Abstract:
An adapter housing is described that can be used for high performance liquid chromatography, which can be releasably connected to a socket unit. The adapter housing includes a bore which passes through the adapter housing and a pre-column which can be arranged in the bore to protect the separation column from contaminants and/or to concentrate the fluid to be analyzed. A sealing element seals the adapter housing in relation to the socket unit at the end-face wall of a pilot bore.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2014 100 430.2 [Attorney Docket No. 25.660 or P64] by inventor Daniel Buerger for “Adapter Housing,” filed on Jan. 15, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an adapter housing for receiving a component to be traversed, in particular for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), as well as to a connecting device which includes an adapter housing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The separation columns used in the area of chromatography, for example high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and capillary electro-chromatography (CEC), in many cases include very valuable packing material which should be protected against contaminants which can be absorbed in the packing material. These types of contaminants impair the separation accuracy of the separation column. However, the contaminants are very frequently contained in the fluid to be analyzed and cannot be removed in many cases by pure filtration. The use of a pre-column can provide a remedy in this connection. A pre-column is arranged upstream of the actual separation column and can include the same packing material as the separation column, however in many cases in smaller volumes. As a result, on the one hand the fluid to be analyzed is filtered and on the other hand it can also be concentrated. 
         [0004]    Separation columns with a pre-column are described, for example, in DE 694 17 240 T2 and in DE 697 15 437 T2. The fluid to be analyzed is guided via capillary tubes to the columns, the capillary tubes being connected to the respective columns by way of connecting devices, frequently designated as fittings. In DE 694 17 240 T2, the pre-column is arranged in an adapter housing which is screwed into a socket unit of the connecting device so that no further capillary tube is required, as is the case, for example, in DE 31 15 873 A1. 
         [0005]    Generally to be observed is a tendency toward packing materials with ever decreasing particle sizes, as a result of which the available surface-volume ratio is enlarged, which, in turn, increases the separation accuracy. However, as a result pressure loss in the separation column and the pre-column increases, as a result of which ever increasing pressures are required so that the fluid to be analyzed is able to run through the separation column and the pre-column. In this case, the sealing of the capillary tube in the region of the fittings poses a particular problem. In many cases the fittings comprise a so-called cutting ring screw connection which consists of a cap nut, a clamping cone and a cutting ring. The capillary tubes are pushed into a pilot bore of the fittings. As a result of tightening the cap nut, which tapers conically inward, the cutting ring is compressed, as a result of which its wedge-shaped ring inside cuts into the wall of the capillary tube and produces a tight positive locking connection. Due to its design, in this connection the outside diameter of the capillary tubes has to be somewhat smaller than the diameter of the pilot bore such that a small gap is formed here. When viewed from the end of the capillary tube which is pushed into the pilot bore, the clamping core is situated somewhat set back such that a certain dead volume is produced around the end of the capillary tube, which results in the fluid to be analyzed being carried over which has a negative effect on the separation accuracy of the columns. In addition, the fluid to be analyzed can still be contaminated by the fluid analyzed beforehand. 
         [0006]    The problem of the dead space of the cutting ring screw connection is made even worse as a result of all the components having to be matched to one another. No cutting ring screw connections can be used for fittings with different pilot bore lengths without increasing the dead space further. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The disadvantages connected to the dead space occur both in the case of the separation columns and in the case of the pre-columns. It is the object of the present invention to develop an adapter housing of the type mentioned in the introduction, with which, for example, a pre-column can be connected upstream of a separation column with a minimized dead volume. 
         [0008]    The adapter housing according to the invention can be inserted or screw-connected into a socket unit. The socket unit can be part of a separation column apparatus or can also provide an independent coupling element, to which inlet and outlet pipe elements or capillary tubes can be connected. In particular, the socket unit serves for the purpose of incorporating a pre-column into the flow path of a fluid to be analyzed upstream of the separating column. 
