A dynamic filtration system and method for solid-fluid separation to eliminate or substantially reduce media blinding includes: a fluid inlet through which to receive an inlet flow of fluid to be filtered; a filter membrane; a rotatable mechanical barrier, disposed within an outer shell, to contain the filter membrane and through which to receive and filter the inlet flow of the fluid, the rotatable mechanical barrier configured to rotate dynamically along an axis, to create a high shear flow, thereby to prevent an accumulation of solids on the filter membrane, and whereby a resultant centrifugal force propels any solids and slurry onto the outer shell to be continuously removed from the dynamic filter system; a fluid outlet through which to disperse a filtered fluid; and a solids and slurry outlet through which to disperse solids and slurry collected in filtration when propelled to the outer shell of the mechanical barrier.

A dynamic filtration system and method for solid-fluid separation to eliminate or substantially reduce media blinding includes: a fluid inlet through which to receive an inlet flow of fluid to be filtered; a filter membrane; a rotatable mechanical barrier, disposed within an outer shell, to contain the filter membrane and through which to receive and filter the inlet flow of the fluid, the rotatable mechanical barrier configured to rotate dynamically along an axis, to create a high shear flow, thereby to prevent an accumulation of solids on the filter membrane, and whereby a resultant centrifugal force propels any solids and slurry onto the outer shell to be continuously removed from the dynamic filter system; a fluid outlet through which to disperse a filtered fluid; and a solids and slurry outlet through which to disperse solids and slurry collected in filtration when propelled to the outer shell of the mechanical barrier.

The invention relates to a new method of preparation of a polynuclear iron compound stabilized by carbohydrates and/or humic acid or forming a complex with carbohydrates and/or humic acid using a pressure-driven filtration process.

The invention relates to a new method of preparation of a polynuclear iron compound stabilized by carbohydrates and/or humic acid or forming a complex with carbohydrates and/or humic acid using a pressure-driven filtration process.

A mixing device for operating biological, chemical or biochemical materials used in an assay includes a mixing member formed with a plurality of chambers, each having a sealable port provided along an edge of the mixing member. The mixing device also includes one or more compartments that are movable along the edge of the mixing member between selected ones of the sealed chambers. This compartment is operable to receive materials from and transfer materials between the chambers. Selected ones of the chambers include associated processing elements, for example, including heating and cooling elements, magnetic elements, membranes and lateral flow devices. The mixing device is also pivotable, for example, to facilitate the application of gravity force in the transfer of materials between the chambers and one or more compartments. The mixing device may operate manually by hand-held unit. Also, this mixing device may operate automatically with at least one driving unit.

A mixing device for operating biological, chemical or biochemical materials used in an assay includes a mixing member formed with a plurality of chambers, each having a sealable port provided along an edge of the mixing member. The mixing device also includes one or more compartments that are movable along the edge of the mixing member between selected ones of the sealed chambers. This compartment is operable to receive materials from and transfer materials between the chambers. Selected ones of the chambers include associated processing elements, for example, including heating and cooling elements, magnetic elements, membranes and lateral flow devices. The mixing device is also pivotable, for example, to facilitate the application of gravity force in the transfer of materials between the chambers and one or more compartments. The mixing device may operate manually by hand-held unit. Also, this mixing device may operate automatically with at least one driving unit.

A system and method are provided for separating previously-collected whole blood into a red blood cell fraction and a plasma fraction by which the container of previously-collected whole blood is determined to be empty based on using the combination of the measured gross weight of the container and a calculated fluid flow rate from the container, based on weigh scale feedback. Upon detection of the empty container, flow from the container is stopped.

A system and method are provided for separating previously-collected whole blood into a red blood cell fraction and a plasma fraction by which the container of previously-collected whole blood is determined to be empty based on using the combination of the measured gross weight of the container and a calculated fluid flow rate from the container, based on weigh scale feedback. Upon detection of the empty container, flow from the container is stopped.

Methods for controlling a spinning membrane separator so as to limit fouling of the membrane by changing the rotation rate of the spinning membrane in response to the fouling rate, while maintaining a constant outlet cellular concentration. Increasing the spinner rotation rate will increase the strength of the Taylor vortices generated within the separator by the spinning of the membrane, which should reduce fouling of the membrane. The goal of the method is to rotate the spinning membrane at the slowest rate possible without unacceptable fouling. Two specific methods to control fouling are disclosed. In a first, unidirectional method, the spin rate of the membrane is only increased in response to undesirable fouling in order to prevent the fouling from continuing. In a second, bidirectional method, the spin rate of the membrane may be either increased or decreased in response to the measured fouling rate in order to maintain the fouling rate within a desired range.

Methods for controlling a spinning membrane separator so as to limit fouling of the membrane by changing the rotation rate of the spinning membrane in response to the fouling rate, while maintaining a constant outlet cellular concentration. Increasing the spinner rotation rate will increase the strength of the Taylor vortices generated within the separator by the spinning of the membrane, which should reduce fouling of the membrane. The goal of the method is to rotate the spinning membrane at the slowest rate possible without unacceptable fouling. Two specific methods to control fouling are disclosed. In a first, unidirectional method, the spin rate of the membrane is only increased in response to undesirable fouling in order to prevent the fouling from continuing. In a second, bidirectional method, the spin rate of the membrane may be either increased or decreased in response to the measured fouling rate in order to maintain the fouling rate within a desired range.