Patent ID: 8029658

Claim:
A filtration device ( 10 ) for at least one of filtration and separation of molecules ( 3 ) and proteins, the device comprising at least one filtration zone ( 11 a - 11 c ) comprising a plurality of independent filtration reservoirs ( 1 ) capable of receiving a solution containing the molecules ( 3 ), the filtration reservoirs ( 1 ) being equipped with a filtration means ( 4 ) for filtering the molecules ( 3 ) according to at least one of a predetermined physical parameter and a chemical parameter, and a means for generating at least one electrical field ( 5 ) to cause displacement of at least a portion of the molecules ( 3 ) through the filtration means ( 4 ), the filtration reservoirs ( 1 ) being one of a test tube, a flask, a measurement beaker, and the filtration means ( 4 ) comprises a filter located generally along an axis of symmetry of the filtration reservoirs ( 1 ) separating the filtration reservoirs ( 1 ) into two chambers, the filter separating the molecules according to at least one of the predetermined physical parameter and chemical parameter, the filtration device ( 10 ) also comprising at least one mechanized tool holder ( 20 ) provided with at least one tool ( 5 , 30 - 33 ), the tool holder ( 20 ) being equipped with at least one pair of electrodes ( 5 ) supplied with electricity to form the electrical field generation means and directly and automatically performing the filtration operation in the filtration reservoirs ( 1 ), the tool holder ( 20 ) being coupled with a displacement means ( 50 ) for displacing at least the tool relative to the filtration zone for placing the electrodes ( 5 ) in at least one filtration reservoir ( 1 ), before filtration, and removing the electrodes ( 5 ), after filtration, the tool holder ( 20 ) also being coupled with computerized control means for controlling displacement and the operation of the tool carried thereby.