Abstract: A device for concentrating and/or purifying macromolecules in liquids is disclosed wherein the concentration/purification is accomplished by a membrane separating concentration and filtration chambers, the membrane and chambers being compressively held in fluid-tight relationship by sliding engagement with a sleeve-like housing. A method for assembling such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for concentrating and/or purifying macromolecules in a solution has a concentration chamber (1) with a sample reservoir (2) for a liquid sample to be processed, a filter (3) for filtering the liquid sample, and a filtrate container (4) for collecting the filtrate. A gas pressure differential is created and maintained across the filter and a sealing cap (5) for the sample reservoir (2), which has an opening (6) for permitting gas flow in one direction and blocking aerosol or liquid flow in an opposed direction. The present invention also provides apparatus and methods employing the device.

Abstract: A device for removing or replacing solvent in a liquid sample containing macromolecules includes a concentration chamber having an aperture adjacent to the upper end of the concentration chamber which is arranged to receive and tightly fix the outlet of a detachable auxiliary reservoir. In methods employing the device, the concentration chamber is filled with part of a liquid sample to a predetermined level, and a detachable auxiliary upper reservoir containing the rest of the liquid sample is tightly fixed to the aperture adjacent to the upper end of the concentration chamber to successively deliver additional liquid sample as the concentration is progressing, or a detachable auxiliary upper reservoir containing a solvent or buffer solution is tightly fixed to the aperture adjacent to the upper end of the concentration chamber to successively deliver solvent or buffer solution as a replacement for the liquid absorbed by an absorption material.

Abstract: A filtration cell for carrying out a tangential flow filtration of a sample liquid contains at least two blocks and at least two filtration elements arranged between each pair of two adjacent blocks. The filtration elements each include an outlet for filtrate, a sheet of support material and two generally flat ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes, arranged on either side of the support material in a sandwich construction. Each of the blocks, at a side adjacent the membranes, is provided with a respective channel for feeding a flow of sample liquid tangentially over the membranes such that each channel is connected in parallel with the inlet for the flow of sample liquid to be filtered and with an outlet for a concentrated solution. Each channel includes in its longitudinal direction a number of subsequent channel sections separated by transitional zones and is constructed and arranged such that the main flow direction in subsequent sections changes abruptly in the transitional zones.

Abstract: A method and device for concentrating macromolecules from a solution is provided by spinning a concentrated device in a centrifuge. The device has a sample reservoir (1) for receiving a sample to be concentrated or purified, a filter for filtering the sample, a centrifuge tube (5) for collecting the filtrate, and a concentrate pocket (4) for retaining the concentrate. A portion of the sample reservoir (1) is a filtration chamber (3) having a volume which is only a small fraction of the total volume of the sample reservoir. The filter is arranged in a sidewall of the filtration chamber, and the concentrate pocket (4) is arranged in a bottom wall of the filtration chamber. Liquid sample is placed in the sample reservoir, and a unit including the sample reservoir (1) and the filter (2) is placed, at least partially, into the centrifuge tube for collecting the filtrate.

Abstract: A chromatography system comprises a chromatography column 1 consisting of a column tube 7 having end flanges 19 and 27 at its lower and upper ends, supporting an upper end cap 3 carrying a piston rod 9 and a piston 11. The system further comprises a container 20 for the separation media used in the chromatography column, this container having a neck ring 24 of injection moulded construction with a mouth end of a bag 22 embedded therein.

Abstract: An end cell for a chromatography column has a moulded plastics structure and an integral screen formed of a woven mesh of fibres of the same plastic material as used for the end cell. A peripheral ring of the same plastics material is injection moulded to the perimeter of the mesh, said ring being secured to the end cell in a leak-proof manner, preferably by ultrasonic welding.