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 multiwell test apparatus formed of a multiwell filter plate having a plurality of wells and a first feeding plate and a second receiver plate is provided. The wells of the multiwell filter plate each have an open bottom surface to which a membrane is attached, at least one first access hole providing access to the feeding/receiver plate below, a pair of alignment pins designed to fit alignment holes in the feeding/receiver plates in a particular arrangement. The first feeding plate is a single well plate or a multiwell plate used solely for feeding. The second receiver plate is a multiwell plate having the same number of wells as the filter plate and aligned so as to receive the wells of the filter plate therein used as the assaying plate. The use of alignment holes in the feeding/receiver plates and alignment posts in the filter plate ensure precise alignment of the plates when together.

Abstract: A feeding tray for retaining a nutrient medium is provided for use with a multiwell filter plate. The feeding tray includes an inclined support surface surrounded by walls that retain nutrient medium on the support surface. The support surface is inclined away from an area for introducing nutrient medium into the feeding tray toward an area for draining the feeding tray of nutrient medium.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a substantially flat filter plate comprising a substantially flat thermoplastic polymer frame and substantially flat filter material seated fixedly therein. The method is characterized by its reduced exposure of the filter material to adverse mechanical stresses resultant of thermoplastic frame formation and curing. Toward such end, the substantially flat thermoplastic frame is formed in at least two separate steps, in the course of which said substantially flat filter material is incorporated. The portion formed first serves as a mechanical restraint, insulating the later incorporated filter material from any propensity of the second “embedding” portion to shrink or otherwise warp during its formation.

Abstract: A sterile to sterile connection device comprising a connector and one or more coupling devices. The connector has body portion which has two openings sealed from the environment so as to form a sterile environment within the connector. At least one of the openings being sealed from the environment by a sterile barrier plug. The connector also has a port capable movement within the body of the connector to at least an open and a closed position. The coupling device is formed of a body having two openings and a stem having a bore through at least a portion of the stem. The stem is contained within the body and capable of moving at least linearly through the body between a first and second stem position. One of the openings of the stem is sealed from the environment by a sterile barrier plug and the other is sealed to a presterilized component. The coupling device opening containing the sterile barrier plug is attached to either the inlet or outlet of the connector.

Abstract: A multiwell test apparatus comprising a multiwell filter plate and having wells that fit within the wells of a single or multiwell receiver plate is provided. The multiwell filter plate also is provided with posts which fit into holes of the receiver plate. The posts and holes are shaped to fix the position of the wells of the multiwell filter plate within the well(s) of the receiver plate and to permit controlled lateral movement of the multiwell filter plate when it is partially removed from the receiver plate so that excess liquid on the wells of the multiwell filter plate can be directed into the well(s) of the receiver plate.

Abstract: A multiwell filter plate of a multiwell test apparatus is provided to effect addition or removal of liquid from a feeding tray positioned below the multiwell filter tray. Access holes extending through a plate of the multiwell filter plate are provided so that a syringe can be extended through the access holes.

Abstract: A deep gradient-density filter device capable of effectively filtering a fluid containing a distribution of particles in the range of approximately 25 microns to approximately 0.2 micron at a fluid velocity of at least approximately 100 cm/hr and an initial hydraulic permeability of greater than approximately 10 cm/hr/psi. The deep gradient-density filter device includes several layers of filtration material, each having specific predetermined particle retention properties. In one product embodiment, the deep gradient-density filter device uses “loose” fibrillated cellulose fiber material as a primary filter element. In a method aspect, the deep gradient-density filter device is used for either the secondary clarification of industrial-scale volumes of cultured or fermented protein-containing biopharmaceutical fluids or the primary clarification of pilot-scale volumes.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively removing protein aggregates from a protein solution in a normal flow (NFF) filtration process. Preferably, it relates to a process for selectively removing protein aggregates from a protein solution in a normal flow (NFF) filtration process and virus particles from a protein solution in a two-step filtration process. In a first step, a protein solution is filtered through one or more layers of adsorptive depth filters, charged or surface modified microporous membranes or a small bed of chromatography media in a normal flow filtration mode of operation, to produce a protein aggregate free stream. The aggregate free protein stream can then be filtered through one or more ultrafiltration membranes to retain virus particles at a retention level of at least 3 LRV and to allow passage therethrough of an aggregate free and virus free protein solution.

