Abstract: A frit (44) includes a porous support structure having a plurality of void spaces, where a plurality of secondary particles (46) are filled in the void spaces, the secondary particles (46) being dimensioned with respect to the void spaces such that the frit (44) retains packing materials with diameters of less than about 2.5 microns. Preferably one or more frits (44) are received in a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatographic column, where the column includes fittings and filter assemblies for receiving frits (44) at its inlet and outlet. The frit (44) can be constructed from a porous support structure with void spaces or pores that are filled with secondary particles (46) smaller those used to manufacture the support. The particles (46) contained in the void spaces are large enough to be retained by the support, but small enough to create a finer network of interconnected channels within the support's void spaces that are capable of retaining sub-2.5 micrometer particles.

Abstract: Novel material for chromatographic separations, processes for its preparation, and separations devices containing the chromatographic material. In particular, the disclosure describes porous inorganic/organic hybrid particles having a chromatographically-enhancing pore geometry, which desirably may be surface modified, and that offer more efficient chromatographic separations than that known in the art.

Abstract: A solid phase extraction (SPE) device having a reservoir with an opening; a well comprising an internally tapered wall, the well having a wider interior diameter at an end closest to the opening than at an exit spout; a first filter within the well; a bed of sorbent particles within the well below the first filter; and a second filter having a diameter smaller than the first filter within the well below the bed of sorbent particles and above the exit spout is provided. A method of performing SPE using the device is also provided.

Abstract: Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents were considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the following claims. The contents of all references, issued patents, and published patent applications cited throughout this application are hereby incorporated by reference.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for mitigating column bed compression over time. This invention provides for an improved column design and method of controlling bed density in a chromatographic column using a protruding portion of a filter assembly. The invention results in a higher sorbent bed density than can normally be achieved using a fixed length column of conventional design. The invention may be implemented as a unique filter assembly or as a column tailored for the application and a matching filter assembly.