The present invention is directed to affinity chromatography devices that separate a targeted protein or antibody from an aqueous mixture containing the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may contain a stacked membrane assembly or a wound membrane assembly. The membrane assemblies include at least one polymer membrane that contains therein inorganic particles. The polymer membrane and/or the inorganic particles have an affinity ligand bonded thereto. The affinity ligand may be a protein, an antibody, or a polysaccharide that reversibly binds to the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may be repeatedly used and may be cleaned with a caustic solution between uses. The chromatography devices may have a dynamic binding capacity (DBC) of at least 30 mg/ml (or 0.07 micromol/ml) at 10% breakthrough at a residence time of 20 seconds or less.

A filtration module (1) has a filter unit (2) with at least one filter element (6) arranged between first and second plates (4, 5). The filter element (6) has at least one layer of filter material (9, 10) sealed off at a periphery by an edge seal (12). The plates (4, 5) are pressed against each other by a resilient bracketing profile (3) that engages around the plates (4, 5) at their opposite side surfaces (21, 22, 23, 24). The bracketing profile (3) has a base (13) that curves inward transversely to the longitudinal direction (14) of the plates (4, 5) and that is delimited by lateral brackets (16, 17) that are bent inward at their free ends (18, 19) to engage laterally around a surface (20) of the filter element (6) facing away from the base (13). A method also is provided for producing a filtration module.

The present disclosure relates to extracorporeal blood circuits used for gas exchange in blood, in particular circuits for cardiopulmonary bypass.

The present invention is directed to affinity chromatography devices that separate a targeted protein or antibody from an aqueous mixture containing the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may contain a stacked membrane assembly or a wound membrane assembly. The membrane assemblies include at least one polymer membrane that contains therein inorganic particles. The polymer membrane and/or the inorganic particles have an affinity ligand bonded thereto. The affinity ligand may be a protein, an antibody, or a polysaccharide that reversibly binds to the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may be repeatedly used and may be cleaned with a caustic solution between uses. The chromatography devices may have a dynamic binding capacity (DBC) of at least 30 mg/ml (or 0.07 micromol/ml) at 10% breakthrough at a residence time of 20 seconds or less.

The present invention is directed to affinity chromatography devices that separate a targeted protein or antibody from an aqueous mixture containing the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may contain a stacked membrane assembly or a wound membrane assembly. The membrane assemblies include (1) at least one polymer membrane that contains therein inorganic particles and (2) at least one impermeable layer (e.g., a thermoplastic polymer in a solid state). The polymer membrane and/or the inorganic particles have an affinity ligand bonded thereto. The affinity ligand may be a protein, an antibody, or a polysaccharide that reversibly binds to the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may be repeatedly used and may be cleaned with a caustic solution between uses. The chromatography devices has a dynamic binding capacity (DBC) of at least 30 mg/ml (or 0.07 micromol/ml) at 10% breakthrough at a residence time of 20 seconds or less.

The present application offers a solution to the current problems associated with recovery and recycling of precious metals such as gold and copper from scrap material, discarded articles, and other items. The solution is premised on a microporous chelating polymeric membrane comprising a poly-thiosemicarbazide formed from N,N-diaminopiperazine and a suitable reactant such as diisothiocyanate; the membrane may be formed through the use of a solvent system and non-solvent system. The membrane may be used to separate metal ions from solutions and incorporated in a membrane module.

A platform has a filter system with a first set of filter modules and a second set of filter modules that is different from the first set of filter modules. Each set of filter modules includes an inflow channel and an outflow channel. A fluid inlet is connected to the first set of filter modules, a fluid outlet is connected to the second set of filter modules, and a separation interface separates the first and second sets of filter modules. The separation interface has a first interface channel to connect to the module outflow channel of the first set of filter modules, and a second interface channel to connect to the module inflow channel of the second set of filter modules. The filter system receives fluid through the fluid inlet and, after the fluid has passed through each set of filter modules, discharges the fluid through the fluid outlet.

A separation membrane structure comprises a porous support, a first separation membrane formed on the porous support, and a second separation membrane formed on the first separation membrane. The first separation membrane has an average pore diameter of greater than or equal to 0.32 nm and less than or equal to 0.44 nm. The second separation membrane includes addition of at least one of a metal cation or a metal complex that tends to adsorb nitrogen in comparison to methane.

Guanidinyl ligand-functionalized polymers, methods of making the same, and substrates bearing a grafted coating of the ligand-functional polymers are described. The grafted polymer has the requisite affinity for binding neutral or negatively charged biomaterials, such as cells, cell debris, bacteria, spores, viruses, nucleic acids, endotoxins and proteins, at pH's near or below the pI's of the biomaterials.

A process for removing Co.sup.2+, Pb.sup.2+, Cd.sup.2+ and Cr.sup.3+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchange composition to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchange composition. The ion exchange compositions are represented by the following empirical formula:
A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y. A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.