Abstract: An autonomous filter device and a method for improving the filter life and performance is disclosed. The filter element is equipped with one or more sensors, adapted to measure one or more characteristics. In response to the measured characteristic, the control logic within the filter element is able to determine an appropriate response. For example, the control logic may determine that a sudden, but temporary, blockage has occurred in the filter membrane. In response, the control logic may initiate a specific response designed to alleviate the blockage. The control logic will then determine the success of the response, based monitoring any change in the fluid characteristics. Based thereon, the control logic may alert the operator that the filter element must be replaced. Alternatively, if the response was successful in correcting the blockage, the control logic need not notify the operator, as the filter element is back to normal operating operation.

Abstract: Filtration device suited for concentration of liquid samples, particularly biomolecules, and a method of concentrating, desalting, purifying and/or fractionating liquid samples. In certain embodiments the device includes a housing having a sample reservoir, and two substantially vertically oriented and spaced apart membranes disposed in the housing. An underdrain is associated with each membrane such that fluid passing through each membrane flows through a respective underdrain into a filtrate collection chamber. The fluid that does not pass through the membrane is collected in the retentate collection chamber, and can be recovered such as by a reverse spinning step, achieving recoveries greater than about 90%. The substantially vertical orientation of the membranes increases the available membrane area by at least 2.7 times the area available in a conventional filter device.

Abstract: A number of novel improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a microfluidic invasion assay system.

Abstract: The device for the microbiological analysis of a support adapted to contain microorganisms marked by a fluorophore agent, said agent being adapted to absorb light energy with an absorption spectrum (53) having a crest (53?) at a predetermined absorption wavelength (?2) and to release that energy by emitting light with an emission spectrum (54) having a crest (54?) at a predetermined emission wavelength (?3) distinct from said absorption wavelength (?2), comprises illuminating means; the spectrum (55) of the excitation light coming from the illuminating means having a crest (55?) at a predetermined excitation wavelength (?1) with a predetermined difference between the excitation (?1) and absorption (?2) wavelengths by virtue of which it is made easy to discriminate the light emitted by said fluorophore agent from that coming from the illuminating means.

Abstract: Method of reducing performance variability of membrane scaling devices. Scaling device performance uncertainty is reduced, thereby reducing the scaling safety factor, by specifying a narrow range or subset of the set of all qualified manufactured membranes for installation into scaling devices. In certain embodiments, the scalability factor is reduced by determining where within the performance distribution a particular membrane lies, and adjusting the scaling factor accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively soluble polymer capable of binding to a desired biomolecules in a mixture containing various biological materials and the methods of using such a polymer to purify a biomolecule from such a mixture. The polymer is soluble in the mixture under a certain set of process conditions such as pH or temperature and/or salt concentration and is rendered insoluble and precipitates out of solution upon a change in the process conditions. The polymer is capable of binding to the desired biomolecule (protein, polypeptide, etc) and remains capable of binding to that biomolecule even after the polymer is precipitated out of solution. The precipitate can then be filtered out from the remainder of the stream and the desired biomolecule is recovered such as by elution and further processed.

Abstract: A method for retention testing sterilizing grade filters comprises: a) providing a stock of Acholeplasma laidlawii; b) growing up the stock of A. laidlawii for about 24 hours or less in a single serum-free growth medium that supports cell growth to a high titer and yields a cellular morphology where the cells are small, deaggregated and spherical, thereby producing a bacterial culture; c) challenging a test filter by filtering the bacterial culture through the test filter at a known challenge level, thereby producing a filtrate downstream of the test filter; and d) detecting concentration of A. laidlawii in the filtrate. Serum-free growth media for cultivating or storing A. laidlawii are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively soluble polymer capable of binding to one or more constituents in a mixture containing various biological materials and the methods of using such a polymer to purify a biomolecule from such a mixture. The polymer is soluble in the mixture under a certain set of process conditions such as pH or temperature and is rendered insoluble and precipitates out of solution upon a change in the process conditions. While in its solubilized state, the polymer is capable of binding to a selected entity within the stream such as impurities (DNA, RNA, host cell protein, endotoxins, etc) in a cell broth and remains capable of binding to that entity even after the polymer is precipitated out of solution. The precipitate can then be filtered out from the remainder of the stream and the desired biomolecule is recovered and further processed.

