US 7,125,434 B2 · Deep gradient-density filter device

Abstract

A deep gradient-density filter device capable of effectively filtering a fluid containing a distribution of particles in the range of approximately 25 microns to approximately 0.2 micron at a fluid velocity of at least approximately 100 cm/hr and an initial hydraulic permeability of greater than approximately 10 cm/hr/psi. The deep gradient-density filter device includes several layers of filtration material, each having specific predetermined particle retention properties. In one product embodiment, the deep gradient-density filter device uses “loose” fibrillated cellulose fiber material as a primary filter element. In a method aspect, the deep gradient-density filter device is used for either the secondary clarification of industrial-scale volumes of cultured or fermented protein-containing biopharmaceutical fluids or the primary clarification of pilot-scale volumes.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A deep gradient-density filter device having a depth of at least approximately 0.5 inch (1.27 cm.) and capable of filtering a fluid containing a distribution of particles in the range of approximately 25 microns to approximately 0.2 micron, the deep gradient-density filter device comprising in order:

(a) a pre-filtration zone comprising layers of filtration material, said pre-filtration zone capable of retaining particles in the range of approximately 25 microns to approximately 1 micron,
(b) a primary filtration zone comprising filtration material, said primary filtration zone capable retaining particles in the range of approximately 1 micron to approximately 0.3 micron, and
(c) a polishing zone comprising layers of filtration material, said polishing zone capable of retaining particles in the range of approximately 0.3 micron to approximately 0.2 micron;
and
wherein the retention capabilities of the pre-filtration zone, the primary filtration zone, and the polishing zone, as recited in (a), (b), and (c) respectively, are established at a fluid velocity of at least approximately 100 cm/hr and an initial hydraulic permeability of greater than approximately 10 cm/hr/psi.

2 more elements

A biopharmaceutical fluid processing methodology comprising the steps of:

providing a manufactured protein-containing solution comprising a synthetically-enriched concentration of a predetermined target protein and a distribution of solid particles of differing sizes;
providing a deep gradient-density filter device comprising abutting layers of filtration materials that collectively have a depth of at least approximately a half-inch;
and
passing said manufactured protein-containing solution through said deep gradient-density filter device at a velocity of at least approximately 100 cm/hr.

1 more element

A deep gradient-density filter device comprising in order:

a pre-filtration zone comprising layers of filtration material, said pre-filtration zone capable of retaining particles within a first size distribution range;
a primary filtration zone comprising at least one layer of fibrillated fiber containing material, said primary filtration zone capable of retaining particles within a second size distribution range, said second size distribution range being smaller than said first size distribution range;
and
a polishing zone comprising layers of filtration material, said polishing zone capable of retaining particles within a third size distribution range, said third size distribution range being smaller than said second size distribution range.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Deep gradient-density filter device

Life of this patent

Deep gradient-density filter device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15