         [0009]    The adapter housing includes a sealing element which can be inserted into the adapter housing and which seals the adapter housing in relation to the socket unit on the end-face wall of the pilot bore when the adapter housing is introduced into the receiving opening of the socket unit. Unlike the cutting ring screw connections, according to the invention the adapter housing is sealed in relation to the socket unit on the end-face wall of the pilot bore such that the force necessary for surface pressure acts in an axial manner. A socket capillary tube extends away from the end-face wall of the pilot bore and can serve, in particular, for the purpose of guiding the fluid to be analyzed, which has been introduced from a capillary tube into the pre-column, further to a separation column. The socket capillary tube can lead directly into the separation column for this purpose. As an alternative to this, the socket capillary tube could also lead to a further pilot bore of the socket unit, into which a suitable connector unit can be inserted, through which the fluid is able to be forwarded. In this case, the socket unit could be realized in an extensively or completely symmetrical manner with respect to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the socket capillary tube. 
         [0010]    As a result of sealing at the end-face wall, sealing is already effected in the direct vicinity of the socket capillary tube such that the fluid to be analyzed can in no way reach the radial wall first, as a result of which the dead space is clearly reduced. As a consequence, the outside diameter of the part of the adapter housing which is introduced into the pilot bore can be chosen more freely. Even if choosing the outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pilot bore is preferred, the outside diameter can be chosen to be smaller within certain limits, as a result of which tolerance requirements and expenditure on production are decreased, which reduces production costs. A certain plastic deformability of the sealing element can additionally result in the transition from the adapter housing into the socket unit being sealed in an axial and radial manner by the sealing element fitting snugly against the end face of the socket unit and against the inside wall of the receiving opening of the socket unit. To this end, the sealing element can comprise a somewhat larger outer diameter than the pilot bore. When mounting the adapter housing in the socket unit, as a result of pressure being applied to the adapter housing the sealing element is deformed elastically or plastically and consequently fills out the front region of the pilot bore in the socket unit in an optimum manner toward the end face and toward the wall face of the pilot bore. As a result, an optimum sealing effect is produced in this region. The risk of leakage and of realizing dead spaces is reduced. 
         [0011]    In addition, the sealing in the region of the end face and of the radial lateral surface of the socket unit prevents direct contact between the fluid to be analyzed and the, as a rule, metal socket unit such that the fluid is able to be guided in a bio-inert manner. 
         [0012]    As a result of the sealing element abutting against the end-face wall of the pilot bore in the mounted state, the sealing element also functions as a stop such that no specific bore lengths are fixed, as a result of which the adapter housing according to the invention is able to be used in fittings with different pilot bore lengths. 
         [0013]    In the case of cutting ring screw connections, the sealing action is obtained by a high degree of surface pressure which acts radially on the capillary tube and which can result in plastic deformation, which makes repeated use of the adapter housing difficult or even rules it out altogether. Only the sealing element, which can be exchanged relatively easily, is deformed according to the invention, whereas on account of the axial sealing the adapter housing is not deformed plastically and consequently is able to be re-used multiple times. The surface pressure necessary for sealing is determined exclusively as a result of how far the adapter housing is screwed into the socket unit, which is why the adapter housing can also be used in socket units with different pilot bore lengths. High pressures are able to be sealed in a reliable manner without the adapter housing having to be screwed into the socket unit using a tool, as a result of which the connecting device is easy to mount. 
         [0014]    According to the invention, the sealing element comprises a first sealing portion and second sealing portion which adjoins thereto preferably in an integral manner. The first sealing portion, in this case, abuts against the front end of the adapter housing outside of said adapter housing, where it brings about the sealing in relation to the socket unit (see above). The second sealing portion can be inserted into the bore of the adapter housing such that the lateral surface of the pre-column is surrounded by the second sealing portion along its longitudinal extension. In this case, it has a substantially hollow-cylindrical form and surrounds the cavity with an inner diameter in which the pre-column can be arranged. As a result of the insertable development of the sealing element, a unit of the seal with the pre-column located inside, realized as a cartridge, can be exchanged in an easier manner. On the other hand, there is the particular advantage of the seal assuming a dual function by not only sealing in relation to the socket unit at the first sealing portion, preferably as a result of deforming, but at the same time lining the fluid in the pre-column along its lateral surface and thus protecting it against unwanted contact with the adapter housing. The seal can be realized and formed for this purpose such that it surrounds the fluid in a bio-inert manner along its entire flow path prior to entry into until exit from the pre-column such that it does not experience any unwanted reaction or modification from contact with the material of the adapter housing. 
