Abstract: A filter cartridge configured to provide two or more levels of fluid filtration or conditioning from within a single filter cartridge is disclosed, the filter cartridge including a housing that defines an interior cavity and has an inlet portion for receiving fluid into the cavity, a first outlet portion for discharging fluid from the housing, and a second outlet portion for discharging fluid from the housing. The filter cartridge also includes a first stage filter disposed within the interior cavity for conditioning fluid passing therethrough, the first stage filter in fluid communication with the inlet portion and the first outlet portion by way of a first flow path, and a second stage filter disposed within the interior cavity of the housing for conditioning fluid passing therethrough, the second stage filter in fluid communication with the inlet portion and the second outlet portion by way of a second flow path.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing reinforced, three-zone, microporous membrane having a plurality of different possible pore sizes from at least a single mother dope batch, including formulating at least a single mother dope batch, controllably formulating the dope in at least one vessel such that the dope temperature does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a temperature lower than the mixing temperature, heating a small portion of the dope to a target temperature corresponding to a specific desired pore size to be formed in at least one zone of the microporous membrane in at least one thermal manipulation apparatus cooling the dope to about room temperature or a temperature which results in a suitable and/or optimal coating viscosity, operatively connecting at least one dope application apparatus is to the at least one thermal manipulation apparatus for transporting the manipulated dope to a dope processing site.

Abstract: An at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane is disclosed. The at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane may include at least two different membrane pore size layers or the pore sizes may have about the same pore size. Apparatus and processes for fabricating at least a two layer unsupported, continuous, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter sheet is provided which comprises a self-supporting fibrous matrix having immobilized therein particulate filter aid and particulate ion exchange resin, wherein said particulate filter aid and particulate ion exchange resin are distributed substantially uniformly throughout a cross-section of said matrix. A process for removing ionic impurities from a photoresist solution is also provided which comprises passing the photoresist solution through said filter sheet to remove ionic impurities therefrom.

Abstract: An improved combination non-luminescent microporous membrane and solid support for use in micro-analytical diagnostic applications is disclosed. Specifically, composite microarray non-luminescent slides having a microporous membrane effectively attached by covalent bonding through a surface treatment to a substrate that prepares the substrate to sufficiently, covalently bond to the non-luminescent microporous membrane formed by a phase inversion process such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications and wherein the porous non-luminescent nylon composite microarray slides are covalently bonded to a solid base member, such as, for example, a glass or Mylar microscope slide, such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications. Apparatus and methods for fabricating lithe non-luminescent composite microarray slides are also disclosed.