WO1996017673A1 - Dispositif de microfiltration - Google Patents
Dispositif de microfiltration Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1996017673A1 WO1996017673A1 PCT/GB1995/002834 GB9502834W WO9617673A1 WO 1996017673 A1 WO1996017673 A1 WO 1996017673A1 GB 9502834 W GB9502834 W GB 9502834W WO 9617673 A1 WO9617673 A1 WO 9617673A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- filter unit
- membrane
- plug
- filter
- sample
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000001471 micro-filtration Methods 0.000 title description 4
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 99
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 claims description 30
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002981 polyvinylidene fluoride Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001747 Cellulose diacetate Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000020 Nitrocellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- FJWGYAHXMCUOOM-QHOUIDNNSA-N [(2s,3r,4s,5r,6r)-2-[(2r,3r,4s,5r,6s)-4,5-dinitrooxy-2-(nitrooxymethyl)-6-[(2r,3r,4s,5r,6s)-4,5,6-trinitrooxy-2-(nitrooxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxan-3-yl]oxy-3,5-dinitrooxy-6-(nitrooxymethyl)oxan-4-yl] nitrate Chemical compound O([C@@H]1O[C@@H]([C@H]([C@H](O[N+]([O-])=O)[C@H]1O[N+]([O-])=O)O[C@H]1[C@@H]([C@@H](O[N+]([O-])=O)[C@H](O[N+]([O-])=O)[C@@H](CO[N+]([O-])=O)O1)O[N+]([O-])=O)CO[N+](=O)[O-])[C@@H]1[C@@H](CO[N+]([O-])=O)O[C@@H](O[N+]([O-])=O)[C@H](O[N+]([O-])=O)[C@H]1O[N+]([O-])=O FJWGYAHXMCUOOM-QHOUIDNNSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001220 nitrocellulos Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002492 poly(sulfone) Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012510 hollow fiber Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 43
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000003556 assay Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012472 biological sample Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007400 DNA extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003848 UV Light-Curing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003851 biochemical process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003776 cleavage reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001723 curing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002939 deleterious effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007017 scission Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
- B01D63/024—Hollow fibre modules with a single potted end
- B01D63/0241—Hollow fibre modules with a single potted end being U-shaped
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5025—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures for parallel transport of multiple samples
- B01L3/50255—Multi-well filtration
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
- B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
- B01D61/18—Apparatus therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
- B01D63/024—Hollow fibre modules with a single potted end
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
- B01L3/0275—Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
- B01D2313/04—Specific sealing means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
- B01D2313/04—Specific sealing means
- B01D2313/042—Adhesives or glues
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N2035/1027—General features of the devices
- G01N2035/1048—General features of the devices using the transfer device for another function
- G01N2035/1055—General features of the devices using the transfer device for another function for immobilising reagents, e.g. dried reagents
Definitions
- the present invention is concerned with the process of filtration, particularly micro-filtration, and provides a device capable of small volume filtration.
- Filtration is a common separation technique of samples and is frequently used in both chemical and biochemical processes.
- filtration is of utility for biological samples where cell debris and other organic materials need to be removed. For this reason, many medical diagnostic assays require a first filtration step.
- dead-end filtration in which the sample is induced to pass through the filter by a pressure differential, a portion of the sample being retained on the filter and the remaining part of the sample (the filtrate) passing through the filter and being collected in a suitable chamber.
- Filters may also be used as a convenient matrix on which to present samples for assay purposes.
- Filtration trays consist of multiple open-ended wells positioned on top of a single sheet of filter paper. The area of each well therefore defines the area of filter available for the filtering operation as the surface area of the filter available for each filtration process is limited to the surface area of the membrane as exposed by the well.
- Each well can be used to filter a separate sample and the whole tray can therefore be used in multiple filtration operations.
- such filtration trays consist of 24, 48 or 96 separate wells, each well ending with the membrane as the lower surface.
- FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-section of a single well in a portion of a conventional icro-titre tray adapted for normal use for micro-filtration processes.
- the tray (1) contains numerous filter chambers (2) into which the sample(s) are placed for filtration.
- a filter paper (3) Prior to filtration a filter paper (3), which is essentially flat, is fixed firmly to the exterior bottom surface of the filtration tray (1) .
- Once the filter paper (3) is in position the sample to be filtered is poured into the filter chamber (2) .
