Filtration assembly and method for microbiological testing

Abstract

The invention concerns a filtration assembly for microbiological testing and a method of using the filtration assembly for that purpose. The filtration assembly (1) comprises a ring-like membrane support (10) holding a filtration membrane (11), a cylindrical reservoir (20) of which opposite axial ends have openings and one axial opening is removably and fluid-tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a sample volume adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on one axial side of the membrane support (10); and a lid device (40) removably and fluid tightly attachable to the other axial opening of the reservoir (20) to close the opening. Further, the lid device (40) is removably and fluid tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) so as to seal the one axial side of the membrane support (10) from the environment.

Description

Technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a filter assembly for microbiological testing and a method of using the filter assembly for this purpose. Background technique [0002] Filter components are known and are often used for microbiological testing, including, for example, sterility and bioburden testing related to manufacturing process control or final product testing in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, hospital, food and beverage industries, It is also used for diagnosis, health care and research, as well as other test tasks related to particles and biological elements. [0003] During this type of test, the fluid to be tested usually passes through a filter element capable of capturing the microorganisms of interest, such as a filter membrane. After the filtration process is completed, the nutrient solution that promotes the growth of microorganisms is brought into contact with the microorganisms captured on the filter element, so as to su...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

During these steps, handling errors can occur which potentially lead to contamination of the filter element (i.e. the sample), since the filter element is more or less unprotected and unsupported (in US 2004 / 0063169 A1 and US 2010 / 0028933 A1)

Furthermore, a series of tests cannot be repeated under the exact same conditions due to multiple handling and transfer steps

[0011] Although manual handling of the filter membrane or the nutrient solution is avoided with the filter assembly disclosed in WO 2014 / 197831 A1, because the filter membrane is held in a circular membrane holder during the filtration and incubation steps, the filtration procedure and the Microorganisms were poorly concentrated and collected and experienced considerable variation from one test to the next because the assembly had no drain below the filter membrane

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