Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system of extracting a protein with high yield from a protein-comprising precipitate, in particular immunoglobulin, from human or non-human origins, such as blood plasma.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for flow-through separation of paramagnetic particle-bound cells in a cell suspension containing both bound and unbound cells as well as systems and methods for removing paramagnetic particles from paramagnetic particle-bound cells or from a cell suspension with unbound cells. It further relates to a flow-through magnetic separation/debeading module and a flow-through spinning membrane debeading module.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus is disclosed for monitoring blood coagulation comprising a main body; a test chamber for receiving a fluid sample; and a rotor disposed within the test chamber. The rotor comprises a buoyancy chamber for reducing the apparent weight of the rotor when fluid is positioned within the test chamber.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a jacket for heating and cooling a test cell generally includes an inner liner having an exterior channel along at least a portion of the liner exterior wall surface; an outer shell tightly fitted over the interior liner; openings provided in the outer shell, the openings proximate upper and lower ends or segments of the channel of the inner liner; and connectors provided on the outer shell openings for connection of fluid lines, thereby providing for fluid flow intermediate the upper and lower ends or segments of the channel of the inner liner. An exemplary embodiment of a method for producing the jacket generally includes providing the channel in the inner liner and providing an interference fit between the inner liner and the outer shell, whereby fluid communication there between, and a substantially fluidly impenetrable seal between the inner liner and the test cell, are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a fluid including a suspension of biological cellular components are disclosed including a single-use kit comprising a container for the fluid; a separation device for retaining selected biological cellular components and allowing other biological cellular components of said fluid to pass therethrough; a flow path connecting the container to the separation device, the container being configured, when in use, to be positioned so that gravity tends to flow fluid through the flow path. The flow path has a segment in close proximity to the container with a configuration including a positive slope, so that biological cellular components moving through the segment are subjected to a gravitational force tending to impede movement through the flow path segment. The flow path segment preferably has a generally circular configuration, and a diameter of approximately 1.5 inches. Alternatively, the flow path segment may have a generally S-shaped configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a device and method for the filtration of gray water from a household. In some embodiments, the gray water can be filtered using a conical rotor and filtration media, which can provide enhanced filtration through the use of Taylor vorticity filtration. The filtered water can have various uses back in the household after filtration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing hemodialysis to remove metabolic waste from the blood of a patient are disclosed. The systems and methods preferably comprise at least one blood processing apparatus that receives whole blood from a patient. Cellular blood components are removed from the whole blood by hemofiltration, to provide filtered plasma comprising metabolic waste that is substantially reduced of blood cells. The cellular blood components may be returned to the patient. The filtered plasma comprising waste may be removed from the blood processing apparatus through a waste path for further processing in a separate apparatus, or in the same apparatus in a second stage processing procedure to remove metabolic waste components and excess water from the plasma by hemodialysis. At least one of the hemofiltration and hemodialysis processing apparatus comprises a Taylor vortex-enhanced separation apparatus.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and a method of operating the same includes a pressure vessel having a membrane therein, a high pressure fluid input, a low pressure fluid input, a permeate output and a brine output. The system further includes a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve and a high pressure pump in fluid communication with the high pressure input through the high pressure valve. The system also includes a low pressure pump in fluid communication with the low pressure input through the low pressure valve. The high pressure pump and the low pressure pump are in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The low pressure pump initially fills the pressure vessel and the high pressure pump operates during permeate production.

Abstract: A device for mechanically decollating cells from a cell composite, particularly a shear rotor, a cell isolation unit including such a shear rotor and a method for decollating cells from a cell composite. The aforementioned device includes a rotor having a rotor wall, which is concentrically arranged in a receptacle. A rotor seat is connected to a motor and to which the rotor can be fixed in a detachable manner. A rotational movement of the motor can be transmitted to the rotor by means of the rotor seat. The rotor tapers longitudinally towards the bottom of the receptacle so that different circumferential speeds of the rotor can be transmitted to a liquid sample in the receptacle via the rotor wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forward osmosis (FO) device (10) with a semipermeable membrane (5, 5a) capable of performing forward osmosis between a first (F1) and a second fluid (F2). In a first fluid confinement (4a), a first swirl generator (7a) is positioned and in a second fluid confinement (4b) positioned on the other second side of the membrane, a second swirl generator (7b) is positioned. The swirl generators are arranged to create a circular flow pattern (S2, S3) for the first and the second fluid, respectively, wherein the first (7a) and second (7b) swirl generator, upon engagement, are arranged to create a circular flow pattern for the first and the second fluid, respectively, by rotating motion (RA1, RA2). The invention is advantageous by obtaining FO device that is capable of reducing the concentration polarization (CP) near the membrane by creating a cross flow velocity over the membrane and facilitate control of the cross flow velocity independent of the through flow of the membrane.

