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AssigneeG6 Science Corp.
InventorGary William Ferguson
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The present invention is a filter apparatus with methods to capture a desired amount of material suspended in a liquid or gas for monolayer deposition, analysis or other uses. Novel filter devices are employed to capture material which may be used for the purification or enrichment of various sample constituents or captured material may be observed or analyzed. Alternatively, particulate material may be used as a transport mechanism for proteins or chemicals which in turn may be assessed or used. The filter device employs means to sense pressure and adjust, halt or otherwise control sample flow. The pressure sensor essentially monitors the flow rate of sample suspension through a filter, typically responding at a predetermined pressure associated with capture of a desired amount of material on the filter. A separate valve or valve integrated with pressure sensing provides a means to adjust sample flow. Typically, pressure is used to provide a means to cause the sample suspension to flow through the filter, which is preferably a membrane filter for monolayer deposition. In some embodiments a novel syringe provides this pressure, functioning as a vacuum source. The filter apparatus may be further automated to process a plurality of samples, simultaneously.
An apparatus for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter for deposition on a receiving surface, comprising
2 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing and said means for adjusting comprise a pressure-sensitive check valve.
3 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing and said means for adjusting comprise a poppet valve.
4 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing and said means for adjusting comprise a plurality of poppet valves.
5 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing is a pressure transducer.
6 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing is mechanical.
7 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing is electromechanical.
8 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing is adjustable.
9 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting is mechanical.
10 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting is electromechanical.
11 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiving surface receives said captured material from said filter by backwashing said filter.
12 An apparatus for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
13 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said check valve comprises a poppet valve.
14 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve comprises a plurality of poppet valves.
15 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve is mechanical.
16 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve is electromechanical.
17 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said check valve is adjustable.
18 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said receiving surface receives said captured material from said filter by backwashing said filter.
An apparatus for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
20 The apparatus of claim 19, whereby said filter deforms at a predetermined pressure.
21 The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for adjusting said flow of said sample suspension through said filter when said filter deforms at a predetermined pressure.
22 The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said filter is composed of a porous area and a nonporous area.
23 The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a flow-control valve in said body member, wherein said filter engages said flow-control valve when said filter deforms within said body member, and wherein said flow-control valve, upon engagement, adjusts said flow of said sample suspension.
24 The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said flow-control valve uses venting to adjust said flow of said sample suspension through said filter.
25 The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said flow-control valve uses pathway control to adjust said flow of said sample suspension through said filter.
26 The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said receiving surface receives said captured material from said filter by backwashing said filter.
A method for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
28 The method of claim 27, further comprising sensing and adjusting with a pressure-sensitive check valve.
29 The method of claim 27, further comprising sensing and adjusting with a poppet valve.
30 The method of claim 27, further comprising sensing and adjusting with a plurality of poppet valves.
31 The method of claim 27, further comprising sensing with a pressure transducer.
32 The method of claim 27, further comprising sensing with a mechanical means.
33 The method of claim 27, further comprising sensing with an electromechanical means.
34 The method of claim 27, further comprising sensing with an adjustable means.
35 The method of claim 27, further comprising adjusting with a mechanical means.
36 The method of claim 27, further comprising adjusting with an electromechanical means.
37 The method of claim 27, wherein said transferring step includes backwashing said filter.
38 A method for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
39 The method of claim 38, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve comprises a poppet valve.
40 The method of claim 38, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve comprises a plurality of poppet valves.
41 The method of claim 38, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve is mechanical.
42 The method of claim 38, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve is electromechanical.
43 The method of claim 38, wherein said pressure-sensitive check valve is adjustable.
44 The method of claim 38, wherein said transferring step includes backwashing said filter.
A method for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a deformable filter, comprising
46 The method of claim 45, further comprising deforming said deformable filter at a predetermined pressure.
47 The method of claim 45, wherein said deforming step further includes adjusting said flow of said sample suspension.
48 The method of claim 45, wherein said deformable filter has a porous area and a nonporous area.
49 The method of claim 45, wherein said deforming step further includes engaging a flow-control valve to adjust said flow of said sample suspension.
50 The method of claim 49, wherein said flow-control valve uses venting to adjust said flow of said sample suspension.
51 The method of claim 49, wherein said flow-control valve uses pathway control to adjust said flow of said sample suspension.
52 The method of claim 45, wherein said transferring step includes backwashing said filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.