Nonwoven sliver-based filter medium for filtering particulate matter

A filter medium for filtering particulate matter from a liquid, the filter medium comprising:

• a nonwoven sliver formed into a predetermined shape, wherein the nonwoven sliver comprises:
• first synthetic staple fibers having a first denier;
• second synthetic staple fibers having a second denier;
• and
• third synthetic staple fibers having a third denier;
• wherein the filter medium has a substantially cylindrical or spherical shape and comprises a core and an outer wrap, a density of the core being greater than a density of the outer wrap,
• wherein the filter medium is configured to filter particulate matter from a liquid, with a fiber migration of about 100 fibers or less for a flush volume of about 19,000 milliliters at a flow rate of about 600 cubic centimeters per minute;
• wherein:
• the nonwoven sliver is a first nonwoven sliver comprising synthetic staple fibers having a first density,
• the filter medium further comprises a second nonwoven sliver comprising synthetic staple fibers having a second density,
• the core comprises the first nonwoven sliver, and
• the outer wrap comprises the second nonwoven sliver.