Abstract: A filter device and a method for the filtration of beer, where, for an improved and simplified filtration, the filter includes a nonfiltrate chamber having a nonfiltrate inlet and a nonfiltrate outlet, wherein the nonfiltrate flows into the nonfiltrate chamber substantially tangentially to the walls thereof, and the bottom of the nonfiltrate chamber is constructed at least partially as a filter. The filter also includes a filtrate chamber underneath the bottom, and a filtrate outlet.

Abstract: A device for the tangential filtration of a fluid to be processed and intended to be divided into a filtrate and a retentate includes, in an outer case, a series of filtration elements of tubular form lying parallel to each other, at least one output for the filtrate, communicating with the filtrate collection receptacle, a first communication chamber in which are fitted the separation resources, communicating with respectively a first series and a second series of filtration elements forming the go and return circuits of a circulation loop for the fluid to be processed, where the separation resources include a turbine of a circulation pump. The input for the fluid to be processed opens into the first communication chamber of the outer case between the turbine of the circulation pump and the filtration elements of the series forming the return circuit of the circulation loop.

Abstract: A water treatment unit is usable in a water treatment apparatus that performs water treatment using a reverse osmosis membrane. The water treatment unit includes: a casing; a separation membrane mounted in the casing and bent into a pleated shape; a reinforcing member attached to the separation membrane and having a function of reinforcing the separation membrane; a rotating mechanism rotating the separation membrane; and a cleaning device capable of cleaning the separation membrane. The separation membrane has a plurality of island-like portions and a plurality of fiber-like portions extending from the island-like portions and having a width smaller than that of the island-like portions, and an area of the fiber-like portions at a membrane surface is set to be larger than that of the island-like portions.

Abstract: Synthesis and use of a new class of polymeric materials with favorable separation characteristics for the dehydration of ethanol and other organic solvents is described herein. The thermally rearranged (TR) polybenzoxazole (PBO), polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polybenzothiazole (PBT) membranes of the present invention can be used for the dehydration of ethanol during processing to fuel grade biodiesel by either pervaporation or vapor permeation. The unique microstructure of the membranes provides excellent separation characteristics, and this, coupled with their inherent thermal and chemical stability, enables their usage in other separations, such as the dehydration of other organic solvents.

Abstract: The housing of the blood treatment unit according to the invention holds both a blood pump and a semi-permeable membrane. The blood pump is an impeller pump. The impeller of the impeller pump is surrounded by a partition which divides the housing into two chambers. The semi-permeable membrane forms at least a part of the partition. It is therefore possible for an exchange of matter to take place between the blood which flows through the first chamber of the housing and the dialysis fluid which flows through the second chamber of the housing. The blood treatment unit is intended for an extra-corporeal blood treatment apparatus and has a particularly compact construction.

Abstract: A quickly cleanable water processor includes a shell, a water pipe, at least one filtering unit and a cleaning unit. The shell includes a space defined therein, a water inlet, a water outlet and an air inlet. The water inlet and outlet and the air inlet and outlet are in communication with the space. The water pipe is disposed in the shell and made with slots in communication with the water inlet. The filtering unit is detachably provided around the water pipe. The filtering unit includes alternately arranged membrane bags and water-guiding discs. The cleaning unit includes an air pump and an air pipe extended into the shell from the air pump through the air inlet. The air pipe includes apertures through which air reaches the membrane bags from the air pipe.

