Cap Filtration Assembly for Cellular Product Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting cellular products from growth media are inefficient, leading to significant product loss due to multiple processing steps, human intervention errors, and equipment costs, particularly in separating products from cells, cell fragments, and growth media.
Innovation Solution
A cap and filtration assembly tool with a porous frit and graded porosity filter that allows for the separation of products from cells and debris, potentially eliminating the need for centrifugation and reducing the number of processing steps, using a cap with a vent tube to apply positive pressure and prevent agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps (filtration, centrifugation, vacuum filtering, purification) are used to separate cellular products from media and cells, then the purity of the extracted product is improved, but the total product loss increases significantly (up to 70% loss)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separation functions (filtration and centrifugation) into a single integrated device. The filter assembly with graded porosity filters and centrifugal separation work together in one unit, allowing product separation from cells and media while minimizing handling transfers and reducing cumulative product loss across multiple discrete steps
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it filters out cells and debris, separates products from media through graded porosity, and enables centrifugal separation. This multi-functional approach replaces several specialized devices with one universal separation system, reducing overall product loss while maintaining purity
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional multi-step processing methods are used, then product separation and purification are achieved, but the processing time and human intervention increase, leading to more errors and higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing operations (filtration, centrifugation, separation) are merged into a single integrated filter assembly that performs all functions in one device, eliminating the need for sequential handling between multiple pieces of equipment and reducing processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is segmented into multiple filter layers with different porosities arranged in sequence, allowing different separation functions to occur simultaneously within one integrated structure rather than requiring multiple separate processing steps
3Manufacturing precision
If fine pore size filters are used to separate products from cells and debris, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the filter clogs more easily and requires successive filtering
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the filter assembly have different pore sizes optimized for different separation tasks. The graded porosity structure provides coarse filtration in upstream regions and fine filtration in downstream regions, allowing each local area to perform its specific function optimally without causing overall clogging
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is divided into multiple segments or layers with progressively different porosities. This segmentation allows the system to handle large particles first and progressively filter smaller particles, preventing clogging of the finest filters while maintaining high separation efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the yield of purified products by minimizing product loss and reducing processing time and costs, while ensuring a more efficient and less error-prone separation of cellular products from cells and media in a single filtration step.
Implementation Method 1
The filter porosity is selected and may vary per application or cell type to pass product expressed from cellular organisms grown in growth media inside the container while filtering out debris
Implementation Method 2
A cap vent connected to a vent tube extending into the container ullage allows positive pressure in the container ullage to expedite filtering and/or reduces agitation of the container contents
Data Source
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AI summary
A cap has recess containing a porous frit and a graded porosity filter located so fluid from a container to which the cap is connected passes through the filter and out a spout on the cap. The filter porosity is selected to pass product expressed from cellular organisms grown in growth media inside the container while filtering out debris. A cap vent allows positive pressure in the container ullage to expedite filtering and reduce agitation of the container contents. This is not just a cap with a filter but an enabling tool. This tool enables total design change in many processes from previous thinking, allowing for the maximization of purified material, and reduction of multiple steps.