Chromatography System and Couplings Therefor

Abstract

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.

1 . A chromatography system comprising plural fluid handling components fluidically interconnectable by fluid tubing to form a bioprocess fluid flow path, said fluid handling components comprising one or more fluid ports with a spigot extending from a component face and for receiving a respective end of the fluid tubing such that the fluid tubing end sealingly embraces the spigot and for receiving a releasable locking clamp for applying a radial locking force on an outer surface of the tubing end for locking the end of the fluid tubing on the spigot, wherein the interconnection withstands at least 10 bar. 
     
     
         2 . The chromatography system of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection withstands at least 15, 20, 25 or 30 bar. 
     
     
         3 . The chromatography system of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable locking clamp comprises: a cylindrical inner component for accepting fluid tubing, said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion arranged to urge an outer surface of the fluid tubing toward a respective spigot; and
 a cylindrical collar element having and internal through-aperture for slideably accepting the inner component, the aperture and resilient portion having complementary surface formations which in a first position of the collar element 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 element includes at least one projection such as a collar flange or collar wings extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar element between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         4 . The chromatography system of  claim 3 , wherein the inner component further includes a stop portion co-operable with the collar element to prevent or inhibit the sliding of the collar element off the inner component in at least one direction. 
     
     
         5 . The chromatography system of  claim 4 , wherein said collar is slideable on the inner component from said first position where said deflection is provided, to the second position where said collar element abuts the stop portion. 
     
     
         6 . The chromatography system of  claim 4 , wherein the collar flange/wings is/are formed at one end of the collar element, wherein the stop portion is formed at one end of the inner component, wherein the collar flange and stop portion can be brought into proximity by manual manipulation to the second position, and wherein the collar element can be further slid by manual manipulation to the first position whereat the collar flange is spaced from the stop portion. 
     
     
         7 . The chromatography system of  claim 3 , wherein the collar flange and an outer surface of the collar element on which the flange is formed has a continuously curved profile with no sudden changes in direction. 
     
     
         8 . The chromatography system of any of  claim 3 , wherein the resiliently deflectable portion of the inner component includes plural circumferentially arranged fingers which are deflectable inwardly in use. 
     
     
         9 . The chromatography system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid tubing has an outside diameter of around 3 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The chromatography system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid tubing has a resting size of an inner diameter that is less than ±10% of an outer diameter of the spigot. 
     
     
         11 . The chromatography system of  claim 1 , wherein the spigot comprises a sealing ridge. 
     
     
         12 . The chromatography system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid tubing has an inner diameter of 3.2 mm and an outer diameter of 4.8 mm, and the spigot has a base diameter of 3.25 mm and the sealing ridge a diameter of 3.45 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The chromatography system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid tubing is formed of a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         14 . The chromatography system of  claim 13 , wherein the substantially rigid material comprises Fluorinated EtenPropen (FEP) plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The chromatography system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said fluid handling components comprise respective spigots, said fluid tubing comprising releasable locking clamps respectively provided at each end thereof for attaching the fluid tubing to the spigots so as to fluidically interconnect the fluid handling components. 
     
     
         16 . A chromatography column comprising at least one spigot for connecting said chromatography column to a respective releasable coupling in a chromatography system. 
     
     
         17 . The chromatography column of  claim 16 , wherein the releasable coupling, comprises: a cylindrical inner component for accepting a fluid tube, said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion arranged to urge an outer surface of the tube toward a respective spigot; and
 a cylindrical collar element having and internal through-aperture for slideably accepting the inner component, the aperture and resilient portion having complementary surface formations which in a first position of the collar element 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 element includes at least one projection such as a collar flange or collar wings extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar element between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         18 . The chromatography column of  claim 17 , wherein the inner component further includes a stop portion co-operable with the collar element to prevent or inhibit the sliding of the collar element off the inner component in at least one direction. 
     
     
         19 . The chromatography column of  claim 18 , wherein said collar is slideable on the inner component from said first position where said deflection is provided, to the second position where said collar element abuts the stop portion. 
     
     
         20 . The chromatography column of  claim 18 , wherein the collar flange/wings is/are formed at one end of the collar element, wherein the stop portion is formed at one end of the inner component, wherein the collar flange and stop portion can be brought into proximity by manual manipulation to the second position, and wherein the collar element can be further slid by manual manipulation to the first position whereat the collar flange is spaced from the stop portion. 
     
