Patent ID: 8426218

Claim:
A method for the collecting and fixating of microorganisms from a filtrate having a first density D 1 , comprising the steps of: providing a filter assembly, the filter assembly comprising an inlet and outlet and a reservoir to contain a second fluid having a second density D 2 ; a filter media within the filter assembly between said filter assembly inlet and outlet and wherein said filter media is positioned apart from the reservoir and within an interior space that is partitioned from the reservoir by a reservoir plate; said reservoir plate including one opening for said flow of filtrate and at least two openings in communication with said reservoir and said interior space; passing said filtrate through said filter assembly and collecting microorganisms and/or particulate material on said filter media; exposing said microorganisms and/or particular material to said second fluid under the following conditions: (1) when said filtrate has a density D 1 that is greater than D 2 , said filtrate flows out of said interior space into said reservoir and said second fluid replaces said filtrate in said interior space; or (2) when said filtrate has a density D 1 that is less than D 2 said second fluid flows from said reservoir into said interior space and said second fluid replaces said filtrate in said interior space.