Chromatography column

• US 4,743,373 A
• Filed: 09/04/1986
• Issued: 05/10/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cuno Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Cuno Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Webster, Timothy, Chu, Chaokang, Southall, Kenneth, Leeke, Gordon, Rai, Vish, Dailey, Nils
• Primary Examiner(s): Therkorn, Ernest G.
• Application Number:
  US06/903,914
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 210/635, 210/656, 210/657, 210/198.2, 210/502.1, 210/497.1, 210/494.3, 55/67, 55/197, 55/386, 162/181.6, 436/161, 436/162, 422/70
• US Class Current: 210/198.3
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/22 relating to the construction of the column
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/247 Fraction collectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6069 with compartments or bed substructure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6091 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/28 Oils , i.e. hydrocarbon liquids edible oils or edible fats G01N33/03

Abstract

A chromatography column for effecting chromatographic separation of at least two components of a sample flowing through the column. The column comprises a housing and at least one solid stationary phase within the housing. The stationary phase has chromatographic functionality and is effective for chromatographic separation. Means are provided for distributing the sample through the stationary phase and for collecting the sample after the sample has flowed through the stationary phase. The stationary phase comprises:

(a) a plurality of layers of swellable fibrous matrix in sheet form having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation; and

(b) a spacer means between each layer for permitting controlled swelling thereof and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing through the stationary phase.

Claims

1. A chromatography column for effecting chromatographic separation of at least two components of a sample flowing therethrough comprising:

(1) a housing, said housing comprising;

(a) an inlet housing member, and

(b) an outlet housing member,

said inlet housing member and said outlet housing member defining a radially, outwardly expanding stationary phase chamber; and

(2) a stationary phase within said radially, outwardly expanding chamber, said stationary phase comprising;

(a) a plurality of layers of a swellable fibrous matrix in sheet form having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation, and

(b) a spacer means between each layer of said swellable fibrous matrix having open areas and separating said layers for controlling swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing through the stationary phase,

wherein said stationary phase chambers and said stationary phase coact to provide substantially uniform radial distribution of sample across said stationary phase.

2. The column of claim 1 wherein said sample distribution means comprises radial distribution grooves and concentric distribution channels, said grooves and channels being in communication with each other, and said sample collection means comprises radial collection grooves and concentric collection channels, said radial collection grooves and concentric collection channels in communication with each other.

3. The column of claim 1 wherein

said inlet housing member comprises a sample inlet means and a sample distribution means, said sample inlet means in communication with said sample distribution means, and

said outlet housing means comprises a sample collection means and a sample outlet means, said sample collection means in communication with said sample outlet means.

4. The column of claim 3 wherein said sample distribution means comprises radial distribution grooves and concentric distribution channels, said grooves and channels being in communication with each other and the other, and said sample collection means comprises radial collection grooves and concentric collection channels, said radial collection grooves and concentric collection channels in communication with each other.

5. The column of claim 2, or 4 wherein the volume of said concentric distribution channels and/or said concentric collection channels increases from the interior to the periphery of said column.

6. The column of claims 2 or 4 wherein the volume of said radial distribution groves and/or said radial collection grooves increases from the interior to the periphery of said column.

7. The column of claims 1 or 3 wherein said inlet housing member further comprises a venting means.

8. The column of claims 1 or 3 wherein said swellable fibrous matrix is hydrophilic swellable.

9. The column of claims 1 or 3 wherein said swellable fibrous matrix swells to at least about 25% of its thickness.

10. The column of claims 1 or 3 wherein said spacer means comprises:

(a) a scrim layer for channeling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample;

or

(b) a mesh layer to provide a spacing between the layers to permit controlled expansion thereof and assist in distributing the sample;

or

(c) (a) in combination with (b).

11. The column of claim 1, wherein said spacer means comprises a mesh layer to provide spacing between said layers to permit controlled expansion thereof and assist in distribution of the sample.

12. The column of claim 11 wherein the peripheral edges of said stationary phase are heated to form a fluid tight, hermetic seal.

13. The column of claim 12 wherein said stationary phase comprises thermoplastic polymer to facilitate formation of said seal.

14. The column of claim 12 wherein said peripheral edges are sonically welded to form said seal.

29. The column of claim 1 or 23, wherein said stationary phase is an ion exchange stationary phase.

30. The column of claim 1 or 23 wherein the stationary phase is an affinity stationary phase.

15. A solid stationary phase having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation of at least two components of a sample flowing therethrough wherein the stationary phase comprises:

(a) a plurality of layers of sheets of a swellable fibrous matrix having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation, and

(b) a spacer means between each layer of said swellable fibrous matrix having open areas and separating the layers for controlling swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing through the stationary phase by substantially evenly dispersing the sample across the matrix,

(c) wherein the peripheral edges of said plurality of layers of sheets of swellable fibrous matrix and said spacer means are formed into a fluid tight hermetic seal.

16. The stationay phase of claim 15 wherein the swellable matrix swells at least about 25% of its thickness.

17. The stationary phase of claim 15 wherein the swellable matrix is hydrophilic swellable.

18. The stationary phase of claim 15 wherein said spacer means comprises:

(a) a scrim layer for channeling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample;

or

(b) a mesh layer to provide a spacing between the layers to permit controlled expansion thereof and assist in distributing the sample;

or

(c) (a) in combination with (b).

