Patent Description:
Liquid chromatography is a technique in analytic chemistry where distinct components of a mixture are identified by separating the individual components by passing the mixture through an adsorbent medium using fluid flow so that the components elute at different rates. Liquid chromatography systems are typically comprised of a solvent delivery pump, an autosampler, a column, and a detector. The solvent delivery pump pumps mobile phase fluid through the system, the autosampler introduces the sample to be analyzed to the analytic flow path, the column contains the adsorbent packing material used to effect separation, and the detector detects the separated components as they elute out of the column.

In certain liquid chromatography applications, such as Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), it is desirable to preheat and maintain an elevated temperature (e.g. up to <NUM>) to the flowing mobile phase before separation occurs inside the column. To raise the temperature of the mobile phase flowing through metal tubing, heat energy is transferred from a column heating module to the metal tubing through direct contact of components. The metal tubing is part of an assembly that is disposed within the column heating module and includes a thermal pad that assists in heat transfer between the heating surface and the metal tubing. Often, the assembly is removed and reinserted into the column heating module, causing separation between a thermal pad and the metal tubing of the assembly and unwanted abrasion, deformation, and tearing of the thermal pad that adversely affects the ability to achieve the necessary heat transfer.

Thus, a need exists for an improved thermal pad and column stabilizer assembly for preheating the mobile phase before entering the column.

A prior art arrangement is known from <NPL>.

A first aspect relates generally to a thermal pad for promoting heat transfer between a column heating module and a mobile phase of a liquid chromatography systemby covering a section of tubing carrying the mobile phase to effectuate a uniform heating of the mobile phase, as recited by Claim <NUM>.

The thermal pad may include an opening extending through the silicone layer and the heat resistant polyester resin film layer.

The opening may be configured to allow a fastener to pass therethrough to secure a stabilizer body of a column stabilizer assembly to the column heating module.

The notched portion may accommodate a section of the tubing that passes through the notched portion and extends into an interior region of a column stabilizer assembly.

A section of the thermal pad may be folded over the tubing and make contact with the tacky surface of the silicone layer to secure the thermal pad in the operable configuration.

Portions of the section of the thermal pad that is folded over the tubing may pass between gaps in the section of tubing to make contact with the tacky surface of the silicone layer, while also making direct physical contact with the tubing.

The heat resistant polymer resin layer may increase an abrasion resistance of the thermal pad.

When the thermal pad is heated, the heat resistant polymer resin layer may shrink to tighten down onto the silicone layer.

In the operable configuration, the thermal pad may make direct physical and thermal contact with the tubing to effectuate heat transfer to the mobile phase.

The reinforcement stiffener may be an internal mesh layer within the silicone layer.

A thickness of the silicone layer may be <NUM> inches (<NUM>), and a thickness of the heat resistant polyester film layer may be <NUM> inches (<NUM>).

A second aspect relates generally to a column stabilizer assembly, configured to be inserted into a heated region of a column heating module of a liquid chromatography system to effectuate a heating of a mobile phase, the column stabilizer assembly, as recited by Claim <NUM>.

When inserted into the column heating module, the thermal pad may make physical contact with a heating surface of the column heating module in the heated region to uniformly transfer the heat from the heating surface to the serpentine tubing.

A second portion proximate a second end of the thermal pad may be folded over the serpentine tubing such that the second portion wraps around the serpentine tubing and sticks to the tacky surface of the thermal pad.

The thermal pad may include a notched portion to accommodate a section of the serpentine tubing that passes through the notched portion and extends into the interior region of the stabilizer body.

The thermal pad may include an opening that allows a fastener to pass therethrough to secure the stabilizer body of the column stabilizer assembly to the column heating module.

The first portion of the thermal pad folded over the serpentine tubing may be located between the serpentine tubing and the first side section of the stabilizer body.

A third aspect relates generally to a method for pre-heating a mobile phase in a liquid chromatography system prior to the mobile phases entering a column for a separation, as recited by Claim <NUM>.

The foregoing and other features of construction and operation will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:.

Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring to the drawings, <FIG> depicts a perspective view of a column stabilizer assembly <NUM>, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may facilitate a transfer of heat energy from a column heating module to a mobile phase (e.g. solvent) flowing through a tubing of a liquid chromatography system. A column heating module may be disposed within the liquid chromatography system and/or machine, for applying heat to the column stabilizer assembly <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, a liquid chromatograph system may include a single column heating module. In other exemplary embodiments, a liquid chromatography system may include more than one column heating module of the same of different types of heating modules (e.g. single extrusion models, triple extrusion models), which may be stacked on top of each other at different heights within the liquid chromatography system/machine. Embodiments of a column heating module may include an extrusion within the column heating module that has a heating element. The heating element of the column heating module may raise a temperature of the extrusion to over <NUM> to pre-heat and/or maintain a temperature of the mobile phase before entering the column (e.g. before separation). Moreover, the extrusion, which may be comprised of metal, such as aluminum, may receive a column of a liquid chromatography system and a column stabilizer assembly <NUM> associated with the column. The column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may be pressed into the extrusion of the column heating module with an interference fit between the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> and the column heating module for direct thermal contact therebetween. Embodiments of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may share similar structural components and function(s) as the passive column pre-heater assembly disclosed in <CIT>.

Furthermore, embodiments of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may include a stabilizer body <NUM>, tubing <NUM>, a connection <NUM>, and a thermal pad <NUM>. Embodiments of the tubing <NUM> may be a stainless steel fluidic connection, a tubing, a flow path, a pipe, a channel, and the like, which may transport an analytic flow path of the liquid chromatography system to the column for separation of the mobile phase components. The tubing <NUM> may be include a section of tubing having a generally linear and straight configuration coming from a sample manager or autosampler of a liquid chromatography system, prior to the stabilizer body <NUM>. This section of tubing <NUM> may include a shrink tube <NUM> surrounding the tubing across a length of the tubing <NUM>. The tubing <NUM> may also include a coupler <NUM> and a ferrule <NUM> for facilitating a fluidic connection to additional tubing. <FIG> depicts an enlarged perspective view of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. A section of the tubing <NUM> has been removed from <FIG> for clarity, indicated by a dashed line across tubing <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an assembly view of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, in accordance with the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may be configured to be inserted into a heated region of a column heating module of a liquid chromatography system to effectuate a heating of a mobile phase. Embodiments of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may include a stabilizer body <NUM>, the stabilizer body having a first side section <NUM>, a bottom section <NUM>, and a side section <NUM>, wherein an interior region <NUM> is defined between the first side section <NUM> and the second side section <NUM>, the interior region <NUM> configured to receive a fitting for connecting an end of the serpentine tubing to a column of the liquid chromatography system, and a thermal pad <NUM> disposed against the serpentine tubing, wherein a first portion proximate a first end of the thermal pad <NUM> is folded over the serpentine tubing such that the first portion wraps around the serpentine tubing and sticks to a tacky surface of the thermal pad <NUM>, wherein the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> is configured to be inserted into the column heating module during operation of the liquid chromatography system.

<FIG> depicts a perspective view of a stabilizer body <NUM> of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM>, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may include a stabilizer body <NUM>. The stabilizer body <NUM> may include a first side section <NUM>, a second side section <NUM>, a bottom section <NUM>, an inner surface <NUM>, and an outer surface <NUM>. An interior region <NUM> may be defined between the first side section <NUM> and the second side section <NUM> and above the bottom section <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM>. Embodiments of the interior region <NUM> may be a void, an opening, a space, a volume, and the like, which may receive, accommodate, accept, house, partially surround, etc. a section of tubing for connecting to the column. Moreover, embodiments of the stabilizer body <NUM> may include one or more holes <NUM> in the bottom surface <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may be an opening, hole, through hole, void, access, and the like, which may accommodate a fastener <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) to pass through and secure the stabilizer body <NUM> to the extrusion of the column heating module in a heated region of the column heating module. In an exemplary embodiment, hole <NUM> may be positioned proximate a center location of the stabilizer body <NUM> lengthwise. The fastener <NUM> may pass through the hole <NUM> to tighten the stabilizer body <NUM> to the column heating module.