Abstract: A filtration method for a filtration device, the filtration device including a process tank, at least one feed line feeding a medium to be processed into the process tank, and at least one filtration arrangement arranged in the process tank. The process tank includes at least one drain and is configured such that filtration of the medium is accomplished such that a retentate remains in the process tank until the retentate is released after completion of the filtration. The filtration method includes the steps of: filling the process tank with the medium to be filtered and producing one of a predefined transmembrane pressure and constant permeate flow at the at least one filtration arrangement; and filtering the medium in the process tank via the at least one filtration arrangement until a predefined limit value for a mass fraction of solid material is reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multifunctional module comprising one or more units selected from the group consisting of reactor units, filter units, membrane units, reactor-separator units, clarificator units, purificator units, extractor units, and mixer units. The units are connected parallel or in series or both to each other, and each unit has at least one member having a surface, which surface is rotating with the member. The member is rotating around an axis making the unit operate under centrifugal force. One or more chambers for fluids are co-rotating with the rotating member. The present invention relates further to units which could be used in a spinning multifunctional module, and use of a spinning multifunctional module.

Abstract: Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forward osmosis (FO) device (10) with a semipermeable membrane (5, 5a) capable of performing forward osmosis between a first (F1) and a second fluid (F2). In a first fluid confinement (4a), a first swirl generator (7a) is positioned and in a second fluid confinement (4b) positioned on the other second side of the membrane, a second swirl generator (7b) is positioned. The swirl generators are arranged to create a circular flow pattern (S2, S3) for the first and the second fluid, respectively, wherein the first (7a) and second (7b) swirl generator, upon engagement, are arranged to create a circular flow pattern for the first and the second fluid, respectively, by rotating motion (RA1, RA2). The invention is advantageous by obtaining FO device that is capable of reducing the concentration polarisation (CP) near the membrane by creating a cross flow velocity over the membrane and facilitate control of the cross flow velocity independent of the through flow of the membrane.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus is provided for filtering raw water containing various impurities and mixtures into purified water, and more particularly, a multistage filtering apparatus is provided in which a rotor for generating vortex are installed in each of multiple layers of filtration membrane stacked within a closed barrel and the rotors are formed in multistage by having different diameter of each rotor so that the power for generating vortex can be remarkably minimized by generating the vertical vortex from top and bottom of the rotary rotor and the horizontal vortex from the outer side of circumference plate of the rotary rotor to be crossed over between membranes to prevent from blocking the pores or remove the deposited pollutants, and the closed-type barrel having multistage of membranes, rotary shaft, and rotary rotors for vortex generation within are constructed as a single module of filter pack, and the filter pack is connected and extended in accordance with required purified capacity so that large s

Abstract: A method for cleaning interior surfaces of a header region of a hemodialyzer includes steps of: introducing an insertion device having an end portion and a shaft through a hemodialyzer plug port so that the end portion of the insertion device is within the header region; rotating the shaft at a speed sufficient to generate mechanical stresses for the removal of contaminants from interior surfaces of the header region; removing the insertion device from the header region; and rinsing and flushing away the removed contaminants from the header region. An apparatus and an insertion device for cleaning a header region of a hemodialyzer are disclosed.

Abstract: A versatile compartmentalized cell culture device, with a selectively permeable membrane separating the compartments, provides many attributes relative to traditional devices. It can be configured for high-density cell culture, co-culture, and sample dialysis while rolling or standing still. It can also be configured for continuous movement of liquid between compartments. The wide combination of attributes not found in other membrane based cell culture and bioprocessing devices includes more cell capacity, more cell secreted product capacity, higher cell and product density, increased medium capacity, minimized use of exogenous growth factors, compatibility with standard cell culture equipment and protocols, increased scale up efficiency, capacity to function when rolling or standing still, capacity for perfusion without the need for pumps, and more efficient sample dialysis.

Abstract: A method of inactivating microorganisms such as viruses within a fluid such as a biological fluid is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a UV reactor, which may take the form of an elongated generally annular reaction chamber surrounding at least one elongated UV lamp, moving the fluid within the reaction chamber in a primary flow directed along the length of the UV lamp, and inducing a circulating secondary flow within the fluid with the secondary flow being superimposed on the primary flow. As the fluid moves through the reaction chamber in the primary flow, it is circulated repeatedly toward and away from the UV lamp in the circulating secondary flow to provide uniform and controllable exposure of the entire volume of fluid to ultraviolet radiation. Microorganisms such as viruses are thus inactivated while desirable components in the fluid, such as proteins, are preserved without the use of a free radical scavenger.

