Abstract: The present invention describes a method for constructing a spiral tube support apparatus used in countercurrent chromatography, improvements to countercurrent chromatography tube support design, and methods of using the improved countercurrent chromatography apparatus. The spiral tube support apparatus may be constructed by a shape forming process such as a three dimensional printing process that in turn uses a laser sintering technique, and can be made out of any easily formed material. Shape changes on both the tube support and the top improve the performance of the tube support and ease of manufacturing. The improved tube support and new method of creation permit use in both micro or macro scale preparations and use in small or large molecule preparations. In particular, specific solvent systems are described that permit purification of proteins.