Moreover, embodiments of the stabilizer body <NUM> may include a cutout portion <NUM>. Embodiments of the cutout portion <NUM> may be a cutout, an opening, a gap, etc., in the second side section <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM>. The cutout <NUM> may permit a section of the tubing <NUM> to access and enter the interior region <NUM> of the stabilizer body from behind the second side section <NUM>. For instance, after a serpentine configuration of the tubing <NUM>, a section of the tubing may enter the interior region <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM> through cutout <NUM> from outside the stabilizer body <NUM> and extend along or proximate the inner surface <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM> for connecting to the column via connection fitting <NUM>. Embodiments of the connection <NUM> may be one or more fitting and/or connection components for fluidically connecting the tubing <NUM> (e.g. an end thereof) to the column. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection <NUM> may include a locking coupling member, a ferrule, and an O-ring seal member. Further, embodiments of the stabilizer body <NUM> may be comprised of a thermally conductive material, such as a metal material (e.g. aluminum sheet metal).

<FIG> depicts a cross-sectional view of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> with the stabilizer body <NUM> removed for clarity, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the tubing <NUM> may include a serpentine configuration <NUM>'. For instance, a portion of the tubing <NUM> may have a serpentine configuration <NUM>' for increasing a surface area of the tubing <NUM> to be heated within a predetermined width or length. The serpentine configuration <NUM>' of the tubing <NUM> may include a first section 6a, a second section 6b, and a third section 6c. The first section 6a may be parallel or substantially parallel to the third section 6c, wherein the second section 6b may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first section 6a and the third section 6c. The second section 6b may also have a width that separates the first section 6a from the third section 6c a distance that corresponds to a width of the of the stabilizer body <NUM>. For example, a region between the first section 6a and the third section 6c may receive the stabilizer body <NUM>. Moreover, embodiments of the serpentine configuration <NUM>' of the tubing <NUM> may include top curved portions 5a and connecting portions 5b that may connect top curved portions 5a located in the first section 5a to top curved portions 5a located in the third section 6c. Accordingly, mobile phase may flow into the serpentine configuration <NUM>'and up through a first connecting portion 5b of the first section 6a and around a first top curved portion 5a in the first section 6a and back through a second connecting portion 5b towards a first top curved portion 5a located in the third section 6c, and around the first top curved portion 5a located in the third section 6a and back through a third connecting portion 5b towards a second top curved portion 5a located in the first section 6a; this process may continue until the last top curved portion located in the third section 6c. Here, a section of tubing 5c may enter the interior region <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM> via cutout <NUM> and extend along or proximate the inner surface <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM> for connection to the column. Further, there may be gaps between the connecting portions 5b, which may allow the thermal pad <NUM> to stick to itself when wrapped around the top curved portions 5a, as described in greater detail infra.

Referring back to <FIG>, and with additional reference to <FIG>, embodiments of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> include a thermal pad <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a side, cross-sectional view of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> with the stabilizer body <NUM> removed for clarity, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of a thermal pad <NUM> may be applied to the serpentine configuration <NUM>' of the tubing <NUM> to promote effective and uniform/even heat transfer to the mobile phase within the tubing <NUM>. For instance, embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may be applied, attached, adhered, stuck to, pressed against, etc., at least one side of the first section 6a, the second section 6b, and the third section 6c to transfer heat to the tubing <NUM>. To prevent or otherwise hinder removal of the thermal pad <NUM> from the tubing <NUM> while handling the assembly <NUM> during installation and re-installation, portions of the thermal pad <NUM> may be wrapped around the top curved portion of the tubing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. For instance, portions of the thermal pad <NUM> may wrap around and/or over one or more top curved portions 5a on the first section 6a of the serpentine configuration <NUM>' of the tubing <NUM> so that the thermal pad <NUM> touches the tubing <NUM> on at least two sides. The folded over portion of the thermal pad <NUM> may reside between the tubing <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM>.

