Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a polyarylene ether sulfone polymer by converting a reaction mixture (RG) comprising a dihalogen component (A1), a dihydroxy component (B1) and potassium carbonate (C1) having a volume-average particle size of <25 ?m. The present invention further relates to the polyarylene ether sulfone polymers obtainable by said method, to products obtainable from said polyarylene ether sulfone polymer and to membranes formed from said polyarylene ether sulfone polymer.

Abstract: An artificial, extracorporeal system for liver replacement and/or assistance, comprises a liver dialysis device for conducting hemodialysis on a patient suffering from liver failure. The liver dialysis device comprises a first standard hollow fiber membrane dialyzer which does not allow passage of an essential amount of albumin over the membrane wall and which is perfused with the patient's blood, and a second hollow fiber membrane dialyzer which allows the passage of essential but defined amounts of albumin over the membrane wall and which receives the blood of the first standard hemodialyzer. The filtrate space is closed off from the lumen space of the hollow fibers and is populated by adsorbent material which may comprise one or more different adsorbents.

Abstract: The present technology provides microfabricated filtration devices, methods of making such devices, and uses for microfabricated filtration devices. The devices may allow diffusion to occur between two fluids with improved transport resistance characteristics as compared to conventional filtration devices. The devices may include a compound structure that includes a porous membrane overlying a support structure. The support structure may define a cavity and a plurality of recesses formed in a way that can allow modified convective flow of a first fluid to provide improved diffusive transport between the first fluid and a second fluid through the membrane.

Abstract: A hollow fiber type semipermeable membrane which achieves both water permeability and selectivity in high level and performs efficient treatment using small membrane area utilizing the concentration difference from high concentration liquid having high osmotic pressure. The hollow fiber type semipermeable membrane is characterized in that, when an aqueous solution of 25° C. having NaCl concentration of 35 g/L and pressure of 1.0 MPa is flown into an outer side of the hollow fiber type semipermeable membrane having length of about 70 cm while freshwater of 25° C. having NaCl concentration of 0 g/L is flown into an inner side of one open end of the hollow fiber type semipermeable membrane and discharged from another open end at 10 kPa or less, the permeation flow rate is 30 to 70 L/m2/day. An inner diameter thereof is 50 to 200 ?m; and the hollow ratio thereof is 24 to 42%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow-fiber membrane blood purification device obtained by filling a container with a hollow-fiber membrane, in which the hollow-fiber membrane contains a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and a lipid-soluble substance; the amount of the lipid-soluble substance on the inner surface of the hollow-fiber membrane is 10 mg/m2 or more and 300 mg/m2 or less; and the oxygen transmission rate of the container is 1.8×10?10 cm3·cm/(cm2·s·cmHg) or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a filter module for a medical fluid delivery system capable of removing cytokine inducing substances (CIS) from a medical fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbon membrane for fluid separation with which a high-pressure fluid can be separated and purified and which has excellent pressure resistance and is less apt to be damaged. The present invention relates to a carbon membrane for fluid separation, including: a core layer which has a co-continuous porous structure; and a skin layer which has substantially no co-continuous porous structure and is formed around the core layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing a ?-amyloid concentration in blood. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for reducing a ?-amyloid concentration in blood, comprising the steps of; removing blood out of a body, passing the blood that is removed through a hollow fiber membrane, and returning the blood that is passed through into the body, wherein the blood containing a ?-amyloid-albumin complex is passed through the hollow fiber membrane to allow ?-amyloid to adsorb to the hollow fiber membrane so that the ?-amyloid concentration in blood is reduced.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for fabricating a novel thin membrane with a starting material such as a biocompatible compound that is not easily processible into a membrane, particularly a technique for fabricating a novel thin membrane of a composition that is gradually polymerized from a membrane surface into the membrane in the cross sectional direction of the membrane, and having, for example, different structures on the front and back of the membrane. The technique includes the steps of preparing a solution of a starting material compound; forming a thin membrane of the solution on a base material surface; and forming the organic polymer thin membrane through a polymerization reaction caused by irradiating the exposed surface of the thin membrane with a plasma or an electron beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treatment of proliferative disease. In specific aspects, the present invention relates to compositions including celecoxib and plumbagin in combination; methods for treatment of a proliferative disease including administration of celecoxib and plumbagin in a subject in need thereof; and particularly methods for treatment of skin cancer including administration of celecoxib and plumbagin in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a simple method for producing a cell concentrate (other than human blood) in a short time with neither loss of cells nor an excessive burden on cells. Included is a method for producing a cell concentrate using an inside-out filtration system for processing a cell suspension, the system including: a cell suspension inlet port; a filtrate outlet port; a cell suspension outlet port; and hollow fiber separation membranes provided between the cell suspension inlet port and the cell suspension outlet port, wherein the membranes have a total cross-sectional area of 0.5-1.5 cm2, the membranes have an inside membrane area of 0.2 m2 or less, the suspension is flowed inside the membranes at a linear velocity of 500-1200 cm/min, and the quotient of the division of the initial filtrate flow rate from the filtrate outlet port by the flow rate into the cell suspension inlet port is 0.4-0.7.

