Abstract: A blood oxygenator having a defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The defoaming device of the oxygenator is designed for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. In a first embodiment, the device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided. In a second embodiment, an element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir within the fluid therein.

Abstract: A system for filtering, purification, and recirculation of the sample carrier water in a flow cytometer. After running through the flow chamber of the flow cytometer, the water, including the sample, is passed through physical and chemical filters to remove cells, cell debris and other particulate matter as well as dyes, before the water is recycled through the instrument as carrying, or sheath fluid for subsequent samples.

Abstract: A separating agent which includes a polyvinyl acetal resin having open cell structure and an average pore size of from about 10 to about 1000 micrometers; and, porous calcium phosphate granules having open cell structure, and also having two distributions of pore size wherein one distribution has micropores ranging from about 20 to about 500 nm in average pore size and the other distribution has small pores ranging from about 1 to about 50 micrometers in average pore size. Alternatively, the separating agent includes a polyvinyl acetal resin having open cell structure and having an average pore size of from about 10 to about 1000 micrometers as a first element, and a layer of porous calcium phosphate granules having an average granule size of from about 10 to about 2000 micrometers as a second element applied onto the first element. The separating agents may be used in a separator, and may be employed in separating methods.

Abstract: A combined cardiotomy and venous return reservoir which combines defoamed and filtered cardiotomy blood with venous blood in a common chamber and then passes the combined blood fractions through a second defoaming element to achieve positive mixing of the blood fractions before they exit the device.

Abstract: A multiple-disc filter body for separating solid particles from a fluid flowing through the filter body from its inlet side to its outlet side, comprises a stack of filter discs in which the side faces of each pair of adjacent discs are formed with ribs of at least two different heights such as to define filtering passageways of a larger size on the inlet side of the filter stack and filtering passageways of a smaller size on the outlet side of the filter stack in series with the larger-size filtering passageways, whereby coarse particles are first separated by the fluid in the larger size filtering passageways, and then finer particles are separated from the fluid in the smaller size filtering passageways.

Abstract: A fluid filter including a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a filter element defining an upstream surface communicating with the fluid inlet and a downstream surface communicating with the fluid outlet, the filter element including at least one group of disk-like elements including at least one element of relatively fine porous material, having disposed on both sides thereof disk like elements of a relatively coarse porous material, each of the at least one groups having disposed on both sides thereof a grooved spacer element.

Abstract: A filter and filtering apparatus for measuring the deformability of a blood cell passing through a flow passage formed as a space between a surface of a groove formed in a first substrate and a surface of a second substrate with which the groove is sealed. The filtering apparatus includes electrodes mounted at the inlets and outlets of the flow passages, or optical elements to enable cell deformity measurements.

Abstract: A device for biospecifically purifying a liquid having a first portion containing cellular elements and a second portion without cellular elements, the device comprising a casing, a duct for conducting the liquid into the casing, a filter disposed within the casing for tangentially filtering the liquid to separate first portion from the second portion, a filter disposed within the casing for transversely filtering the separated second portion to biospecifically purify the liquid after the separation of the cellular elements, ducts for evacuating the first portion and second portion from the casing.

Abstract: A system for treating the blood of a patient, which is obtained by, for example, bleeding during an operation and thus to be autotransfused to the patient, as well as a device therefor is disclosed. The process comprises sucking the blood under a sucking pressure of 80 to 150 mmHg, filtering the sucked blood through a filter membrane of a pore size of 100 to 150 .mu.m and storing the filtered blood in a storage tank while shaking.

Abstract: A fluid filter including a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is disclosed. A filter element defining an upstream surface communicates with the fluid inlet and a downstream cylindrical surface communicates with the fluid outlet. The filter element includes a stack of filter disks defining a hollow volume interiorly thereof and a longitudinal axis. The filter includes a backflushing device having an axially displaceable backflushing nozzle assembly disposed within the hollow volume, and includes a rotating head coupled to the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet arranged to provide a generally radially directed pressurized jet and rotational motion of the rotating head for removing sediment from the filter element.

