Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible bag assembly for cultivation of cells, comprising one or more bags forming a plurality of cultivation compartments, wherein a drain port in at least a first cultivation compartment is adapted to be fluidically connected with a second cultivation compartment upon opening of a valve means. It also discloses a bioreactor with the bag assembly mounted on a rocking tray and a method of cultivating cells in the assembly.

Abstract: A manifold adaptor plate useful as a gasket having liquid pathways which permit passing of a filtrate, a feed and a retentate wherein admixture of the filtrate with the feed or the retentate is prevented is provided and is formed of an elastomeric layer, a rigid intermediate layer and a polymer layer. The elastomeric layer functions as a gasket and is bonded to the polymeric layer through the liquid pathways of the intermediate plate. An elastomer layer may be formed on both layers as well and optionally a second polymer layer between the intermediate layer and the second elastomer layer may also be used.

Abstract: A manifold adaptor plate useful as a gasket having liquid pathways which permit passing of a filtrate, a feed and a retentate wherein admixture of the filtrate with the feed or the retentate is prevented is provided and is formed of an elastomeric layer, a rigid intermediate layer and a polymer layer. The elastomeric layer functions as a gasket and is bonded to the polymeric layer through the liquid pathways of the intermediate plate. An elastomer layer may be formed on both layers as well and optionally a second polymer layer between the intermediate layer and the second elastomer layer may also be used.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a substantially flat filter plate comprising a substantially flat polymer, preferably thermoplastic, 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 polymeric frame formation and curing. Toward such end, the substantially flat polymeric 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: Fluid separation assembly that allows easy and fast change-out even in confined spaces, and also minimizes or eliminates leakage during change-out. A fluid separation unit having a housing containing separation means, the housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, each including a fitting for attachment of the housing to a manifold or other device allowing fluid communication through the separation means to a point of use is provided. The fittings are designed for quick connect/disconnect, and for minimal or no leakage. The fittings may be on opposite ends, with top and bottom fittings of different configurations, thereby ensuring proper installation of the assembly. The particular medium to be separated is not particularly limited, and can include slurries, fluids including water, and pre-loaded chromatography columns.

Abstract: A manifold adaptor plate useful as a gasket having liquid pathways which permit passing of a filtrate, a feed and a retentate wherein admixture of the filtrate with the feed or the retentate is prevented is provided and is formed of an elastomeric layer, a rigid intermediate layer and a polymer layer. The elastomeric layer functions as a gasket and is bonded to the polymeric layer through the liquid pathways of the intermediate plate. An elastomer layer may be formed on both layers as well and optionally a second polymer layer between the intermediate layer and the second elastomer layer may also be used.

Abstract: A separation module is provided having a housing, a filter within the housing and at least one outlet and one inlet. The outlet and inlet are positioned to mate with fittings of a pump housing. A stationary receptor positioned between the pump housing and the separation module has a pivot line and two shelves on its outer surface which permit fitting the separation module in a stationary receptor adjacent the pumping housing.

Abstract: A depth filter design is disclosed which has little if any open void area upstream of the media. Preferably, it also has little if any open void area downstream of the media as well. A preferred embodiment uses layers of stacked, fibrous media with several of the layers being separated from the others by spacers which serve to compress the media and to prevent the bypass of fluid around the media adjacent the inner wall of the housing. Several designs for attaching the end caps which allow for the compression of the media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for filtering a slurry and a filter cartridge construction for filtering a slurry having a filtration medium formed of a depth filter such as a cylindrical seamless fibrous depth filter comprising a nonwoven fibrous mass, woven fibers, a plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers or a fibrous felt or the like or a wound depth filter retained within a housing substantially free of an open void volume upstream of the depth filter which causes separation of solid particles from a slurry being filtered The filtration medium is divided into a plurality of depth filter segments by spacers which are spaced apart from each other along the length of a filter cartridge housing which houses the depth filter, The spacers serve to divide the depth filter medium into depth filter segments and to allow fluid to pass there through along a defined path defined by the configuration of the open portions of the spacers.

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: Fluid separation assembly that allows easy and fast change-out even in confined spaces, and also minimizes or eliminates leakage during change-out. A fluid separation unit having a housing containing separation means, the housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, each including a fitting for attachment of the housing to a manifold or other device allowing fluid communication through the separation means to a point of use is provided. The fittings are designed for quick connect/disconnect, and for minimal or no leakage. The fittings may be on opposite ends, with top and bottom fittings of different configurations, thereby ensuring proper installation of the assembly. The particular medium to be separated is not particularly limited, and can include slurries, fluids including water, and pre-loaded chromatography columns.

