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A filter cassette and a method for allowing a leak to be detected are disclosed, in which the filter cassette comprises a main body defining a first chamber. The main body includes an inlet and an outlet, a filter separating the first chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the inlet being in fl

A filter cassette and a method for allowing a leak to be detected are disclosed, in which the filter cassette comprises a main body defining a first chamber. The main body includes an inlet and an outlet, a filter separating the first chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the inlet being in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet. The main body also includes a second chamber is defined by the main body and the filter, wherein in absence of a leak the second chamber is substantially not in fluid communication with the first chamber. The main body further includes a port in fluid communication with the second chamber, whereby measuring a fluid characteristic in the second chamber by means of the port allows a detection of a leak, i.e. an external leak or a bypass leakage.

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1. A filter cassette for allowing a leak to be detected, the filter cassette comprising: a main body defining a first chamber, the main body comprising an inlet and an outlet;a filter separating the first chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the inlet being in fluid communication with the fir

1. A filter cassette for allowing a leak to be detected, the filter cassette comprising: a main body defining a first chamber, the main body comprising an inlet and an outlet;a filter separating the first chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the inlet being in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet;a second chamber defined by the main body and the filter, wherein in absence of a leak the second chamber is substantially not in fluid communication with the first chamber; anda port being in fluid communication with the second chamber;wherein measuring a fluid characteristic in the second chamber by means of the port enables detecting a sufficient leak. 2. A filter cassette as recited in claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a base and a cap separable from the base, and wherein the cap and the base are configured to frictionally fit together. 3. A filter cassette as recited in claim 2, wherein the main body further comprises a ring interposed between the cap and the base. 4. A filter cassette as recited in claim 2, wherein: the cap comprises: a first upper portion; a first lower portion having an external surface, the external surface having a depression; and a first wall separating the first upper and first lower portions; wherein the inlet is provided through the first wall;the base comprises: a second upper portion having an internal surface; a second lower portion;and a second wall separating the second upper and second lower portions; wherein the outlet is provided through the second wall, and the port is defined through the second upper portion; andthe second upper portion accommodates the first lower portion so as to form the first chamber between the first and second walls. 5. A filter cassette as recited in claim 4, wherein: the filter is interposed between the first and second walls;the first lower portion further comprises a lower perimeter; andthe filter is maintained between the lower perimeter and the second wall. 6. A filter cassette as recited in claim 5, wherein: the second chamber is further defined by the depression on the external surface of the first lower portion and the internal surface of the second upper portion; andthe second chamber communicates with an ambient environment through the port. 7. A filter cassette as recited in claim 5, wherein: the base comprises a first shoulder about the intersection of the second wall and the internal surface of the second upper portion. 8. A filter cassette as recited in claim 7, wherein: the base comprises a second shoulder upstream of the first shoulder. 9. A filter cassette as recited in claim 1, wherein a backup pad is provided immediately downstream of the filter. 10. A filter cassette for allowing an external leak or a bypass leakage to be detected, the filter cassette being in an ambient environment and comprising: a cap having: a first upper portion; a first lower portion having an external surface and a lower perimeter, the external surface having a depression; a first wall separating the first upper and first lower portions; and an inlet being provided through the first wall;a base having: a second upper portion having an internal surface and a port defined therethrough; a second lower portion; a second wall separating the second upper and second lower portions; and an outlet being provided through the second wall; anda filter;wherein upon assembly:the second upper portion accommodates the first lower portion so as to form a first chamber delineated by the first and second walls;the filter is interposed between the first and second walls and is maintained between the lower perimeter and the second wall; andthe depression on the external surface of the first lower portion and the internal surface of the second upper portion defines a second chamber communicating with the ambient environment through the port, wherein in absence of external leak or a bypass leakage the second chamber is generally isolated from the first chamber. 11. A method for detecting a leak in a filter cassette, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a filter cassette comprising:a main body defining a first chamber, the main body comprising an inlet and an outlet;a filter separating the first chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the inlet being in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet;a second chamber defined by the main body and the filter, wherein in absence of a leak the second chamber is substantially not in fluid communication with the first chamber; anda port being in fluid communication with the second chamber; and(b) measuring a fluid characteristic in the second chamber by means of the port. 12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the leak is at least one of an external leak and a bypass leakage. 13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the fluid characteristic is at least one of a pressure and a flow. 14. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising in step (b): obstructing the port;drawing a vacuum in the first chamber;measuring a pressure in the second chamber; andaccording to a variation of the pressure measured in the second chamber, selecting one of (a) not detecting a bypass leakage and (b) detecting a bypass leakage. 15. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising in step (b): obstructing the port;drawing a vacuum in the first chamber during a time period sufficiently long for bringing the first and the second chambers at a substantial pressure equilibrium;obstructing the inlet and the outlet;measuring a first pressure in the first chamber and a second pressure in the second chamber; andaccording to a variation between the first and the second pressures, selecting one of (a) not detecting an external leak and (b) detecting an external leak. 16. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising in step (b): obstructing the port;drawing a vacuum in the first chamber during a time period sufficiently long for bringing the first and the second chambers at a substantial pressure equilibrium;opening one element from the group consisting of the inlet, the outlet, and the inlet and the outlet;measuring a pressure in the second chamber; andaccording to a variation of the pressure measured in the second chamber, selecting one of (a) not detecting a bypass leakage and (b) detecting a bypass leakage. 17. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising in step (b): obstructing the port;generating a flow in the first chamber from one element from the group consisting of the inlet and the outlet;measuring a first flow in the inlet and a second flow in the outlet; andaccording to a variation of the first and second flows, selecting one of (a) not detecting an external leak and (b) detecting an external leak. 18. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising in step (b): generating a flow in the first chamber from one element from the group consisting of the inlet and the outlet;measuring a first flow in the inlet and a second flow in the outlet; andaccording to a variation of the first and second flows, selecting one of (a) not detecting a bypass leakage and (b) detecting a bypass leakage. 19. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising in step (b): generating a flow in the first chamber from one element from the group consisting of the inlet and the outlet;measuring a flow in the port; andaccording to a variation of the flow in the port, selecting one of (a) not detecting a leak and (b) detecting a leak. 20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the leak is selected from the group consisting of a bypass leakage, an external leak and a combination thereof.