Patent Grant
7288195
Microfiltration is known as are filtration cells that produce a filtrate through microfiltration. U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,493 discloses a filtration cell for separating a filtrate from a fluid, such as plasma from blood, by means of micro-filtration. U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,923 discloses a particular filtration cell having application in the art of filtering plasma from blood by a microfiltration. U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,430 discloses an automated apparatus for effecting the filtration of biological fluids using a filtration cell of the type disclosed in the aforesaid two patents, and then further processing the cell to analyze the filtrate for various biological aspects, such as blood clotting time.
In recent years, the process of filtering and analyzing the fluid has been further developed to the point where it is fully automated. There is, however, a remaining problem namely the problem of specimen transfer. Present day microfiltration apparatus, such as the apparatus disclosed in the three above-cited patents and improvements thereon, provide a continuous flow operation for obtaining high quality biologic and other samples. Each specimen can be processed in about thirty seconds. Moreover, the capital cost for the equipment is less than alternative equipment for accomplishing the same result. Despite its advantages, such apparatus does not solve all the problems of automation. Current approaches to specimen transfer severely limit automation. Specimen transfer requires precision pumps and rinse solution. All automated specimen processing systems share these problems. This translates into increased equipment costs as well as biohazardous waste transfer and disposal costs. Other costs include operating costs such as reagent fluid, disposable tubing, waste containers and waste transfer and disposal expenses.
Each specimen transfer requires additional time in the process cycle. Specimen transfer takes about 45 seconds to perform using the Bio/Data Corporation MCA 310 which is a present day version of the apparatus disclosed in the three patents cited above. The filtration cycle requires only 17 to 20 seconds. Thus the specimen transfer process, when coupled with the filtration cycle requires about 1 minute. This is a reasonable rate for processing specimens, but the preliminary step of specimen transfer takes almost three quarters of that time. Analysis of the specimen transfer process helps define the problem. The specimen transfer operation may be outlined as follows:
Moreover, apparatus for performing the transfer operation includes the following:
A rinse solution reservoir.
A precision pump.
A mechanism for mixing the specimen.
A mechanism for articulating the piercing needle.
A waste collection container.
There is a need in the art for a microfiltration cell which minimizes the time associated with specimen transfer and the additional equipment associated therewith and which improves the time associated with use of microfiltration cells. There is also a need in the art for a microfiltration cell which provides further control of specimen and sample handling and the type and volume of samples which may be taken as filtrate from the microfiltration cell. Additionally, there is a need for a microfiltration cell which improves internal specimen handling and removes as much specimen as possible in order to provide either small or large volumes of sample depending on particular applications. The present invention uses a single pressure source and can achieve these advantages such as others as outlined further below in the description of the present invention.
The present invention provides a process for filtering a fluid. The process includes providing a filtration cell having a filter membrane, a base configured to receive filtrate passing through the membrane, and a flow channel open to the filter membrane. A flow of the fluid is provided through the flow channel substantially tangent to the filter membrane in a first direction and a second direction substantially opposing the first direction, whereby the fluid reciprocally flows across the filter membrane. Filtrate passing through the membrane is collected.
The present invention also provides a filtration system including a filtration cell. The filtration cell includes a containment vessel for containing a fluid to be filtered. A flow channel having first and second openings is connected to the containment vessel for providing a fluid flow path between the first and second openings. A filter membrane substantially tangentially aligned with the fluid flow path is connected to the flow channel, and a filtrate receiving area is positioned adjacent the filter membrane opposite the flow channel, wherein the filtrate receiving area is separated from the fluid flow path by the filter membrane. A fluid pressure source is connected to the containment vessel for providing a flow of fluid along the flow path through the flow channel. A controller is connected to the fluid pressure source adapted to control the fluid pressure source to displace the fluid alternately in a first direction along the flow path and in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction along the flow path.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, where like numerals indicate like elements throughout, an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangement and instrumentality shown.
In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The words “right,” “left,” “outwardly” and “inwardly”, and “down” and “up”, designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “proximal” and “distal” refer to directions away from and closer to, respectively, the interior of the filtration cell according to the present invention. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
The following describes preferred embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein. Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in
As used herein, “filtration” is preferably intended to mean passing a fluid to be filtered through a filter membrane to result in collected filtrate for use in sample analysis and encompasses both smaller and larger volume specimens preferably using microfiltration. Microfiltration is intended to mean filtration of a specimen to separate particles of from about 0.01 μm to about 20 μm in size as measured in the longest dimension of the particle. A micro filtration evaluation module is intended to refer to a computer driven microfiltration device for scientific evaluation of a microfiltration process. A microfiltration system encompasses a microfiltration unit, which according to the present invention is a fully enclosed, fully functional specimen processing unit which is preferably self-contained, a compromised specimen tube piercing feature and other related features as described herein. A microfiltration cell, for a 0.5 ml cell, and preferably of configuration as shown in
A direct specimen transfer filtration cell according to the present invention is a microfiltration cell that removes the specimen from a specimen tube and provides a sample for analysis directly. A sample taken from the cell may be collected by several methods, including use of a spout bottom in which the outlet of the microfiltration cell can dispense filtrate directly into another container, and the use of a bottom fill well in which the filtrate is collected in a well on the microfiltration cell. In one embodiment of the invention the well is fed with filtrate from the bottom Also as used herein with reference specifically to the present invention, small volume microfiltration direct specimen transfer filtration cells include those which have one reservoir chamber and which can produce approximately or precisely 100 μl of filtrate and large volume microfiltration direct specimen transfer filtration cells include cells according to this invention which has at least two reservoir chambers and is capable of processing approximately or precisely 1.5 ml of filtrate.