Abstract: Strong and durable alpha alumina ultrafiltration membranes with effective separating layers having effective pore diameters less than about 50 nm, and particularly at almost any point within the range of about 10 to about 50 nm, can be produced by seeding boehmite sols with appropriate seeds, such as very fine alpha alumina with a specific surface area of more than 100 sq. m. per g, gelling a thin layer of the sol by contact with a microfilter support, drying the gel, followed by controlled heating of the coated support both to convert the boehmite to alpha alumina and to simultaneously control the effective pore diameter of the resultant membrane.

Abstract: A liquid filtering device for separating leukocytes from blood to produce concentrated red cells, for example, includes a housing having a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port and providing a flow passage from the liquid inlet port to the liquid outlet port, a partition plate fixedly disposed in the housing, a first filter element disposed in the housing in an upstream position with respect to the flow passage, and a second filter element disposed in the housing in a downstream position with respect to the flow passage, the second filter element being made of a material having a larger filtration resistance than the first filter element. The second filter element has an outer peripheral edge fixed directly to the partition plate in a liquidtight manner in surrounding relation to the first filter element.

Abstract: Microaggregate blood filter adapted to pre-filter aggregates larger than 150 microns without interfering with the on-going and continuous filtration of aggregates between 40 and 150 microns. Filter comprises a flexible housing having inlet and outlet ports and an interior nest of two generally cylindrical concentric outer and inner filter screens with a space between the screens. Blood to be filtered enters the housing from the top and is pre-filtered for aggregates larger than 150 microns by the inner screen. The inner screen defines a relatively large interior volume which allows filtered aggregates to collect by sedimentation at its lower portions in a manner that permits on-going, continuous, and unobstructed filtration of the blood through its upper portion for subsequent and final filtration through the outer 40 micron filter. A preferred filter has a transparent housing and built in drip chamber and can be primed without inverting the filter.

Abstract: A disposable oil filter unit with triple filtration characterized by comprising, within a closed cup-shaped container (1), two filter cartridges (3) and (2) which filter radially from the outside towards the center and are disposed in parallel with regard to the traversing oil flow, and of which the first filter cartridge (3), which is of finer porosity, is surrounded by a third concentric cartridge (33) disposed in series with filter cartridge and having a coarser porosity than the second cartridge.

Abstract: A filter providing at least two different filtering pore sizes for coarse and fine filtering, and a kit containing such filter along with an immunoassay test device containing a membrane. The membrane is used to separate bound immunoassay labels from free labels. The coarse and fine filtering are provided preferably by two different, serially arranged filters, the filter with the fine pore size being selected with a pore size similar to that of the membrane of the assay device.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of blood components, specifically for the removal of white blood cells and blood platelets from blood comprises a tubular housing providing at one end thereof with a blood inlet and at the other end thereof with a blood outlet and an aggregate layer of fibers capable of sequestering white blood cells and blood platelets packed in the housing. The aggregate layer of fibers comprises a blood inlet side layer of a bulk density of not less than 0.16 g/cm.sup.3 and less than 0.21 g/cm.sup.3 and a blood outlet side layer of a bulk density of not less than 0.21 g/cm.sup.3 and not more than 0.23 g/cm.sup.3 and is packed in a ratio in the range of 0.04 to 0.09 g per ml of the flow volume of blood under treatment.

Abstract: A fluid filter comprising a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter element defining an upstream surface communicating with the fluid inlet and a downstream cylindrical surface communicating with the fluid outlet, the filter element comprising a stack of filter disks defining a hollow volume interiorly thereof and a longitudinal axis, and backflushing means for removing filtered out sediment from the filter element comprising an axially displaceable backflushing nozzle assembly disposed within the hollow volume comprising a rotating head coupled to the fluid inlet and having fluid outlet means, arranged to provide a generally radially directed pressurized jet and rotational motion of the rotating head.

