Patent ID: 8343349

Claim:
A method for conducting maintenance on a chromatography column or parts thereof 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 an integrated drive system, said adapter assembly moveable within a cavity of said tube in an operational mode; said base assembly comprising a distributor, a backing plate and a bed support fastened to each other by releasable fixing means; 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 there between; d) affixing guide elements to the tube; e) unfastening the bed support from the distributor and said backing plate without accessing the interior of the column; f) removing the bed support from the column without accessing the interior of the column by means of said guide elements; g) conducting maintenance on the column and/or the bed support and/or said one or more seals; h) returning the bed support to the column and fastening the bed support to the backing plate and to the distributor without accessing the interior of the column; i) releasing the guide elements from the tube; and j) lowering the tube and the adapter assembly to an operational position and reconnecting the tube to the base assembly.