Modular Filtration Device with Positive Pressure Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-throughput screening devices face issues with solvent evaporation and bubble formation leading to filter medium blocking, and inability to measure filtrates without interrupting the filtration process.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with multiple units, where the first container is subjected to positive pressure and the second container is at ambient pressure, allowing continuous measurement of filtrates without interrupting the process, and enabling parallel characterization of different filter media and solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If negative pressure is applied to the lower section wells to enable filtration, then the medium to be filtered flows through the filter medium, but solvent evaporation increases leading to deposit formation and early blocking of the filter medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the pressure application approach by applying positive pressure to the upper section wells instead of negative pressure to the lower section. This reversal eliminates the harmful evaporation effect while maintaining filtration functionality, as the positive pressure drives filtration without creating the vacuum conditions that cause solvent evaporation and deposit formation
2Productivity
If negative pressure is applied to the lower section wells, then filtration occurs, but bubbles form on the downstream side leading to protein denaturation and aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the pressure differential approach by applying positive pressure to the feed side (upper section) rather than negative pressure to the filtrate side (lower section). This inversion prevents bubble formation on the downstream side, thereby avoiding protein denaturation and aggregation while maintaining effective filtration
3Measurement precision
If the filtration process is interrupted to measure filtrates, then measurement can be performed, but the process-oriented characterization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous measurement of filtrates during the filtration process by integrating measurement capabilities into the lower section wells. This allows the useful action of both filtration and measurement to continue simultaneously without interruption, maintaining process-oriented characterization while obtaining precise filtrate data
4Productivity
If multiple filter media are tested in parallel, then high-throughput screening is achieved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filtration device into multiple independent upper and lower sections that can be assembled in parallel. Each section can accommodate different filter media while sharing common structural elements and measurement systems. This segmentation enables high-throughput screening of multiple filter media without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the upper and lower sections with universal interfaces and standardized structures that can accommodate various filter media types. The lower sections serve multiple functions: collecting filtrate, enabling measurement, and preventing harmful effects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components for each test condition, thereby limiting complexity growth despite increased screening capacity
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
Enables efficient, parallelized filtration operations with continuous measurement of process parameters, reducing filter medium blocking and allowing for the evaluation of various filter media and solutions under identical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the first container (3) is designed to be subjected to positive pressure
Implementation Method 2
a filter medium (6) between the first container (3) and the second container (4) in order to filter the medium to be filtered
Implementation Method 3
measuring the conductivity of the filtrates (8) in the second containers (4)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a filtration device and to a method for characterizing a filter medium or a medium to be filtered. The filtration device comprises a plurality of filtration units. Each filtration unit comprises a first container, which is designed to receive a medium to be filtered, a second container, which is designed to receive a filtrate, at least one connecting line, which connects the first container to the second container, and a filter medium between the first container and the second container in order to filter the medium to be filtered. The first container is designed for the application of positive pressure thereto, and the second container is designed to receive a measurement instrument at ambient pressure.