     
         21 . The chromatography column of  claim 17 , wherein the collar flange and an outer surface of the collar element on which the flange is formed has a continuously curved profile with no sudden changes in direction. 
     
     
         22 . The chromatography column of any of  claim 17 , wherein the resiliently deflectable portion of the inner component includes plural circumferentially arranged fingers which are deflectable inwardly in use. 
     
     
         23 . The chromatography column of  claim 16 , wherein the spigot comprises a sealing ridge. 
     
     
         24 . The chromatography column of  claim 16 , wherein the spigot has a base diameter of 3.25 mm and/or the sealing ridge has a diameter of 3.45 mm. 
     
     
         25 . A releasable coupling for holding a fluid tube to a male part in a chromatography system, the coupling comprising:
 a cylindrical inner component for accepting a fluid tube, said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion arranged to urge an outer surface of the tube toward a male part; and   a cylindrical collar element having and internal through-aperture 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 includes at least one projection such as a collar flange or collar wings extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         26 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the inner component further includes a stop portion co-operable with the collar to prevent or inhibit the sliding of the collar off the inner component in at least one direction. 
     
     
         27 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said collar is slideable on the inner component from said first position where said deflection is provided, to the second position where said collar abuts the stop portion. 
     
     
         28 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the collar flange/wings is/are formed at one end of the collar, wherein the stop portion is formed at one end of the inner component, wherein the collar flange and stop portion can be brought into proximity by manual manipulation to the second position, and wherein the collar can be further slid by manual manipulation to the first position whereat the collar flange is spaced from the stop portion. 
     
     
         29 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the collar flange and an outer surface of the collar on which the flange is formed has a continuously curved profile with no sudden changes in direction. 
     
     
         30 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the resiliently deflectable portion of the inner component includes plural circumferentially arranged fingers which are deflectable inwardly toward the tube in use. 
     
     
         31 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the fingers extend from a mid portion of the cylindrical inner component to a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the fingers flare outwardly toward the distal end. 
     
     
         33 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 25 , formed from two plastics material mouldings. 
     
     
         34 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical inner component and the cylindrical collar element are formed from transparent plastics. 
     
     
         35 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein a distal end of the cylindrical collar element comprises a pair of bayonet type openings for accepting complementary locking pins. 
     
     
         36 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the cylindrical collar element comprises detents which act as tapering portions of fingers as the cylindrical collar element is twisted relative to the fingers, said tapering portions each respectively act as a cam such that they are forced inwardly with respect to the cylindrical collar element by respective detents therein as the cylindrical collar element is twisted. 
     
     
         37 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the fingers comprise respective complementary recesses for the resting of respective detents therein. 
     
     
         38 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the cylindrical collar element is part of a locking plate which has plural through-apertures. 
     
     
         39 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the cylindrical collar element is mounted to the locking plate by means of a flexible mount. 
     
     
         40 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the flexible mount is a spherically formed mount which allows the cylindrical collar element to rotate about a centre point of the mount. 
     
     
         41 . A releasable coupling assembly for holding a fluid tube to a male part, the coupling comprising:
 a flexible fluid tube;   a male part insertable within the fluid tube;   a cylindrical inner component for fitment over the fluid tube, said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion arranged to urge an outer surface of the tube onto the male part; and   a cylindrical collar element having and internal through aperture for slideable mounting of the collar on the inner component,   wherein the aperture and resilient portion have complementary surface formations, which in a first position of the collar mounted on the inner component provide for said resilient deflection in use, whereby, when the inner part is fitted over the tube, the tube is urged onto the male part by said resiliently deflectable portion, and which in a second position do not cause said deflection whereby the tube is not so urged, or is less urged onto the male part,   the coupling being characterized in that the collar includes a collar flange extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         42 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the resiliently deflectable portion comprises plural resiliently deflectable and circumferentially arranged fingers. 
     
     
         43 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the fingers extend from a mid portion of the cylindrical inner component to a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         44 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the fingers flare outwardly toward the distal end. 
     
     
         45 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 41 , formed from two plastics material mouldings. 
     
     
         46 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the cylindrical inner component and the cylindrical collar element are formed from transparent plastics. 
     
     
         47 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein a distal end of the cylindrical collar element comprises a pair of bayonet type openings for accepting complementary locking pins. 
     