19. The stationary phase of claim 18 wherein the spacer means comprises said mesh layer (b).

20. The stationary phase of claim 15 wherein the peripheral edges of said plurality of layers of sheets of a swellable fibrous matrix and said spacer means are formed into a fluid-tight hermetic seal.

21. The stationary phase of claim 15, wherein the stationary phase is an ion exchange phase.

22. The stationary phase of claim 15, wherein the stationary phase is an affinity stationary phase.

23. A chromatography column for effecting chromatographic separation of at least two components of a sample flowing therethrough comprising:

a cylindrical housing;

at least one cylindrical solid stationary phase in said housing and coaxial with said housing, said phase having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation, said stationary phase having an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, said housing having a larger diameter than said stationary phase to form a first channel means adjacent said stationary phase outer surface for axially and circumferentially directing sample flow to or from said outer surface;

said stationary phase inner surface surrounding a cylindrical core, said core including a second channel means adjacent said stationary phase inner surface for axially and circumferentially directing sample flow to or from said inner surface, each of said channel means in fluid communication with said respective stationary phase surface;

a means for distributing the sample to one of said channel means for radially distributing the sample through the stationary phase to the other channel means;

a means for collecting the sample after the sample has flowed through the stationary phase and said other of said channel means.

24. The column of claim 23, wherein the solid stationary phase surrounds a foraminous cylindrical core.

25. The column of claim 24, wherein the foraminous cylindrical core is in fluid communication with the means for collection.

26. The column of claim 24, wherein the stationary phase is enclosed in an outer cylindrical member having apertures therein.

27. The column of claim 24, wherein the ends of the stationary phase are capped at one end by an end cap which has an opening therein which is in fluid communication with the cylindrical core and at the other end by a solid end cap.

28. The column of claim 24, wherein the column is a disposable cartridge.

31. A chromatography column for effecting chromatographic separation of at least two components of a sample flowing radially therethrough comprising:

a housing;

at least one solid stationary phase in said housing having a longitudinal axis, said phase having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation;

a means for radially distributing the sample through the stationary phase;

a means for collecting the sample after the sample has radially flowed through the stationary phase;

wherein the stationary phase comprises;

a. a swellable matrix having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation, spirally wound around the longitudinal axis of the solid phase to form a plurality of layers around the axis;

b. a spacer means between each layer of said swellable matrix having open areas and separating the layers for controlling swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing radially through the stationary phase by channeling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentialy across the matrix.

32. The column of claim 31, wherein the housing and stationary phase are cylindrical and coaxial and the housing has a diameter greater than the stationary phase.

33. The column of claim 31, wherein the swellable matrix swells at least about 35% of its thickness.

34. The column of claim 31, wherein the swellable matrix is hydrophilic swellable.

35. The column of claim 31, wherein the matrix is spirally wound around a foraminous cylindrical core.

36. The column of claim 35, wherein the foraminous cylindrical core is in fluid communication with the means for collection.

37. The column of claim 35, wherein the stationary phase is enclosed in an outer cylindrical member having apertures therein.

38. The column of claim 37, wherein the ends of the stationary phase are capped at one end by an end cap which has an opening therein which is fluid communications with the cylindrical core and at the other end by a solid end cap.

39. The column of claim 31 or 38, wherein the spacer means comprises:

a. a scrim layer for channling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix; and

b. a mesh layer to provide a spacing between the layers to permit controlled expansion thereof and assist in distributing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix.

40. The column of claim 39, wherein the scrim layer completely covers the exterior of the sold stationary phase.

41. The column of claim 31, or 38 wherein the solid stationary phase is a disposable cartridge.

42. A solid stationary phase having a longitudinal axis, said phase having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation of at least two components of a sample flowing radially therethrough, wherein the stationary phase comprises:

a. a swellable matrix having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separations, spirally wound around the longitudinal axis of the solid phase to form a plurality of layers around the axis;

b. a spacer means between each layer of said swellable matrix having open areas and separating the layers for controlling swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of the sample flowing radially through the stationary phase by channeling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentialy across the matrix.

43. The stationary phase of claim 42, wherein the swellable matrix swells at least about 25% its thickness.

44. The stationary phase of claim 42, wherein the swellable matrix is hydrophilic swellable.

45. The stationary phase of claim 42, wherein the matrix is spirally wound around a foraminous cylindrical core.

46. The stationary phase of claim 45, wherein the stationary phase is enclosed in an outer cylindrical member having apertures therein.

47. The stationary phase of claim 46, wherein the ends of the stationary phase are capped at one end by an end cap which has an opening therein which is in fluid communication with the cylindrical core and at the other end by a solid end cap.

48. The stationary phase of claim 42 or 47, wherein the spacer means comprises:

a. a scrim layer for channeling the sample flowing through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix; and

b. a mesh layer to provide a spacing between the layers to permit controlled expansion thereof and assist in distributing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix.

49. The stationary phase of claim 48, wherein the scrim layer completely covers the exterior surface of the solid stationary phase.

50. The stationary phase of claim 42 or 47 which is a disposable cartridge.