- pressure in the direction of arrow A is applied. The pressure forces the sample through the filter paper (3) into a collection chamber (not shown) .
- the surface area available for filtration is limited to the cross-sectional area of the filter chamber (2) .
- the filtration operation tends to suffer from the following disadvantages:
- the process of filtration may take a long time as the sample has to pass through a relatively small surface area of filter.
- An alternative conventional filtration operation occurs using a pipette, in which a planar filter is located within or on the tip of the pipette.
- the liquid sample is taken up into the pipette by suction and is filtered. A portion of the sample may be retained on the filter whilst the filtrate is collected within the body of the pipette.
- the tip of the pipette having the filter may be removable (and/or optionally disposable) so that the used filter (and any contaminant contained thereon) can be removed before expulsion of the filtrate.
- the filter may be treated or coated to react with or bind to a particular component of the sample.
- a pipette tip having a treated membrane located thereon is the NuclitipsTM DNA extraction system of Amersha Life Sciences Ltd.
- a planar treated membrane is located on the exterior of the pipette tip totally covering the tip's aperture, so that the sample is filtered before entry into the pipette tip and any DNA present in the sample binds to the filter.
- the present invention provides a filter unit comprising t, a hollow fibre membrane fixed into a solid plug.
- the present invention provides a membrane for a filter unit in which the membrane has a greater filtration surface area than the cross-sectional filtration area of the filter chamber.
- the membrane is essentially three- dimensional.
- the membrane may have any convenient shape or configuration.
- cross-sectional filtration area refers to the area of a cross-section of the filter chamber over which filtration occurs. Normally this would be the area of the floor of the filter chamber or the internal diameter of a pipette lumen tip. It may be possible to locate the filter part way along the length of the filter chamber. If the walls of the filter chamber are sloping (and therefore the cross-sectional area of the filter chamber varies) the "cross-sectional filtration area” is the cross-sectional area of the filter chamber at the point where the filter is located.
- the membrane according to the present invention is fixed into a solid plug and the plug is adapted to form a tight fit with the internal walls of the filter chamber of interest.
- part of the filter according to the invention communicates with the exterior sides of the plug so that the sample placed into the filter chamber (and optionally subjected to pressure to urge the sample across the filter) can be separated, the filtrate being collected in a collection chamber placed below the filtration apparatus.
- the filter of the present invention is formed from hollow fibre membranes which are wound round to form a spiral.
- the spiral may be either two dimensional, that is forms a flat coil, or may be three-dimensional in which case the spiral is wound upwardly into a apex.
- the filter is formed from "U"-shaped hoops of hollow membrane fibres. Preferably several hoops, for example over 10 hoops, especially 20 to 50 hoops, are present in each filter chamber.
- the filter is formed into hoops as described above, but the upper portion of the hoops are bent into an acute angle, thus forming an inverted "V" shape.
- the angle may conveniently be introduced into the membrane by spot application of heat which welds the sides of the membrane together at the point where heat is applied, thus forming a hinge.
- hollow fibre membranes each having a "blind" or closed end may be used.
- the blind ends may be exposed to the sample.
- multiple short lengths of hollow fibres may be used, the blind end of each fibre being exposed to the sample whilst the open ends are potted into the plug and communicate with the filtrate chamber.
- the blind ended fibres diverge away from a central portion of the plug into which the fibres have been potted.
- blind ended hollow fibre membranes short lengths of the fibres are cut and joined together at the apex (thus closing their lumens at that point) into a "teepee"-like shape.
- the apex is exposed to the sample whilst the opposite ends of the membrane fibres pass through the plug and are .
- the filter of the present invention is located within the filter chamber by means of the plug.
- the plug forms a tight fit with the inside surfaces of the filter chamber. It is essential that the plug and filter chamber walls form a seal, as the sample to be filtered could otherwise pass through the gap between the plug and the interior of the filter chamber.
- the filter itself is at least partially embedded within the plug.
- the plug will normally be formed from adhesive, usually cured adhesive. Any material capable of forming a seal with the membrane fibres and the filter chamber may be used.
- the adhesive used to form the filter plug of the present invention may be any adhesive material which does not react with the membrane or filter chamber materials in a deleterious manner.
- the adhesive material is quick setting, ie cures within minutes, for example under 5 minutes.
