Patent ID: 6660171
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A filter device for filtering blood or blood product to remove components of the blood or blood product from the blood or blood product comprising:a body having a substantially vertical partition wall fixed to the inner periphery of said body, said partition wall dividing said body into a first filter well on one side of said partition wall, and a second filter well on the other side of said partition wall, with the central axis of both said first and said second filter wells oriented substantially horizontal, at least one filter element disposed within said first filter well, thereby dividing said first filter well into a first chamber upstream of said at least one filter element disposed in said first filter well, and a second chamber downstream of said at least one filter element disposed in said first filter well, said at least one filter element sealed to said first filter well, to prevent unfiltered blood or blood product from flowing between said first filter well and said at least one filter element disposed in said first filter well, at least one filter element disposed within said second filter well, thereby dividing said second filter well into a first chamber upstream of said at least one filter element disposed in said second filter well, and a second chamber downstream of said at least one filter element disposed in said second filter well, said at least one filter element sealed to said second filter well, to prevent unfiltered blood or blood product from flowing between said second filter well and said at least one filter element disposed in said second filter well, a cross port located on said body and entirely outside of said first filter well and said second filter well, with the central axis of said cross port oriented substantially parallel to the central axis of said first filter well and said second filter well, an inlet port located entirely outside of said first filter well and said second filter well, with one end of said inlet port adjoining and in direct fluid flow communication with a portion of said cross port, thereby dividing said cross port into a front cross port between the intersection of said inlet port and one end of said cross port, and a back cross port between the intersection of said inlet port and the opposite end of said cross port, a front inlet channel extending from said front cross port into said first filter well, thereby placing said front cross port in fluid flow communication with said first chamber of said first filter well, a back inlet channel extending from said back cross port into said second filter well, thereby placing said back cross port in fluid flow communication with said first chamber of said second filter well, a front cover sealed with a first seal to said body, said first seal forming a single closed loop that encloses the outer periphery of said first filter well and the outer periphery of said front inlet channel, thereby creating a closed first chamber in said first filter well, and a closed front inlet channel that extends from said front cross port to said first chamber of said first filter well, thereby creating a flow path from said inlet port, through said front cross port, through said front inlet channel, into said first chamber of said first filter well, a back cover sealed with a second seal to said body, said second seal forming a single closed loop that encloses the outer periphery of said second filter well and the outer periphery of said back inlet channel, thereby creating a closed first chamber in said second filter well, and a closed back inlet channel that extends from said back cross port to said first chamber of said second filter well, thereby creating a flow path from said inlet port, through said back cross port, through said back inlet channel, into said first chamber of said second filter well, an outlet port located below said second chamber of said first filter well, and below said second chamber of said second filter well, said outlet port in fluid flow communication with said second chamber of said first filter well, and in fluid flow communication with said second chamber of said second filter well.