Modular, disposable 3D printed microfluidic membrane system for separation and purification

A membrane extraction apparatus for extracting a component from a first liquid, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing comprised of a first housing half and a mating second housing half;
• the first housing half having a first planar inner surface and the second housing half having a second planar inner surface;
• the first housing half having a first inlet port and a first outlet port formed within a first longitudinal plane extending through the first housing half, the first housing half further including a projecting portion including a planar wall, and a first open faced channel formed in the first planar wall such that upper walls of the first open faced channel are co-planar with the planar wall, the first housing half being configured to flow the first liquid in a first direction through the first housing half from the first inlet port to the first outlet port;
• the second housing half having a second inlet port and a second outlet port formed within a second longitudinal plane extending through the second housing half and parallel to the first longitudinal plane, the second housing half further including a recessed portion including a planar recessed wall formed in the second planar inner surface, and a second open faced channel formed in the recessed portion such that upper walls of the second open faced channel are co-planar with the planar recessed wall, the second housing half being configured to flow a second liquid through the second housing half in a second direction opposite to the first direction, from a second inlet port to a second outlet port thereof, simultaneously with a flow of the first liquid through the first housing half, the second open faced channel further being arranged to at least partially overlay the first open faced channel when the first and second housing halves are secured together in facing relationship;
• a membrane filter disposed between the first and second housing halves to overlay the first and second open faced channels and communicate with the first and second open faced channels, while enabling the first and second planar inner surfaces to contact one another when the first and second housing halves are assembled together;
• the membrane filter operating to extract the component from the first liquid and to transfer the component into the second liquid as the first and second liquids flow through the first and second housing halves in opposing flows in the first and second directions;
• the recessed portion of the second housing half having a depth sufficient to engage the projecting portion of the first housing half when the first and second housing halves are secured together;
• wherein the projecting and recessed portions are shaped in accordance with a two dimensional shape of the membrane filter to house the membrane filter therebetween;
• wherein the first open faced channel has a first serpentine flow path, the second open faced channel has a second serpentine flow path, and wherein the first and second open faced channels further are configured with a common serpentine shape to form mirror images of one another, and to overlay one another, when the first and second housing halves are secured together;
• and
• wherein the first inlet port and the first outlet port of the first housing half are arranged in a first plane parallel with a plane in which the first open faced channel resides;
• and
• wherein the second inlet port and the second outlet port of the second housing half are arranged in a second plane parallel with a plane in which the second open faced channel resides.