- adhesive material which cures upon exposure to light is particularly desirable.
- adhesive which cures upon exposure to blue light, especially UV light may be particularly desirable.
- Suitable adhesive material is commercially available and mention may be made of polymers available from Ablestick Ltd (for example LCM 32, LCM 34 and LCM 35), Bostick Ltd or Dynax Inc (eg 191M) as being suitable UV curing adhesives.
- the filter is a two-dimensional spiral
- the spiral will be fixed into the plane of the plug, with one surface facing the filter chamber and the other surface facing the collection chamber.
- the filtrate must undergo two filtering operations, firstly across the membrane into the lumen of the hollow fibre and secondly from the lumen to the collection chamber side of the filter.
- the filter is in a hoop-like or inverted "V" configuration
- the ends of the hoop or inverted "V" are located within the plug and pass through the plug so that the lumen of the cut ends of the hollow fibre membrane are exposed to the collection chamber side of the filter apparatus.
- the sample passes through the hoop or inverted "V" part of the filter into the lumen thereof and runs down to the ends of the lumen and out into the collection chamber.
- the present invention comprises a filtration device having at least one filter chamber containing a hollow fibre filter potted into a solid plug.
- the surface area of the filter is desirably greater than the cross-sectional area of the filter chamber floor.
- the filtration apparatus comprises multiple filter chambers, each having an individual filter.
- the apparatus of the invention may be a tray of any suitable material (for example plastics), having multiple wells therein (eg. 24, 48 or 96 wells), each well being capable of being a filter chamber.
- the apparatus may be in the form of a pipette or a pipette tip.
- the filter unit is sealed into the lumen of the pipette or pipette tip creating an internal volume within the pipette or tip which may only be accessed by the sample passing across the filter.
- the internal volume so formed acts as the filtration chamber.
- the pipette tip containing the filter unit may be removed, for example may be snapped off, and the filtered sample may be simply expelled from the pipette. Alternatively, filtrate may be expelled via an alternative opening in the device or may be expelled back through the original opening, passing through the filter again.
- the pipette embodiment may also be used to detect the presence of a component with the sample, the component binds to the filter and is then detected. The filtrate is a by-product in this embodiment. Again the portion of the pipette or tip containing the filter and the component of interest may be removable as described above, facilitating measurement, detection or further reaction thereof.
- the filter chamber and, optionally, the plug as well are transparent or translucent being formed from optically clear materials to enable monitoring of filtration and/or the output from any assay that can be measured by optical means.
- the present invention also provides a process for separating a sample by filtration, in which the sample is passed through a filter as described above.
- the membrane material may be any suitable membrane, and selection of the membrane type will depend upon the filtering process in question.
- suitable membrane materials include polysulfone, cellulose, cellulose diacetate and/or polypropylene.
- Nylon filter membranes, cellulose nitrate, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and glass fibres can also be used.
- membranes are commercially available and can be bought with a range of pore sizes so that selection of the filter to suit the sample can be made.
- the membrane is in the form of a hollow fibre and desirably the internal diameter of the hollow fibre is small, for example is under 2mm, especially is under 1mm.
- the internal diameter of the hollow fibre may be 500 ⁇ m or less, for example 300 ⁇ m or less.
- the bundle may contain any convenient number of membrane fibres, but normally will contain from 5 to 50 membrane fibres, for example 10 to 20 membrane fibres.
- the bundle of membrane fibres is welded by a spot application of heat at intervals along the membrane bundle.
- an adhesive plug is formed using adhesive, preferably quick-setting adhesive, and mention may be made of LCM 32 and LCM 35 of Ablestick Ltd.
- the plug shape is predetermined either by fitting a collar around the membrane bundle (and the collar may be fitted either before or after the welding operation has taken place) or by placing the membrane bundle into a suitable mould and injecting the adhesive to fill the available space.
- the adhesive is set the plug is chopped in half transversely, for example using a scalpel, razor blade or guillotine.
- two plugs are formed, into each of which the lumen of each membrane fibre is flush with the newly created plug surface.
- the weld is then cut in half and two filters according to the present invention are formed. The weld may be cut by use of a scalpel, guillotine or razor blade.
- the membrane fibre bundle is first bent into a "U” shape, for example bending the membrane bundle around a suitable forming rod.
