초록 ▼

The invention provides a compact device and simple method for circulating fluid over the surface of a membrane. The device comprises a housing that in combination with the surface of the membrane defines an enclosed volume through which the fluid is circulated. Some embodiments will include a membra

The invention provides a compact device and simple method for circulating fluid over the surface of a membrane. The device comprises a housing that in combination with the surface of the membrane defines an enclosed volume through which the fluid is circulated. Some embodiments will include a membrane holding layer, a fluid dispersing layer, or both. The membrane holding layer has an opening through it to expose a predetermined surface area of the membrane to the fluid. The dispersing layer has a set of openings, typically slits, through the dispersing layer to disperse fluid over the surface of the membrane. Some embodiments may include electrodes for sensing or applying electrical potential to the membrane. A particularly preferred embodiment comprises a double sided device including a first housing, dispersing layer and membrane holding layer on one side of a membrane and a second housing dispersing layer and membrane holding layer on the other side of the membrane. A separate fluid may be circulated through each housing over the two sides of the membrane. In some embodiments the membrane will be provided with at least one ridge that defines at least two parallel channels in which different types of cells may be held.

대표청구항 ▼

A device for circulating fluid over a membrane, the device comprising: a housing that in combination with the membrane defines an enclosed volume; means for circulating fluid through the enclosed volume defined by the housing and the membrane, said circulating means comprising an inlet and an outlet

A device for circulating fluid over a membrane, the device comprising: a housing that in combination with the membrane defines an enclosed volume; means for circulating fluid through the enclosed volume defined by the housing and the membrane, said circulating means comprising an inlet and an outlet in the housing, said inlet disposed to allow fluid to enter the enclosed volume in a direction generally parallel to the membrane; a dispersing member disposed in the enclosed volume and laterally spaced-apart from said membrane, said dispersing member defining at least a first and a second opening spaced over an exposed surface of the membrane, wherein the inlet and the outlet are disposed between the housing and the dispersing member; and a divider between the inlet and the outlet for directing the fluid entering through the inlet to flow through the first opening in the dispersing member in the direction of the membrane, across the membrane, through the second opening in the dispersing member and out the outlet. A method for circulating a fluid over a membrane, the method comprising: circulating the fluid through a housing that in combination with the membrane defines an enclosed volume, wherein the circulating step further comprises introducing the fluid into the enclosed volume through an inlet in a direction that is generally parallel with the membrane, directing the fluid with a first side of a divider to pass through at least one opening in a dispersing member that is laterally spaced-apart from the membrane so that the fluid is directed generally toward the membrane as it passes through the dispersing member, passing the fluid along the membrane, and directing the fluid back through another opening in the dispersing member so that the fluid may exit the housing through an outlet on a second side of the divider.