameter D, the slurry chamber being a separate part from and separable from the chromatography column;   annular seal means between the column and the chamber for providing a fluidic seal therebetween;   piston means passing through the slurry chamber and at least partially into the column for compressing a slurry bed in the column during use of the assembly;   releasable clamp means for holding the chamber and column in coaxial alignment during packing of the column as at least a portion of the piston moves into the column during packing and for releasing the slurry chamber for removal from the column.   
   
   
       43 . The assembly of  claim 42 , further comprising means for locking the piston to the column to maintain the piston position during and after removal of the slurry chamber. 
   
   
       44 . The assembly of  claim 43 , further comprising means for adjusting the position of the piston to adjust the force on the chromatography media in the column during use of the assembly. 
   
   
       45 . The assembly of  claim 42 , further comprising chromatographic media in the column which has passed through the slurry chamber and into the column; and
 means for maintaining the position of the piston in the column without substantially releasing the pressure exerted by the piston on the media in the column during and after removal of the slurry chamber.