- An adhesive plug is then formed in a similar manner as that described above, namely either by insertion of the "U” shaped membrane bundle into a suitable mould or by fitting a collar around the bundle and then filling the collar or the mould with adhesive, followed by curing, if necessary.
- the inverted “V” shaped filter is formed from the hoop-shaped filter and comprises the additional step of spot welding the hoop at the apex so that a sharp corner is formed where the heat is applied.
- the inverted "V" shaped filter is preferable in some circumstances since this configuration may be easier to insert into the filter chamber.
- the hoop or inverted "V"-shaped filter may be produced by forming a shortened membrane bundle with an adhesive plug at each end as described above.
- the shortened membrane bundle may then be formed into a "U"-shape and the plugs affixed together side-by-side (for example by glueing) to give the required plug shape.
- application of the heat to create the acute angle required may occur either before or after the plug ends are glued together to form the final plug required.
- the filtration chamber will normally be located substantially vertically.
- the filters it is equally possible for the filters to be used in a filtration device which is arranged away from the vertical.
- pressure means such as a pump, especially a suction pump
- the filters of the present invention are equally applicable for a "cross-flow" filtration apparatus and still provide the advantages obtained by presenting a relatively large surface area in a small filtration chamber.
- the filters of the present application are also of use as a matrix on which to present a test substance for assay.
- the relatively large surface area of the filter enables a concentration of the test substance and thus amplification of the test result is possible.
- Fig. 1A illustrates a conventional filtration tray 1 with well 2 and filter paper 3 as discussed above.
- Figure IB illustrates a single well in a portion of a filtration apparatus in the form of a filtration tray having a filter of the present invention embedded in a plug as described above.
- Figure IB illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a filtration tray 1.
- a filter chamber 2 is illustrated and contains at the bottom thereof a filter unit 10 according to the invention.
- Unit 10 consists of a solid plug 6 which forms a tight fit with the internal walls of the lumen of the filter chamber 2.
- the plug 6 may be located in the filter chamber 2 either by virtue of the resilient nature of the plug 6 itself or by application of adhesive between the plug 6 and the inside walls of the filter chamber 2.
- a hollow fibre membrane is shown in the form of a hoop 4, the ends 5,5' of the hoop 4 being held within plug 6.
- one hoop 4 is illustrated in Figure IB although generally several such hoops which may be the same, similar or of varying sizes may be present each having their ends 5,5' located in plug 6.
- FIG. 2A shows a schematic cross-section of a filter unit 10 according to the present invention.
- the unit 10 illustrated in Figure 2A has a membrane in a spiral configuration being either the two-dimensional coil or alternatively the lower coil of the three-dimensional spiral as shown in Figure 5.
- the plug 6 forms a tight fit with the internal walls 1,1' of the filter chamber 2. There is no gap between the sides 1,1' of the filter chamber 2 and plug 6.
- Embedded within the plug 6 is a membrane in the form of a hollow fibre.
- the upper surface 8 of the hollow fibre is exposed to the untreated sample which is added into filter chamber 2.
- the lower surface 9 of the hollow fibre is exposed from plug 6 and permits the filtrate to pass through into the collection or filtrate chamber (not shown) .
- a liquid sample is inserted into filter chamber 2.
- Selective filtration of the sample occurs with the filtrate passing through the upper surface 8 of the membrane fibre into the lumen 7 thereof. From lumen 7 the filtrate passes through the lower surface 9 of the hollow fibre into a collection or filtrate chamber (not shown) .
- a downwardly pressure is applied either by a positive pressure onto the sample in the filter chamber 2 or a negative pressure from the filtrate collection side, to draw the filtrate through the filter unit 10.
- FIG 2B illustrates an embodiment of the invention when the filter unit 10 has a membrane arranged in the configuration of a hoop.
- plug 6 forms a tight fit with the internal walls 1,1' of filter chamber 2.
- the hollow fibre membrane is positioned with its free ends 5,5' exposed on the filtrate collection side of plug 6, with the main body of the membrane being present in the filter chamber 2.
- the dotted lines extend the hollow fibre upwardly into the filter chamber 2 but are not drawn to scale. It is also possible that instead of the filter being bent into a hoop as illustrated in Figure 2B the two strands come together into an apex in which the sides of the fibre are spot welded together through the application of heat or adhesive.
