Method of making microporous filter membrane
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorJames D. Jacobson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filter membrane, methods of making such filter membrane and apparatus employing such filter membrane are disclosed, in which the filter membrane is a monolithic polymeric membrane that includes a polymeric filter layer including a micron-scale precision-shaped pores and a polymeric support layer that has a precision-shaped porous support structure for the filter layer. Several methods are disclosed for making such a membrane using micromachining techniques, including lithographic, laser ablation and x-ray treatment techniques. Several filter apparatus employing such a membrane are also disclosed.
Claims22
A method for making a monolithic polymeric filter membrane comprising at least a filter layer including micron-scale precision-shaped pores and a support layer including a precision-shaped support structure for the filter layer, the method comprising:
- providing a polymeric film having first and second sides;
- forming the filter membrane layer by removing selected material from the first side of the polymeric film to define the precision-shaped micron-scale pores of the filter layer;
- and
- forming the support structure layer by removing selected material from the second side of said polymeric film to define the precision-shaped porous support structure, the pores communicating with the porous support structure to allow the passage of filtrate therethrough.
A method for making a monolithic filter membrane comprising:
- providing a flexible film having opposed, generally planar surfaces and a thickness between the surfaces;
- ablating selected areas of one of the surfaces to a first selected depth to define a plurality of micron-scale precision-shaped pores on the one surface;
- and
- ablating selected areas of the other of the surfaces to a second selected depth to define a porous precision-shaped support structure, the pores communicating with the porous support structure to allow the passage of filtrate therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.