Abstract: The invention relates to a virus filter membrane which can be used for the removal of virus particles including parvovirus. The invention further relates to a method for producing the membrane. The membrane comprises polyacrylonitrile and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of sealing the free end of a hollow fiber membrane for use in a single header filtration module by dipping the end of the membrane into a low-viscosity light-curable adhesive and curing the adhesive. The invention further encompasses the resulting sealed hollow fiber membrane with a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the unsealed membrane.

Abstract: An article that can be used for biomaterial capture comprises (a) a porous substrate; and (b) borne on the porous substrate, a polymer comprising interpolymerized units of at least one monomer consisting of (1) at least one monovalent ethylenically unsaturated group, (2) at least one monovalent ligand functional group selected from acidic groups, basic groups other than guanidino, and salts thereof, and (3) a multivalent spacer group that is directly bonded to the monovalent groups so as to link at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one ligand functional group by a chain of at least six catenated atoms.

Abstract: A sulfonated polyphosphazene copolymer proton exchange membrane material, and a method for preparing such membrane includes a macromolecule initiator as bromo polyphosphazene is subjected to atom transfer radical polymerization with styrene, yielding a graft copolymer, which is hydrazinolyzed with hydrazine hydrate resulting in a copolymer including a hydroxyl group. The copolymer is reacted with 1,4-butane sultone to yield a sulfonated copolymer finally. The polymer is cross-linked with 2,6-di(hydroxymethyl)-4-methyl phenol (BHMP) as a cross linking agent in the presence of methyl sulfonic acid, yielding cross-linked proton exchange membrane. Such cross-linked graft copolymer membrane has high proton conductivity, low methanol hindrance, and low cost, and has ideal effect when applied in fuel cells as proton exchange membrane material.

Abstract: A filter for the separation of oil and water from oil-water mixtures comprising a porous filter media, wherein the porous filter media has a zwitterionic polymer grafted or coated thereon. The zwitterionic polymers can be formed from zwitterionic monomers, the zwitterionic polymers having positive and negative charges in series on the same side chain; zwitterionic polymers formed from a mixture of cationic and anionic monomers, the zwitterionic polymers having positive and negative charges on two different side chains; and zwitterionic polymers formed from monomers with cationic-anionic pairs, the zwitterionic polymers having positive and negative charges in parallel on the same side chain.

Abstract: A device for culturing, storing and expanding adherent renal cells. The device permits the adhesion and proliferation of the cells and the surface characteristics of the membrane material used in said device further permit the cellular matrix components (EMC). A method for expanding adherent renal cells and methods of using particular membranes for culturing, storing and expanding adherent renal cells. The membranes comprise a copolymer of acrylonitrile and sodium methallyl sulfonate as well as polyethylenimine.

