Filtered assay device and method
Inventors
Putnam, David L. • Putnam, Jason A. • Hubbard, Todd W.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8968681-B2
Publication Date
2015-03-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and device is provided for collecting filterable material to perform assays on a filtration apparatus by applying negative-pressure to the inlet chamber of the filtration apparatus which is independent of negative or positive pressure applied to its fluid path. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber serves to actively aspirate fluid and promote flow into the inlet chamber via the fluid pathway. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber facilitates the use of either negative or positive-pressure based fluid-filtration approaches. Use of the invention improves the functionality and scope of applications that can be performed with enclosed filtration apparatuses.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a filter apparatus for separating and collecting filterable material from a fluid. The apparatus includes an enclosed housing, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a hydrophilic filter confined within the enclosed housing to allow filterable material to be separated from the fluid, concentrated and retained within the housing.
A vent is located in a wall of the enclosed housing on the fluid inlet side of the housing. The vent actively and continuously delivers negative pressure to the fluid inlet side of the hydrophilic filter, and a hydrophobic filter is positioned inside the vent to support the vent function.
The apparatus addresses air-locking in small-volume enclosed filters by evacuating the inlet chamber side so that filtration can proceed without relying on pressure on the fluid path. The disclosed system supports filtered assay workflows for membrane-filtration, including microbial enumeration and concentration, and includes a volume-limiting filtrate collection chamber that uses a hydrophobic air vent to stop filtration at a defined filtrate volume.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers an enclosed filter apparatus with a hydrophilic filter and a vented negative-pressure arrangement. The claim set centers on 4 inventive features that separate the fluid inlet from the fluid outlet, collect filterable material within the housing, and actively and continuously deliver negative pressure to the fluid inlet side with a hydrophobic filter positioned inside the vent.
Actively delivered inlet-side negative pressure via a vent
A vent located in the wall of an enclosed housing applies negative pressure on the fluid inlet side and actively and continuously delivers negative pressure to the fluid inlet side of the hydrophilic filter.
Hydrophilic filter confined to separate and retain filterable material
A hydrophilic filter confined within the enclosed housing separates filterable material from the fluid, concentrates and retains the filterable material within the housing, and separates the fluid inlet from the fluid outlet.
Hydrophobic filter positioned inside the vent
A hydrophobic filter positioned inside the vent supports the vent arrangement in delivering negative pressure to the fluid inlet side of the hydrophilic filter.
Filter apparatus for separating and collecting filterable material
An enclosed housing with a fluid inlet, fluid outlet, hydrophilic filter, and vent-based negative-pressure arrangement separates and collects filterable material from a fluid.
Overall claim coverage focuses on the combination of an enclosed housing with a hydrophilic confined filter for separating and retaining filterable material, and a vent on the fluid inlet side that actively and continuously delivers negative pressure supported by a hydrophobic filter positioned inside the vent.
Stated Advantages
Prevents air-locking in enclosed filters by evacuating the inlet chamber side through vent-based negative pressure.
Enables filtration using either negative- or positive-pressure elsewhere in the system by isolating inlet-side negative pressure delivery from the fluid-path pressure.
Supports filtration-based assay workflows for membrane-filtration, including microbial enumeration and concentration of filterable material.
Provides volume-limited filtrate collection by using a hydrophobic air vent to stop filtration at a defined filtrate volume.
Documented Applications
Membrane-filtration assay workflows for microbial enumeration and concentration of filterable material within the device.
Filtered assay workflows.
Filtrate processing using a volume-limiting filtrate collection chamber with a hydrophobic air vent to stop filtration at a defined filtrate volume.
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