Abstract: The invention relates to a device for carrying out integrity tests on filter elements by means of test gases, comprising a device housing (3), with an electronic controller (4), arranged therein for regulation and control of the progress of a test programme for filter elements, a filter housing (6), for housing a filter element (2) under test, a pneumatic unit (5), connected to the controller (4) and the filter housing (6), in particular for the generation and measurement of gas pressures, an electronic memory unit (10), which may be connected to the filter element (2) under test and a communication unit (13?), connected to the controller (4), for the exchange of data between the controller (4) and the electronic memory element (10). The communication unit (13?) is preferably embodied as an antenna (14?) and the electronic memory element (10) as a transponder (11). In addition to the device a method for carrying out integrity tests and a computer programme product are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and method for monitoring the integrity of filtering installations consisting of a filter housing (1) designed to perform integrity tests and for filtration, equipped with a plurality of filter elements (2, 3) and an electronic testing and monitoring unit (4) designed for monitoring and performing integrity tests, said filter elements (2, 3) having each a storage element and a communicating part (7) being connected to the monitoring and testing unit arranged in the filtering housing, whereon data of said electronic storage elements can be read.

Abstract: A method for testing the integrity of filter elements, in which the convective component of the volumetric gas flow rate is determined from the ratio of the volumetric gas flow rates and the ratio of the solubility or diffusion coefficients of two different gases in the wetting liquid of the filter elements or is determined from the ratio of the volumetric gas flow rates and the ratio of the solubility or diffusion coefficients of a test gas in two different wetting liquids.

Abstract: A bioreactor for culturing microorganisms which has a reactor vessel, a plurality of gas-introduction tubes and a gas-introduction system for introducing gas into a culture medium in the gas-introduction tubes via injectors, wherein the gas-introduction tubes are connected by their respective lower end, in the vertical direction, to the reactor vessel and by their opposite upper end to the upper end of an upright vessel which is likewise connected by its lower end to the reactor vessel, and at the upper end of the upright vessel an expansion vessel is arranged.

Abstract: Open-celled membranes from thermoplastic polymers are prepared from foamed polymer melts by extrusion through a die and particulary suitable for filtration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filter package comprising a housing and a cover that is adapted to enclose a sterile disposable filter wherein the package cover is penetrable at a point axially aligned with the filter and has at least one pre-formed break line along which the package cover, when subjected to appropriate force, ruptures so as to permit withdrawal of the filter by a syringe coupled thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crossflow-filtration method for beverages, in particular beer, which comprises the following steps: a) the feed liquid is introduced into a filter module by means of a tangential flow through a filter membrane (6) in a first direction, whereby the filtrate flow on the filtrate side (19) of the filter module is maintained within predetermined threshold values; b) the entry pressure is reduced and the filter is backflushed by surges of filtrate initiated by a reversal of the flow direction transversally to the membrane; c) the feed liquid is optionally introduced in an inverse flow direction to that of step a) and the concentrate is evacuated on the non-filtrate (7) side of the module; d) the entry pressure is reduced and the filter is backflushed by surges of filtrate initiated by a reversal of the flow direction transversally to the membrane; e) steps a) to d) are repeated until the filtrate flow lies below the lower predetermined threshold value; f) to k) the filter is emptied by a

Abstract: A force sensor with two force input elements to which a force to be measured and a support force are applied. The two force input elements are substantially rotationally symmetrical and are axially spaced apart, and the force to be measured and the support force are applied in radial directions. A spring element, arranged axially between the two force input elements connects these elements and its load-dependent deformation is converted into an electrical signal. A suppression of transverse forces is achieved in a purely mechanical manner so that the influence of transverse forces on the output signal of the force sensor are negligible. Both force input elements are additionally connected to each other by a guide element which encloses the spring element and which has two parallel guide connectors. The guide element is softer in the direction of the force to be measured than in a direction perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A force sensor with two force input elements to which the force to be measured and the support force are applied. The two force input elements are substantially rotationally symmetrical and are axially spaced apart, and the force to be measured and the support force are applied in a radial direction. A spring element, arranged axially between the two force input elements connects these elements and its load-dependent deformation is converted into an electrical signal. A substantially tubular cover connected to one of the two force input elements surrounds the spring element. The cover surrounds a portion of the other force input element, forming a circumferential gap. The cover has an inwardly projecting constriction that is spaced apart by a small axial distance from an opposite shoulder on the other force input element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a genetic vaccination device and a process for forming an injection solution therefor, the device comprising a syringe and canula coupled to a membrane adsorber having genetic material adsorbed thereon, and the process comprising eluting the genetic material from the membrane adsorber so as to form an injection solution containing the genetic material.

Abstract: A method is made available for conducting an integrity test of filter elements (3), in particular of sterile filters. The integrity test involves direct measurement, at constant pressure, of a liquid flow on the inflow side of the filter element (3) to be tested. The test method is practically independent of changing environmental conditions, provides a result which is not distorted by a change of pressure on the inflow side of the filter element, and permits a very short measurement time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and an assembly for cross-flow filtration comprising filter cassettes. Said filter cassettes are cost-effective to produce as they have few connections and simple clamping plates and are characterized by a long service life and by being highly flexible in adapting their capacity to the desired cross-flow filtration performance. The inventive device (1) comprises a holder and at least one filtration segment (2) consisting of clamping plates with filter cassettes fitted in a sealed manner therebetween. The clamping plates, which are configured as end plates, separation plates, distribution plates and collection plates and the filter cassettes are positioned on the holder so that they can be moved towards one another.

Abstract: An improved wide passage cross-flow filtration cassette is disclosed that incorporates an open mesh matrix retentate spacer that is dimensioned and oriented so as to improve flux and cause turbulence in the flow of fluids through the cassette.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for the simultaneous separation of particles and target substances from liquid feeds by adsorption membranes having particle-passing apertures therein.

Abstract: A test device (10) for filter systems, including a pneumatic unit (12), a control unit (14) for controlling the pneumatic unit (12), and a data processing unit (16), in which the pneumatic unit (12) is separated from the data processing unit (16) and the control unit (14) by a separating device (18) which substantially shields the pneumatic unit (12) against heat generated in the data processing unit (16) and the control unit (14).

Abstract: Open celled membranes from thermoplastic polymers are prepared from foamed polymer melts by extrusion through a die.

Abstract: Cross-flow filters having improved uniformity in transmembrane pressures and consequent much greater flux are provided by the installation of barriers in permeate channels.

Abstract: Device and method for sterility testing, in particular of pharmaceutical products, includes a closed sterility test system having at least two test containers, in each case having an integrated test filter, an outlet connecting branch arranged below the test filter and an inlet connecting branch which is arranged above the test filter and can be connected with a tube connection via a sampling device to a sample container. The tube connection of the test container in each case has a distributing component via which a fixed tube connection to an associated nutrient medium container is formed and can be used to feed an associated nutrient medium to the test container.

Abstract: In an electronic balance for loading having a balance scale (3) weighing system, display (19), control keyboard (21 to 26) and a digital processing electronic circuitry in which circuitry at least one memory is present for the weighed value shown in the display (19). A first additional key (25) is present in the control keyboard (21 to 26) upon the actuation of the key the weighed value shown in the display (19) and stored in the digital signal processing electronics is decreased and upon the first actuation of the key the weighed value displayed immediately previously is taken in addition into a first additional memory. Furthermore, a second additional key (24) is present in the control keyboard (21 to 26) upon whose actuation the weighed value displayed in the display (19) is taken into a second additional memory. By means of the decreasing key the balance operator can decreased the display from the too large actual value step-by-step to the correct theoretical value.