- the liquid sample is placed into a filter chamber 2 and separation of the sample takes place as components of the sample migrate through the surface of the membrane into the lumen 7 of the hollow fibre.
- the filtrate present in lumen 7 travels down the hollow fibre membrane and is collected from the free ends 5,5' beneath which is located a collection vessel (not shown) .
- Figure 3A is a top view of a membrane for a filter unit according to the present invention, in the form of a two-dimensional spiral.
- Figure 3B illustrates the side view of the same membrane.
- the spirally arranged membrane shown in Figures 3A and 3B is embedded within a plug (not shown) to form a filter unit.
- FIG 4 is a perspective view of a membrane for a filter unit according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the membrane being formed of short strands of membrane fibres affixed together at the apex into a "teepee" arrangement. The lower ends of each membrane strand are embedded within a plug (not shown) so that the lumen of each strand is free to discharge filtrate into a collection chamber (not shown).
- Figure 5A is a side view of a further embodiment of a membrane according to the present invention in the form of a three-dimensional spiral filter, with Figure 5B illustrating the top view of the same membrane filter.
- the lower portion of the spiral is embedded within a plug (not shown) so that the lower end of the filter is exposed on the filtrate collection side of the plug.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a filter unit 10 according to the present invention having a plug 6 through which the hollow fibre membrane strands are each formed in the shape of a hoop 4. Multiple hoops 4 are present, each having their ends passing through an adhesive plug 6, the lumen of each membrane strand being exposed on the lower surface of the plug 6.
- four membrane fibre hoops 4 are illustrated for the purpose of simplicity but it is also possible for many more hoops to be present in each plug 6, for example up to 20 hoops.
- the hoops may either be of the same or similar size as illustrated in Figure 6 or may be of varying sizes, that is to say the height of the hoop 4 may vary.
- each filter unit 10 is composed of sets of hoops 4, each hoop 4 set being of different size. It is also possible for the axis of each set of hoops to be located in a different directions within the plug relative to each other.
- Figure 7 illustrates schematically a further embodiment of the invention in which the filter unit 10 is formed from hollow fibre membranes in the configuration of an inverted "V". Again, Figure 7 only shows four such strands 4' for purposes of simplicity but it may be possible to have far more strands present on each plug 6.
- FIG. 8B illustrates device 11 incorporating a filter unit 10 according to the invention.
- the filter unit 10 is sealed into an interior lumen of device 11, here illustrated as a disposable pipette tip.
- the filter unit 10 shown comprises plug 6 incorporating therein hoops 4 of hollow fibre membrane.
- any alternative filter unit 10 described above would also be suitable for use in device 11.
- a liquid sample enters through aperture 15 driven upwardly in the direction of the arrow by the suction pressure created within the pipette apparatus (shown generally in Fig. 8A) .
- the filtrate passes through the filter unit 10 as previously described into the collection area 14.
- components of the filtrate may be localised on the upper hydrophobic membrane 12 but normally hydrophobic membrane 12 is used to repel the liquid sample, which may for example of an aqueous nature.
- the filtrate is therefore prevented from entry into chamber 16 and is instead retained within collection area 14.
- a snap point 13 is shown which enables the lower portion 17 of the pipette tip to be detached from the upper portion 18.
- Portion 17 of the tip 11 may then be disposed of in situations where the components of interest are located on hydrophobic membrane 12 or where the filtrate sample of interest is retained within storage area 14 the filtered sample can be simply poured into a further vessel for easy handling and/or further processing.
- the filter unit 10 may retain the component of interest on the hollow fibre membrane strands.
- the filtrate in this embodiment may be of no interest and, following removal of portion 17 by cleavage at snap point 13, the filtrate collected in storage area 14 may be thrown away and the filter unit carefully washed to remove the bound sample of interest located on the hollow fibre membrane.
- FIG 8C illustrates an alternative device 11 also containing a filter unit 10 as described above in Figure 8B. Hydrophobic membrane 12 is also illustrated.
- the device shown in Figure 8C comprises a non-return valve 19 immediately above filter unit 10.
- filtration of a liquid sample causes the filtrate to collect in storage area 14 which is bounded by hydrophobic membrane 12 and the non-return valve 19 immediately above filter unit 10.
