PAN-PVP Hollow Fiber Virus Filter Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virus filter membranes are ineffective in removing virus particles, particularly parvovirus, due to issues with pore size consistency, protein adsorption, and fouling, which affect filtration efficiency and stability over time.
Innovation Solution
A hollow fiber membrane composed of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is developed, with a solution concentration of 8-12 wt% PAN and 2-6 wt% PVP in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, using a continuous solvent phase inversion spinning process, resulting in a membrane with a homogeneous sponge structure that effectively filters out virus particles while allowing antibody passage and maintaining high filtration rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional virus filter membranes are used, then filtration is performed, but pore size inconsistency leads to ineffective virus particle removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the membrane by incorporating polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with specific molecular weights (10,000-1,000,000 Da) into the polyacrylonitrile matrix. This compositional parameter change creates a more uniform pore structure during the phase inversion process, resulting in consistent pore sizes that effectively remove virus particles while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite membrane material combining polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in specific ratios (0.1-10 wt% PVP). This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of both polymers: PAN provides mechanical strength and pore formation, while PVP enhances pore size uniformity and stability, resulting in a membrane with consistent pore dimensions for reliable virus filtration.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional membranes are used, then filtration occurs, but protein adsorption and fouling reduce filtration efficiency and stability over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface chemical parameters of the membrane by incorporating PVP, which has specific surface properties that reduce protein adsorption. The molecular weight range of PVP (10,000-1,000,000 Da) is specifically selected to optimize surface characteristics that minimize fouling while maintaining pore structure, thereby extending the membrane's operational stability and reducing filtration efficiency degradation over time.
3Reliability
If high pore size uniformity is achieved for virus removal, then virus filtration improves, but membrane complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves pore size uniformity by controlling the phase inversion process parameters, including the concentration of PVP (0.1-10 wt%) and its molecular weight (10,000-1,000,000 Da). These parameter controls create a homogeneous sponge-like structure during membrane formation, ensuring consistent pore sizes for effective virus removal without requiring complex multi-layer or asymmetric structures, thus maintaining relative simplicity in the membrane design.
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 membrane demonstrates high rejection of gold nano-particles simulating parvovirus, high passage of IgG, high feed flux, low protein adsorption, and low fouling, ensuring stable filtration performance over time, effectively removing virus particles from liquids.
Implementation Method 1
continuous solvent phase inversion spinning process
Implementation Method 2
effectively filters out virus particles while allowing antibody passage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a virus filter membrane which can be used for the removal of virus particles including parvovirus. The invention further relates to a method for producing the membrane. The membrane comprises polyacrylonitrile and polyvinylpyrrolidone.