Abstract: A multi-well filtration apparatus for the assay of microliter quantities is provided wherein a filter is positioned in each well on a plate having an open spout positioned in the plate. The spout has a collar on its outer surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spout. The collar prevents a liquid droplet from climbing the outer surface of the spout from its open end.

Abstract: A subterranean drainage and fluid filtration system includes an inlet conduit defined by fluid filtering fabric encasing a fluid pervious panel with raised lands and depressions to define passageways for the fluid. The fluid flows downwardly into a filtration system comprising the serpentine wrapped filter fabric in which core sheets and spacers are provided. These core sheets and spacers may be identical to one another and each includes raised lands so as to achieve flow of fluid downwardly and horizontally through the fluid filter.

Abstract: A multilayer filter medium (6) is used for separating precipitates containing cholesterol from blood plasma which consists of at least one open filter medium (7) which adsorbs precipitate and of a microporous membrane (9) which controls the pressure conditions in the filter element, whereby the layer (7) which specifically adsorbs the precipitate is hydrophobic and the microporous membrane (9) is hydrophilic. In addition, a positively charged adsorption medium (9) is provided on the side of the microporous membrane (8) facing away from the hydrophobic adsorption medium (7). In this manner, a large adsorption area is created and kept accessible for the precipitates and for heparin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an annular module for filtration by reverse osmosis of a liquid under pressure. This module comprises a support formed by a tubular spool (1) having a central open volume along the entire spool height and provided with a slit (4) issuing into its peripheral face and extending along a generatrix. This slit communicates with a duct (5) formed in the thickness of the spool and issuing outside thereof at the end of a stud (3). The reverse osmosis filtration membranes (6, 7) are helically wound around the spool; the inner turn of the membranes are impermeably fastened on the peripheral surface of the spool in such a manner that the slit (4) enters between the two membranes of said inner turn.

Abstract: An instrument for separation of liquid from solid material comprising: a volume filtration layer having a void volume of not less than 90% which is composed of fibrous material; and a pressure-resistant housing having a liquid entrance and a liquid exit which encases said volume filtration layer therein in such a manner that the side face of the volume filtration layer is tightly arranged in contact with an inner face of the housing so as to prevent passage of the solid material along the interface between the side face of the volume filtration layer and the inner face of the housing.

Abstract: A polymer filtering apparatus (1) is used to filter a molten polymer in a step of extruding a molten polymer to manufacture films and fibers. A plate type filter medium (4), which is incapable of resisting a filtration pressure, is supported at its rear portion on a liquid-permeable support member (5). Two pieces of filter media (4), (4) of the above-mentioned construction are arranged in opposition to each other so as to form a polymer passage (10) therebetween, and a polymer to be filtered is fed from this polymer passage (10) and through the filter medium (4) and support member (5). The plate type filter medium (4) and support member (5), which are detachably piled, can be separated, and the surfaces thereof can be easily washed. Moreover, the results of washing of both the primary and secondary sides can be inspected visually with ease.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plurality of cooperating filter discs defining a plurality of paired cooperating filter surfaces, including a first surface having a large surface area and a second surface contacting only a portion of the large surface area of the first and leaving portion of the large surface area or the upstream side of the stack not contacted thereby, at least one of said first and second surfaces being formed with grooves at the areas at which the first and second surfaces contact to allow for the accumulation of particles.

