Abstract: A filtration apparatus suitable for use in peridural anesthesia formed of two mating sections and a membrane positioned between and supported by the sections. Each section has an liquid inlet or liquid outlet and are joined together to form a chamber therebetween. The membrane is positioned at an angle between about 5.degree. and 15.degree. relative to the axes of the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: Microporous poly (tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro (alkyl vinyl ether)) (PFA) or poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP) membrane or hollow fibers are formed from a melt blend of 10 to 35 weight percent of PFA or FEP and a chlorotrifluoroethylene oligomer solvent. The melt blend is shaped and cooled to effect phase separation of the PFA or FEP from the blend. The solvent is removed from the PFA or FEP by extraction and the porous PFA or FEP is dried under restraint to prevent shrinkage.

Abstract: A multi-well filtration apparatus for the assay of microliter quantities is provided wherein a filter is positioned in each well on a plate having an open spout positioned in the plate. The spout has a collar on its outer surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spout. The collar prevents a liquid droplet from climbing the outer surface of the spout from its open end.

Abstract: A novel method of activation of a protected amino acid using Benzotriazolyloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium Hexafluorophosphate (BOP) as an activator for solid phase peptide synthesis is provided. Hydroxybenzotriazole is included in preferred embodiments. An intermediate acyloxyphosphonium salt is formed from the protected amino acid and the BOP which immediately reacts with HOBt to form an ester without formation of the less reactive symmetrical anhydride. A tertiary or quaternary substituted nitrogen compound must be used to produce a carboxylate of the protected amino acids as it also functions to increase their solubility.

Abstract: Composite inorganic microporous or ultrafiltration membranes are formed by depositing a film of inorganic particles on a porous inorganic substrate. In a second step, the particles comprising the film are bonded or joined together by passing a supersaturated solution of the particle composition through the particle film, thereby to effect crystal growth on the particles, and to find tune the film pore size. The entire process is conducted at low temperatures, generally less than 90.degree. C.

Abstract: Microporous polypropylene membrane or hollow fibers is formed from a melt blend of 5 to 20 weight percent polypropylene and a solvent. The melt blend is shaped and cooled to effect solid phase separation of the polypropylene from the blend. The solvent is separated from the polypropylene by extraction and the porous polypropylene is dried under restraint to prevent shrinkage.

Abstract: A probe apparatus for aspirating a liquid sample from a container including a probe and a probe tip. The probe tip has a free end including a plurality of sharp points and cutting edges formed by the juncture of exposed surfaces. The exposed surfaces have a length and shape which promote liquid movement by surface tension forces along the exposed surfaces. A filter is secured to the end of the probe tip and a passageway for liquid extends through the probe and probe tip.

Abstract: Composite inorganic microporous or ultrafiltration membranes are formed by depositing a film of inorganic particles on a porous inorganic substrate. In a second step, the particles comprising the film are bonded or joined together by passing a supersaturated solution of the particle composition through the particle film, thereby to effect crystal growth on the particles, and to find tune the film pore size. The entire process is conducted at low temperatures, generally less than 90.degree. C.

Abstract: A depletion compartment for a deionization apparatus is provided. The depletion compartment includes a spacer containing longitudinal ribs that divide an open central section of the spacer into subcompartments, an anion permeable membrane and a cation permeable membrane. Each membrane is formed from an ion permeable resin supported on an ion permeable support. Each membrane is skived at the point of bonding of the membranes of the spacer so that the support portion of the membranes is bonded directly to the spacer.

