Coated Crossflow Filter Membranes for Biological Material Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crossflow filtration methods often compromise the viability of biological materials such as cells, viruses, and proteins due to exposure to temperature, dissolved gases, and mechanical damage during the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A crossflow filtration system comprising a porous substrate with a coating to minimize mechanical damage and maintain the integrity of biological materials, featuring a fractional filtration system with multiple modules for controlled temperature and gas environments, and a coating on the filter membrane to reduce shear stress and enhance the passage of biological materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If crossflow filtration methods are used to separate biological materials, then separation efficiency is improved, but viability of biological material deteriorates due to mechanical damage, temperature exposure, and dissolved gases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into multiple crossflow filtration modules with different pore sizes arranged in series. Each module performs a specific separation function, allowing gradual concentration and separation of biological materials while minimizing exposure to harsh conditions in any single module, thereby maintaining viability while achieving efficient separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different pore size specifications to different modules in the filtration system. Each module is designed with pore sizes optimized for specific separation requirements, creating localized filtering conditions that are gentle on biological materials while maintaining overall separation efficiency. The coating on filter membranes also provides localized protection against mechanical damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If filtration is performed to separate biological materials from suspension, then purification is improved, but mechanical damage to biological material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs filter membranes with specialized coatings that create a flexible, protective interface between the biological materials and the rigid porous substrate. This coating layer reduces mechanical stress and shear forces on biological materials during filtration, allowing high purification without excessive mechanical damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple filtration modules with progressively different pore sizes to achieve purification through staged filtering rather than single-step harsh filtration. This parameter variation in pore size across modules allows gentle concentration and separation, reducing mechanical damage while maintaining purification effectiveness.
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
The system effectively separates and concentrates biological materials while maintaining their viability by minimizing mechanical damage and controlling environmental factors, allowing for the precise separation and processing of sensitive biological materials.
Implementation Method 1
a coating on the filter membrane to reduce shear stress and enhance the passage of biological materials
Implementation Method 2
crossflow filter membranes comprise a porous substrate and a coating overlying the porous substrate
Implementation Method 3
a coating overlying the porous substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Coated crossflow filter membranes, crossflow filters comprising the coated filter membranes and crossflow filtration systems for separating material such as biological material sensitive to temperature, dissolved gases, and mechanical damage are disclosed.