Patent ID: 6740240
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: B01D,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for directly transferring fluid to be filtered from a fluid container to a filtration cell, comprising:(a) providing a filtration cell comprising a reservoir, a filter membrane operatively associated with an opening in the reservoir, a base configured to receive filtrate passing through the membrane, the base including a path through which the filtrate is guided to an outlet from the filtration cell, a piercing instrument adapted to pierce a container holding the fluid to be filtered, the piercing instrument including a hollow interior in fluid communication with both the reservoir and an interior of a pierced container, and a flow channel extending between the piercing instrument and the reservoir, the flow channel being open to the filter membrane, (b) providing a container holding a quantity of fluid to be filtered, (c) piercing the container with the piercing instrument, (d) providing an airtight connection between the reservoir and a source of air, (e) alternately pressurizing the reservoir with air, and then releasing the air pressure from the filtration cell such that the fluid reciprocally flows across the filter membrane, and (f) collecting the filtrate from the membrane.