- positive pressure is exerted by means of the pipette apparatus illustrated in Figure 8A, and this causes the filtrate to be expelled through aperture 22 of arm 20 which optionally contains a non-return valve 21.
- FIG 9 illustrates an alternative device 11 containing a filter unit 10 according to the invention.
- Filter unit 10 comprises plug 6 and hoops 4 of hollow membrane fibres. Only 3 hoops are illustrated in the unit 10 as shown for the purposes of simplicity. The number and size of the hoops 4 may vary as required. Likewise, it is possible to alter the configuration of the membranes within the filter unit as required.
- a primary membrane 23 covers the aperture of the pipette tip. The primary membrane 23 serves to exclude course matter from the liquid sample admitted into the lumen of the pipette tip, thus avoiding clogging of the hollow fibre membranes by large particulate matter.
- hydrophobic membrane 12 is located immediately above snap point 13 and the device operates in a similar manner to that described in Figure 8B.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
Abstract
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU39904/95A AU3990495A (en) | 1994-12-07 | 1995-12-05 | Micro-filtration device |
EP95938545A EP0796138A1 (fr) | 1994-12-07 | 1995-12-05 | Dispositif de microfiltration |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9424703.8 | 1994-12-07 | ||
GB9424703A GB9424703D0 (en) | 1994-12-07 | 1994-12-07 | Plug |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1996017673A1 true WO1996017673A1 (fr) | 1996-06-13 |
Family
ID=10765560
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1995/002834 WO1996017673A1 (fr) | 1994-12-07 | 1995-12-05 | Dispositif de microfiltration |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0796138A1 (fr) |
AU (1) | AU3990495A (fr) |
GB (1) | GB9424703D0 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO1996017673A1 (fr) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0837924A1 (fr) * | 1995-07-11 | 1998-04-29 | Polyfiltronics, Inc | Plaque pour tests a puits multiples ayant une surface specifique elevee |
WO1999060005A1 (fr) * | 1998-05-15 | 1999-11-25 | Fsm Technologies Limited | Procede et dispositif de purification d'acides nucleiques |
WO2002088672A1 (fr) * | 2001-04-26 | 2002-11-07 | Varian, Inc. | Dispositifs de preparation d'echantillons constitues de membranes a fibres creuses |
WO2003020352A3 (fr) * | 2001-08-30 | 2003-11-27 | Roche Diagnostics Gmbh | Catheter et son procede de production |
EP1410845A2 (fr) * | 2002-10-16 | 2004-04-21 | Articles de Laboratoires de Précision | Pipette de laboratoire comportant une tresse de fils de fibres synthétiques entrelacés d'une couleur correspondant à au moins une caractéristique de la pipette |
US6830717B2 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 2004-12-14 | Millipore Corporation | Cast membrane structures for sample preparation |
US6998047B1 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 2006-02-14 | Millipore Corporation | Cast membrane structures for sample preparation |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2393662A1 (fr) * | 1977-06-10 | 1979-01-05 | Cordis Dow Corp | Procede de fabrication d'une plaque tubulaire enrobant un grand nombre de fibres |
GB2173711A (en) * | 1985-03-12 | 1986-10-22 | Toyo Soda Mfg Co Ltd | Filter device |
JPS63104615A (ja) * | 1986-10-20 | 1988-05-10 | Asahi Chem Ind Co Ltd | ウイルスフリ−モジユ−ル |
EP0315252A1 (fr) * | 1987-11-06 | 1989-05-10 | Akzo Nobel N.V. | Séparateur pour liquides contenant des cellules |
JPH052021A (ja) * | 1991-06-24 | 1993-01-08 | Konica Corp | 免疫反応装置及び免疫学的測定装置並びに免疫学的測定法 |
US5228992A (en) * | 1992-03-03 | 1993-07-20 | Pall Corporation | Process for preparing hollow fiber separatory devices |
-
1994
