Filter and Frame Apparatus and Method of Use

Abstract

Provided is a filter apparatus, comprising two or more filter cartridges having a first end with an inlet and screen and a second end with an outlet and screen, and walls to contain a filter media held in a housing for holding the two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation, and an attachment clamp connected to the housing. Also provided is a housing for holding two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation and a method of using the filter apparatus and housing.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A method for assembling a filter apparatus, comprising: providing a cartridge assembly which comprises two or more filter cartridges each filter cartridge comprising a first end with an inlet, and a first screen, a second end with an outlet and a second screen, and walls configured to contain a filter media and comprising a cartridge tube, wherein the outlet of each filter cartridge is connected to an outlet connector by an outlet flange; providing a single frame housing comprising an upper plate and a lower plate oriented substantially parallel to each other, support elements connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, the support elements comprising one or more tie rods and a first support plate and a second support plate, and an attachment clamp connected to the single frame housing, wherein the single frame housing is configured to hold the two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation, the upper plate and the lower plate each defining two or more openings to which the two or more filter cartridges are rotatably coupled and wherein the outlet flange connected to each outlet connector extends through the two or more openings of the upper plate, and inserting the cartridge assembly into the single frame housing between the one or more tie rods and the first and the second support plates.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing the upper plate on the cartridge assembly and securing the upper plate to the cartridge assembly through the support elements with flat head cap screws.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the support elements comprise six tie rods.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the attachment clamp is a pole clamp.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the single frame housing further comprises a sub assembly which comprises the first support plate, the second support plate, the pole clamp and a knob, the sub assembly configured to provide a deployable mounting mechanism.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the cartridge tube is comprised of a transparent material.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the transparent material is selected from the group consisting of a polysulfone, a polycarbonate, a polypropylene, an acrylic and combinations thereof.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the outlet flange is conical.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the inlet connector is connected to the cartridge tube by an inlet flange.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the cartridges contain a filter media comprising activated carbon.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the cartridges contain a filter media comprising a hydrogel coated activated carbon.

32. A filter system, comprising: a filter apparatus, which comprises two or more filter cartridges having a first end with an inlet and screen and a second end with an outlet and screen, and walls configured to contain a filter media and containing the filter media; a housing comprising an upper and a lower plate for holding the two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation, the upper plate and the lower plate comprising openings for rotatably engaging the two or more filter cartridges, and one or more support elements connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, and a sub assembly comprised of the support plates, a clamp and a knob that provides a deployable mounting mechanism.

33. The filter system of claim 32, wherein the clamp is a pole clamp.

34. The filter system of claim 32, wherein the two or more filter cartridges extend through the openings of the upper plate.

35. The filter system of claim 32, wherein the walls configured to contain the filter media comprise a transparent cartridge tube.

36. The filter system of claim 35, wherein the transparent cartridge tube is comprised of a transparent material selected from the group consisting of a polysulfone, a polycarbonate, a polypropylene, an acrylic and combinations thereof.

37. The filter system of claim 32, wherein the filter system is packaged, labeled, and sterilized.

38. The filter system of claim 32, wherein the filter system is clamped to a support structure in an operating room.

39. The filter system of claim 32, wherein the cartridges contain a filter media comprising activated carbon.

40. The filter system of claim 32, wherein the cartridges contain a filter media comprising hydrogel coated activated carbon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from the front of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a top view of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame with the mounting means deployed for connection;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame with the mounting means deployed for connection;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a front view of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame;

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from the back of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame with mounting means stowed for packaging;

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a back view of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame with mounting means stowed for packaging;

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a side view of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame with the mounting means deployed for connection;

[0032] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of dual filter cartridges and housing;

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view from back of dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame with mounting means deployed and connected to a pole such as an IV pole; and

