Abstract: This invention provides a process for making microporous membranes from a polymer solution and the membranes therefrom. A thermal assist, such as heating of the polymer solution can be effected subsequent to shaping the solution, such as by forming a film, tube or hollow fiber of the solution under conditions that do not cause phase separation.. In a preferred embodiment, the formed solution is briefly heated to generate a temperature gradient through the body of the formed solution. The polymer in solution then is precipitated to form a microporous structure. The formation of a wide variety of symmetric and asymmetric structures can be obtained using this process. Higher temperatures and/or longer heating times effected during the heating step result in larger pore sizes and different pore gradients in the final membrane product.

Abstract: A seal on a movable top or bottom plate for use in a chromatography column. The plate is formed of a flow distributor connected to one or more movement rods that control the movement of the top plate within a chromatography column. The plate is formed of two pieces, a flow distributor and a seal plate. The seal plate is mounted on top of the flow distributor and has a seal that is essentially co-terminal with the outer edge of the flow distributor. The seal plate is attached to the flow distributor by one or more pins or threaded bolts and forms a space between them. The one or more pins contain one or more compression means for biasing the seal plate against the flow distributor. An opening is formed in the seal plate for the selective introduction of a pressurized energy source such as compressed air, gas or hydraulic fluid into the space to overcome the compression means. One or more seals are arranged between the seal plate and distributor to maintain the pressurized energy source between the two of them.

Abstract: The present invention provides an operation editor that includes a user interface for programming operations to be performed by a chemical process machine. Through the user interface the user may specify that one or more of the steps in an operation be variable. Such variable steps may subsequently be edited by the same or another user when the operation is incorporated into a procedure. Steps in the operation that are not variable are fixed and may not be edited when the operation has been incorporated into a procedure. Furthermore, individual fields in a variable step may be either variable or fixed. The present invention also provides a procedure editor that includes a user interface, which allows the user to edit variable steps within the procedure's operations. The procedure editor presents to the user for editing only those steps within the procedure that are variable.

Abstract: The present invention is a flow distributor and integral bed support for a chromatography column. The flow distributor has an outlet extending through it and a bottom face across which is secured a bed support. The bottom face has a series of ribs extending radially outward from a center portion of the face. The bed support is secured to the flow distributor about its outer periphery and this amount of available surface area of the flow distributor and/or face that is used to secure the bed support is less than about 10%. A distribution disk is arranged over the inlet and extends across from about 1 to about 30% of the flow distributor's surface area, ending just short of the inner edge of the ribs closest to the center point of the flow distributor face. This disk is mounted on two or more legs so as to be of substantially the same height as the ribs. The disk projects the fluid flow in a 360° radial distribution without any noticeable partitioning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter element having a non-porous extrusion laminated strip formed on at least one edge and at least one side of a membrane. The strip is used to provide a means for ensuring a good bond between the filter element and the material into which it is potted. The strip is formed by the use of one or more extrusion heads that apply molten or softened polymer to one or both of the surfaces of the filter in a width and height desired. The strip is then subjected to pressure such as through a nip to at least partially embed the polymer strip into the filter pores so as to create a strong mechanical bond between the strip and the filter element. Additionally, it allows for the simultaneous formation of more than one membrane with the edge lamination at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stand for holding disposable filter capsules and is formed of three or more legs, a base above the legs and to which the leg as are attached and three or more arms that are attached to an opposite surface of the base from that of the legs. The arms and legs have at least curved or angled portion that allows for the arms and legs to spread out from the diameter of the base. Preferably, the arms have a second curved or angled portion that then allows the upper portion of the arms to become substantially vertical.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a multiple well filter plate and method of producing same, the multiple well filter plate comprising a molded plate and a filter sealed via an adhesive, the method particularly adapted for producing multiple well filter plate having substantial well densities and small volume sample wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing single and multi-layered coiled hollow fiber bundles for use in separation modules whose performance can be predicted, said modules being designed to take advantage of the benefits of Dean vortices. The present invention is also directed to multi-layered coiled hollow fiber bundles for use in separation modules that are directly scalable because each layer performs substantially equivalently to the other layers when subjected to a fluid of a certain velocity such that Dean vortices are created.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter cartridge or filter unit (11) produced by a thermoplastic overmolding process that allows for using a single mold for overmolding a variety of different sized filter elements (12) or membranes and a method for sealing or hermetically sealing said filter element (12) in said filter unit (11) or cartridge. The proposed method produces a more robust filter unit (11) or cartridge than those provided by the prior art.

