A chromatography column fitting (30) includes a body member (40) configured to be received at an end of a chromatography column (18), the body member (40) defining an axially extending open bore (42). An insert (44) is received in the bore (42), the insert (44) defining a flow conduit (46) opening out into an operatively inner end (50) of the insert (44) to be in flow communication, in use, with an interior (34) of the chromatography column (18), the operatively inner end (50) defining a bearing surface (52). The bearing surface (52) bears against contents (36, 38) at the end of the chromatography column (18) to minimise dead volume between the flow conduit (46) and the contents (36, 38) of the chromatography column (18).

In some examples, a filter assembly may include a filter including a first gasket having a first channel adjacent to a first side of the filter and a second gasket having a second channel adjacent to a second side of the filter. The first gasket and the second gasket may include a beveled surface adjacent to the filter. The first channel and the second channel may include a diameter of from about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm. A finger tightening system may securely hold the filter without any leaks.

Chromatography apparatus and methods are described, especially for expanded bed adsorption. A column tube has a process fluid input device at the bottom and a movable piston in the top. The piston is enclosed in the column by a cover plate. The piston body has an inflatable seal, and is connected by a frame to a contact ring which carries another inflatable member to contact the tube wall. Process fluid leaves the operating volume through an opening of the piston and flexible hose, through the enclosed space and out through the cover plate. The space above the piston can be pressurised to control piston movement. The contact ring maintains piston alignment. The inflatable seals are used to fix the piston in position, allow it to slide or allow washing. The piston outlet may include a vortex-inhibitor. Bed and piston levels may be monitored by ultrasound sensors.

Disclosed herein are chromatography columns with conical or reducing inside dimensions and improved fits for use therewith, along with methods for making the columns and the frits.

Disclosed is a chromatographic separation column assembly (100) comprising a column cylinder (120) having a cylinder wall (126) including an inner wall surface (124) partially defining a column volume (50), and a column component (110/130) insertable into to the cylinder (120), wherein at least an edge region (113/133) of the column component is intended to be in contact or adjacent a part of the inner wall surface (124) in use, the edge region and the contacting or adjacent part of inner wall surface each being formed from a compatible heat fusible material or materials, and wherein at least the cylinder wall in the area of the contacting or adjacent part of the inner wall is formed from a material which allows transmission of the light energy needed to cause said fusing of the adapter plate edge region to the inner wall surface.

A liquid chromatography system, includes a fluidic flow path, a chromatography column located in the fluidic flow path, a filtration device located in the fluidic flow path before the chromatography column, the filtration device including a housing having a fluidic inlet, a fluidic outlet, wherein at least a portion of the fluidic flow path is located between the fluidic inlet and the fluidic outlet and at least one filter disposed in the portion of the fluidic flow path, wherein the at least one filter is made of a micromachined material. Liquid chromatography filtration methods are further disclosed.

The invention provides filters and methods of assembling filters. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter includes a porous element, a compression element, and a housing. The compression element can be configured to receive the porous element, thereby forming an assembly. For example, the compression element can receive the porous element in a slip-fit relationship. The housing can have an opening formed therein that is configured to receive the assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly can be retained within the opening when the assembly is received therein. For example, the opening can receive the assembly in a press-fit relationship.

In some examples, a filter assembly may include a filter including a first gasket having a first channel adjacent to a first side of the filter and a second gasket having a second channel adjacent to a second side of the filter. The first gasket and the second gasket may include a beveled surface adjacent to the filter. The first channel and the second channel may include a diameter of from about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm. A finger tightening system may securely hold the filter without any leaks.

Frits for use in analytical instrument systems, including liquid chromatography systems, particularly HPLC and UHPLC systems, and methods of making and using the frits, are provided. The frits can have multiple layers, which may have different surface finishes on different surfaces.

The present disclosure relates to a method of reducing degradation of sample components in a liquid chromatography system. The method utilizes a masked metal frit to prevent or reduce metal surfaces from becoming catalytically active. The masked metal frit is a metal based frit that includes a coating on its exterior surfaces to mask or prevent contact between the organic solvents (and/or any analyte or other related solvent) and the underlying metal. The coating is a vapor deposited inorganic-organic hybrid coating, such as a vapor deposited C2 coating.