Abstract: A tubular braid, a hollow fiber membrane using the same, and a manufacturing method thereof. A hollow fiber membrane can maximize or increase adhesion between a polymer coating film and a tubular braid; significantly reduce degradation of film properties caused by non-uniform coating, that is, reduce leakage; obtain a higher percent rejection; and achieve high water permeability since the hollow fiber membrane has a larger inner diameter.

Abstract: A process of in-situ detection of hollow fiber formation includes immersing a plurality of individual glass fibers in an index-matching material. The index-matching material has a first refractive index that substantially matches a second refractive index of the glass fibers. The process also includes exposing the individual glass fibers to a light source during immersion in the index-matching material. The process further includes utilizing one or more optical components to collect optical data for the individual glass fibers during immersion in the index-matching material. The process also includes determining, based on the optical data, that a particular glass fiber of the plurality of individual glass fibers includes a hollow fiber.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane with enhanced phosphorus-removing performance without impairing antithrombogenicity in order to inhibit in vivo accumulation of phosphate ions in living body that might cause bone metabolism disorders. The present inventors have found that a hollow fiber membrane having a specific membrane structure and a specific membrane composition possesses a very useful range for inner surface charges of the membrane. More particularly, the inventors have discovered that the above object can be achieved in a limited range in which the zeta potential on the inner surface of a hollow fiber membrane measured under given certain conditions is greater than ?3.0 mV but less than 0 mV. This finding has led to the completion of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are filtration membranes, method of manufacturing said membranes and use of such membranes for the removal of substances from fluids or substances.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of preparing ionic polyimides. Also disclosed are methods to tune the properties of the ionic polyimide by designing the components of the ionic polyimide. Additionally, disclosed herein is a composition comprising an ionic polyimide. Also disclosed herein is a composition comprising an ionic polyimide and an ionic liquid. The disclosed compositions can be utilized to capture gases.

Abstract: A pervaporation membrane may be an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole (PBI) membrane. The acid-resistant PBI membrane may be a PBI membrane chemically modified by a process selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, phosphonation, cross-linking, N-substitution, and/or combinations thereof. The membrane may be thermally stabilized. A method for the dehydration of an acid material may include the steps of: contacting an acidic aqueous solution with a membrane of an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole; taking away a permeate stream rich in water; and taking away a concentrate steam rich in the acid material. The acidic aqueous solution may be acetic acid.

Abstract: Dialysis is enhanced by using nanoclay sorbents to better absorb body wastes in a flow-through system. The nanoclay sorbents, using montmorillonite, bentonite, and other clays, absorb significantly more ammonium, phosphate, and creatinine, and the like, than conventional sorbents. The montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays may be used in wearable systems, such as a wearable peritoneal dialysis system, in which a dialysis fluid is circulated through a filter with the nanoclay sorbents. Waste products are absorbed by the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays and the dialysis fluid is recycled to a patient's peritoneum. Using an ion-exchange capability of the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays, waste ions in the dialysis fluid are replaced with desirable ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate.

Abstract: A separation module that includes a porous membrane, where the porous membrane includes a poly(phenylene ether) copolymer containing 10 to 40 mole percent repeat units derived from 2-methyl-6-phenylphenol and 60 to 90 mole percent repeat units derived from 2,6-dimethylphenol; and a block copolymer containing backbone or pendant blocks of poly(C2-4 alkylene oxide). The separation module can be used in devices for wastewater treatment, water purification, desalination, separating water-insoluble oil from oil-containing wastewater, membrane distillation, sugar purification, protein concentration, enzyme recovery, dialysis, liver dialysis, or blood oxygenation.