Abstract: A structure usable as an ultrafiltration membrane has membranes (20) with continuous pores which are linked to or into an appropriately porous carrier (21). Each of these membranes (20) consist of protein molecules or protein containing molecules arranged according to a two-dimensional crystal lattice, between which continuous pores of equal size and form remain free, and they are advantageously formed from molecules, which were particularly separated from cell-membranes of procaryons, by means of a recrystallization process designated as self-organization, and which are preferably deposited on or into the carrier (21) and are cross-linked with the carrier (21) intra- or intermolecularly, respectively, through foreign molecules.The structure is suitable, furthermore, for use as a separating organ for a gas separation or for an ion exchange process, as well as for use as a carrier structure for other semi-permeable membranes, such as hyperfiltration membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plurality of cooperating filter discs defining a plurality of paired cooperating filter surfaces, including a first surface having a large surface area and a second surface contacting only a portion of the large surface area of the first and leaving a portion of the large surface area or the upstream side of the stack not contacted thereby, at least one of said first and second surfaces being formed with grooves at the areas at which the first and second surfaces contact to allow for the accumulation of particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter apparatus having a filter vessel into which liquid to be filtered is inlet near the bottom of the vessel. The liquid rises in the vessel and is forced through a filter screen running the height of the vessel. After flowing through the filter screen, the filtered liquid enters an annular enclosure outside the filter screen. The filtered liquid rises in the enclosure to the height of a discharge outlet near the top of the enclosure wall. This assures the even depositing of solids filtered from the liquid along the entire height of the filter screen.

Abstract: A multiwell filtration apparatus for the assay of microliter quantities is provided which prevents fluid loss by capillary action and gravity flow through a microporous membrane or ultrafilter. The filtration apparatus is particularly advantageous in assays requiring maintenance of fluid within the reaction wells for substantial time periods and in small sample volume assays in the range of 100 microliter volumes.

Abstract: A filter unit for removing leukocytes from a leukocyte-containing suspension, comprising a container provided with at least one inlet conduit means and at least one outlet conduit means, the container having a main filter packed therein in the form of a non-woven fabric which comprises fibers of an average diameter of from 0.3 .mu.m to less than 3 .mu.m and which has a bulk density of from 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.7 g/cm.sup.3, and which has an average distance between two adjacent fibers defined by the following equation (1) of from 0.5 .mu.m to 7.0 .mu.m: ##EQU1## wherein y is the average distance between two adjacent fibers in micron; x is the average diameter of fibers in microns; .rho. is the density of the fibers in g/cm.sup.3 ; D is the bulk density of the filter in g/cm.sup.3 ; and .pi. is a circular constant.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plurality of cooperating filter discs defining a plurality of paired cooperating filter surfaces, including a first surface having a large surface area and a second surface contacting only a portion of the large surface area of the first and leaving a portion of the large surface area or the upstream side of the stack not contacted thereby, at least one of said first and second surfaces being formed with grooves at the areas at which the first and second surfaces contact to allow for the accumulation of particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting filtration, clarification and purification of liquid which comprises a housing containing a filter element made up of a plurality of layers of adsorbent material, comprising a porous, non-woven fibrous matrix in which is included an adsorbing agent for removing dissolved or suspended matter from the liquid, and a plurality of layers of liquid-permeable material. The layers of adsorbent material and liquid-permeable material are interdigitated in a stack between liquid impervious walls, and the flow of liquid through the filter element is along path generally parallel to the confronting surfaces of the layers of adsorbent material and liquid-permeable material. A process for removing dissolved, suspended or particulate matter from a liquid containing same, utilizing the filter apparatus, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple-disc filter comprises a stack of filtering discs each formed with grooves extending only partially through the thickness of the disc and configured to define a continuous, non-apertured surface on one face and a plurality of spaced ribs projecting from the opposite faces. The ribs are connected together to define a sinuous configuration and have flat line edges. The stack further includes spacing means between the contacting faces of adjacent discs of the stack, spacing the straight line edges of the sinuous ribs of one disc from the face of the next adjacent disc in the stack, such that the contacting faces of adjacent discs define a first group of recesses between the ribs communicating with the housing inlet, a second group of recesses alternating with the first group of recesses and communicating with the housing outlet, and a plurality of filtering passageways between the straight line edges of the ribs and the opposite face of the next adjacent disc.

Abstract: A method for making a precision wound tubular shaped filter cartridge wherein a filter medium comprising a roving is wound about a central foraminous core to provide a base inner and an outer helical winds of roving each provided with pluralities of both axial and circumferential flow passages wherein the circumferential flow passages of the inner and outer wind are radially aligned at the interface of the winds to provide unrestricted flow paths between the inner and outer wind.