Furthermore, the folded over portion may make contact with the thermal pad <NUM> in addition to the contact with the tubing <NUM>. For example, the thermal pad <NUM> may be pressed into engagement with the serpentine configuration <NUM>' so that thermal pad <NUM> contacts the tubing <NUM> but is also forced through the gaps between the tubing <NUM> to make contact with the thermal pad <NUM>, which displaces air between the tubing <NUM> and replaces the air with the conductive material of the thermal pad <NUM>. As explained in further detail infra, embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may include a tacky surface that when pressed against the tubing <NUM> and against itself, the thermal pad <NUM> may stick to the tubing <NUM> and to the thermal pad <NUM> covering the opposing side of the tubing <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> will now be described. Embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may be for promoting heat transfer between a column heating module and a mobile phase of a liquid chromatography The thermal pad includes a silicone layer <NUM>, the silicone layer <NUM> having a reinforcement stiffener for reduced stretching of the silicone layer, and a tacky surface on at least a first side <NUM> of the silicone layer <NUM>, and a heat resistant polyester resin film layer <NUM> coupled to a second side <NUM> of the silicone layer <NUM>. In an operable configuration, the thermal pad <NUM> may cover a section of tubing <NUM> carrying the mobile phase to effectuate a uniform heating of the mobile phase.

<FIG> depicts a front view of a thermal pad <NUM>, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The thermal pad <NUM> includes a silicone layer <NUM>. The silicone layer <NUM> includes a first side <NUM> and an opposing second side <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. Embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may be a generally rectangular shaped piece of thermally conductive elastic material, configured to wrap around and cover a serpentine tubing <NUM>' carrying a mobile phase in the liquid chromatography system. In alternative embodiments, the thermal pad <NUM> may have a non-rectangular shape, which may also be sufficient for covering the tubing <NUM>, such as an elliptical shape, square shape, etc. Embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may have various designs and shapes, which may accomplish the functions described herein. The silicone layer <NUM> comprises a tacky surface, thermally conductive silicone material. For instance, the silicone layer <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> may be designed to enhance thermal conductivity by conducting heat energy through direct contact with other components, and include a tacky or otherwise sticky surface. The tacky surface may be tacky enough so that when the silicone layer <NUM> is pressed against the tubing <NUM>, the silicon layer <NUM> may stick to the tubing <NUM> without requiring an additional mechanical force to maintain the attachment of the thermal pad <NUM> to the tubing <NUM>, but may not be permanently adhered together. Further, the tacky surface may be tacky enough so that when the silicone layer <NUM> is pressed against other parts of the thermal pad <NUM> (e.g. folded portions over top curved portions 5a), the silicon layer <NUM> may stick to the other parts of the thermal pad <NUM> without requiring an additional mechanical force to retain such attachment, but may not be permanently adhered. The tacky surface is present on the first side <NUM> of the silicone layer <NUM> and/or the second side <NUM> of the silicone layer <NUM>. The tacky surface may be a product of how the silicone material of the layer <NUM> is created, or a tacky substance may be applied to the exterior of the silicone layer <NUM>. Due to the tacky surface of the silicone layer <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM>, and/or the wrapping technique used to wrap a portion of the thermal pad <NUM> around and over the tubing <NUM> on both sides of the tubing, a user may be prevented or otherwise hindered from accidentally lifting off or removing the thermal pad <NUM> during handling of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM>, and/or when removing the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> from the column heating module. In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the silicone layer <NUM> may be between <NUM> inches and <NUM> inches (<NUM> centimeters - <NUM> centimeters). In another exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the silicone layer <NUM> may be <NUM> inches (<NUM> centimeters). In yet another embodiment, a thickness of the thermal pad <NUM> may be <NUM>/<NUM> + <NUM>" (<NUM>).