Abstract: A device particularly suitable for refermentation of sugared wine in a bottle according to the champagne method consists of a cartridge comprising a tubular body formed with grooves and perforations which provide fluid communication between the exterior of the cartridge and its inner bore. In one embodiment a portion of the perforations are covered by a hydrophilic membrane filter and another portion by a hydrophobic membrane filter, both of which are sealingly welded or glued to the exterior of the body. In a preferred embodiment, one of the ends of the tube is open and sealingly covered by the hydrophobic membrane filter while the hydrophilic membrane filter covers the perforations. The cartridge can be filled with yeasts and inserted into the bottle neck to allow fermentation to occur without the need for manipulation and disgorgement of congealed wine through the bottle neck.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration device comprising hollow fibers or thin channels through which ultrafiltration of blood plasma is effected is operated under conditions of tangential flow and low conversion. A recirculation stream of high molecular weight fraction of the liquid stream is fed to the device and a permeate stream from the device is recovered. The optimum module aspect ratio is designed and the corresponding maximum shear rate of incoming liquid is specified and controlled so as to provide maximum separation efficiency (selectivity and flux) allowing for separation between species of similar size or molecular weight. Shear rate is controlled by controlling the recirculation stream flow rate. The ratio of the transmembrane pressure at the channel outlet to the transmembrane pressure at the channel inlet resulting from the optimal design and operation is also specified.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the microbiological testing of liquids to identify and count living microorganisms contained therein includes a tubular sleeve for collecting the liquid sample to which there is attached at one end a microporous membrane filter. Each end of the sleeve has the shape of a female receptacle portion where into one end a container housing a culture medium can be nested by force for applying the medium to the underside of the filter and where into the other end a cover can be nested to provide a substantially tight sealing of the device. Preferably, the tubular sleeve is in the form of a bellows the convolutions of which can be either compressed or expanded to correspondingly alter the volume of the sleeve between minimum and maximum values.

Abstract: A filter system particularly useful with small sample volumes includes first and second housing sections with a flow channel extending therebetween. A membrane filter forms one boundary of the flow channel. A pair of reservoirs, one for feed and the other for permeate collection, are integrally formed with the first housing section. A fluid communication path is established from the first section to the second section and then through means of a deformable chamber to the flow channel. The deformable chamber is adjacent to a rigid surface that is integral with one of the housing sections and in this manner is adapted to pump fluid through the system when interfacing with a pump.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus is provided for removing ions from liquids. Liquid to be purified is passed through depleting compartments containing mixed anion and cation exchange resin beads while a second liquid is passed through concentrating compartments free of ion exchange resin beads. Ions, under influence of an electrical potential, pass from the depleting compartments into the concentrating compartments through ion permeable membranes. A spacer for each depleting compartment is provided which retains the beads within the compartment, promotes even flow through the compartment and prevents plugging of the compartment inlet by the beads and external foulants.

Abstract: A multilayer membrane separator which permits serial and tangential contact of a retentate with a plurality of membranes within the separator. The separator is formed from a plurality of contiguous separator units each consisting of two membrane layers, two retentate layers, a filtrate spacer layer and two adhesive layers. The adhesive layers, in cooperation with a liquid inlet to the separator and a liquid outlet from the separator effect the desired retentate flow and prevent mixing of retentate and filtrate.

Abstract: A multiwell filtration apparatus for the assay of microliter quantities is provided which prevents fluid loss by capillary action and gravity flow through a microporous membrane or ultrafilter. The filtration apparatus is particularly advantageous in assays requiring maintenance of fluid within the reaction wells for substantial time periods and in small sample volume assays in the range of 100 microliter volumes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for separating whole blood from a patient into a cellular component and a plasma component and for separating the plasma component into a high molecular weight plasma fraction and a low molecular weight plasma fraction and wherein anticoagulant is added to the whole blood and a physiologically acceptable liquid diluent is added to the plasma component. The rate of addition of the diluent is governed by the following equation: ##EQU1## called Equation 1.

Abstract: A hydrophobic membrane filter device is packaged in a moisture and bacteria impervious container with the pores of the membrane filter being filled with water. The package is then sterilized to kill any living organisms contained therein. Thereafter, a sufficient concentration of water is retained in the membrane pores thereby rendering the hydrophobic membrane filter device directly permeable to an aqueous fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for converting rotational motion to linear motion which includes a screw shaft and nut surrounding the screw shaft, each having a helical thread. A plurality of threaded planetary rollers is interposed between and in contact with the threads of the screw shaft and nut. The screw shaft has a different number of starts than the number of starts on the nut.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the sterility of fluids consisting of at least one hermetically sealed test container formed from a top portion, a bottom portion, a filter holder and a test filter. The filter is formed entirely from a hydrophilic material. The filter holder and test filter are welded to the top and bottom portions by a pressure-tight and vacuum-tight connection. Fluid is passed through the apparatus and through the test filter to deposit any microorganisms on the filter. Lateral bypass of fluid around the periphery of the test filter is eliminated.