Chromatography column having flexible substrate

Abstract

A device adapted to hold and compress a granular medium is disclosed. The device includes a body having an opening. A channel is positioned in fluid communication with the opening. A flexible substrate is attached to the body overlying the channel. The substrate and the channel cooperate to form a conduit in fluid communication with the opening. A compression member is mounted on the body. The compression member is engageable with the substrate. Engagement of the substrate by the compression member compresses the granular medium within the conduit. A plug blocks the opening and retains the granular medium within the conduit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a column embodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the column embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a column according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a column;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a column according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a column according to the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a component of the column shown in FIG. 9.

Claims

1. A device adapted to hold and compress a granular medium, said device comprising: a body having an opening therein;a channel positioned within said body in fluid communication with said opening;a flexible substrate attached to said body overlying said channel, said substrate cooperating with said channel to form a fluid tight conduit in fluid communication with said opening, said conduit being adapted to hold said granular medium;a compression member mounted on said body, said compression member being engageable with said substrate, engagement of said compression member with said substrate compressing said granular medium within said conduit; anda plug blocking said opening for retaining said granular medium within said conduit.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second opening in fluid communication with said conduit; anda second plug blocking said second opening, said plugs being porous and retaining said granular medium within said conduit while allowing fluid to pass through said body.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said body comprises an elongated cylinder having said openings positioned at opposite ends.

4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising first and second fittings mounted at opposite ends of said body, said fittings being adapted for connecting said column to capillary tubes of a chromatograph.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said compression member is pivotably movable on said body toward and away from said substrate.

6. A device according to claim 5, further comprising an actuator engaging said body and said compression member, said actuator moving said compression member into and out of engagement with said substrate.

7. A column for liquid chromatography adapted to hold a packing medium, said column comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet;a channel positioned within said body and providing fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet;a flexible substrate attached to said body overlying said channel, said substrate cooperating with said channel to form a fluid tight conduit between said inlet and said outlet, said conduit being adapted to hold said packing medium;a compression member mounted on said body, said compression member being adjustably engageable with said substrate, engagement of said compression member with said substrate compressing said packing medium within said conduit; anda first porous plug blocking said inlet and a second porous plug blocking said outlet for retaining said packing medium within said conduit while allowing fluid to pass therethrough.

8. A column according to claim 7, further comprising first and second fittings mounted at opposite ends of said body, said fittings being adapted for connecting said column to capillary tubes of a chromatograph.

9. A column according to claim 7, wherein said compression member is pivotably movable on said body toward and away from said substrate.

10. A column according to claim 9, further comprising an actuator engaging said body and said compression member, said actuator moving said compression member into and out of engagement with said substrate.

11. A column for liquid chromatography adapted to hold a packing medium, said column comprising: a first body portion having a surface;a channel positioned in said surface and extending lengthwise along said body;a flexible substrate positioned on said surface and overlying said channel, said substrate and said channel cooperating to form a conduit through said body, said conduit being adapted to hold said packing medium;a second body portion attached to said first body portion overlying said substrate, said second body portion effecting a fluid tight seal between said substrate and said second body portion;an opening extending through said second body portion, said opening being aligned with said channel; anda finger positioned within said opening and movable toward and away from said substrate, engagement of said finger with said substrate compressing said packing medium within said conduit.

12. A column according to claim 11, wherein said first and second body portions form an elongated tube.

13. A column according to claim 11, wherein said opening comprises a slot.

14. A column according to claim 13, wherein said finger is pivotably mounted within said slot.

15. A column according to claim 14, further comprising an adjustment screw engaging said finger and said second body portion, tightening of said screw pivoting said finger into engagement with said substrate and compressing said packing medium.

16. A column according to claim 11, further comprising first and second fittings mounted at opposite ends of said body, said fittings being adapted for connecting said column to capillary tubes of a chromatograph.

17. A column according to claim 16, further comprising first and second porous plugs respectively positioned at opposite ends of said conduit, said plugs retaining said packing medium within said conduit while allowing fluid to pass therethrough.

18. A column for a chromatograph, said column comprising: a body having a channel positioned therein;a flexible substrate attached to said body, a portion of said flexible substrate overlying said channel, said channel and said substrate portion forming a conduit;first and second fittings mounted on one of said body and said substrate in spaced relation to each other, said fittings being in fluid communication with said conduit and adapted for connecting said conduit to said chromatograph; anda compression member overlying said flexible substrate, said compression member having a projection aligned with said channel, said compression member being adjustably movable toward and away from said flexible substrate, said projection compressing said substrate portion lengthwise along said channel thereby deflecting said substrate portion and reducing the volume of said conduit.

19. A column according to claim 18, wherein said compression member comprises a plate attached to said body by a plurality of threaded fasteners, tightening of said fasteners moving said plate toward said flexible substrate thereby engaging said projection with said substrate portion and compressing said substrate portion lengthwise along said channel.

20. A column according to claim 18, wherein said substrate portion has a curved cross section.

21. A column according to claim 20, wherein said substrate portion and said channel are each semi-circular and have identical radii of curvature, said channel and said substrate portion being arranged to define a substantially circular cross section for said conduit.

22. A column according to claim 20, wherein said projection has a contact surface with a curvature adapted to receive and support said substrate portion.

23. A column according to claim 18, further comprising: a second channel positioned in said body; a second portion of said substrate overlying said second channel, said second channel and said second substrate portion forming a second conduit;third and fourth fittings mounted on one of said body and said substrate in spaced relation to each other, said third and fourth fittings being in fluid communication with said second conduit and adapted for connecting said second conduit to said chromatograph; and a second projection on said compression member aligned with said second channel.

24. A column according to claim 18, wherein said channel follows a non-straight path.

25. A column according to claim 18, further comprising: a granular packing medium positioned within said conduit; andfirst and second porous plugs positioned respectively within said first and second fittings, said porous plugs permitting flow of liquid through said conduit but retaining said granular packing medium within said conduit.

26. A column for a chromatograph, said column comprising: first and second flexible substrates attached to one another in facing relation, each said substrate having a channel therein, said channels being lengthwise aligned with one another in facing relation and defining a conduit;a pair of support surfaces positioned at opposite ends of said first and second substrates, said support surfaces being oriented transversely to said substrates;first and second fittings mounted on said support surfaces at opposite ends of said first and second substrates, said fittings being in fluid communication with said conduit and adapted for connecting said conduit to said chromatograph; andfirst and second compression members positioned overlying said first and second substrates, at least one of said compression members having a projection aligned with said conduit, said compression members being adjustably movable toward and away from one another, said projection being engageable with and compressing one of said substrates lengthwise along said conduit thereby deflecting said one substrate and reducing the volume of said conduit.

27. A column according to claim 26, wherein said compression members comprise first and second plates attached to one another in facing relation by a plurality of threaded fasteners, said first and second substrates being positioned between said first and second plates, tightening of said fasteners moving said plates toward one another thereby engaging said projection with one of said substrates and compressing said one substrate lengthwise along said conduit.

28. A column according to claim 26, wherein said conduit follows a non-straight path.

29. A column according to claim 26, wherein said channels are formed by etching said substrates.

30. A column according to claim 26, wherein said substrates are fusion welded to one another.

31. A column according to claim 26, further comprising: a granular packing medium positioned within said conduit; andfirst and second porous plugs positioned respectively within said first and second fittings, said porous plugs permitting flow of liquid through said conduit but retaining said granular packing medium within said conduit.