US 8,747,669 B1 · Method and apparatus for the filtration of biological samples

Abstract

A separation module and method are disclosed for processing a liquid sample and providing high conversion by operating a single-pass tangential-flow process without a recirculation loop. In one embodiment, the separation module includes three reservoirs and has at least one long, thin channel with a large ratio of channel membrane area to: channel void volume; volume of a sample feed reservoir; and volume of the feed sample. In another embodiment, the separation module includes an external feed reservoir, an external retentate reservoir fluidly and a first vacuum source adapted to apply a first vacuum to the separation element disposed within the housing. The single-pass TFF separation element and single-pass process provides high conversion while operating with relatively low pressure sources. Certain embodiments disclosed herein can be used for the separation of blood.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A module for filtration of a liquid sample comprising:

a housing having a feed port and a retentate port;
a filter comprising a single pass tangential flow filtration (TFF) separation element comprising a membrane, the filter disposed within the housing comprising at least one flow channel having a flow channel inlet disposed at a first end of the flow channel and coupled to the feed port, a flow channel outlet coupled to the retentate port and disposed at a second opposite end of the separation element;
the housing includes a permeate port which is fluidly coupled to the separation element;
the housing is adapted to place the separation element in communication with a vacuum source;
wherein the at least one flow channel has a length a characterized by a dimensionless length greater than about 4000;
a feed reservoir disposed within the housing and fluidly coupled to the feed port;
a permeate reservoir fluidly coupled to the permeate port;
and
a vacuum source in communication with the permeate reservoir to apply a first vacuum to the separation element.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for the filtration of biological samples

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for the filtration of biological samples

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13