Abstract: The filter comprises a pressure vessel, which contains vertically spaced apart partitions for supporting respective layers of a particulate filtering material. In order to ensure that the result of the filtration will not be influenced by fluctuations of the flow, pressure and temperature conditions of the solids-laden fluid to be filtered, each layer of filtering material is enclosed by a sheath, which is permeable to the fluid to be filtered and impermeable to the filtering material and which together with said filtering material constitutes a filtering package, which is engaged at its top and bottom by two of said partitions and is compressed by said partitions under constant pressure. The partitions engaging each of said filtering packages at its top and bottom define with said filtering package passages for the supply of said solids-laden fluid to said filtering package and for withdrawing filtrate from said package.

Abstract: A dirt filter for thermoplastic media has a barrier member within a filter chamber which, in case of an axially symmetrical arrangement with respect to the flow axis, has the basic shape of a double cone. The barrier member defines a barrier gap for the flowing media within the filter chamber. The barrier gap can be widened to a cleaning gap as a result of a displacement of the barrier member. An adjusting member, can be provided which includes an adjusting element, which is mounted in a reception member so as to rotate around its longitudinal axis. The rear end of the adjusting member can be constructed with hexagon wrench faces, which are accessible from the outside of the housing.

Abstract: A fluid filtering device in various embodiments is disclosed. The filter includes, in one embodiment, alternating layers (34', 36') of corrugated filter media which are rolled together and sealed at alternate ends by sealant (38, 42) forming longitudinal flutes and transverse inter-flute passageways. Further embodiments disclose filter packs (112, 212, 312) of alternating layers of oppositely oriented corrugated filter media. In one embodiment, flutes of successive layers are aligned in parallel. In an alternate embodiment flutes are aligned orthogonally. Unfiltered fluids enter tubular passages (44) for example, and must exit by adjacent passages either above, below or beside the flute of entry to exit the filter. Filtering occurs when the fluid crosses a sidewall of filter media.

Abstract: A multiwell apparatus for the assay of microliter quantities of body fluids is provided which prevents fluid loss by lateral migration or gravity flow through a microporous membrane or ultrafilter. A sample is passed through a membrane to which an antibody has been bonded in order to harvest complementary viral antigens in the sample. The harvested viral antigen is converted to single strand DNA or RNA which then is deposited on a second membrane. The deposited single strand DNA or RNA is capable of reacting with labeled DNA or other suitable detection probe which can be detected and correlated with antigen concentration in the sample.

Abstract: A double filter for detachably coupling a first filter and a second filter together in a layer like fashion wherein the first filter includes a first filter media with a rigid member about its perimeter and the second filter includes a resilient sleeve about the perimeter of a second filter media whereby the sleeve and accordingly the second filter is capable of being stretched over the rigid member so as to detachably couple the second filter to the first.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided comprising a housing; a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in the housing, each opening into a fluid chamber; and, disposed in the fluid chamber across the line of fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet so that all flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet must pass therethrough, a filter element composite comprising a filter sheet material sandwiched between layers of foraminous spacer sheet material. The filter element composite has an upstream side and a downstream side and separates the chamber into a first portion on one side of the filter element composite communicating with the fluid inlet, and a second portion on the other side of the filter element composite communicating with the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A filter device is provided with a multi-layer filter which includes a central highly absorbent layer which expands in the presence of moisture and positioned between an outer layer of absorbent paper and an inner layer of fiber glass adjacent to an inner ply. The filter is longitudinally pleated.

Abstract: A dust collecting filter is provided with a zigzag shaped filter member having small meshes and comparatively large flowing resistance, which is disposed within a casing so that the zigzag shaped cross section thereof extends in the fluid flowing direction. Other filter members having comparatively small flowing resistance are charged within the spaces defined by the zigzag shaped filter member.

