초록 ▼

A system for separating at least one constituent from a liquid suspension such as blood induces high velocity flow by viscous drag about the circumference of a spinner having a filtration membrane with pore sized selected for the desired constituent. The high velocity circumferential flow is bounded

A system for separating at least one constituent from a liquid suspension such as blood induces high velocity flow by viscous drag about the circumference of a spinner having a filtration membrane with pore sized selected for the desired constituent. The high velocity circumferential flow is bounded by a spaced apart shear wall, with a spacing selected relative to the diameter of the spinner and its rotational velocity, also with respect to the viscosity of the suspension, to establish a flow within the shear gap, as substantial centrifugal forces are exerted upon the suspension. Under these conditions, in contact with the membrane and filtrate passes through the membrane is replenished with minimal adverse effects from deposition and concentration polarization, and with high efficiency because of high shear levels that are maintained. The filtrate is collected within the interior of the spinner in a conduit system and passed to an outlet orifice.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of filtering a fluid suspension having at least one biological cellular component that is characterized by having a nonrigid cell membrane free of a rigid outer cell wall, the cellular component being thereby subject to trauma when stressed, the method comprising

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of filtering a fluid suspension having at least one biological cellular component that is characterized by having a nonrigid cell membrane free of a rigid outer cell wall, the cellular component being thereby subject to trauma when stressed, the method comprising the steps ofconveying the fluid suspension from a source into a gap defined between a first surface that is located about an axis and a second surface that is concentric with the first surface and that has an attached microporous filter membrane having a pore size to separate filtrate from the fluid suspension to leave within the gap a concentrated suspension of the at least one cellular component that is subject to trauma,holding the first surface stationary while rotating the second surface and, with it, the filter membrane relative to the first surface about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap, to create movement of the fluid suspension within the gap without substantial trauma to the cellular component for inducing transport of the cellular component from the membrane while the fluid suspension is transported to the membrane,conveying filtrate through the microporous membrane to an outlet,withdrawing filtrate from the outlet, and withdrawing the cellular component from the gap.