Abstract: Disclosed are a rotor for generating vortex water flow that creates shear intensity for removing solid material adhered to the separation membranes during the processing of water containing pollutant material, and a filtering apparatus employing the same. The rotor consists of a first rotor having first blades and a second rotor having second blades. The first and the second blades are extended in a radial direction from a rotational axis thereof, and are disposed at positions different from each other in the rotational axis direction. The first blades and the second blades have widths different from each other in a circumferential direction around the rotational axis, or disposed at positions different from each other in a circumferential direction. Protrusions can be attached on outer surfaces of the first blades and/or second blades.

Abstract: Described is a reactor for irradiating ultraviolet light into a fluid reaction medium (3). The reactor consists of at least one housing (15) which encloses a tubular cavity, with a radiation source (1) for generating ultraviolet light and an inner tube (2) which, together with the housing (15), forms an irradiation chamber (26) which, in particular, is of annular shape, the irradiation chamber (26) being connected at least with an inlet (13) and an outlet (14) for the reaction medium (3) and is perfused by reaction medium (3) in the longitudinal direction of the tube (2), the irradiation chamber (26) being equipped with means (6, 25) for generating an additional radial flow routing of the reaction medium (3).

Abstract: A water purifier includes a base, an outer casing mounted on the base, a fresh water conduit demountably mounted in the outer casing, a plurality of filtering units demountably mounted on the fresh water conduit and a cover demountably mounted on the outer casing. Each filtering unit includes a membrane bag and multiple supporting members. The membrane bags are sandwiched by the supporting members and are arranged in a cascading manner. Gaps are formed between each pair of adjacent membrane bags so that the filtering bags can be cleaned directly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for two-stage blood dialysis of a patient. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first filtration device for receiving the blood from the patient and for producing a first filtrate and processed blood. The system further comprises a second filtration device for receiving the first filtrate and producing replacement fluid and waste product. At least one of the first and second filtration devices preferably comprises a Taylor vortex-enhanced blood filtration device.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.

Abstract: Preferred aspects of the present invention relate to advances in rotating, vortex-enhanced reverse osmosis filtration. More particularly, the filtration device and methods incorporate a rotational drive mechanism adapted to use the flow of pressurized process fluid to cause rotation of a rotor within a housing, thereby creating shear and Taylor vortices in the gap between the rotor and housing. The improvements disclosed herein facilitate continuous use of vortex-enhanced filtration for prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: A filtering device includes: a fluid-collecting tube; a plurality of positioning trays sleeved around the fluid-collecting tube and stacked one above the other; and a plurality of membranes alternating with the positioning trays. Each of the membranes is sandwiched between an adjacent pair of the positioning trays. Each of the positioning trays includes first and second engaging members. Each adjacent pair of the positioning trays are coupled to each other and are rotatable relative to each other between a first relative position and a second relative position. The first engaging member of each of the positioning trays is engageable with the second engaging member of an adjacent one of the positioning trays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for two-stage blood dialysis of a patient. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first filtration device for receiving the blood from the patient and for producing a first filtrate and processed blood. The system further comprises a second filtration device for receiving the first filtrate and producing replacement fluid and waste product. At least one of the first and second filtration devices preferably comprises a Taylor vortex-enhanced blood filtration device.

Abstract: A water treatment device includes a container, a longitudinal water collecting tube, a filter unit, and a plurality of longitudinal water jet tubes. The longitudinal water collecting tube is mounted within the container, and has a tube wall formed with a plurality of water inlet slots. The filter unit includes a stack of alternately disposed filter membranes and rotatable blade scrapers inside the container. Each of the filter membranes and rotatable blade scrapers has a central hole for extension of the longitudinal water collecting tube therethrough. The longitudinal water jet tubes are provided around the filter unit, and are substantially parallel to the longitudinal water collecting tube. Each of the longitudinal water jet tubes has a longitudinal slit facing toward the filter unit.