         [0015]    On the other hand the sealing element not only seals the adapter housing in relation to the socket unit by way of its front portion, but by way of its second portion it also seals the pre-column itself such that no further measures have to be taken for sealing the pre-column, as a result of which the design of the adapter housing is simplified. The sealing element preferably extends over the entire length of the pre-column such that the lateral surface thereof is fully sealed in a bio-inert manner against unwanted contact between the fluid and, for example, metal. 
         [0016]    The second sealing portion of the adapter housing seals in relation to the socket unit at the radial wall and at the end-face wall, for which purpose the first sealing portion, prior to being inserted, can also comprise a slightly larger outside diameter than the pilot bore. As a result, the necessary surface pressure can be adjusted in order to be able to seal the adapter housing reliably in a radial and axial manner in relation to the socket unit even at high pressures. 
         [0017]    In an expedient manner, the sealing element includes a through-bore for receiving the pre-column which extends coaxially with respect to the socket capillary tube. At one rear end of the second sealing portion which is remote from the socket unit, the sealing element can preferably be realized in the region of a third sealing portion with an enlarged outside diameter which engages as an undercut into the bore of the adapter housing, which is realized in a complementary manner for this purpose in order to secure the sealing element axially at the front against slipping out. At its front, first portion, the sealing element can comprise an end diameter which is reduced in relation to the bore of the adapter housing in order to form, as a result, an end face or an axial stop for a restraining device (for example filter) by way of which the particles of the packing material of the pre-column are restrained and are prevented from being transported away by the fluid to be analyzed. 
         [0018]    In a preferred development, at the rear end of the sealing element which is remote from the socket unit a closure can be introduced into the bore of the adapter housing for closing the pre-column, wherein the closure comprises a central through-channel for directing the fluid to be analyzed to the pre-column. The closure keeps forces, which are introduced into the adapter housing from the capillary tube or from a socket unit guiding the capillary tube, away from the pre-column, as a result of which it is protected. In addition, the closure fixes the pre-column in the desired position. 
         [0019]    The sealing element can be connected to the adapter housing in a different manner. As a result of crimping, that is pressure turned radially inward being applied locally onto the tubular wall of the adapter housing which includes the sealing element, said adapter housing is deformed inward, as a result of which a strong frictional locking connection and/or positive locking connection to the sealing element is produced. The radial expansion of a rear, third sealing portion, which projects rearward beyond the bore of the adapter housing, also produces a positive locking stop which prevents the sealing element from being pulled out forward. Finally, a comparable expansion of the seal on the front, first sealing portion also undercuts the wall of the bore of the adapter housing which connects rearward thereto such that the sealing element is also prevented from being pushed further into the bore. 
         [0020]    Also conceivable is a type of cartridge structure where the pre-column plus sealing element is arranged outside the adapter housing in a sleeve which, in turn, can then be inserted into the adapter housing, which possibly simplifies assembly. The sleeve can also be crimped in order to connect the seal to the pre-column in a reliable manner. The cartridge can be secured in the adapter housing against displacement by means of a suitable, releasable or non-releasable fastening, for example expanding the seal in an end region (third sealing portion) followed by clamping of the expanded region by means of a closure. 
         [0021]    In addition to or as an alternative to a filter which is arranged at the front end of the pre-column, a filter for filtering the fluid to be analyzed and for restraining the pre-column packing can also be provided which, in the mounted state, abuts against the closure at the rear end of the column or of the sealing element. The fluid to be analyzed is filtered through the further filter before it reaches the pre-column such that contamination of the pre-column is reduced and its service life increased. In addition, the further filter fixes the packing material of the pre-column such that particles of the packing material are not able to migrate in an uncontrolled manner. The further filter can also be developed as fritte. Alternatively or additionally, a filter can also be provided in instead of on the closure. Along with the above-mentioned advantages of a filter, assembly in said development is particularly simple as the filter is arranged in the closure and consequently does not have to be separately positioned. 