[0034] FIG. 10 shows dual filter cartridges mounted in a single frame in an extracorporeal blood filtration set up incorporated into a percutaneous hepatic perfusion procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In some embodiments, a filter cartridge can be made in the following way by assembling lower inlet flange 12 to the cartridge tube 11, to the upper outlet flange 18. An inlet connector 15 is connected to lower inlet flange 12. In some embodiments, an inlet screen (not shown) is incorporated at the inside end of a cartridge tube 11 at the joint between the lower inlet flange 12 and cartridge tube 11. In some embodiments, filter media can be added to the assembly by filling the inside volume of cartridge tube 11. An outlet connector 19 is connected to upper outlet flange 18. An outlet screen (not shown) is incorporated at the inside ends of cartridge tube 11 at the joint between the upper outlet flange 18 and cartridge tube 11. The screens provide a means to keep filter media (not shown), typically small spheres or beads, within the filter cartridge while allowing blood to flow into, through, and out of the filter. The screens can be formed of a suitable polymer with a 200-400 micron mesh. The flanges 12 and 18 and tube 11 can be formed from any suitable transparent plastic such as a polysulfone, a polycarbonate, a polypropylene, an acrylic, and the like. In some embodiments, combinations of these transparent materials can be used. The connections between components can be joints formed by adhesive such as two part epoxy or ultraviolet light curing epoxy, or the joints can be heat welded by means such as radio frequency welding, induction welding, or ultrasonic welding.

[0036] The housing is assembled from structural components. In some embodiments, lower plate 1 is attached to six tie rods 7 with six tamper proof flat head cap screws 10. In some embodiments, center support plates 2 and 3 are assembled with the pole clamp 5 to create a deployable mounting mechanism. Pivot pin 4 is pressed fit into center support plate 2, and is passed through pole clamp 5 and is press fit into opposite center support plate 3. Three stop pins 6 are pressed into receiving holes in center support plate 2 and 3. Two stop pins 6 form the stop for the pole clamp 5 deployed position, one stop pin 6 form the stop for the stowed position. Clamp knob 8 has a threaded shaft that is screwed through pole clamp 5. The sub assembly of center support plates 2 and 3, pins 4 and 6, and pole clamp 5 and knob 8 creates the deployable mounting mechanism. The sub assembly is then attached to lower plate 1 with four tamper proof flat head cap screws 10. Herein, item 1 is used for both upper plate and lower plate as the plates are the same part. Face plate 25 is inserted into grooves in the center support plates 2 and 3 and slid towards the lower plate 1 until it contacts the lower plate 1. O ring 9 can be formed from an elastomeric material such as Silicone or Viton. One O ring 9 is added to the top of each cartridge assembly at the upper outlet flange 18. A cartridge assembly with O ring 9 is inserted into each side of the frame housing between tie rods 7 and center support plates 2 and 3. Upper plate 1 is placed on top of the assembly and secured to the tie rods 7 and center support plates 2 and 3 with ten tamper proof flat head cap screws 10. The O rings 9 are captured between upper plate 1 and upper outlet flanges 18 such that the cartridges can smoothly rotate within the housing frame without being loose or creating excessive compression of the cartridge within the housing frame.

[0037] In some embodiments of the invention, the filter system can be packaged, labeled, and sterilized by the manufacturer. It can be shipped to the customer alone or as a component of a comprehensive kit containing all components needed to perform a procedure. Once in use the technician setting up the system will open the packaging while maintaining sterility of inlet connector 15 and outlet connector 19. As shown in FIG. 9, the pole clamp 5 can be deployed from its storage position between center support plates 2 and 3. The pole clamp 5 can rotate around pivot pin 4 and contact stop pins 6, which limits the clamp rotation to a perpendicular orientation. The pole clamp 5 can be placed around an available IV pole or similar available structure in the operating room. The frame is secured to a pole by tightening clamp knob 8 on to the pole.

[0038] The technician and physician team can then assemble the system connect tubing between the filter system and other components which make up a complete circuit such as pump, saline supply bags, and flow rate monitor. The tube set which connects to the filter uses rotatable connectors to connect to inlet connectors 15 and outlet connector 19. All components are primed and flushed with saline. The technician will slowly fill the filters with saline from the bottom up allowing air to escape from the top. Due to the high surface area of some filter media, air will often be trapped in the filter cartridge and will need to be coaxed to leave by slowly flushing saline through the filter while tapping the filter cartridge walls to break the air bubbles free. To insure that all air has been removed the technician can rotate the cartridge within the frame to view the entire circumference of the cartridge. Once the filters are primed, the final connections can be made to the isolation aspiration catheter which acts as a supply catheter and the venous return catheter, already placed in location in the patient as shown in FIG. 10. The procedure can then be performed with a secure and safe system.