Access valve devices, their use in separation apparatus and corresponding methods

US5902485A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Inc. · SE

Inventors

• John D. Davis · Gloucester, GB
• Martin Hofmann · Lörrach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 26, 1997
• Grant date: May 11, 1999
• Expiry date: Mar 26, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2030/565
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has relatively movable valve elements preferably represented by a central axially movable probe with a head acting as a spool valve in a barrel. Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which both a first conduit extending through the probe and a second conduit defined around the probe are open to the column interior, and a partly open condition in which a sealing component of the probe closes the second conduit. Also, further axial movement of the probe provides a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The partly open position is useful for packing chromatography media into its column while the third position is useful for unpacking the same. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.