Ultrafiltration allows researchers to concentrate biological solutions. Dialysis can then offer further purification by removing salts and allowing for buffer exchange. This helps ensure success, purity, and long life for their very sophisticated and expensive equipment. As all of these applications become increasingly sensitive and IVD and pharmaceutical manufacturers demand more from their processes, filtration will continue to be a critical technique. The uses of membranes, however, are not confined to filtration.
Membranes offer a solid support for reagent application and delivery.
The unique properties of a membrane to act as a solid phase for immunoassays and to carry reagents across its surfaces have made this material indispensable to the POC market. Membrane development is changing rapidly to meet the needs of more-sophisticated test manufacturers. Developing a test or device based on whole blood or saliva as a sample is significantly different from developing a urine-based assay. Being part of the IVD industry right now is both a challenge and an adventure. The need to find just the right product to meet the separation and reagent-presentation needs of this very demanding field can prove difficult given the complexity and variety of materials available.