Abstract: A liquid filtering system and methods for filtering are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a filtering apparatus having a receiving receptacle coupled with an adapter. The adapter has an adapter port for receiving a vacuum and an interface for coupling with an output receptacle that receives filtered liquid from the filtering apparatus. The adapter is between the receiving receptacle and output receptacle when the output receptacle is coupled with the adapter interface. The system also includes a base having a substantially rigid housing containing an internal vacuum channel terminating at a base vacuum delivery port. The adapter is couplable with the base to connect the adapter port to the base vacuum delivery port.

Abstract: Biological fluid filtration systems including biological fluid filtration devices capable of filtering blood or blood products, including the removal of leukocytes from the blood or blood product. Each system includes a means to automatically drain the biological fluid upstream of the biological fluid filtration media disposed in the biological fluid filtration device. Both single sided and double sided biological fluid filtration devices are disclosed, including double sided biological fluid filtration devices with a solid partition wall with a first independent fluid flow path on one side of the partition wall, and a second independent fluid flow path on the other side of the partition wall. Draining means include vent filtration devices, diaphragm draining devices, and biological fluid filtration devices that include an integral diaphragm.

Abstract: A filtration funnel with integral prefilter usable for filtering fluids. The integral prefilter is disposed above the final filter which is sealed to the funnel. The prefilter may contain one or more layers of prefilter material, and is sealed to the funnel with one or more seal rings. The funnel may be used with either vacuum or pressure.

Abstract: A vacuum filtration apparatus (900) for detecting microorganisms and particulates in liquid samples. The apparatus includes a base (901), an absorbent pad (991), a filter means (990), a funnel (930), and a lid (960). The funnel is releasably attached to the base, and may contain an integral flexible seal for releasably sealing the filter means to the base. The outer wall of the lid may be segmented to make it flexible, this flexibility allows it to be releasably attached to the funnel or the base. The apparatus is designed so that any funnel will fit any base, and any lid will fit any base or any funnel when all parts are manufactured to normal tolerances. The apparatus may contain a means to keep the filter means wrinkle free in both the dry and wet states.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing a solvent with a solute to form a solution, and for separating said solution from excess solute so that a sample of solution less excess solute can be obtained, and for synthesizing drug compounds.

Abstract: A vacuum filtration apparatus (100) for detecting microorganisms and particulates in liquid samples. The apparatus includes a base (1), an absorbent pad (91), a filter means (90), a funnel (30), and a lid (60). The funnel contains an integral flexible seal for releasably attaching the funnel to the base, and an integral flexible seal for releasably sealing the filter means to the base. The base and funnel contain one or more lid clamp tabs. The outer wall of the lid is segmented to make it flexible, this flexibility allows it to be releasably attached to the lid clamp tabs of either the funnel or the base. The flexible seals and segmented lid allow any funnel to fit to any base, and any lid to fit to any base or to any funnel when all parts are manufactured to normal tolerances. The apparatus contains a means to keep the filter means wrinkle free in both the dry and wet states.

Abstract: A high capacity gravity feed filter for filtering blood and blood products or the like includes a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, two filter wells, at least one filter element disposed in each of said filter wells, between the inlet port and outlet port so as to filter liquid which flows into the filtration device via the inlet port. The filter elements divide each of said filter wells into a first chamber and a second chamber. The device allows gases to vent the filtration device through the outlet port. The means may include a vertical channel within each of said second chambers. The filtration device allows air therein to be purged downstream into a receiving blood bag without the manipulation of the height of the filtration device or the receiving blood bag.