Composite membrane element for coprophilous fungus separation and filter

Abstract

The utility model relates to a composite membrane element and a filter for coprophilous fungus separation, which are applied to coprophilous fungus separation and comprise a plurality of layers of diversion nets and a plurality of layers of separation membranes, the plurality of layers of separation membranes are different in filtering precision and are arranged according to the gradually increased filtering precision, and the diversion nets are arranged on the same side of each layer of separation membrane. And the separation membrane with high filtering precision faces one side of the separation membrane with low filtering precision. According to the coprophilous fungus separating device, the technical problems of preventing the separation membranes from being blocked and improving the filtering efficiency in the coprophilous fungus separating process are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to medical equipment, in particular to a composite membrane element for fecal bacteria separation and a filter using the composite membrane element. Background Art

[0002] Under normal circumstances, the intestinal flora can establish a dynamic ecological balance with the host and the external environment. Once the intestinal flora is disturbed, it will cause the host to lose multiple functions, thereby inducing disease. It is reported that 95% of diseases are related to the intestinal flora. In addition to gastrointestinal diseases, they are also closely related to metabolic system diseases, nervous system diseases, immune system diseases, tumors, etc. Flora microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a new non-restricted medical technology in the field of intestinal microecology. It is transplanted from the feces of healthy donors after matching and a series of treatments into the patient's intestines to rebuild the patient's intestinal microecology, thereby achieving intervention and treatment of various diseases.

[0003] Transplantation methods include oral (FMT-C) or enema (FMT-L). Regardless of the method, the donor's feces requires processing before proceeding to the next steps, including testing, typing, and preparation. Maintaining a high bacterial yield and a high proportion of viable bacteria during the intestinal microbiome extraction process, thereby improving the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention, is a key goal in the development of intestinal fecal microbiome extraction processes and corresponding filters. The specific fecal microbiome extraction process is as follows: First, the donor feces is transferred to a fecal collection tank and weighed. A certain proportion of saline is added and stirred to disperse the feces. Then, coarse filtration is performed to remove large fecal particles. The coarse filtration filtrate is further filtered to remove small particles. Finally, after further necessary processing, the filtrate is prepared into a different preparation form, such as a liquid or capsule, depending on the transplantation method. The entire process must be completed in a short time to ensure a high proportion of viable bacteria. After sufficient stirring and dispersion, the fecal microbiome solution becomes more viscous, and the high solids content of the fecal microbiome solution can easily clog the filter. Therefore, achieving efficient extraction and separation in a short time requires a high filter requirement. The existing filtration method uses multiple filter tanks in series, and the design of gradually increasing filtration accuracy can solve the problem of rapid filter clogging caused by the formation of filter cakes on the filter layer by solid sticky matter during the bacterial liquid filtration process to a certain extent. However, the filtration mode of multiple filter tanks in series not only increases the cost of filtration consumables, but also greatly reduces the viable bacteria rate due to the long filtration process. In addition, the dead volume of the filter is large, so the bacteria collection rate is relatively low. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on this, a composite membrane element for fecal bacteria separation and a filter using the composite membrane element are provided, which solve the technical problems of avoiding clogging of the separation membrane and improving the filtration efficiency during the fecal bacteria separation process.

[0005] One purpose of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions: a composite membrane element for fecal bacteria separation, comprising a multi-layer guide net and a multi-layer separation membrane, the multi-layer separation membranes having different filtration accuracies and arranged in gradually increasing order of filtration accuracies, each layer of the separation membrane having the guide net on the same side, and the same side being the side of the separation membrane with high filtration accuracy facing the separation membrane with low filtration accuracy.

[0006] Compared with the existing technology, the technical effect achieved by adopting this technical solution is as follows: during the bacterial liquid filtration process, solid sticky matter first contacts the guide net, some of the solid sticky matter enters the mesh of the guide net, and some is on the surface of the guide net. In this way, the guide net separates the filter cake layer that originally had fixed sticky matter easily integrated into one, and the bacterial liquid can flow through the gaps between the mesh of the guide net, so that the circulation of the bacterial liquid is no longer hindered by the clogging of the filter cake, which causes the filtration effect of the separation membrane to be greatly reduced. The superposition of the guide net and the separation membrane solves the technical problem that the bacterial liquid cannot be efficiently filtered due to the clogging of the separation membrane by sticky solid matter.

[0007] In the above composite membrane element, the composite membrane element comprises a plurality of filter layer groups, and the filter layer group comprises one layer of the separation membrane and two layers of the guide nets, and the two layers of the guide nets are respectively located on both sides of the separation membrane.

