Viral filters include a filter member featuring a first surface and a second surface and having a thickness extending between the first and second surfaces in a first direction, and a plurality of channels formed in the filter member, each of the channels having a channel axis, where during use, a solution carrying a viral load flows in a direction parallel to the first surface, and at least a portion of the viral load enters the membrane through the first surface and propagates in the first direction, and where for at least 50% of the channels in the filter member, the channel axis is oriented at an angle of between 5 degrees and 85 degrees relative to the first direction.

Various examples are related to smart membranes for monitoring membrane based process such as, e.g., membrane distillation processes. In one example, a membrane, includes a porous surface and a plurality of sensors (e.g., temperature, flow and/or impedance sensors) mounted on the porous surface. In another example, a membrane distillation (MD) process includes the membrane. Processing circuitry can be configured to monitor outputs of the plurality of sensors. The monitored outputs can be used to determine membrane degradation, membrane fouling, or to provide an indication of membrane replacement or cleaning. The sensors can also provide temperatures or temperature differentials across the porous surface, which can be used to improve modeling or control the MD process.

A novel or improved base film for impregnation, impregnated base film, product incorporating the impregnated base film, and/or related methods as shown, claimed or described herein.

An isolation device of target particles from a liquid sample includes an isolation chip, a vacuum unit, and a frequency converting unit. The isolation chip includes a sample reservoir, a first chamber, and a second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber define a first outlet and a second outlet, respectively. The vacuum unit is connected to the first outlet and the second outlet. The frequency converting unit causes the vacuum unit to generate negative pressures in the first chamber and the second chamber alternately.

A device, system, and method for separating, concentrating, and isolating target particles from a bioliquid sample includes a sample reservoir, a first filtration membrane, a second filtration membrane, a first chamber, and a second chamber. The first chamber with first outlet is connected to the sample reservoir through the first filtration membrane. The second chamber with second outlet is connected to the sample reservoir through the second filtration membrane. Negative pressures are applied alternately to the two filtration membranes to isolate target particles, clogging of the membranes being prevented by the same alternating but opposite-phase positive pressures.

A crossflow filter includes a rigid cylindrical inner wall and a rigid cylindrical outer wall inner with an inelastic filter membrane positioned therebetween defining a retentate channel inside the filter membrane and a permeate channel outside the filter membrane. Further, the filter includes transition channels shaped and connected to the inner and outer walls to deliver a flow of fluid from an inlet port to the retentate channel and to capture flow flowing longitudinally along the cylindrical inner and outer walls from both the retentate and permeate channels to respective outlet ports.

Self-assembled porous block copolymer materials with a complex block copolymer architecture, methods of preparing, uses for separation and detection, and devices for using as such. The porous materials contain at least one of macro, meso, or micro pores, at least some of which are isoporous, and include at least one block copolymer with at least two chemically distinct blocks, which further comprises a complex architecture such as: multiple distinct monomers in or between blocks, branching, crosslinking, or ring architectures.

A method for forming an isoporous graded film comprising multiblock copolymers and isoporous graded films. The films have a surface layer and a bulk layer. The surface layer can have at least 110.sup.14 pores/m.sup.2 and a pore size distribution (d.sub.max/d.sub.min)) of less than 3. The bulk layer has an asymmetric structure. The films can be used in filtration applications.

Filtering systems, methods, and devices, particularly adapted for apheresis of cellular bodies and more specifically for apheresis of circulating tumor cell bodies (CTCs) employs a cross-flow channel. Systems and methods as well as devices for such a system are described. Embodiments include a cylindrical filter that employs a thin micro-machined porous filter membrane with a regular array of pores and reliably pass blood while trapping CTCs.

A cell filtration filter that includes a metal membrane part that has a first main surface on which the cells are to be captured and a second main surface that opposes the first main surface. The metal membrane part has a plurality of hole edges that define a plurality of first through holes and a support region that is arranged around the hole edges and supports the hole edges. In the support region of the metal membrane part, a plurality of second through holes, which have smaller openings than the first through holes, are arranged so as to surround the hole edges. On the first main surface of the membrane part, the hole edges are raised with respect to the support region.