Automated low-volume tangential flow filtration process development device

Abstract

An automated process development device providing flexibility and accuracy for the investigative development of tangential flow filtration processes. The development device is used for evaluating the process parameters of a laboratory scale tangential flow filtration process with an eye towards developing a larger, commercial scale process. The process development device - operable to an unprecedented minimum reliable recirculation volume of less than approximately 20 milliliters - includes: (a) a reservoir having a distinct mixing zone; (b) a tangential flow filtration module; (c) conduits defining, together with the distinct mixing zone and the tangential flow filtration module, a fluid process stream through which a liquid sample is recirculated; (d) pumps for driving the flow of the liquid sample through the fluid process stream; (e) valves for regulating the flow of the liquid sample through the fluid process stream; (f) sensors for acquiring data about the liquid sample as it flows through the fluid process stream; and (g) an electronic data processing network capable of receiving, transmitting, processing, and recording data associated with the operation of the pumps, valves, and sensors, the recorded data being sufficiently comprehensive to determine the conduct of the tangential flow filtration process at a substantially larger scale.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 264,948, filed October 4, 2002, which is now abandoned and claims U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 327,911, filed October 9, 2001 priority. technical field [0002] The present invention relates generally to tangential flow filtration systems, and more particularly to automated tangential flow filtration systems for separation process analysis and development. Background technique [0003] Filtration of liquid samples with membranes for purification (eg, by removal of particulate or molecular contaminants) is a well-developed technique. For this purpose, the flow of the liquid sample in relation to the membrane surface can in many cases be characterized both substantially parallel (ie tangential flow) and substantially normal (normal flow). [0004] In a tangential flow filtration system, a substantial portion of the liquid sample flows continuously over time in a direction substan...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As is well known, sample volumes in the early process development stages are often only available in very small quantities, and it is therefore necessary to waste these very small volumes

[0009] Regardless of real-world needs, given the facts just described, there is currently no known automated TFF development setup that is capable of broadly acquiring meaningful data and requires a minimum sample volume of less than 20ml

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