Furthermore, the silicone layer <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> includes a reinforcement stiffener <NUM>. The reinforcement stiffener <NUM> may reduce a stretching of the thermal pad <NUM>. Embodiments of the reinforcement stiffener may be an internal mesh layer within the silicone layer <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal mesh layer may be a nylon mesh. The reinforcement stiffener <NUM> may also resist undue deformation of the thermal pad <NUM>, and may help prevent tearing of the thermal pad <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a rear view of a thermal pad, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The thermal pad <NUM> includes a heat resistant polyester resin film layer coupled to the second side <NUM> of the silicone layer <NUM>. Embodiments of the polyester resin film layer <NUM> may be a clear layer offering abrasion resistance to the thermal pad <NUM>. Embodiments of the polyester resin film layer may be a layer of Mylar ® attached to the second side <NUM> of the silicone layer <NUM>. The layer <NUM> may increase an abrasion resistance of the thermal pad <NUM>, as well as an overall durability of the thermal pad <NUM> as the assembly <NUM> is removed and replaced within the column heating module. The layer <NUM> may prevent or otherwise a tearing of the thermal pad <NUM>.

A thickness of the polyester resin film layer <NUM> may be between <NUM> inches and <NUM> inches (<NUM> centimeters - <NUM> centimeters). If the polyester resin film layer <NUM> is too thin, the layer <NUM> may tear. If the polyester resin film layer is too thick, then the thermal resistance of the layer <NUM> may be too great and can hinder the wrapping ability of the thermal pad <NUM>. Further, when the thermal pad <NUM> is heated, the heat resistant polymer resin layer <NUM> may undergo a shrinking effect, so that the layer <NUM> shrinks to tighten down onto the silicone layer <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly <NUM> may be pre-heated before shipping to an end user and placed within the column heating module to elicit the heat shrink effect of the layer <NUM> onto the layer <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a side view of the thermal pad <NUM>, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may thus include a silicone layer <NUM> and a clear polyester resin film layer <NUM>, wherein the silicone layer <NUM> may have a greater thickness than the polyester resin film layer <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may include a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The thermal pad <NUM> includes a notched portion <NUM> proximate, at, or otherwise near the second end <NUM>. The notched portion <NUM> may be proximate a corner of the thermal pad <NUM> nearby the second end <NUM>. Embodiments of the notched portion <NUM> may be defined by a gap, opening, void, etc. at a corner of the thermal pad <NUM>. The notched portion <NUM> may provide access, clearance, or a pathway for the length of tubing 5c that enters the interior region <NUM> of the stabilizer body The notched portion <NUM> is defined by a recessed surface, recessed from a top edge of the thermal pad. The recessed surface may be recessed approximately between <NUM> and <NUM> inches (<NUM> centimeters - <NUM>), e.g. <NUM> inches (<NUM>). In other embodiments, the notched portion <NUM> may have rounded edges, square edges, or a combination of round and square edges. Instead of a completely open ended notched portion <NUM>, the notched portion <NUM> may have an opening within the thermal pad <NUM> proximate the corner area, wherein the opening is surrounded by portion of the thermal pad <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a top view of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM>, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the tubing 5c may pass through the notched portion <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> and then through the cutout <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM> to connect with connection <NUM> of the stabilizing assembly <NUM>. For example, the location of the notched portion <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> may correspond with a location of the cutout <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM>, in an operable configuration. Having the notched portion <NUM> may also allow a thermal pad <NUM> to be retrofitted onto existing column stabilizer assemblies that have a similar tubing configuration.

