Abstract: A canister is fabricated with a tubular wall and with end caps at respective ends of the tubular wall to form an enclosed cannula. Perforations, or openings, extend through at least the tubular wall and one end cap of the canister to facilitate fluid flow into, through and out from the canister to facilitate use of the cannula for irrigation (lavage) and aspiration (suctioning) procedures A fluid port provides an entry and exit for fluid passing into, through and out from the canister. An additional opening is provided to facilitate positioning a thermo probe in the path of fluid flow through the cannula. The openings are preferably substantially rectangular in configuration with rounded corners and are disposed to provide fluid flow openings through approximately 14% of the surface area of the cannula.

Abstract: A vibratory separation system having a drive mechanism for imparting a vibratory motion to a membrane module to enhance filtration. The membrane module comprises one or more filter elements secured to one another, each having a permeable membrane. The vibratory motion imparted to the membrane module generates a dynamic flow boundary layer at the permeable membranes. This fluid shear boundary layer, in turn, generates lift, thereby inhibiting fouling of the membranes.

Abstract: A vibratory separation system having a drive mechanism for imparting a vibratory motion to a membrane module to enhance filtration. The membrane module comprises one or more filter elements secured to one another, each having a permeable membrane. The vibratory motion imparted to the membrane module generates a dynamic flow boundary layer at the permeable membranes. This fluid shear boundary layer, in turn, generates lift, thereby inhibiting fouling of the membranes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supported membrane assembly comprising a membrane adhered to a support material by way of a nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers therebetween, wherein the multicomponent fibers comprise a first polymer and a second polymer such that the second polymer is present on at least a portion of the surface of the multicomponent fibers and has a softening temperature below the softening temperatures of the first polymer, the membrane, and the support material, and the supported membrane assembly has a water flow rate at least about 20% of the water flow rate of the membrane alone. The present invention also provides a filter element comprising a housing and such a supported membrane assembly, as well as a method of preparing such a supported membrane assembly and methods of using such a supported membrane assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supported fibrous web assembly comprising a support material adhered to a nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers comprising a first polymer and a second polymer such that the second polymer is present on at least a portion of the surface of the multicomponent fibers and has a softening temperature below the softening temperatures of the first polymer and the support material, wherein the supported fibrous web assembly has a water flow rate of at least about 20% of the water flow rate of the nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers alone. The present inventive supported fibrous web assembly can further comprise a second fibrous web, which is adhered to the nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers such that the nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers is positioned between the second fibrous web and the support material, and wherein the supported fibrous web assembly has a water flow rate of at least about 20% of the water flow rate of the second fibrous web alone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of pretreating a porous medium for use in filtering a protein-containing fluid, such as milk, beer, wine, or the like, which method comprises contacting a porous medium with an aqueous citrate solution prior to passing the protein-containing fluid through the porous medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a clogged porous medium comprising contacting a porous medium clogged in the course of filtering a protein-containing fluid, such as milk, beer, or wine, with an aqueous citrate solution.