Filtration device

A process for producing a filter device, said process comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a header section and a tubular section, each comprising a thermoplastic polymer;
• b) providing a disk of a thermoplastic polymer comprising an IR-absorptive material, the disk having a plurality of bores, each bore holding a first end of a semipermeable hollow fiber membrane protruding from the disk, the semipermeable hollow fiber membrane being sealed at its second end;
• c) assembling the header section, the disk holding the plurality of semipermeable hollow fiber membranes, and the tubular section, so that the lip of the header section and the lip of the tubular section contact the disk, the header section covering the bores of the disk, and the tubular section enclosing the plurality of semipermeable hollow fiber membranes;
• d) joining the header section to the disk;
• and joining the disk to the tubular section by irradiation with laser light having a wavelength in the range of from about 800 nm to about 1090 nm.

A method for dead-end filtration of a liquid, said method comprising the step of sterile filtering the liquid using a filtration device comprising:

• i. a header section having an inlet for a liquid;
• ii. a disk having a plurality of bores, each bore holding a first end of a semipermeable hollow fiber membrane protruding from the disk, the semipermeable hollow fiber membrane being sealed at its second end;
• and
• iii. a tubular section having an outlet for a liquid;
• wherein the header section covers a first face of the disk;
• and
• wherein the tubular section covers a second face of the disk opposite to the first face, and enclosing the plurality of semipermeable hollow fiber membranes;
• wherein the header section, the disk, and the tubular section each comprise a thermoplastic polymer;
• and
• wherein the disk comprises an IR-absorptive pigment selected from the group consisting of carbon black, IR-absorptive inorganic pigments, and IR-absorptive organic pigments.