Abstract: Fluid separation assembly that allows easy and fast change-out even in confined spaces, and also minimizes or eliminates leakage during change-out. A fluid separation unit having a housing containing separation means, the housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, each including a fitting for attachment of the housing to a manifold or other device allowing fluid communication through the separation means to a point of use is provided. The fittings are designed for quick connect/disconnect, and for minimal or no leakage. The fittings may be on opposite ends, with top and bottom fittings of different configurations, thereby ensuring proper installation of the assembly. The particular medium to be separated is not particularly limited, and can include slurries, fluids including water, and pre-loaded chromatography columns.

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 disposable integral filter unit 10—suitable for the primary and/or secondary clarification of pharmaceutical fluids—is disclosed. The disposable integral filter unit has an inlet 40 and an outlet 60, and comprises a plurality of filter plates 20n interposed between a pair of end plates 24, 26. Each said filter plate 20n comprises a polymeric framework 28 with a deep gradient filter packet 35 embedded therein. The filter plates and end plates form in the aggregate a substantially fixed integral stack, wherein fluid entering the disposable integral filter unit 10 through said inlet 40 passes the deep gradient filter packet 35 of each filter plate 20n substantially contemporaneously (i.e., in “parallel”) prior to exiting said unit 10 through said outlet 60.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a substantially flat filter plate comprising a substantially flat polymer, preferably thermoplastic, 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 polymeric frame formation and curing. Toward such end, the substantially flat polymeric 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 disposable integral filter unit 10—suitable for the primary and/or secondary clarification of pharmaceutical fluids—is disclosed. The disposable integral filter unit has an inlet 40 and an outlet 60, and comprises a plurality of filter plates 20n interposed between a pair of end plates 24, 26. Each said filter plate 20n comprises a thermoplastic framework 30 with a deep gradient filter packet 35 embedded therein. The filter plates and end plates form in the aggregate a substantially fixed integral stack, wherein fluid entering the disposable integral filter unit 10 through said inlet 40 passes the deep gradient filter packet 35 of each filter plate 20n substantially contemporaneously (i.e., in “parallel”) prior to exiting said unit 10 through said outlet 60.

Abstract: A filtration module is provided which includes a manifold (100), a filtration cartridge (104) and a bowl (102) that houses the filter cartridge. The filtration cartridge and bowl are connected to each other to form a unitary construction. The filtration cartridge and bowl are in fluid communication with the manifold in a manner which prevents mixing of a fluid feed to the module and a permeate removed from the module.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for filtering a slurry and a filter cartridge construction for filtering a slurry having a filtration medium formed of a depth filter such as a cylindrical seamless fibrous depth filter comprising a nonwoven fibrous mass, woven fibers, a plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers or a fibrous felt or the like or a wound depth filter retained within a housing substantially free of an open void volume upstream of the depth filter which causes separation of solid particles from a slurry being filtered The filtration medium is divided into a plurality of depth filter segments by spacers which are spaced apart from each other along the length of a filter cartridge housing which houses the depth filter, The spacers serve to divide the depth filter medium into depth filter segments and to allow fluid to pass there through along a defined path defined by the configuration of the open portions of the spacers.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for filtering a slurry and a filter cartridge construction for filtering a slurry having a filtration medium formed of a depth filter such as a cylindrical seamless fibrous depth filter comprising a nonwoven fibrous mass, woven fibers, a plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers or a fibrous felt or the like or a wound depth filter retained within a housing substantially free of an open void volume upstream of the depth filter which causes separation of solid particles from a slurry being filtered. The filtration medium is divided into a plurality of depth filter segments by spacers which are spaced apart from each other along the length of a filter cartridge housing which houses the depth filter. The spacers serve to divide the depth filter medium into depth filter segments and to allow fluid to pass there through along a defined path defined by the configuration of the open portions of the spacers.

Abstract: Fluid separation assembly that allows easy and fast change-out even in confined spaces, and also minimizes or eliminates leakage during change-out. A fluid separation unit having a housing containing separation means, the housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, each including a fitting for attachment of the housing to a manifold or other device allowing fluid communication through the separation means to a point of use is provided. The fittings are designed for quick connect/disconnect, and for minimal or no leakage. The fittings may be on opposite ends, with top and bottom fittings of different configurations, thereby ensuring proper installation of the assembly. The particular medium to be separated is not particularly limited, and can include slurries, fluids including water, and pre-loaded chromatography columns.