         [0022]    A further aspect of the present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting components which are to be traversed, in particular from high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), said connecting device having an adapter housing of the afore-described type. The connecting device further includes a socket unit of the type also described above which can be directly part of a separation column or can be an independent component. In addition, the connecting device preferably includes a connector housing to which, for example, a capillary tube for supplying a fluid to be analyzed can be connected by the connector housing being releasably fastenable to a connecting portion of a bore which passes through the adapter housing. Instead of directly connecting a separation column by means of a socket unit that is associated with the column, the separation column can also be connected to the connecting device by means of such a connector housing. 
         [0023]    The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved using the connecting device according to the invention correspond to those which have been discussed for the adapter housing according to the invention. It is to be mentioned in particular that it is possible in a simple manner using the connecting device according to the invention to connect a pre-column upstream of a separation column without disruptive dead spaces being created. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The present invention is described in detail below by way of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, in each case by way of a sectional representation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a connecting device according to the invention with an adapter housing according to a first embodiment which is screwed into a first socket unit. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows the connecting device according to the invention shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a capillary tube is connected to the adapter housing. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows the connecting device according to  FIG. 1 , wherein the adapter housing is screwed into a second socket unit with a pilot bore length which is longer than that of the first socket unit. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a connecting device with a second embodiment of the adapter housing according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a connecting device  10  according to the invention which includes a first embodiment of an adapter housing  12   1  according to the invention as well as a first socket unit  13   1 . The adapter housing  12   1  comprises a bore  14  which penetrates the adapter housing  12   1  completely. The adapter housing  12   1  comprises a first portion  16  with a first outside diameter at which the adapter housing  12   1  is able to be grasped and moved, in particular rotated, by a user. In addition, the adapter housing  12   1  comprises a second portion  18  with a second outside diameter on which is arranged an external thread  20  by way of which the adapter housing  12   1  is able to be screwed into an internal thread  22 , which is arranged in a receiving opening  24  of the socket unit  13   1 . Over and above this, the adapter housing  12   1  comprises a third portion  26  with a third outside diameter which corresponds approximately to the diameter of a pilot bore  28  which is arranged in the socket unit  13   1 . The pilot bore  28  has a length L 1 . The first outside diameter is the largest, whilst the third outside diameter is the smallest of the outside diameters of the adapter housing  12   1 . The adapter housing  12   1  can be produced, for example, from metal or ceramic. 
         [0030]    In the first portion  16 , the bore  14  of the adapter housing  12   1  comprises a first opening  30  with a first inside diameter which corresponds approximately to the second outside diameter of the second portion  18 . 
         [0031]    Arranged in the first portion  16  is a connecting portion  32 , which includes an internal thread  34 , into which can be screwed a connector housing  36  (cg.  FIG. 2 ), in which is arranged a capillary tube  38  in which the fluid to be analyzed is guided. In the region of the second portion  18 , the bore  14  comprises a second inside diameter which is smaller than the first inside diameter, the bore  14  tapering conically from the first to the second inside diameter. In the region of the second inside diameter, the bore  14  comprises a particularly precisely produced fitting portion  40  which is produced with tighter production tolerance. The bore  14  then tapers in a step-shaped manner to a third inside diameter in order then to reduce in a conical manner to a fourth inside diameter. At its front end which is remote from the first portion  16 , the bore  14  passes from the fourth inside diameter in a funnel-shaped manner over into the third outside diameter and forms a second opening  42 . 
         [0032]    An elongated sealing element  44  is inserted by means of the second opening  42  into the bore  14  of the adapter housing  12   1  which comprises a first sealing portion  48  and a second sealing portion  46 . The second sealing portion  46  has a substantially hollow-cylindrical form and surrounds a cavity which can be filled out by a pre-column. The second sealing portion  46  comprises an outside diameter which corresponds substantially to the fourth inside diameter of the bore  14  of the adapter housing  12   1 . The sealing element  44  can be reshaped and expanded at a third sealing portion  49  at the free rear end of the second sealing portion  46  using a corresponding tool such that it is fixed, for example as a result of clamping by means of a closure (see below), at a stop region of the adapter housing, in particular at the conical transition of the bore  14  from the third to the fourth inside diameter. As a result, the fluid can also be isolated in a contact-tight (bio-inert) manner in relation to the adapter housing in the region of the rear end of the pre-column. In addition, the sealing element can easily be fixed on the adapter housing in this manner. 