Abstract: A fluid filtering device in various embodiments is disclosed. The filter includes, in one embodiment, alternating layers (34, 36) of flat and corrugated filter media which are rolled together and sealed at alternate ends by sealant (38, 42). Further embodiments disclose filter packs (112, 212, 312) of alternating layers of flat and corrugated filter media. In one embodiment, corrugations of successive layers are aligned in parallel. In an alternate embodiment corrugations are aligned orthogonally. Unfiltered fluids enter tubular passages (44) for example, and must exit by adjacent passages either above, below or beside the flute of entry to exit the filter. Filtering occurs when the fluid crosses a sidewall of filter media.

Abstract: A cartridge-type oil-filtering assembly comprises two coaxially nested tubular filter elements of star-shaped cross-section consisting of undulating sheet material of fine and super-fine porosity, respectively, each filter element defining an annular array of generally triangular compartments. Respective compartments of the fine and the super-fine filter element communicate with each other through the pores of the super-fine filter element as well as through individual bypasses of relatively reduced cross-section; these bypasses may be formed by channels extending within annular face plates of the cartridge or by apertures in the undulation peaks of the super-fine filter element.

Abstract: A liquid filter system capable of removing particles as small as one micron or less employing a novel electro-mechanical design in which layers of a fibrous filter media are alternated with electrically conductive porous sheets such as stainless steel screens. The conductive sheets are connected to a source of D.C. electrical power so that the sheets alternate in polarity to establish a uniform electromagnetic field throughout the porous filter media. The filter system is adapted for automatic backwashing cleaning and regeneration. A novel shuttle valve assembly is incorporated in the system for backwash of the filter media. In addition, means are provided for selective compression of the filter media during the filter cycle with decompression and expansion of the filter media being achieved during the backwash cycle.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a new and unique means for preventing the crowns of a backflushable filter element unit from splitting which has heretofore been caused by the cyclic action of the cleaning and backflushing. A layer of staple material is positioned adjacent the outer layer of filter media to prevent bellowing or ballooning. An additional staple layer may be positioned adjacent the inner layer of filtered media to provide additional support. With both staple layers in position on both sides of the filter media, the media is firmly captured and the crowns will not split.

Abstract: A multi-turn labyrinth disk (10) is provided for a pressure reduction disk stack (12) which has an integral filter screen (34). The filter screen (34) comprises a series of small area passages (A.sub.2) located on the periphery of the disk (10) which lead to a common high capacity radial passage (32) used to supply a series of multi-turn labyrinth paths (18).

Abstract: A dialyzing membrane, especially for hemodialysis, formed as a hollow fiber, tubular foil or flat sheet by regeneration of cellulose from a cuprammonium solution, the membrane comprising at least two firmly adhered cellulosic layers including at least one dialyzing layer consisting essentially of a semipermeable regenerated cellulose and at least one adsorbent layer consisting of said regenerated cellulose containing embedded therein fine particles of an adsorbent material in an amount of up to 95% by weight with reference to the dry weight of the adsorbent layer, preferably 1 to 90% and especially 20 to 70% by weight, when the adsorbent layer is part of a hollow fiber structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of producing a filter medium of a relatively strong substrate and a fibrous felt layer bonded to the substrate by needle punching the felt through the substrate and fusing the fibers protruding through the perforations to the substrate and each other.

Abstract: A graduated density liquid filter element for use in an internal combustion engine. Two layers of fibrous media of dissimilar size and having different permeability are disposed in partially overlapping relation and wound in coiled form to provide a generally cylindrical filter element in which resistance to the flow of the liquid varies along the length of the element.

Abstract: A mechanical strainer having a stack of alternate discs and blades biased together, the discs being slowly driven by a motor and the blades being anchored on the strainer frame, which discs and blades are perforated so that water surrounding the strainer can leak into the perforations of the stack. A passage is formed in the frame communicating with the perforations of the stack, and a tube leading to where the water is desired is coupled to the frame passage. The result is a kind of labyrinth rotary seal having intended leakage.