# US 10,864,483 B2 · Molecular weight filtration system and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,483 B2 - Document ID: US10864483B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/193,539 - Filed: 2018-11-16 - Published: 2020-05-21 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-16 - Assignees: Integrated Protein Technologies, Snc. - Applicants: Integrated Protein Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Philip D. Compton; Jared Drader - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864483B2 ## CPC - B01D 63/08: Flat membrane modules - B01D 69/02: characterised by their properties - G01N 1/34: Purifying; Cleaning {(processes or apparatus for extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples C12N15/1003)} - G01N 1/4005: {by transferring a selected component through a membrane} - B01D 63/087: {Single membrane modules} - B01D 2313/06: External membrane module supporting or fixing means - B01D 2313/10: Specific supply elements - B01D 2323/04: Hydrophobization - B01D 2325/34: Molecular weight or degree of polymerisation - G01N 2001/4088: {filtration} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A molecular filtration device and method of use capable of filtering and purifying molecules of a particular characteristic, wherein the amount of molecule to be filtered may be in the nanogram range and may be dispersed in a relatively large volume of solution. The resultant elution may include a substantially pure solution comprising the desired molecule. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A molecular filtration device comprising: an upper portion; and a lower portion; wherein said upper portion comprises two upper ports; wherein said two upper ports comprise a first upper port and a second upper port; wherein said first upper port is configured to receive a first upper flow device; wherein said second upper port is configured to receive a second upper flow device; wherein said first upper flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and not injecting a solution; wherein said second upper flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and withdrawing the solution; wherein said lower portion comprises a lower port and a reservoir; wherein said lower port is configured to receive a lower flow device; wherein said lower flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and withdrawing the solution from said reservoir; wherein said upper portion comprises a channel forming lip; wherein a channel forming cavity is formed by said channel forming lip when said upper portion and said lower portion engage one another; wherein a lower sealing surface of said upper portion and an upper sealing surface of said lower portion are configured to receive and compress a membrane; wherein said membrane is configured to extend beyond an outer edge of said channel forming lip, wherein a portion of said membrane that is located within an inner edge of said channel forming lip is not compressed; wherein a channel is defined by said channel forming cavity and said membrane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said membrane is a filtration membrane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The molecular filtration device of claim 2, wherein said filtration membrane is a molecular weight cut off filtration membrane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said upper sealing surface of said lower portion and said lower sealing surface of said upper portion are configured to apply a pressure to one another through said membrane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said channel has a volume of between 5 uL and 50 uL. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir comprises a frit supporting lip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The molecular filtration device of claim 6, wherein said device further comprises a frit; and wherein said frit supporting lip is configured to receive said frit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The molecular filtration device of claim 7, wherein said frit comprises a porous structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The molecular filtration device of claim 7, wherein said frit is rigid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, further comprising an upper rigid support member configured to be received within the channel forming lip in order to provide structural support to an upper surface of said membrane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said channel forming cavity is teardrop shaped. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said channel forming cavity is oval shaped. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said channel forming cavity is elongated rectangle shaped. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The molecular filtration device of claim 1, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion matingly engage one another. ### Claim 15 A method for automated molecular sample analysis comprising the steps; introducing a sample into a molecular purification system; wherein said sample comprises at least one type of molecule to be isolated; wherein said molecular purification system comprises one or more molecular filtration devices; wherein said one or more molecular filtration devices comprise an upper portion and a lower portion; wherein said upper portion comprises two upper ports; wherein said two upper ports comprise a first upper port and a second upper port; wherein said first upper port is configured to receive a first upper flow device; wherein said second upper port is configured to receive a second upper flow device; wherein said first upper flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and not injecting a solution; wherein said second upper flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and withdrawing the solution; wherein said lower portion comprises a lower port and a reservoir; wherein said lower port is configured to receive a lower flow device; wherein said lower flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and withdrawing the solution from said reservoir; wherein said upper portion comprises a channel forming lip; wherein a channel forming cavity is formed by said channel forming lip when said upper portion and said lower portion engage one another; wherein a lower sealing surface of said upper portion and an upper sealing surface of said lower portion are configured to receive and compress a membrane; wherein said membrane is configured to extend beyond an outer edge of said channel forming lip, wherein a portion of said membrane that is located within an inner edge of said channel forming lip is not compressed; wherein a channel is defined by said channel forming cavity and said membrane; wherein said sample is loaded into said one or more molecular filtration devices. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method for automated molecular sample analysis of claim 15, further comprising the step: purifying said sample by washing said sample while loaded on said one or more molecular filtration devices. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method for automated molecular sample analysis of claim 16, further comprising the step: eluting said sample from said one or more molecular filtration devices; wherein said sample is eluted by preventing flow of said solution through one of said two upper ports and reversing the flow direction of solution through the other upper port and lower port. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method for automated molecular sample analysis of claim 17, wherein said eluted sample is eluted to an analysis machine; and wherein said analysis machine is in fluid communication with said one or more molecular filtration devices. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method for automated molecular sample analysis of claim 17, wherein said steps of loading of said sample, purifying said sample, and eluting said sample on said one or more molecular filtration devices are conducted in parallel with respect to the one or more molecular filtration devices. ### Claim 20 A molecular filtration device comprising: an upper portion; and a lower portion; wherein said upper portion comprises two upper ports; wherein said two upper ports comprise a first upper port and a second upper port; wherein said first upper port is configured to receive a first upper flow device; wherein said second upper port is configured to receive a second upper flow device; wherein said first upper flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and not injecting a solution; wherein said second upper flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and withdrawing the solution; wherein said lower portion comprises a lower port and a reservoir; wherein said lower port is configured to receive a lower flow device; wherein said lower flow device is configured to alternate between injecting and withdrawing the solution from said reservoir; wherein said upper portion comprises a channel forming lip; wherein a channel forming cavity is formed by said channel forming lip when said upper portion and said lower portion matingly engage one another; wherein a lower sealing surface of said upper portion and an upper sealing surface of said lower portion are configured to receive and compress a membrane; wherein said membrane is configured to extend beyond an outer edge of said channel forming lip, wherein a portion of said membrane that is located within an inner edge of said channel forming lip is not compressed; wherein a channel is defined by said channel forming cavity and said membrane; wherein said filtration membrane is a molecular weight cut off filtration membrane; wherein said upper sealing surface of said lower portion and said lower sealing surface of said upper portion are configured to apply a pressure to one another through said membrane; wherein said channel has a volume of between 5 uL and 50 uL; wherein said reservoir comprises a frit supporting lip; wherein said device further comprises a frit; wherein said frit supporting lip is configured to receive said frit; wherein said frit comprises a porous structure; and wherein said frit is rigid.