Patent ID: 7785473

Claim:
A method for conducting maintenance on a chromatography column comprising the steps of: a) providing a chromatography column comprising: a dispersion system comprising a nozzle including a mobile phase pathway connected to a liquid inlet; a tube with an adapter assembly and a base assembly connected to a drive system, said adapter assembly moveable within a cavity of said tube in an operational mode; the base assembly comprising a distributor and a bed support fastened to each other by releasable fixing means; said drive system comprising one or more cylinders; a collection system opposing the dispersion system; and one or more seals; b) releasing the tube from the base assembly; c) lifting the tube and the adapter assembly above the base assembly with the drive system to provide a gap for access therebetween; d) unfastening the bed support from the distributor by releasing the fixing means without accessing said gap; e) removing the bed support from the column; f) conducting maintenance on the column and/or the bed support and/or said one or more seals; g) returning the bed support to the column and fastening the bed support to the distributor; and h) lowering the tube and the adapter assembly with the drive system and reconnecting the tube to the base assembly.