[0008] Compared with the existing technology, the technical effect achieved by adopting this technical solution is: by arranging guide nets on both sides of the separation membrane, the guide net close to the liquid inlet side can separate solid sticky matter during the filtration process, making it less likely to form a filter cake layer, and the guide net on the other side increases the flow difficulty of finer fixed sticky matter after filtration. The combination of two layers of guide nets and a layer of separation membrane can further reduce blockage and improve the filtration effect of the entire composite membrane element.

[0009] In the above composite membrane element, the guide net may be a metal part or a plastic part, and the type of the guide net may be a perforated net or a woven net.

[0010] In the above composite membrane element, the sides of the multi-layer guide net and the multi-layer separation membrane are aligned, and the guide net and the separation membrane are bonded to each other by coating the sides with adhesive.

[0011] Another purpose of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions: A filter for fecal bacteria separation, comprising a filter housing and a composite membrane element mentioned above, wherein the filter housing surrounds and forms a filter inner cavity, and the composite membrane element divides the filter inner cavity into a liquid inlet cavity and a liquid outlet cavity, wherein the liquid inlet cavity has a liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet cavity has a liquid outlet.

[0012] Compared with the existing technology, the technical effect achieved by adopting this technical solution is: using this composite membrane element as the filter element solves the technical problem of sticky solids clogging the filter element and causing the filtrate to be unable to be filtered, and only a single filter is needed to achieve the effect of multi-stage filtration, greatly improving the filtration efficiency.

[0013] In the above-mentioned filter, the filtration accuracy of the multiple layers of separation membranes is arranged in order of gradually increasing filtration accuracy from the liquid inlet chamber to the liquid outlet chamber.

[0014] In the above-mentioned filter, the filter housing is divided into an upper shell and a lower shell, the upper shell has a liquid inlet, the lower shell has a liquid outlet, and a sealing ring is provided at the abutment point between the upper shell and the lower shell.

[0015] In the above-mentioned filter, the upper shell and the lower shell press the composite membrane element tightly, and at least one sealing ring 2 is provided between the composite membrane element and the upper shell or the lower shell.

[0016] Compared with the existing technology, the technical effect achieved by adopting this technical solution is: the upper shell and the lower shell are fixedly connected, and the upper shell and the lower shell press the composite membrane element tightly. In addition, a sealing ring 2 is provided between the composite membrane element and the upper shell or the lower shell, which can effectively isolate the liquid inlet cavity and the liquid outlet cavity. The filter has a simple structure, low cost and easy maintenance.

[0017] In the above-mentioned filter, the filter also includes a pressing piece, which is fixed to the filter housing by bolt connection, and a sealing ring 2 is arranged between the composite membrane element and the filter housing, and the pressing piece presses the composite membrane element and the sealing ring 2 to the lower shell or the upper shell.

[0018] Compared to existing technologies, this solution achieves the following technical benefits: The composite membrane element and sealing ring 2 are compressed against the upper or lower shell using a compression member, creating a sealed connection between the composite membrane element and one of the shells. This allows for a separate liquid inlet and outlet chambers after assembly of the upper and lower shells. Pre-compression and securing the composite membrane element with the compression member allows for a clearer view of the assembly process, allowing for immediate detection of any sealing issues.

[0019] The technical solution of the utility model has the advantages:

[0020] 1) Composite membrane elements can solve the problem of sticky solids blocking the separation membrane and causing the filtrate to be unable to filter through the superposition of the guide net and the separation membrane.

[0021] 2) The filter uses a composite membrane element with multiple layers of separation membranes. Multiple layers of separation membranes with different filtration accuracies are combined together, and a guide net is added to prevent sticky solids from forming a filter cake layer. This improves the filter's filtration efficiency and increases the viable bacteria rate.

[0022] 3) Only a single filter is needed to achieve multi-stage filtration, which not only reduces the number of power pumps used during filtration, but also reduces the dead volume caused by multiple filtration devices, thereby improving the bacteria recovery rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the composite membrane element according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the filter structure of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a front view of the filter structure of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 For the utility model Figure 3 Cross-section along EE;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the filter in the inclined direction of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the figure, 10, composite membrane element; 111, guide net 1; 112, guide net 2; 121, separation membrane 1; 122, separation membrane 2; 123, separation membrane 3;

[0029] 20. Filter housing; 21. Upper housing; 211. Liquid inlet; 22. Lower housing; 221. Liquid outlet;

[0030] 30. Compression fittings;

