Patent ID: 6635179
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: A61L,A61M,B01D

Abstract:
A filtration assembly, comprising:a first casing defining a first sterilization stage, the first casing including an inlet port for receiving a first fluid to be filtered, at least one first stage outlet and a first filter membrane, the first fluid being filtered by being conducted across the first filter membrane to produce a first permeate fluid that is discharged through the first stage outlet; a second casing defining a second sterilization stage, the second casing including an outlet port for discharging a second permeate fluid from the second casing after filtration, the second casing having at least one second stage inlet for receiving the first permeate fluid and a second filter membrane, the first permeate fluid being filtered by being conducted across the second filter membrane to produce the second permeate fluid; an interstage connector coupled to the first and second casings and allowing communication of the first permeate fluid between the first stage outlet and the second stage inlet; and wherein the first and second casings are arranged so as to prevent the first permeate fluid from directly communicating between the first and second sterilization stages without flowing through the interstage connector.