An apparatus for processing biological sample is provided, which comprises a semi-permeable membrane column, an adaptor column and a vacuum manifold. The at least one semi-permeable membrane column is configured for accommodating biological sample therein and comprises a curved surface. The at least one adaptor column is configured for accommodating the semi-permeable membrane column therein and comprises a stopping element. The vacuum manifold is configured for creating a vacuum that facilitates flowing of the biological sample into the semi-permeable membrane column through a semi-permeable membrane therein. The stopping element abuts against the curved surface. By disposing the stopping element within the adaptor column, the present disclosure prevents the biological sample from suffering an unbalance pressure to splash upwardly outside the semi-permeable membrane column thereby causing a possibility of decreasing the testing efficiency, when the semi-permeable membrane column is removed out of the adaptor column.

Composite membrane tubing includes a porous scaffold support combined with polyether block amide copolymer. The composite membrane tubing has overlapping fusion areas that are an artifact of the manufacturing process. The methods of manufacturing above-mentioned composite membrane tubing have also been addressed. The composite membrane tubing can be reinforced with a structural mesh to further provide rigidity and strength. Composite membrane tubing or generally extruded tubing can be integrated into a multi-tube module for various applications.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a filtration membrane module with which is possible to improve the centrifugal separation effect of the primary-side flowpath during filtration, and the centrifugal separation effect of the area following the outer peripheral surface of the flowpath membrane element of the outer ring-shaped flowpath during backwash, and improve filtration efficiency and cleaning efficiency while curbing the accumulation of deposits on the membrane surface during filtration and during backwash. This filtration membrane module comprises: a membrane element equipped with a primary-side flowpath on the outside of a hollow cylindrical filtration surface; and a cylindrical housing positioned on the outside thereof. A flow adjuster is positioned inside the primary-side flowpath. A flow adjuster for backwash is positioned inside the secondary-side flowpath, which is an outer ring-shaped flowpath between the membrane element and the housing. The flow adjuster and the flow adjuster for backwash comprise spiral-shaped fins or the like in order to exhibit a centrifugal separation function in an area that follows the outer peripheral surface of the membrane element or the filtration surface.

A filtration cell (10) for a biological sample having an outer housing (12) defining a first chamber and an inner housing (14) defining a second chamber is disclosed. The inner housing is disposed within the first chamber and rotatable with respect to the outer housing and at least a portion of the inner housing includes a filtration membrane (52). Upon rotation of the inner housing, a first portion of the biological sample passes from the first chamber into the second chamber and a second portion of the biological sample is restrained in the first chamber. Alternatively, the filtration cell may also include a rotation element disposed in the inner housing. Upon rotation of the rotation element with respect to the inner housing, a first portion of the biological sample to passes from the second chamber into the first chamber and a second portion of the biological sample is restrained in the second chamber.

The present invention relates to a filtration device being adapted for continuous vibration and pressure driven filtration. Said filtration device comprises a filter module which comprises at least one tubular semipermeable membrane element, said module further comprises a drain area for permeate, an outlet for permeate, an inlet for feed fluid and an outlet for retentate; said module further comprises one or more flexible volume chambers being filled with gas and in close contact with but separated from the internal module of the filter module through a flexible wall; said filtration device comprises a vibration motor being adapted to provide a vibrating motion to the device.

The present invention relates to a tangential flow separator element for separating a fluid medium for treatment into a filtrate and a retentate, said separator element having a monolithic rigid porous support (2) of rectilinear structure and having a single channel (3) arranged therein for passing the flow of the fluid medium for treatment, the outside surface (5) of the support presenting a profile that is constant. According to the invention, the monolithic rigid porous support (2) defines obstacles (9) to the flow of the fluid for filtering, which obstacles extend from the inside wall (3.sub.1) of said channel (3), are identical in material and porous texture to the support, and present continuity of material and of porous texture with the support, said obstacles (9) generating variations in the flow section of the channel.

A monolithic substrate comprises a porous base material body, a first support portion, a first cell seal portion, a second support portion, and a second cell seal portion. The base material body includes a plurality of cells respectively passing from a first end surface to a second end surface. The first support portion contains ceramics as an aggregate material, and is packed into the first end portion of a seal target cell. The first cell seal portion contains glass, and is disposed on an outer surface of the first support portion. The second support portion contains ceramics as an aggregate material, and is packed into the second end surface of the seal target cell. The second cell seal portion contains glass, and is disposed on an outer surface of the second support portion.

Systems and methods for the washing of biological fluid/biological cells are disclosed. The method provides for the automated dilution of the cell feed during the cell washing procedure using a separator in which the separator has a predetermined maximum output concentration for the biological cells that are being washed. The method further includes determining the concentration ratio of the biological cells to be washed in the washing procedure and determining a maximum input concentration as a function of the maximum output concentration and the concentration ratio. Wash solution is then added to dilute said biological cells so that the maximum input concentration of the diluted biological cells entering the separator is not exceeded.

The present invention teaches a design of apparatus using which microspheres of customizable uni-sizes may be produced through a greatly simplified process. The apparatus consists a microsphere-forming unit, a microsphere rinsing unit, and a sterile hood that isolate the other two unit within a sterilized cover. The microsphere-forming unit enables the processed of microsphere formation, solidification and collection simultaneously. The sterile hood allow the microsphere producing operation be carried out within a glove box, preventing direct contact of operator with the sterilized materials of the microspheres. The apparatus has also a refrigerator wherein the microsphere collector and final product storage are placed for extracting the solvent of microsphere-forming materials and stabilizing the final product, respectively.

An apparatus for processing biological sample is provided, which comprises a semi-permeable membrane column, an adaptor column and a vacuum manifold. The at least one semi-permeable membrane column is configured for accommodating biological sample therein and comprises a curved surface. The at least one adaptor column is configured for accommodating the semi-permeable membrane column therein and comprises a stopping element. The vacuum manifold is configured for creating a vacuum that facilitates flowing of the biological sample into the semi-permeable membrane column through a semi-permeable membrane therein. The stopping element abuts against the curved surface. By disposing the stopping element within the adaptor column, the present disclosure prevents the biological sample from suffering an unbalance pressure to splash upwardly outside the semi-permeable membrane column thereby causing a possibility of decreasing the testing efficiency, when the semi-permeable membrane column is removed out of the adaptor column.