[0031] 41. Sealing ring 1; 42. Sealing ring 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this utility model, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0035] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection; direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components, or interaction between two components, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0036] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediary. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0037] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] See also Figure 1 The composite membrane element 10 includes three filter membrane groups, each of which includes two layers of guide mesh and a layer of separation membrane. The three filter membrane groups are arranged in order as filter membrane group 1, filter membrane group 2, and filter membrane group 3. Filter membrane group 1 includes guide mesh 1 111, separation membrane 1 121, and guide mesh 2 112 stacked in sequence. Filter membrane group 2 includes guide mesh 1 111, separation membrane 2 122, and guide mesh 2 112 stacked in sequence. Filter membrane group 3 includes guide mesh 1 111, separation membrane 3 123, and guide mesh 2 112 stacked in sequence. The function of guide mesh 1 111 is to ensure that solid viscous matter first contacts guide mesh 1 111 during the bacterial liquid filtration process. Some of the solid viscous matter enters the mesh pores of guide mesh 1 111, while others remains on the surface of guide mesh 1 111. Without the guide mesh 111, the bacterial solution in front of the separation membrane is subjected to pressure, causing the solid sticky matter in it to gradually accumulate into a layer of filter cake, which can seriously affect the filtration effect. However, the guide mesh 111 separates the fixed sticky matter that would otherwise easily form a filter cake layer into individual pieces, allowing the bacterial solution to flow through the gaps in the mesh of the guide mesh 111, eliminating the obstruction of bacterial solution flow caused by filter cake clogging. This improves the situation where the filtration effect of the separation membrane is significantly reduced. The superposition of the guide mesh 111 and the separation membrane improves the situation where sticky solids clog the separation membrane, resulting in poor bacterial solution filtration, preventing separation membrane clogging and improving filtration efficiency.

[0040] Furthermore, the second guide mesh 112 can make it easier for finer solid viscous materials to flow after filtration. It also provides increased support for the separation membrane, enhancing its ability to withstand pressurized filtrate and preventing deformation that could affect filtration performance. The combination of two layers of guide mesh and one layer of separation membrane further reduces clogging and improves the filtration performance of the entire composite membrane element 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the separation membranes are used to separate particles of different sizes on both sides of the separation membrane. Separation membrane 1 121, separation membrane 2 122, and separation membrane 3 123 have different filtration accuracies and are arranged in increasing order of filtration accuracy. The initial bacterial solution is filtered through separation membrane 1 121, separation membrane 2 122, and separation membrane 3 123 in sequence, resulting in a bacterial solution with less fixed sticky matter.

[0042] Furthermore, the first and second guide nets 111 and 112 can be made of the same material and type, or different materials and types can be selected according to actual needs. For example, the guide nets can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, Teflon, polyethylene, polypropylene, or other materials suitable for the medical field. The guide nets can be made of any type with through holes, such as a perforated plate, a mesh, a woven mesh, or a honeycomb plate.

[0043] Furthermore, the sides of the multi-layered flow-guiding mesh and the multi-layered separation membrane are aligned and bonded together by applying glue to the sides. Alternatively, ultrasonic welding is performed at selected locations around the outer circumference of the flow-guiding mesh or along the entire circumference, joining the mesh and separation membrane together. While the specific bonding and welding structures are not shown in the accompanying drawings, the above methods are readily understood by those skilled in the art. Conventional glue used in medical devices is used as the adhesive.

[0044] It should be noted that the number of filtration membrane groups in the composite membrane element 10 in the first embodiment is not necessarily three, and can be increased or decreased according to actual needs. The minimum is one, and the maximum is unlimited.

[0045] It should be noted that the style of the composite membrane element 10 is not necessarily the same as Figure 1 Such a disc shape can also be a rectangular or irregular shape, or a barrel shape, that is, the guide net and the separation membrane are like an inner and outer layer of a barrel.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] See also Figures 2 to 5A filter for fecal bacteria separation includes a filter housing 20 and a composite membrane element 10. The space surrounded by the filter housing 20 is a filter inner cavity. The composite membrane element 10 is located inside the filter inner cavity and divides the filter inner cavity into two parts, namely a liquid inlet cavity and a liquid outlet cavity. One side of the liquid inlet cavity has a liquid inlet 211 for the flow of unfiltered bacterial liquid, and one side of the liquid outlet cavity has a liquid outlet 221 for the flow of filtered bacterial liquid. The arrangement of the separation membranes in the composite membrane element 10 is such that the one with lower filtration accuracy faces the liquid inlet cavity side and the one with higher filtration accuracy faces the liquid outlet cavity side. In this way, the bacterial liquid is filtered through the separation membranes with gradually increasing filtration accuracy in sequence, which can further prevent solid sticky matter from quickly clogging the separation membrane and improve the filtration effect. Using the composite membrane element 10 as the filter element of the filter solves the technical problem of sticky solid matter clogging the filter element, causing the filtrate to be unable to be filtered, and the multi-stage filtration effect can be achieved by only using a single filter, which greatly improves the filtration efficiency.

