VanGuard Cartridge Holder, 1/pk
Representing a novel and purposeful approach to guard column design and functionality, VanGuard Cartridges and Pre-Columns provide an unprecedented ease of use along with an ultra-low dispersion format. VanGuard Fully Integrated Technology (FIT) is designed to address the restrictions of traditional column design, allowing for sound connections to be made in a simple and reproducible manner while reducing extra-column volume. With these innovations, lab equipment using VanGuard FIT Technology, including the VanGuard Cartridge Holder, allows for optimal performance in even the most critical of separations.
Across pharmaceutical, natural product, environmental, and industrial chemical analysis, the complex sample matrices can often prematurely shorten column lifetime and degrade chromatographic performance. VanGuard Column Protection products improve the performance by removing particulate and chemical contamination that is present in the mobile-phase stream, extending the lifetime of columns and avoiding leaks and connection voids.
VanGuard columns are available in multiple particle sizes and stationary phases, like the XBridge BEH C18 VanGuard Cartridge, 130Å, 3.5 µm, 3.9 mm X 5 mm, 3/pk, making them perfectly suited to the physical and chemical protection of all analytical columns. VanGuard Cartridge Columns consist of two pieces, a holder and a cartridge, but they can be purchased separately. The VanGuard Cartridge Holder allows for the cartridge to be directly attached to the inlet side of an analytical LC column.
As part of the VanGuard system, the VanGuard Cartridge Holder offers minimal chromatographic effects while still optimizing performance in compatible operating pressures up to 18,000 psi (1240 bar). This allows the cartridge holder to offer superior protection across UPLC, UHPLC, and HPLC columns with particle sizes ranging from 5 to 16 µm. This is because the packing materials used in Waters VanGuard products are identical to the packaging materials used in Waters HPLC and UPLC Columns.
VanGuard Cartridge Holder, 1/pk FAQs
What are the benefits of using a VanGuard Cartridge Holder with my analytical column?
The VanGuard Cartridge Holder is designed to securely hold VanGuard pre-columns (guard cartridges), which protect the main analytical column from contamination and premature degradation. Using a VanGuard Cartridge Holder with your column provides several benefits, including extended column lifespan, improved sample protection, and enhanced chromatographic performance.
By trapping particulate matter, sample contaminants, and strongly retained compounds before they reach the main column, the VanGuard Cartridge helps prevent blockages, peak distortion, and loss of resolution. This is particularly useful when analyzing complex samples, biological matrices, or samples with unknown impurities. Additionally, the low dead volume design of the VanGuard system ensures minimal impact on separation efficiency, allowing for consistent and reproducible results.
Using a VanGuard Cartridge Holder reduces the frequency of full-column replacements, leading to lower operational costs while maintaining high-quality analytical performance in chromatography workflows.
How often should I replace the VanGuard Cartridge?
The replacement frequency of a VanGuard Cartridge depends on several factors, including sample type, matrix complexity, and injection volume. In routine analysis, cartridges typically last several hundred injections before requiring replacement. However, if your samples contain particulates, high levels of contaminants, or aggressive solvents, more frequent changes may be necessary to maintain optimal column performance.
A drop in column efficiency, peak broadening, increased backpressure, or inconsistent retention times may indicate that the VanGuard Cartridge is saturated or clogged and needs to be replaced. Regular monitoring of chromatography performance can help determine the best replacement schedule based on laboratory conditions.
Replacing the VanGuard Cartridge before it becomes fully compromised protects the main analytical column, extends its lifespan, and maintains consistent and reliable separations without downtime.