         [0033]    At the front end, the second sealing portion  46  expands conically onto the first sealing portion  48 , where it corresponds with the form of the opening  42 . The outside diameter of the first sealing portion  48 , in this case, can be chosen to be somewhat larger than the fourth inside diameter of the adapter housing  12   1 , and can even be slightly larger than the third outside diameter of the adapter housing  12   1  such that the first sealing portion  48  projects radially somewhat beyond the third portion  26  of the adapter housing  12   1 . In addition, the first sealing portion  48  also projects axially somewhat beyond the front end of the adapter housing  12   1 . 
         [0034]    In the first sealing portion  48 , the sealing element  44  comprises a through-bore  50  with a diameter which is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the cavity such that an end face  52  is formed. A pre-column  56  is inserted into the cavity. It includes a filter  58  which touches the end face  52 . Arranged adjoining the rear side of the filter is a pre-column packing  60  which abuts against a further filter  62  by way of its rear end. Said filter  62 , and with it the entire pre-column, is fixed by a closure  64  which comprises a through-channel  65  for the fluid to be analyzed to pass through. The sealing element  44  can be produced from a plastics material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). It is possible, in particular, to use biocompatible materials. 
         [0035]    The third portion  26  of the adapter housing  12   1  can be introduced into the pilot bore  28  of the socket unit  13   1  which, in the example shown, passes over into the expanded receiving opening  24  via a conical transition region  78 . The pilot bore  28  comprises a radial wall  66  and an end-face wall  68 . A socket capillary tube  70 , by means of which the fluid to be analyzed is guided to a separation column (not shown), connects to the end-face wall  68  axially and concentrically with respect to the axis of the pre-column  56 . (Not shown is a realization variant of the socket unit where a comparable further receiving opening is provided in the housing of the socket unit on the end of the socket capillary tube  70  which is remote from the receiving opening  24 . The separation column or another HPLC component could be connected here by means of a connector unit instead of realizing the socket unit integrally with or at any rate as part of the separation column.) 
         [0036]    In order to be able to use the adapter housing  12   1  in a functional manner, the sealing element  44  is initially inserted by means of the second opening  42  into the bore  14  of the adapter housing  12   1 . If the sealing element  44  is produced from a suitable plastics material, it can also be injected directly into the bore  14 . Using a corresponding tool, the sealing element  44  is deformed at its free rear end such that it abuts against the conical transition from the third into the fourth inside diameter of the bore  14 , as a result of which the position of the sealing element is fixed. The filter  58 , the pre-column packing  60  and the further filter  62  are then introduced into the sealing element  44  by means of the first opening and closed by way of the closure  64 . The position of the closure  64  is fixed by the inside diameter of the bore  14  which reduces in a step-like manner such that the pre-column packing  60  is not able to be compressed too strongly. 
         [0037]    In addition, the closure  64  can be clamped, for example by means of an intermediate part which acts in a rearward manner and thus, depending on production dimensions and tolerances, can determine, in a targeted manner, the packing density of the pre-column packing and remove air out of the pre-column. As the position of the closure  64  is fixed, the sealing element  44  and the pre-column  56  are also consequently correctly positioned such that faulty installation is as good as impossible. 
         [0038]    The adapter housing  12   1  is then connected to the socket unit  13   1 , to which end the adapter housing  12   1  is introduced into the receiving opening  24  of the socket unit  13   1 . During said introduction, the third portion  26  of the adapter housing  12   1  is centered by way of the conical transition region  78  such that the third portion  26  is guided into the pilot bore  28 . The end-face wall  68  comprises a smooth, planar surface such that an optimum connection without any dead volumes and optimum sealing are provided. 
         [0039]    The adapter housing  12   1  is screwed into the internal thread  34  of the receiving opening  24  until the sealing element  44  touches the end-face wall  68  of the pilot bore  28  by way of the first sealing portion  48 . Particularly good sealing can be produced as a result of the first sealing portion  48 , which projects forward from the adapter housing, when the adapter housing is moved forward, being acted upon with an axial compressive force which results in elastic or plastic deforming of said sealing portion also in the radial direction. The seal then fits snugly to the end face  68  or the wall  66  completely filling out any dead spaces possibly existing and providing a complete seal. 
