Abstract: A method for separating microcarriers from a medium includes transferring a suspension that includes medium, microcarriers and cells into a compartment of a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes: a container having an interior surface bounding the compartment; and a filter having a tubular stem with an encircling sidewall extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end being secured to the interior surface of the container and the second end projecting into the compartment of the container, a plurality of openings extend through the sidewall of the stem that are large enough to allow the medium and cells to pass therethrough while preventing the microcarriers from passing therethrough. The medium and cells within the compartment are allowed to pass through the plurality of openings of the filter while the microcarriers are retained within the compartment of the container.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A method for separating microcarriers from a medium includes transferring a suspension that includes medium, microcarriers and cells into a compartment of a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes: a container having an interior surface bounding the compartment; and a filter having a tubular stem with an encircling sidewall extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end being secured to the interior surface of the container and the second end projecting into the compartment of the container, a plurality of openings extend through the sidewall of the stem that are large enough to allow the medium and cells to pass therethrough while preventing the microcarriers from passing therethrough. The medium and cells within the compartment are allowed to pass through the plurality of openings of the filter while the microcarriers are retained within the compartment of the container.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: Pump assisted vacuum therapy impotence treatment apparatus may be provided in either electric or manually operated embodiments. The axis of a pump housing affixed to a vacuum chamber via an elastomeric coupler is at an angle to the vacuum chamber axis, and turned towards a user's torso to be drawn into the user's body for better vacuum sealing. The pump cylinder of a manual embodiment has an enlarged annular rest area for receiving a resilient skirt around the piston head during nonuse of the pump. This prevents compression set of the resilient skirt, for more reliable subsequent use of the pump. The vacuum chamber is tapered and transitions from a relatively smaller round end for receipt of a male sex organ to a relatively larger oval shaped end for bayonet mounting on the resilient coupler. A pair of sizing inserts adjusts the vacuum chamber end which receives the male sex organ.

Abstract: A ring loader device is used for expanding an elastic cincture band prior to application to a user's male sex organ for cincturing an engorged condition thereof as a treatment for impotence. A cone component has a conical shaped pyramid with vertical grooves. A corresponding dome component has matable ribs which are received in the cone grooves. The ribs enter the grooves and align the cone and dome as they are matably pressed together. As a prior step, a suitable elastic ring is placed over the tapered smaller end of the cone component, and becomes expanded against the cone outer surface as the dome is pressed onto the cone. The cone may include particular surface contours for corresponding receipt of inside diameter features of the elastic ring, such as a urethra channel or radially inward points for added cincturing pressure. The cone and dome arrangement may be used to expand and align an elastic ring onto a transfer collar, or directly onto the outside diameter of a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The catheter is formed by a housing having a size and shape which fits readily into the hand of the user. An elongate tube is connected to and extends from the housing. The elongate tube is formed from a flexible polymeric material and constructed of three portions, a proximal portion, a medial portion, and a distal portion. Each of the portions is coaxial with one another and the longitudinal axis of the catheter housing. In addition, each of the portions has substantially the same outer circumference. The proximal and distal portions are formed of a flexible polymeric material which has a higher durometer of hardness than that of the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal, medial, and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for selectively bending the portions in response to movement of the control wires.