     
         48 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the cylindrical collar element comprises detents which act as tapering portions of fingers as the cylindrical collar element is twisted relative to the fingers, said tapering portions each respectively act as a cam such that they are forced inwardly with respect to the cylindrical collar element by respective detents therein as the cylindrical collar element is twisted. 
     
     
         49 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the fingers comprise respective complementary recesses for the resting of respective detents therein. 
     
     
         50 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the cylindrical collar element is part of a locking plate which has plural through-apertures. 
     
     
         51 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the cylindrical collar element is mounted to the locking plate by means of a flexible mount. 
     
     
         52 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the flexible mount is a spherically formed mount which allows the cylindrical collar element to rotate about a centre point of the mount. 
     
     
         53 . A reconfigurable liquid interconnection for connecting to at least one modular component in a chromatography apparatus, said reconfigurable liquid interconnection comprising a coupling according to  claim 41 . 
     
     
         54 . The reconfigurable liquid interconnection of  claim 53 , wherein said modular components comprise one or more of: a control panel, a pH monitor, an outlet valve, a conductivity monitor, a pre-column conductivity monitor, a column valve unit comprising pre- and post-column pressure sensors, a bottle, an inlet valve, a system pump, a flow restrictor comprising a system pressure monitor, a mixer modular component, a mixer valve, an air trap valve comprising an air sensor, an air trap, a holder for an in-line filter, and/or a UV monitor. 
     
     
         55 . The reconfigurable liquid interconnection of  claim 53 , further comprising at least one tube formed of a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         56 . The reconfigurable liquid interconnection of  claim 55 , wherein the substantially rigid material comprises Fluorinated EtenPropen (FEP) plastic. 
     
     
         57 . A converter for connecting an end of a first fluid tubing to an end of a second fluid tubing is disclosed, wherein the converter comprises a spigot for receiving the end of the first fluid tubing, wherein the end of the first fluid tubing is sealable around the spigot by way of a releasable coupling provided external to the end of the first fluid tubing, said releasable coupling having a releasable clamping action actuatable by sliding motion of a collar element thereof along the end of the first fluid tubing. 
     
     
         58 . The converter of  claim 57 , wherein the releasable coupling assembly comprises:
 a male part insertable within the first fluid tubing;   a cylindrical inner component for fitment over the end of the first fluid tubing, said cylindrical inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion arranged to urge an outer surface of the end of the first fluid tubing onto the male part;   said collar element having and internal through aperture for slideable mounting of the collar element on the cylindrical inner component,   wherein the aperture and resilient portion have complementary surface formations, which in a first position of the collar element mounted on the cylindrical inner component provide for said resilient deflection in use, whereby, when the cylindrical inner component is fitted over the fluid tubing, the fluid tubing is urged onto the male part by said resiliently deflectable portion, and which in a second position do not cause said deflection whereby the fluid tubing is not so urged, or is less urged onto the male part,   the collar element further including a collar flange extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar element between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         59 . The converter as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the resiliently deflectable portion comprises plural resiliently deflectable and circumferentially arranged fingers. 
     
     
         60 . The converter as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein the fingers extend from a mid-portion of the cylindrical inner component to a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         61 . The converter as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the fingers flare outwardly toward the distal end. 
     
     
         62 . The converter as claimed in  claim 58 , formed from two plastics material mouldings. 
     
     
         63 . The converter as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein the cylindrical inner component and the collar element are formed from transparent plastics. 
     
     
         64 . The converter as claimed in  claim 57 , further comprising a body and a flange, or a body and a portion with a threaded hole, configured to be connected to the end of the second fluid tubing. 
     
     
         65 . The converter as claimed in  claim 57 , made from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         66 . The converter as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the spigot is made from a first material, and the body and the flange, or the body and the portion with the threaded hole, are made from a second material. 
     
     
         67 . The converter as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein the single piece of material is plastic or metal, or wherein the first material is metal and the second material is plastic. 
     
     
         68 . The converter as claimed in  claim 57 , having a body, a flange and a through-hole, wherein the spigot is integrated with the body. 
     
     
         69 . The converter as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein the flange is adapted to be used in a Tri Clamp (TC) coupling. 
     
     
         70 . The converter as claimed in  claim 57 , having a body, a threaded portion and a through-hole and wherein the spigot is integrated with the body. 
     
     
         71 . The converter as claimed in  claim 70 , said threaded portion being adapted to be introduced in a threaded hole of a modular component using the body as a grip portion.