Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
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 fibrous matrix in sheet form 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 separating the layers for permitting controlled swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing radially through the stationary phase by channelling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
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 fibrous matrix in sheet form 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 separating the layers for permitting controlled swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing radially through the stationary phase by channelling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The column of claim 1, wherein the housing and stationary phase are cylindrical and coaxial and the housing has a diameter greater than the stationary phase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The column of claim 1, wherein the swellable matrix swells at least about 35% of its thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The column of claim 1, wherein the swellable matrix is hydrophilic swellable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The column of claim 1, wherein the matrix is spirally wound around a foraminous cylindrical core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The column of claim 5, wherein the foraminous cylindrical core is in fluid communication with the means for collection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The column of claim 5, wherein the stationary phase is enclosed in an outer cylindrical member having apertures therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The column of claim 7, 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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The column of claim 1 or 8, wherein the spacer means comprises: (a) a scrim layer for channelling 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 circumferentialy across the matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The column of claim 9, wherein the scrim layer completly covers the exterior surface of the solid stationary phase.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The column of claim 1 or 8 wherein the solid stationary phase is a disposable cartridge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
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 fibrous matrix in sheet form 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 separating the layers for permitting controlled swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing radially through the stationary phase by channelling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
120 words
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 fibrous matrix in sheet form 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 separating the layers for permitting controlled swelling of the matrix and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing radially through the stationary phase by channelling the sample flow through the matrix and substantially evenly dispersing the sample axially and circumferentially across the matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stationary phase of claim 12, wherein the swellable matrix swells at least about 25% its thickness.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stationary phase of claim 12, wherein the swellable matrix is hydrophilic swellable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stationary phase of claim 12, wherein the matrix is spirally wound around a foraminous cylindrical core.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stationary phase of claim 15, wherein the stationary phase is enclosed in an outer cylindrical member having apertures therein.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The stationary phase of claim 16, 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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The stationary phase of claim 12 or 17, wherein the spacer means comprises: (a) a scrim layer for channelling 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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stationary phase of claim 18, wherein the scrim layer completly covers the exterior surface of the solid stationary phase.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stationary phase of claim 12 or 17 which is a disposable cartridge.