Abstract: A carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane is made by pyrolyzing a polymeric precursor membrane in a pyrolysis atmosphere containing a sulfur-containing compound.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a porous hollow fiber membrane that can efficiently separate and remove the substances to be removed such as small-particle virus contained in a solution and, at the same time, useful recovering substances such as protein can be efficiently permeated and the decrease of its transmission rate with elapse of time is small. The porous hollow fiber membrane of the present invention is characterized in that the filtration downstream surface thereof has dot-shaped or slit-shaped pores, the filtration upstream surface thereof is a network structure or a fine particle aggregate structure, the central region of the membrane is composed of a substantially homogeneous structure, the membrane wall is composed of a structure having substantially no macrovoids, the permeability for pure water is 10 to 300 L/(h·m2·bar) and the permeability for a 0.1% by weight solution of bovine ?-globulin is 30 to 100% of the permeability for pure water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a hollow fiber carbon membrane using a hollow fiber carbon membrane-forming material by means of a dry method or dry-wet method comprising a spinning step, a drying step, an infusibilization step, and a carbonization step as basic steps; wherein in the infusibilization step, heat treatment is performed at least two times at different temperatures, with the second temperature being higher than the first temperature. It is preferable that the second heat treatment is performed directly after the first treatment is performed, without once cooling to room temperature. The obtained hollow fiber carbon membrane has improved permeability, without reducing its separation coefficient.

Abstract: A spiral wound filtration assembly including: i) a pressure vessel comprising a feed port, concentrate port and permeate port; ii) at least one spiral wound membrane module comprising at least one membrane envelop wound around a permeate tube which forms a permeate pathway to the permeate port; and iii) a bioreactor having a cylindrical outer periphery extending along an axis (Y) from a first end to a second end, an inlet located near the first end, and an outlet located near the second end; wherein the spiral wound membrane module and bioreactor are serially arranged within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite hollow fiber polymer membrane including a porous core layer and a selective sheath layer. The porous core layer includes a polyamide-imide polymer, or a polyetherimide polymer, and the selective sheath layer includes a polyimide polymer, which is prepared from monomers A, B, and C. The monomer A is a dianhydride of the formula wherein X1 and X2 are independently halogenated alkyl group, phenyl or halogen and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently H, alkyl, or halogen. The monomer B is a diamino cyclic compound without a carboxylic acid functionality and the monomer C is a diamino cyclic compound with a carboxylic acid functionality. The polyimide polymer further includes covalent ester crosslinks. Also disclosed herein is a method of making the composite polymer membrane and a process for purifying natural gas utilizing the composite polymer membrane.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for fabricating a novel thin membrane with a starting material such as a biocompatible compound that is not easily processible into a membrane, particularly a technique for fabricating a novel thin membrane of a composition that is gradually polymerized from a membrane surface into the membrane in the cross sectional direction of the membrane, and having, for example, different structures on the front and back of the membrane. The technique includes the steps of preparing a solution of a starting material compound; forming a thin membrane of the solution on a base material surface; and forming the organic polymer thin membrane through a polymerization reaction caused by irradiating the exposed surface of the thin membrane with a plasma or an electron beam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to recovery