Abstract: Preferred aspects of the present invention relate to a device for filtration comprising at least one rotor configured to create Taylor vortices on at least one side of a filtration membrane, thereby providing substantially enhanced mass or heat transfer across the membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracorporeal processing of blood or other body fluid for the treatment of conditions, such as sepsis, autoimmune disease, or toxemia related to kidney failure, liver failure, or drug overdose are provided. In an extracorporeal treatment system, a fraction of a body fluid is passed into a treatment fluid, at least a portion of which is then passed through a sorbent suspension reactor for treatment by a sorbent suspension. The treatment fluid circuit can be maintained at a fixed volume, which enables accurate fluid balance between the patient and the extracorporeal circuit. Some or all of the treatment fluid, optionally also containing nutrients and/or therapeutic agents, is returned to the patient. In a peritoneal dialysis system, dialysate is passed into a patient's peritoneal cavity, recovered from the cavity, passed through a sorbent suspension reactor in accordance with the invention, and returned to the cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating nanometer-sized particles of a powder.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a filtering device comprising at least one filtering membrane, at least one counter surface opposite to the filtering membrane, and at least one gap-shaped liquid space formed between the filtering membrane and the counter surface. The present invention further refers to a filtering method, in which a liquid is introduced into a gap-shaped liquid space formed between a filtering membrane and a counter surface and is moved relative to the filtering membrane and/or the counter surface. To obtain an improved filtering method and an improved filtering device, it is suggested by the present invention that the filtering device comprises a disk at whose circular surface at least the filtering membrane or the counter surface is formed.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a container (24) that surrounds at least one rapidly rotating membrane pack (32, FIG. 2) and stationary turbulators (36A, 36B ) slightly spaced from the membrane pack surfaces to leave thin gaps (40A, 40B ) between them, which obtains the advantages of both series-connected and parallel-connected systems. A feed conduit (82) connects the radially outer ends (110) of the gaps, to carry feed fluid into and out of each gap, with radially outward flow (94) near the pack surfaces, causing radially inward flow (102) near the surfaces of the turbulators. The turbulators have recesses that leave projections to promote fluid shear at the membrane surfaces. A motor shaft (314) supported on motor bearings, has a motor housing fixed to the container. The motor shaft extends into the container and holds the membrane pack to spin it, so only the motor bearings (316, 318) support all rotating parts.

Abstract: A apparatus for assaying glycated proteins and other analytes in biological samples such as blood, in which a sample is presented to the apparatus, includes an inlet port between moveable between first and second inlets, such that the inlet can be brought into liquid communication with each inlet in turn. The inlet port accommodates a filter or binder. The apparatus also includes a microprocessor operable via a key pad, at least one light emitter and at least one light detector, a display and driver, and an A to D converter, and is operatively connected to a power source.

Abstract: A Revolutionary Dialysis Container for safe dialysis of biological samples is described. A handle with wide top gives a non-slippery grip to lift and carry the container by a human hand. On its bottom, the buffer reservoir possesses a Sample Saver, which is nothing but a flat top plate attached to a vertical side wall. The reservoir holds dialysis buffer and bags containing biological samples. The Sample Saver encloses a bar magnet. The flat top plate and the vertical side wall of Sample Saver have several openings for the free flow of buffer during dialysis. However, these openings eliminate physical contact between dialysis bags and the highly spinning bar magnet. Also, the flat top plate, because of special distribution of openings, suppresses the formation of vortex in buffer during mixing. This preassembled unit also provides safety to long dialysis bags. One can dialyze fast and save time. It is simple to use and practically free of maintenance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved separation device in which a plate unit containing the filter comprises a separate abutment ring and a cassette which can be easily connected thereto, said cassette comprising at least one filter together with, if required, a frame belonging thereto so as to support the filter. If the filter consists of a flexible membrane, this is fitted into a special frame. However, if the filter is a rigid self-supporting filter of a porous material, for example, a ceramic filter or the like, a separate frame is not needed to support the filter.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for separating and/or enriching dissolved substances from a suspension or suspensions having at least one filter means through which flow takes place, there being arranged on the retentate side of the filter means a means for producing a shear field which produces a virtually homogeneous shear field and pressure gradient across the inflow cross-section of the filter means. The means for producing the shear field may be formed by a rotationally symmetrical rotor. There may be used as filter means matrices that are suitable for the adsorption of the dissolved substances to be separated off. There come into consideration for that purpose surface-modified membranes, for example affinity membranes. The filter apparatus may be one-tier, two-tier or multi-tier.