Patent ID: 8562840

Claim:
A method of separating a desired substance from other substances in a sample, comprising: a) providing a sample in a solution or suspension comprising the desired substance; b) loading the sample onto a column assembly, the column assembly comprising: 1) a column device, the column device comprising: i) a column, the column comprising an inner diameter and an upper opening; and ii) a lower end, the lower end comprising an effluent port; 2) a rigid porous filter placed within the column device, the rigid porous filter comprising a filter diameter no greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the column and a filter height greater than half the inner column diameter, the rigid porous filter further comprises: i) a first filter element; ii) a separation media element, wherein the separation media element further comprises separation media selected from the group comprising cross-linked dextrans, cellulose particles, ion exchange resins, silica particles, gels, affinity chromatography media, and combinations of the preceding; and iii) a second filter element; 3) an impermeable material surrounding the rigid porous filter; and 4) a grinding agent or pulverizing agent placed above the rigid porous filter; c) placing the column assembly in a suitable collection vessel; d) mechanically agitating the column assembly, wherein the mechanical agitation disrupts the sample; e) applying sufficient force to the column assembly and collection vessel to drive fluids in the sample through the effluent port into the collection vessel; f) eluting the desired substance from the column assembly; and g) collecting the eluted substance in the collection vessel.