Filter unit for filtering and method for collecting cells in a liquid cell culture medium
AssigneeMurata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
InventorsJunko Watanabe, Takashi Kondo, Masaru Banju
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A liquid cell culture medium collecting filter unit includes a porous metal membrane that filters out cells in a liquid cell culture medium, a support that holds a peripheral portion of the porous metal membrane. and a tubular member that has a hollow part serving a flow path for a liquid cell culture medium. The tubular member is connected to the support such that the flow path faces at least part of a main surface of the porous metal membrane.
Claims19
A filtering unit for filtering cells contained in a liquid cell culture medium, the filter comprising:
- tubular member defining a liquid cell culture medium flow path having a central axis;
- a porous membrane comprising a central portion located in the flow path and a peripheral portion located outside of the flow path;
- and
- a support member holding the peripheral portion of the porous membrane in such a manner that the central portion of the porous membrane is in tension and lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the central axis, the support member including:
- a first frame member having:
- a first protrusion extending parallel to the central axis and away from the porous membrane;
- and
- a flange extending toward the central axis and being radially inward of the first protrusion;
- and
- a second frame member cooperating with the first frame member to hold the peripheral portion of the porous membrane, the second frame member having:
- a second protrusion extending parallel to the central axis and toward the porous membrane, the first and second protrusions cooperating to hold the peripheral portion of the porous membrane;
- and
- a third protrusion extending parallel to the central axis and being connected to the tubular member.
A liquid cell culture medium collecting method, comprising:
- placing a liquid cell culture medium collecting filter unit in a container that contains a cell-containing liquid cell culture medium, the liquid culture medium collecting filter unit including:
- a tubular member defining a liquid cell culture medium flow path having a central axis;
- a porous metal membrane that filters out cells in the liquid cell culture medium, the porous metal membrane having a central portion located in the flow path and a peripheral portion located outside of the flow path;
- and
- a support member holding the peripheral portion of the porous metal membrane in such a manner that the central portion of the membrane is in tension and lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the central axis, the support member including:
- a first frame member having:
- a first protrusion extending parallel to the central axis and away from the porous membrane;
- and
- a flange extending toward the central axis and being radially inward of the first protrusion;
- and
- a second frame member cooperating with the first frame member to hold the peripheral portion of the porous membrane, the second frame member having:
- a second protrusion extending parallel to the central axis and toward the porous membrane, the first and second protrusions cooperating to hold the peripheral portion of the porous membrane;
- and
- a third protrusion extending parallel to the central axis and being connected to the tubular member;
- and
- passing the liquid cell culture medium in the container through the flow path and the porous metal membrane and collecting the liquid cell culture medium outside the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.