The present invention relates to axial flow chromatography columns, methods for separating one or more analytes in a liquid by the use of such columns, and systems employing such columns. The column comprises a first port and a second port, the first port and said second port being at essentially the same level or elevation above the level of the bed space on the chromatography column.

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 frit. 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.

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 frit. 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.

A chromatography column comprises a 2-axis inclinometer for determining or monitoring the orientation the axial verticality of the column tube or of a column component such as a piston. A column inclinometer may be mounted on the column. A piston inclinometer may be mounted on the piston. Outputs from the inclinometer may be fed to a programmable logic controller and used to control the operation of the column, e.g. by adjusting a support stand of the column, or controlling a piston drive mechanism.

A method for packing a chromatography column with chromatography media, comprising the steps of: providing a system comprising a column tube having a closed first end comprising an inlet/outlet, a media inlet adjacent a second end of the column tube and an adaptor positioned inside the column tube initially adjacent the second end of the column tube for sliding and sealing contact with an inner face of the column tube, the column tube and adaptor arranged initially such that they define an internal volume and such that the media inlet is in fluid connection with the internal volume; connecting a media slurry source to the media inlet; at least partially filling the internal volume with media slurry via the media inlet; forcing the adaptor towards the first end of the column tube to reduce the internal volume such that the media inlet is no longer in fluid connection with the reduced internal volume.

The invention relates to a method for providing an aseptic chromatography column, said method comprising the steps of: pre-sterilize an empty chromatography column; pre-sterilize a chromatography medium; introducing the pre-sterilized chromatography medium into the pre-sterilized chromatography column using aseptic equipment, thereby providing an aseptic chromatography column comprising chromatography medium.

The invention relates to a chromatography column frame comprising at least two legs, a support arrangement connected to said at least two legs, and a holder means connected to said support arrangement. Said holder means is arranged to releasably hold an adaptor rod of a chromatography column, so that the adaptor rod is prevented to move in a horizontal direction and so the adaptor rod is allowed to move in a vertical direction. The invention also relates to method of conducting maintenance on and packing of a chromatography column.

The present invention relates to axial flow chromatography columns, methods for separating one or more analytes in a liquid by the use of such columns, and systems employing such columns. The column comprises a first port and a second port, the first port and said second port being at essentially the same level or elevation above the level of the bed space on the chromatography column.

The invention relates to a system for packing chromatography columns with a chromatography medium and packing method for use in such columns. In particular, the invention relates to a method and system for packing chromatography columns where the column and chromatography media are pre-sterilized.

A method for providing an aseptic chromatography column includes the steps of pre-sterilizing an empty chromatography column, pre-sterilizing a chromatography medium, introducing the pre-sterilized chromatography medium into the pre-sterilized chromatography column using aseptic equipment, thus providing an aseptic chromatography column comprising chromatography medium.