         [0040]    Once the adapter housing  12   1  is screwed into the socket unit  13   1 , a capillary tube  38 , for example, can now be connected to the adapter housing  12   1 , which is shown in  FIG. 2 . In the example shown, the connector housing  36  comprises an external thread  72  which can be screwed into the internal thread  34  of the connecting portion  32  of the bore  14  of the adapter housing  12   1 . The capillary tube  38  projects axially beyond the connector housing  36 . An intermediate piece  74 , which comprises an outside diameter which corresponds substantially to the second inside diameter of the bore  14 , is pushed onto the projecting portion of the capillary tube  38 . The capillary tube  38  is sealed in relation to the adapter housing  12   1  by means of a further sealing element  76  and, in this case, abuts against an end face  80  of the closure  64 . 
         [0041]    The capillary tube  38  is consequently connected to the closure  64  butt to butt. The further sealing element  76  seals the capillary tube  38  both at the end face  52  of the closure  64  and in relation to the bore  14  such that, here too, no dead spaces worth mentioning can be created. Sealing is effected in an analogous manner to that in the pilot bore  28  by the sealing element  76  being caused to deform elastically or plastically as a result of pressure being applied by means of the intermediate piece  74  in order to fill and to seal sealing gaps in a complete manner. Using conveying devices which are not shown, the fluid to be analyzed is conveyed from behind through the capillary tube  38 , the closure  64 , the pre-column  56 , the through-bore  50  and the socket capillary  70 . 
         [0042]    It is also possible, however, to connect differently constructed connector housings to the adapter housing  12   1 . In addition, the closure  64  could be omitted and its function taken over possibly by the intermediate piece  74 . The closure  64  could also be connected fixedly to the adapter housing  12  as a rear stop or could even be realized in one piece with said adapter housing. The third sealing portion  49  could then be expanded during assembly, for example by means of a conical stop face of the closure  64 , and clamped firmly in place. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 3 , the adapter housing  12   1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is screwed into a second socket unit  13   2  which comprises a pilot bore  28  with a greater length L 2  compared to the first socket unit  13   1  which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It can be seen that the adapter housing  12   1  can be introduced without modification into pilot bores with different lengths. The single pre-requisite is that the second portion  18  of the adapter housing  12   1  is long enough, which is able to be met, however, without a great deal of expenditure. Said flexibility is essentially achieved as a result of the sealing element  44  sealing the end-face wall  68  of the pilot bore  28  in an axial manner such that the necessary surface pressure is determined by how far the adapter housing  12   1  is screwed into the socket unit  13 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  shows a second exemplary embodiment of the adapter housing  12   2  according to the invention. It differs substantially from the first exemplary embodiment in that the further filter  62  is incorporated in the closure  64  and that the bore  14  only comprises three diameters which all merge into one another in a step-shaped manner. As a result, the sealing element  44  is not pressed against a conical transition, but against a step-shaped transition and is fixed in its position. 
       LIST OF REFERENCES 
       [0000]    
       
           10  Connecting device 
           12 ,  12   1 ,  12   2  Adapter housing 
           13 ,  13   1 ,  13   2  Socket unit 
           14  Bore 
           16  First portion 
           18  Second portion 
           20  External thread 
           22  Internal thread 
           24  Receiving opening 
           26  Third portion 
           28  Pilot bore 
           30  First opening 
           32  Connecting portion 
           34  Internal thread 
           36  Connector housing 
           38  Capillary tube 
           40  Fitting portion 
           42  Second opening 
           44  Sealing element 
           46  Second sealing portion 
           48  First sealing portion 
           49  Third sealing portion 
           50  Through-bore 
           52  End face 
           54  Sleeve 
           56  Pre-column 
           58  Filter 
           60  Pre-column packing 
           62  Further filter 
           64  Closure 
           65  Through-channel 
           66  Radial wall 
           68  End-face wall 
           70  Socket capillary tube 
           72  External thread 
           74  Intermediate piece 
           76  Further sealing element 
           78  Conical transition portion 
           80  End face 
         A Longitudinal axis 
         P Arrow