[0048] Furthermore, the filter housing 20 is divided into an upper housing 21 and a lower housing 22. The upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 can be fixed together by screws. The material of the filter housing 20 can be made of stainless steel, so that the filter can be used continuously and only the internal composite membrane element 10 needs to be replaced. The upper housing 21 has a liquid inlet 211 and the lower housing 22 has a liquid outlet 221. The liquid inlet 211 and the liquid outlet 221 can be connected to a joint for connecting to a liquid guide tube. The position where the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 abut each other has a sealing ring 41. When the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 are fixedly connected, the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 squeeze the sealing ring 41, so that the sealing ring 41 has a sealing effect.

[0049] Furthermore, the upper shell 21 and the lower shell 22 press the composite membrane element 10, and at least one sealing ring 42 is provided between the composite membrane element 10 and the upper shell 21 (or the lower shell 22). Figure 4 As shown, the lower shell 22 has a step for placing the second sealing ring 42. The second sealing ring 42 is placed on the step. The composite membrane element 10 is placed on the side of the second sealing ring 42 away from the lower shell 22, and the composite membrane element 10 contacts the upper shell 21 on the side away from the second sealing ring 42. The upper shell 21 and the lower shell 22 fix the composite membrane element 10 to be compressed, so no other additional fixing parts are required. When equipped with at least one second sealing ring 42, the bacterial liquid is unlikely to pass directly between the composite membrane element 10 and the upper shell 21 or the lower shell 22 during filtration, thereby improving the filtration effect of the filter.

[0050] Furthermore, the filter further comprises a pressing member 30, which is fixed to the filter housing 20 by bolt connection, and can be fixed to the upper housing 21 or the lower housing 22. Figure 5As shown, the lower shell 22 has a step for placing the second sealing ring 42. The second sealing ring 42 is placed on the step. The composite membrane element 10 is placed on the side of the second sealing ring 42 away from the lower shell 22, and the pressing member 30 is placed on the side of the composite membrane element 10 away from the second sealing ring 42. The pressing member 30 is fixed to the lower shell 22 to press the composite membrane element 10 and the second sealing ring 42 against the lower shell 22. In this way, after the composite membrane element 10, the second sealing ring 42 and the lower shell 22 are fixed by the pressing member 30, the bacterial liquid can only pass through the filtration of the composite membrane element 10 from the liquid inlet chamber to the liquid outlet chamber. By first fixing with the pressing member 30, the deformation of the composite membrane element 10 after compression can be observed, which avoids the situation where the filter filtration effect is unsatisfactory due to poor fixing.

[0051] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0052] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementations of the present invention. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present utility model patent shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A composite membrane element (10) for fecal bacteria separation, characterized in that: It includes multiple layers of guide nets and multiple layers of separation membranes. The filtration accuracy of the multiple layers of separation membranes is different and they are arranged in order of increasing filtration accuracy. Each layer of the separation membrane has the guide net on the same side, and the same side is the side where the separation membrane with high filtration accuracy faces the separation membrane with low filtration accuracy.

2. A composite membrane element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The composite membrane element (10) comprises a plurality of filter layer groups, wherein the filter layer group comprises a layer of the separation membrane and two layers of the guide nets, and the two layers of the guide nets are respectively located on both sides of the separation membrane.

3. A composite membrane element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide net can be a metal part or a plastic part, and the type of the guide net can be a perforated net or a woven net.

4. A composite membrane element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sides of the multi-layer guide net and the multi-layer separation membrane are aligned, and the guide net and the separation membrane are bonded to each other by applying adhesive on the sides.

5. A filter for fecal bacteria separation, characterized in that: The invention comprises a filter housing (20) and a composite membrane element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filter housing (20) surrounds and forms a filter inner cavity, and the composite membrane element (10) separates the filter inner cavity into a liquid inlet cavity and a liquid outlet cavity, wherein the liquid inlet cavity has a liquid inlet port (211), and the liquid outlet cavity has a liquid outlet port (221).

6. A filter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The filtration accuracy of the multiple layers of separation membranes is arranged in an order of gradually increasing filtration accuracy from the liquid inlet chamber to the liquid outlet chamber.

7. A filter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The filter housing (20) is divided into an upper housing (21) and a lower housing (22); the upper housing (21) has a liquid inlet (211), the lower housing (22) has a liquid outlet (221), and a sealing ring (41) is provided at the abutment point between the upper housing (21) and the lower housing (22).

8. A filter according to claim 7, characterized in that: The upper shell (21) and the lower shell (22) press the composite membrane element (10), and at least one sealing ring (42) is provided between the composite membrane element (10) and the upper shell (21) or the lower shell (22).

9. A filter according to claim 7, characterized in that: The filter further comprises a pressing member (30), wherein the pressing member (30) is fixed to the filter housing (20) by means of a bolt connection, and a second sealing ring (42) is provided between the composite membrane element (10) and the filter housing (20), and the pressing member (30) presses the composite membrane element (10) and the second sealing ring (42) onto the lower housing (22) or the upper housing (21).

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