Innovative column protection products like OPTI-GUARD® Guard Columns, and OPTI–LYNX™ Quick-Connect Guard Cartridges. Despite all the complexity of the LC system, the heart of any separation is the column - and quite often, the most problematic. That is why it is crucial to protect your column investment; an investment that goes beyond financial, but also consists of time spent in method development, verification, and troubleshooting. A guard column can filter out particulates and trap irreversibly binding impurities, making it one of the simplest ways to protect an analytical column. This results in more consistent, reproducible behavior and extended column lifetime.

Ideally, a guard will have a negligible impact on separation, both in plate count efficiency and extra-column contributions. Optimize Technologies Guard Columns are all designed to have the smallest possible effect on your LC system. With innovations like an auto-adjusting stem, OPTI–LYNX quick-connect technology, and narrow-bore IDs, they will provide the essential protection required of any guard column - without any negative impact on the chromatographic separation.

OPTI-LYNX™ Guard Column System

The OPTI-LYNX™ Guard Column System is a high-performance cartridge-based guard system suitable for use with any 10-32 analytical column. OPTI-LYNX™ combines effective column protection with the convenience of quick-connect operation. Once installed, allows you to change guard cartridges or disconnect your analytical column in seconds, without tools.

OPTI-LYNX™ adapts to any 10-32 column port, with perfect ZDV connection regardless of tube-stop depth. Low-dispersion component interfaces keep extra-column volume to a minimum — the connection paths to the guard cartridge have a total internal volume of less than 2 µL.

OPTI-LYNX™ hardware and cartridge part numbers are listed below. Start with our OPTI-LYNX™ Guard Column Holder Kit, then select OPTI-LYNX™ Guard Cartridges in the chemistries you require - they are available individually and in five-packs.

We also offer OPTI-LYNX™ cartridges in custom configurations.  Please contact us to discuss your application.

OPTI-LYNX™ Guard Column Brochure

Please see our application notes regarding the OPTI-LYNX™ Guard Column System.

Trap Cartridges as Sample Pre-Concentrators Application Note
General Guide to Trapping Application Note
Detergent Removal Application Note

OPTI-GUARD®

OPTI-GUARD® EXP™ Guard Column

OPTI-GUARD® EXP™ Guard Column Brochure

Optimize Technologies is proud to introduce the OPTI-GUARD® EXP™ Guard Column cartridge system. Rated to 20,000 psi with hand-tight replaceable cartridges for routine use at UHPLC pressures, the unique design connects directly to any UHPLC column with an auto-adjusting Titanium Hybrid ferrule and OPTI-LOK™ EXP™ fittings, providing repeated Zero Dead Volume connections and allowing for easy adjustability between various column types. The extremely low volume design protects expensive sub 2 micron UHPLC columns without significantly changing retention times, plate counts, or peak shapes.

OPTI-GUARD® 1mm Guard Columns

OPTI-GUARD® Guard Columns Brochure

The OPTI-GUARD® 1mm Guard Column sets the standard for low-impact, easy to use pre-column protection. Designed for use with any HPLC column, the unique floating stem design automatically adjusts to any manufacturer's tube stop depth for a zero-dead-volume connection every time. No larger than a standard fitting, the OPTI-GUARD® 1mm requires no special connecting hardware or tools for installation.

The elegant design of the OPTI-GUARD® 1mm also lends to its effectiveness as a low-impact guard column. Special packing materials are selected to compliment the OPTI-GUARD's narrow-bore ID, providing effective protection for your analytical column without influencing your chromatography. Fully disposable, simply switch out the OPTI-GUARD® 1mm as needed to maintain effective column protection.

OPTI-GUARD® Biocompatible 1mm Guard Columns

Our OPTI-GUARD® Biocompatible Guard Columns provide all the features of our standard Guard Columns but are designed for biomedical applications that require a metal-free environment. All of the materials are manufactured from inert and biocompatible materials. Choose one of our pre-packed columns or design your own.

OPTI-GUARD® 3mm Guard Columns

OPTI-GUARD® Guard Columns Brochure

If you like the features of the OPTI-GUARD® 1mm, but have a need for more capacity, the OPTI-GUARD® 3mm was designed with users like yourself in mind. The OPTI-GUARD® 3mm maintains the tool-free connectivity of the OPTI-GUARD® 1mm, but incorporates a cartridge-based format to allow for a larger bed with more capacity. The two part holder is designed for use with any analytical column providing vital protection from dirty samples and strongly retained contaminants. An auto-adjusting stem conforms perfectly to any tube stop depth resulting in a perfect zero-dead-volume connection.