Abstract: A disposable tube set apparatus is provided for delivering a precise volume of a fluid to containers which comprise a reservoir for a fluid, an inlet conduit to the said reservoir, at least one first outlet conduits from the reservoir, a sight tube connected to each of the at least one outlet conduit, each of the sight outlet tubes having an interior wall tapered away from a central vertical axis of each of the sight outlet tubes, a return conduit connecting each of the sight outlet tubes to the reservoir, and a second outlet conduit connected to each of the sight tubes.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus is described, the operation of which involves installation thereinto of a single-use fluid dispenser cartridge. The cartridge itself comprises a pliable fluid reservoir and a fill tube assembly. The fill tube assembly—the component which most immediately acquires and delivers a definable volume of fluid into a vial or other container—is characterized by its incorporation of means for continuously measuring fluid volume therein, particularly, as a function of electrical capacitance. Accuracy, precision, and reliability are improved. The apparatus can be used to dispense a broad range of fluids, including viscous fluids. No moving mechanical parts are required in the measurement of capacitance.

Abstract: A process for making a fluid processing module is provided wherein a plurality of filtration elements is alternated with a fluid porous layer to form a stack. The filtration elements comprise a membrane sheet having a thermoplastic element bonded to a portion of an edge of the membrane. An opening is provided either through the membrane or through the thermoplastic element. A portion of the thermoplastic element extends into the opening and can be sealed to an adjacent positioned thermoplastic element to seal the porous sheet positioned between adjacently positioned membranes from fluid communication with the opening. Sealing can be effected by extending a heating element through the opening of the stack to effect simultaneous sealing of a plurality of thermoplastic elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous media or membranes having a surface coating that includes a first coating of a cross-linked terpolymer and a second coating comprising a copolymer or a terpolymer modified with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic functional group which has a superior combination of properties, including heat stable biomolecule resistant adsorptive properties, resistance to strong alkaline solutions, and low levels of extractable matter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an underdrain having an improved spout. The underdrain has particular utility in the construction of both single-well and microarray filtration devices. In a principal embodiment, the underdrain is characterized by its incorporation of a straight-walled, roughly-textured spout, the spout being provided with microhole(s) at a terminal end thereof for the discharge of fluid conducted through the underdrain. An array comprising several of such underdrains can be mated with a corresponding array of wells, with separation material (e.g., membrane material) provided therebetween. The resultant microarray filtration device can be used for conducting several fluid assays contemporaneously with, for example, good “pendant drop” control and low “cross-talk”.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid conductivity measuring cell having two cylindrical and coaxial electrodes mounted head-to-tail and axially overlapping on the same insulative body, the inner electrode, penetrating partly into the at least partly hollow outer electrode has a recess in which the two electrodes are accommodated to form two cylindrical spaces, one of which is an external space formed between the internal wall of the recess and the external wall of the outer electrode and the other being an internal space formed between the external wall of the inner electrode and the internal wall of the outer electrode, the external space establishing communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the cell, each discharging into the recess and being in fluid communication with the internal space that is surrounds, this internal space serving as a conductivity measuring area.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process that includes injecting a potting compound such as an epoxy through a hollow portion (2B) of the central mandrel (2) and onto the inner layer(s) of a multi-layered fiber bundle (3) and through the outside of the bundle and onto the outer layer(s) of the bundle. By potting through the central mandrel (2), the potting compound distributes evenly throughout the inner fibers of the bundle (3). The steps may be sequentially or simultaneously. Preferably it is done as a two-step process, with the first step being to apply the potting compound through the central mandrel (2) and onto the inner fibers first. The second step is to pot around the outer layer of the fiber bundle (3) to finish the process. The resultant product is also disclosed.