Filtration Assembly with Integrated Drain for Microbiological Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filtration assemblies for microbiological testing require manual handling steps that lead to potential contamination and inconsistent test results due to unprotected filter elements and multiple handling steps, resulting in handling errors and variability between tests.
Innovation Solution
A filtration assembly with a self-supporting membrane support and integrated drain member that allows for seamless transfer to a media cassette without manual handling, ensuring reproducibility and protection from contamination, featuring a lid device with a hinge for defined positions and a venting mechanism to enhance drying and incubation stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling steps are used to transfer the filter element to the nutrient container, then the filter element can be accessed and transferred, but contamination risk increases and test result consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter holder integrates multiple functions: it holds the filter element during filtration, provides a sealing surface for the nutrient container, and serves as the incubation chamber. This merging eliminates the need to transfer the filter element between separate containers, preventing contamination while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter holder is designed as a multi-functional component that performs filtration support, sealing, and incubation functions. The same component that holds the filter during filtration becomes the sealed container for incubation, eliminating handling steps and ensuring test reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the filter element is left exposed during transfer steps, then manual handling is possible, but protection from contamination is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nutrient container is prepared and positioned on the filter holder before the filtration process completes. The sealing surface is pre-configured, so that immediately after filtration, the nutrient container can be sealed without exposing the filter element, preventing contamination while maintaining accessibility.
3Device complexity
If a simple drain structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but drainage efficiency and incubation stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drain structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a drain channel for fluid removal, a collecting surface for condensate accumulation, and a venting opening for air circulation. This segmentation improves drainage efficiency and incubation stability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting opening acts as an intermediary that allows controlled air circulation between the incubation chamber and the external environment. This mediator function stabilizes the incubation conditions by preventing pressure buildup while maintaining sterility, improving reliability without complex mechanisms.
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 assembly provides a cost-effective, intuitive, and reproducible process that minimizes contamination risks and ensures consistent test results by integrating a drain member for improved drainage and incubation, reducing manual handling and enhancing membrane protection.
Implementation Method 1
a venting opening (32), distinct from the discharge port, penetrating the drain member (30) from the side opposite to the collecting surface to the side of the collecting surface to allow ambient air to be supplied to the collecting surface via a circular air groove (34) formed on the surface of the drain member (30) facing the membrane and surrounding the collecting surface and in communication with the radial flow channel(s) (31)
Implementation Method 2
mounting the second side of the membrane support (10) with the drain member (30) on a suction device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention concerns a filtration assembly (1) 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 fluidtightly 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 drain member (30) removably and fluid tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a drain channel space adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on an opposite axial side of the membrane support (10).