Abstract: This concerns a device whose filtering membrane is gripped annularly at the periphery between a first member forming part of an intake body and a second member forming part of a drainage body with one out of the first member and second member having an elastomer seal by means of which it comes into contact with the membrane, and whose locking means are adapted to allow the opening of the device by requiring only a separation movement between said first member and said second member. The drainage method proposes directly placing the device on a vacuum flask, the sealing with regard to the stopper of said flask being obtained by a rib tapering towards its end.

Abstract: A single or multiwell plate using membrane, preferably an ultrafiltration membrane to filter selected solutes from a liquid is disclosed. In particular, a preferred construction and method of sealing the membrane to the interior of the well so as to form an integral seal between the top portion of the well and the bottom portion is disclosed. The preferred method is to use a heat seal device which secures the filter to the underdrain portion of the device.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of plasmids or other DNA from cells using a first filtration step to remove the cellular debris and other large cellular components and then an ultrafiltration step to capture the plasmids or other DNA on the surface of the ultrafiltration membrane where they may be recovered. An apparatus is also taught for enacting the process and comprises an upper microfiltration or coarse filtration membrane and a lower ultrafiltration membrane. The driving force may be the same for both filters or different and may be done sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a multiple well filter plate and method of producing same, the multiple well filter plate comprising a molded plate and a filter sealed via an adhesive, the method particularly adapted for producing multiple well filter plate having substantial well densities and small volume sample wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device useful in the photo-oxidation of a sample liquid and in the measurement of the oxidized carbon content thereof. The device includes a cell, at least two elongate probes, and a temperature sensitive element. The cell includes a rigid light-transmissive outer wail that encloses a continuous predetermined internal volume The elongate probes—providing collectively the ability to measure temperature and conductivity—penetrate through the rigid outer wall and extend substantially into the cell's internal volume. At least one of the elongate probes is hollow at least partially along its length, the temperature sensitive element being positioned within this bore. A methodology involving the use of the device is also described.

Abstract: One or more hollow fiber membranes having a coflow of filtrate to provide trans-membrane pressure (TMP) control. The membranes preferably are capable or forming a shear effect or Dean vortices at their inner surface. Optionally, the filtrate channel may contain one or more types of beads, either inert or formed of a capture resin such as affinity chromatography beads or ion exchange resins, for selectively capturing and retaining certain molecules from the filtrate of feedstream. The beads, in addition to the optional capture function, aid in the control of the TMP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the monitoring of polymers during their processing by the determination of optical scattering properties. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a monitoring system for a vessel for polymer processing and the like, comprising a monitoring cell for measuring the optical properties of the contents of the vessel, a feed path and a return path both connecting the cell to the vessel, and a pump connected in the feed or return path. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a monitoring cell for measuring the optical properties of the contents of the cell, including a source for generating a laser beam through the cell, and a detector for detecting light scattered from the laser beam, preferably a linear camera and an optical system for focusing scattered light thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for producing a subassembly for devices designed to receive particulate matter in a compartment of predetermined shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides new patterned porous substrates and a new method for forming the new patterned porous substrates containing one or more selected patterns which is applicable to all porous structures regardless of their polymeric content, their method of manufacture or their UV absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: An electrodeionization (EDI) module is formed from an anode spaced apart from a cathode, one or more waste channels formed between the electrodes and a product channel located inward of the waste channel(s). Ion permeable membranes form the boundary between the product channel and the waste channel(s). The product channel and waste channels are filled with a mixture of anionic and cationic ion exchange materials. At least the waste channel(s) and preferably the product channel as well, use either an anion bead having a relatively low affinity for the selected anion specie(s) to be retained (e.g. Type II) or it is a blend with Type I materials. Preferably, the membranes contain an ion exchange material to speed the transfer of ions across them. More preferably, the anionic membrane contains anion materials that have a relatively low affinity for the selected specie or species for retention.

Abstract: A bubble trap having a cylindrically symmetrical chamber, a filter covering an outlet and offset from the axis of the chamber, an inlet with a plurality of vertically aligned orifices, the orifices arranged to produce circumferential flow within the chamber. Bubbles in the liquid coalesce on the filter and are removed. A method of removing bubbles is also disclosed.