Abstract: A fluid path control element which when stacked alternatively with a fluid porous sheet can be formed into a filtration module. The fluid path control element comprises a porous membrane having sealed to a portion of its periphery a thermoplastic element that extends into an opening either through the membrane or in an opening through the thermoplastic element. The portion of the thermoplastic element that extends into the opening can be heat sealed with a second thermoplastic element to prevent fluid flow between the opening and the membrane.

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: A filter construction is provided having a packing density of at least 300 square meters of active membrane filter area per cubic meter of external volume of said filter construction, said filter constructed of materials characterized by less than 250 mg of extracted contamination per m2 of wetted material.

Abstract: A fluid path control element which when stacked alternatively with a fluid porous sheet can be formed into a filtration module. The fluid path control element comprises a porous membrane having sealed to a portion of its periphery a thermoplastic element that extends into an opening either through the membrane or in an opening through the thermoplastic element. The portion of the thermoplastic element that extends into the opening can be heat sealed with a second thermoplastic element to prevent fluid flow between the opening and the membrane.

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: A filtration apparatus is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, a filtrate port and, optionally, a retentate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with either the feed or a retentate.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for deadend filtration is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, and a filtrate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with the feed.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, a filtrate port and, optionally, a retentate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with either the feed or a retentate.

Abstract: Novel membrane filter units are disclosed which are adapted for stacking and bonding into integral, disposable cartridges, optionally including an integral disposable housing. The units comprise a thin plastic support having flat membranes permanently bonded to their upper and lower surfaces. The support has a central opening, a sealing rim, and on each surface, inner and outer circumferential lands and intervening ribs or similar projections, the membranes being bonded and sealed to the lands and ribs. Each support surface adjacent the central opening has circumferential coupling and spacing means for bonding stacked units together in spaced relation. A novel method for bonding a membrane to a support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubular element for removing particulate matter and bacteria of dimensions in excess of a predetermined value from a fluid flowing from the interior to the exterior of the filtration element has a first inner layer of a highly porous material that has a low coefficient of sliding friction, and a second layer of a microporous filtration material having pores of substantially uniform size. The element may include an outer support layer of a porous material that is not subject to shedding. In a preferred form, the inner layer is formed from a high wet strength paper, the microporous filtration layer has sufficiently small pores to remove all bacteria from the fluid, and the outer layer may be a fine porous plastic sheet material or a high wet strength, high porosity paper that is impregnated with the polymeric material that forms the microporous filtration material. The fine pore structure of the outer layer supports the fragile filtration layer.

Abstract: A filtration system is provided that directs a fluid to be filtered through a disposable tubular filtration element, supports the filtration element, and accommodates for "wet growth" of the filtration element. The system operates with an inside-to-outside forced fluid flow through the filtration element and includes a generally cylindrical housing with a fluid inlet and outlet. A perforated outer support screen is mounted within the housing and surrounds the walls of the tubular filtration element with slight clearance. Under the influence of the fluid pressure and the wet growth, the walls of the filtration element bear against the screen. A sealing and support assembly having upstream and downstream fluid guides, each carrying, in a preferred form, a pair of resilient sealing members, is positioned inside the filtration element. A rigid inner member bridges the opposing faces of the resilient member pairs.