of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture. Separating of the carbon dioxide, for example, from the gas mixture utilizes a liquid sorbent for the carbon dioxide. The liquid sorbent contacts the gas mixture for transfer of the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture to the liquid sorbent. Contacting of the sorbent with the gas mixture and/or desorption of the carbon dioxide from the liquid sorbent utilize hollow fiber contactors that have permeable walls and incorporate particles distinct from a remainder of the walls to influence wetting properties of the contactors. Polytetrafluoroethylene particles may be homogenously disposed throughout hollow fiber contactors to influence wetting properties of the contactors.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for removing oil from a oil-containing liquid comprising oil and gas comprising: a source of oil-containing liquid; and a membrane contactor system in fluid communication with the source of oil-containing liquid, the membrane contactor system comprising one or more membrane contactors having a first and a second surface, wherein the first surface coalesces oil and removes gas from the oil-containing liquid, and the oil and gas are collected on the second surface from the oil-containing liquid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide regioselectively substituted carbohydrate and polysaccharide derivatives, such as cellulose esters, and methods for preparing them. Particular methods of the invention include deacylation of esters using tetrabutylammonium fluoride to obtain selective substitution at desired hydroxyl position(s) of the ester. Preferred is deacylation of an ester, which shows selectivity for removal of acyl groups from the ester of the secondary alcohols at C-2 and C-3, and which affords cellulose-6-O-esters with high regioselectivity by a simple one-step process employing no protective groups. Inventive regioselectively substituted cellulose esters can be prepared by such methods to obtain esters with the following anhydroglucose repeating units: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently chosen from a hydrogen atom, and, whether substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, an alkanoyl group, an aroyl group, and a heteroaroyl group.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing ophthalmically-acceptable, distortion-free silicone hydrogel contact lenses without the use of volatile organic solvents in the manufacturing process. The contact lenses are extract with an extraction liquid comprising an aqueous solution of a non-volatile organic solvent, such as ethyl lactate.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic film comprising polyethylene outer layers with inner layers of additional polyethylene adjacent to tie layers of adhesive bonded to a blended polyamide and polyvinyl alcohol core. This structure results in excellent oxygen and water barrier properties. The film can be coextruded in a blown film process that results in a durable barrier film without the sacrifice of optical properties. Film applications include, but are not limited to, food packaging such as bags, liners, pouches, shrink bags, and chubs. In certain embodiments, the film can also be used for food packaging, including packaging of meat, cheese, milk, condiments, salad dressings, or any other oxygen sensitive products.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a porous hollow fiber membrane for treating blood which suffers from little mechanical damage in the course of production, transfer or handling and shows excellent fractionation properties though it is a thinned polysulfone-based hollow fiber membrane. A porous hollow fiber membrane for treating blood which comprises a polysulfone-based polymer and polyvinylpyrrolidone and has a gradient porous structure with an increase in pore size from the inside to the outside along the membrane thickness direction, characterized in that the porous structure has a membrane thickness of 25 ?m or more but less than 40 ?m, and fibrils having an average diameter of from 100 to 200 ?m are provided in such a manner that the ratio (To/Ti) of the average outside diameter (To) along the membrane thickness direction to the average inside diameter (Ti) is adjusted to not more than 2.