Abstract: Installation for treating a biological liquid, including a circulation pump (5), a filter element (9), a container for collecting treated liquid, a first circuit section connecting a source of said biological liquid to an inlet orifice of said filter element (9), including a circuit element adapted to cooperate with said circulation pump (5); a second circuit section, connecting an outlet orifice of said filter element (9) to said treated liquid collecting container; characterized in that said treated liquid collecting container, said first circuit section and said second circuit section are disposable and said installation further includes a first cart (1) carrying said pump (5) and a second cart (2) including a housing (14) for said collecting container, separable from the first cart (1) and adapted to be at least partly nested in said first cart (1).

Abstract: Method for the removal of ions and ionizable substances from a polar liquid (10) comprising at least one process wherein said polar liquid (10) is split into a first stream (F1) and a second stream (F2), Said first stream (F1) passing through an electrochemically regenerable ion-exchange material (2) located where an electric field between two electrodes (4, 5) is applied, said first stream (F1) flowing from one electrode (4) to the other electrode (5) so that the ions to be removed are migrating in the direction reverse to the first stream flow through said ion-exchange material (2), Said second stream (F2) rinsing said one electrode (4), and said material is regenerated by the ions which are formed at the other electrode (5). Device in particular for the implementation of said method.

Abstract: Adsorbent filter media particularly suited for removal of biological contaminants in process liquids. A porous fixed bed of adsorbent material is formed, using only a granular adsorbent and a water-insoluble thermoplastic binder. The resulting composite filter allows for a higher amount of adsorbent with smaller adsorbent particles than conventional depth filters. Elimination of cellulose fiber, as well as the elimination of the thermoset binder, results in reduced contamination of the process liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing more reliable wireless communication and power to sensors in electrically challenging bioprocess environments is disclosed. An unconnected antenna is located within the bioprocess environment, preferably in the same plane as the primary powered antenna. This unconnected antenna, also referred to as reflective antenna, enhances and confines the electromagnetic field created by the powered antenna. This reflective antenna is incorporated in or proximate to the devices containing a sensor or communication device. In one embodiment, the reflective antenna is incorporated into the filter housing. In another embodiment, it is incorporated into the filtering element itself. In another embodiment, it is incorporated into or affixed on the disposable bioprocess components, such as bags and tubes.

Abstract: The biocontainer of the present invention provides a low cost, simple solution of many of the problems encountered during shipping, freezing and thawing of biopharmaceutical materials. The present invention enables a user to monitor the temperature profile of each biopharmaceutical container during the cryogenic process, so as to ensure the integrity of materials within each biocontainer by using a pre-installed and pre-sterilized temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a wireless transmitter and is capable of transmitting information regarding the measured reading. In other embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a processing unit, which determines whether the temperature profile is acceptable. In a further embodiment, an indicator is included, such that the processing unit may indicate whether the biopharmaceutical material has been properly frozen.

Abstract: The biocontainer of the present invention provides a low cost, simple solution of many of the problems encountered during shipping, freezing and thawing of biopharmaceutical materials. The present invention enables a user to monitor the temperature profile of each biopharmaceutical container during the cryogenic process, so as to ensure the integrity of materials within each biocontainer by using a pre-installed and pre-sterilized temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a wireless transmitter and is capable of transmitting information regarding the measured reading. In other embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a processing unit, which determines whether the temperature profile is acceptable. In a further embodiment, an indicator is included, such that the processing unit may indicate whether the biopharmaceutical material has been properly frozen.