- 1994-12-07 GB GB9424703A patent/GB9424703D0/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-12-05 EP EP95938545A patent/EP0796138A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-12-05 AU AU39904/95A patent/AU3990495A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-12-05 WO PCT/GB1995/002834 patent/WO1996017673A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2393662A1 (fr) * | 1977-06-10 | 1979-01-05 | Cordis Dow Corp | Procede de fabrication d'une plaque tubulaire enrobant un grand nombre de fibres |
GB2173711A (en) * | 1985-03-12 | 1986-10-22 | Toyo Soda Mfg Co Ltd | Filter device |
JPS63104615A (ja) * | 1986-10-20 | 1988-05-10 | Asahi Chem Ind Co Ltd | ウイルスフリ−モジユ−ル |
EP0315252A1 (fr) * | 1987-11-06 | 1989-05-10 | Akzo Nobel N.V. | Séparateur pour liquides contenant des cellules |
JPH052021A (ja) * | 1991-06-24 | 1993-01-08 | Konica Corp | 免疫反応装置及び免疫学的測定装置並びに免疫学的測定法 |
US5228992A (en) * | 1992-03-03 | 1993-07-20 | Pall Corporation | Process for preparing hollow fiber separatory devices |
Non-Patent Citations (4)
Title |
---|
DATABASE WPI Section Ch Week 8824, Derwent World Patents Index; Class A88, AN 88-165566 * |
DATABASE WPI Section Ch Week 9306, Derwent World Patents Index; Class B04, AN 93-049943 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 12, no. 344 (C - 528) 16 September 1988 (1988-09-16) * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 17, no. 258 (P - 1540) 20 May 1993 (1993-05-20) * |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0837924A4 (fr) * | 1995-07-11 | 1999-09-22 | Polyfiltronics Inc | Plaque pour tests a puits multiples ayant une surface specifique elevee |
EP0837924A1 (fr) * | 1995-07-11 | 1998-04-29 | Polyfiltronics, Inc | Plaque pour tests a puits multiples ayant une surface specifique elevee |
US6830717B2 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 2004-12-14 | Millipore Corporation | Cast membrane structures for sample preparation |
US6998047B1 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 2006-02-14 | Millipore Corporation | Cast membrane structures for sample preparation |
US6875354B1 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 2005-04-05 | Millipore Corporation | Cast membrane structures for sample preparation |
US6465640B1 (en) | 1998-05-15 | 2002-10-15 | Fsm Technologies Limited | Method and device for purifying nucleic acids |
JP2002515508A (ja) * | 1998-05-15 | 2002-05-28 | エフエスエム テクノロジーズ リミテッド | 核酸の精製方法および装置 |
WO1999060005A1 (fr) * | 1998-05-15 | 1999-11-25 | Fsm Technologies Limited | Procede et dispositif de purification d'acides nucleiques |
EP1679383A3 (fr) * | 1998-05-15 | 2007-01-31 | Micap Plc. | Procédé et dispositif pour la purification d'acides nucléiques |
JP4703849B2 (ja) * | 1998-05-15 | 2011-06-15 | ミリポア・コーポレイション | 核酸の精製方法および装置 |
WO2002088672A1 (fr) * | 2001-04-26 | 2002-11-07 | Varian, Inc. | Dispositifs de preparation d'echantillons constitues de membranes a fibres creuses |
WO2003020352A3 (fr) * | 2001-08-30 | 2003-11-27 | Roche Diagnostics Gmbh | Catheter et son procede de production |
EP1410845A2 (fr) * | 2002-10-16 | 2004-04-21 | Articles de Laboratoires de Précision | Pipette de laboratoire comportant une tresse de fils de fibres synthétiques entrelacés d'une couleur correspondant à au moins une caractéristique de la pipette |
FR2845933A1 (fr) * | 2002-10-16 | 2004-04-23 | Articles De Laboratoire De Pre | Pipette de laboratoire comportant une tresse de fils de fibres synthetiques entrelaces d'une couleur correspondant a au moins une caracteristique de la pipette |
EP1410845A3 (fr) * | 2002-10-16 | 2004-09-15 | Articles de Laboratoires de Précision | Pipette de laboratoire comportant une tresse de fils de fibres synthétiques entrelacés d'une couleur correspondant à au moins une caractéristique de la pipette |
US7007562B2 (en) | 2002-10-16 | 2006-03-07 | Articles De Laboratoire De Precision | Laboratory pipette comprising a braid of synthetic fiber threads interlaced with a color corresponding to at least one characteristic of the pipette |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0796138A1 (fr) | 1997-09-24 |
GB9424703D0 (en) | 1995-02-01 |
AU3990495A (en) | 1996-06-26 |
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