Abstract: A water-based ink for ink jet recording contains a colorant containing a dye; water; an anionic zirconium complex ion; and a surfactant represented by the formula (1) in the formula (1): R1 is an alkyl group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms or an R4—CO—NH group (R4 is an alkyl group having 12 carbon atoms); each of R2 and R3 is a methyl group or a hydroxyethyl group; and R2 and R3 may be identical to or different from each other. Chromaticness of a recorded matter is improved without any increase in dye concentration.

Abstract: A method for forming an isoporous graded film comprising multiblock copolymers and isoporous graded films. The films have a surface layer and a bulk layer. The surface layer can have at least 1×1014 pores/m2 and a pore size distribution (dmax/dmin)) of less than 3. The bulk layer has an asymmetric structure. The films can be used in filtration applications.

Abstract: Nitrogen doped TiO2 (N—TiO2) is used to fabricate Poly(vinyledene fluoride) (PVDF)/N—TiO2 mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) through a phase inversion method to improve filtration efficiencies and antifouling properties. The membranes performances were evaluated based on the water permeability, humic acid (HA) rejection and antifouling properties. Resulting membranes showed brown color and improved hydrophilicity, especially under light irradiation. When compared to original PVDF and PVDF/P25 membrane, mixed matrix membranes containing N—TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) showed clear photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation. Also, membrane performance assessments indicated that PVDF/N—TiO2 membranes possessed enhanced water flux, similar HA rejection (e.g., above 96%) and improved fouling resistance with PVDF membranes as a control.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating a polyethersulfone nanofiber membrane with improved mechanical strength for water treatment by electrospinning. According to exemplary embodiments, the polyethersulfone nanofiber membrane possesses higher mechanical strength than conventional polyethersulfone nanofiber membranes that are susceptible to damage and limited in life when applied to water treatment processes. In addition, the polyethersulfone nanofiber membrane has high water permeability and can remove contaminants with high efficiency compared to conventional membranes for water treatment. Therefore, the polyethersulfone nanofiber membrane is suitable for use in water treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing an asymmetric hollow fiber, the asymmetric hollow fibers prepared by such methods, and uses of the asymmetric hollow fibers. One method involves passing a polymeric solution through an outer annular orifice of a tube-in-orifice spinneret, passing a bore fluid though an inner tube of the spinneret, dropping the polymeric solution and bore fluid through an atmosphere over a dropping distance, and quenching the polymeric solution and bore fluid in a bath to form an asymmetric hollow fiber.

Abstract: The polyimide blend membrane in the present invention was prepared by blending a first aromatic polyimide with high permeability and a second aromatic polyimide with high selectivity for gas separation. The polyimide blend membrane in the present invention showed improved permeability compared to membranes made from the second aromatic polyimide and improved selectivity compared to membranes made from the first aromatic polyimide.

Abstract: The polyimide blend membrane in the present invention was prepared by blending a first aromatic polyimide with high permeability and a second aromatic polyimide with high selectivity for gas separation. The polyimide blend membrane in the present invention showed improved permeability compared to membranes made from the second aromatic polyimide and improved selectivity compared to membranes made from the first aromatic polyimide.

Abstract: A hollow fiber for use in production of hydrogen gas. The hollow fiber contains a porous support layer having an outer surface and an inner surface, a catalyst layer coated on the outer surface, and a selection layer coated on the inner surface. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a hollow fiber.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention pertain to porous membranes that comprise: (1) a plurality of pores with pore sizes of more than about 0.1 ?m in diameter; and (2) a plurality of hydrophilic molecules. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of separating organic compounds from a liquid sample by: (1) providing the porous membrane; and (2) flowing the liquid sample through the porous membrane in order to retain organic compounds on the porous membrane. Further aspects of the present invention pertain to systems for separating organic compounds from a liquid sample. Such systems comprises: (1) the porous membrane; and (2) a flowing unit that enables the liquid sample to flow through the porous membrane. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of making the above-described porous membranes by: (1) coating a surface of a porous membrane containing 0.

Abstract: Methods of treating used or degraded reverse osmosis membranes post-production are provided. The membranes can be treated online or offline. The reverse osmosis membranes are cleaned and then contacted with a rejection enhancing agent solution that includes polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinylalcohol. The reverse osmosis membrane is then contacted with a tannic acid solution to produce a reconditioned reverse osmosis membrane having reduced defects. The treatment can take place at temperatures greater than 34° C. because the polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinylalcohol rejection enhancing agents used do not have cloud point limitations.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to thin film composite heat exchangers and methods of making thin film composite heat exchangers. The heat exchangers can be made with polymers or other materials including, but not limited to, inorganic materials such as silicon, clay, ceramic, brick, or metal. Heat exchangers in accordance with the invention may be made of a material that is non-corrosive, durable, and that may be applied in a thin coating so as to minimize resistance to heat transfer and material costs.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the separation of blood within a device to form plasma or serum. In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the removal of fluids, such as blood, contained within a device. For example, a device may be applied to the skin of a subject to receive blood from the subject and pass the blood through a separation membrane, which separates the blood into plasma and a portion concentrated in blood cells. As another example, blood or plasma may be allowed to clot within the device and serum (the unclotted portion of the blood) may be withdrawn from the device. The device may contain, in some cases, a vacuum source such as a pre-packaged vacuum to facilitate receiving of blood and/or passage of the blood through the separation membrane to produce plasma or serum.