Furthermore, embodiments of the thermal pad <NUM> may also include an opening <NUM>. Embodiments of the opening <NUM> may be an opening, a hole, an aperture, a clearance hole, an access point, and the like. Embodiments of the opening <NUM> may extend through the silicone layer <NUM> and the heat resistant polyester resin film layer <NUM>, and may correspond to a location of hole <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. For example, the opening <NUM> is configured to allow a fastener <NUM> or other attachment component to pass therethrough to secure a stabilizer body <NUM> of a column stabilizer assembly <NUM> to the column heating module. The opening <NUM> further provides clearance for a portion of the stabilizer body <NUM> surrounding the hole <NUM> that protrudes from the first side section <NUM> of the stabilizer body <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a front view of the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> disposed within a column heating module <NUM>, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the column stabilizer assembly may be pressed into the extrusion within the column heating module that has a heating element. The heating element of the column heating module may raise a temperature of the extrusion up to <NUM> to pre-heat and/or maintain a temperature of the mobile phase before entering the column (e.g. before separation). Other heating elements incorporated into the column heating module may go over <NUM>. The column stabilizer assembly <NUM> may be pressed into the extrusion of the column heating module with an interference fit between the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> and the column heating module for direct thermal contact therebetween. In some embodiments, the column stabilizer assembly <NUM>, in particular the stabilizer body <NUM>, may be further secured to the extrusion of the column heating module by one or more (e.g. two) fasteners, such as screws <NUM>. The thermal pad <NUM> may mechanically interfere with the heating surface of the heated region of the column heating module <NUM> of a liquid chromatography system. The physical, direct contact of the thermal pad <NUM> and the heating surface of the column heating module <NUM> may in turn raise or otherwise control a temperature of a solvent flowing in the tubing <NUM> of the liquid chromatography system.

Referring now to <FIG>, a method for assembling a column stabilizer for use in a column heating module <NUM> of a liquid chromatography system may include the step of applying a thermal pad <NUM> to tubing <NUM> containing a mobile phase. The tubing <NUM> may have a serpentine configuration <NUM>' that defines a first section 6a, a second section 6b, and a third section 6c each covered by the thermal pad <NUM>. The method for assembling the column stabilizer may also include wrapping a first portion of the thermal pad <NUM> proximate a first end <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> around a curved top portion 5a of the first section 6a of the tubing <NUM>', so that the first portion contacts the tacky surface of the silicone layer <NUM>. Likewise, the method for assembling the column stabilizer may also include wrapping a second portion of the thermal pad <NUM> proximate a second end <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> around a curved top portion 5a of the third section 6c of the tubing <NUM>', so that the second portion contacts the tacky surface of the silicone layer <NUM>. The tubing <NUM>' covered by the thermal pad may be disposed around a stabilizer body <NUM> for attachment to or engagement with the column heating module <NUM>, wherein heat generated by the column heating module <NUM> is transferred to the mobile phase within the section of tubing <NUM>' via physical contact between the thermal pad <NUM> and the section of tubing <NUM>'.

Further, a method for pre-heating a mobile phase in a liquid chromatography system prior to the mobile phase entering a column for a separation includes the step of disposing a column stabilizer assembly <NUM> in a column heating module <NUM>, the column stabilizer assembly <NUM> including a stabilizer body <NUM>, the stabilizer body <NUM> having a first side section <NUM>, a bottom section <NUM>, and a second side section <NUM>, wherein an interior region is defined between the first side section <NUM> and the second side section <NUM>, a connection fitting <NUM> for connecting an end of the serpentine tubing <NUM>' to a column of the liquid chromatography system, and a thermal pad <NUM> disposed against the serpentine tubing <NUM>', wherein a first portion proximate a first end <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> is folded over the serpentine tubing <NUM>' such that the first portion wraps around the serpentine tubing <NUM>' and sticks to a tacky surface of the thermal pad <NUM>,wherein the column heating module <NUM> applies heat from a heating surface to the column stabilizer assembly <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A thermal pad (<NUM>) for promoting heat transfer between a column heating module and a mobile phase of a liquid chromatography system by covering a section of tubing carrying the mobile phase to effectuate a uniform heating of the mobile phase, the thermal pad comprising:
a silicone layer (<NUM>), the silicone layer having a reinforcement stiffener (<NUM>) for reducing stretching of the silicone layer, and a tacky surface on at least a first side of the silicone layer;
a heat resistant polyester resin film layer (<NUM>) coupled to a second side of the silicone layer; and
a notched portion (<NUM>) in only one corner of the thermal pad, the notched portion defined by a first edge extending vertically from a top edge of the thermal pad and a second edge extending horizontally from a side edge of the thermal pad towards the first edge, wherein the first edge is perpendicular to the second edge.