The term “specimen” is intended to refer to a fluid to be tested, such as a blood specimen taken from a patient. A “sample” is intended to refer to filtrate resulting from processing in a microfiltration cell such as plasma or serum taken from a blood specimen. The filtrate and fluid to be filtered in the specimen and sample, respectively, however, should not be considered limited to blood and blood components. Further, while the above terms have the preferred meanings as described above, they are further defined within the context and meaning of the disclosure and their use should not be deemed limited by the preferred definitions set forth above.
The present invention eliminates the specimen transfer operation of prior art filtration systems and thus enhances the operation of the overall system In one embodiment, the liquid container becomes one chamber of the filtration cell which heretofore has used two filtration chambers or “reservoirs,” each chamber being alternately filled and emptied as the fluid is passed over the microfiltration membrane as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,923. This is an acceptable, simple design which and works well for small volumes.
The present invention will now be described with respect to the following non limiting description and with reference to the drawings. The new filtration cell of the present invention which is capable of direct sampling of a fluid specimen from a container, herein generally referred to as 10 and as shown in exploded schematic view in
The single reservoir chamber serves the same purpose and made be configured in the manner of one of the reservoirs 108 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,923, incorporated herein by reference. References to components and features shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,923 will use the reference numbers of that patent for convenience. The reservoir 12 as shown in
Mounted on the support 14 as shown in
The flow channel 24 which extends between the piercing instrument and the reservoir is open to the filter membrane 18 so that fluid to be filtered can be directly passed from a fluid container 26 over the filter membrane 18 as it is transferred from the hollow interior 17 of the piercing instrument 16, through the flow channel 24 into the reservoir 12.
The filtration cell 10 as described can be used to directly filter the fluid in the container. As such, the present invention further provides a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a fluid container, such as container 26 to a filtration cell. The process will be described generally with reference to
The outlet port 25 in the base of the filter is also sealed to provide an airtight system. A volume of air is pumped into the reservoir chamber, through the flow channel, and into the specimen tube 26 to pressurize the tube and filtration cell 10 as shown in
The process further includes withdrawing the piercing instrument, preferably by automated process system equipment as described further below. However, the piercing instrument may be manually withdrawn as well. The process may also be practiced using the further preferred embodiments of a filtration cell according to the invention as shown in
The preferred embodiment of a filtration cell 10b shown in
The process using the embodiment of
Alternatively, the process of the invention may be carried out using the filtration cell 10a shown in
The filtration cell incorporates the unique ability to reciprocally or tangentially flow the specimen across a membrane with only a single pressure input as shown in
The foregoing process, using the filtration cells 10, 10a, 10b shown in
The present invention, in the embodiments described herein, provide alternative configurations for introducing air pressure into the specimen tube to fully remove the blood and enable the user to handle larger volumes. If only a single reservoir is used, the ability to separate contents of 5 ml or larger becomes more difficult. As a result, for larger specimens, the two reservoir design, described herein, is useful and reduces damage which may be caused to liquids to be purified, such as blood, which may be damaged by the repeating cycling through the small orifice in the prior design and due to the concentration of cells after 150 μl of plasma has been removed from the blood specimen. The embodiments described herein provide an optimal small volume flow channel for smaller specimens and for larger volumes, an extra cell and/or a side air inlet, such as air inlet 60, including varying pressurization schemes may be used to assist in forcing substantially all, preferably all fluid from the specimen tube as described further below for handling larger volumes.
Further, the direct specimen transfer filtration cells of the present invention in the preferred embodiment is physically joined to the sample well or container through an outlet. As such, the integrity of the sample identification is maintained throughout the filtration process and subsequent processes, which prevents significant errors which may cause patient harm or death as a result of a mislabeled or mishandled sample or because of aliquot errors. In addition, possible sample contamination from handling is avoided.
Another benefit of a system that operates without sample or specimen transfer is that it is a closed system which is fully enclosed and automated. As such, it is safer to operate since there is no exposure to hazardous samples or specimens, rinse and waste fluids as would occur during the now eliminated transfer step. Moreover, there is no carryover of excess fluid as ordinarily occurs during a transfer process. Specimens and samples, particularly biologicals, undergo artifactual changes caused by pH and other changes resulting from atmospheric exposure. A closed system precludes such changes and maintains the specimen and sample in a more physiologic environment throughout the process of microfiltration and sample handling. Consequently, there is less risk of contamination or dilution even in the microvolume range-that the system capabilities can handle, and the system works at lower volumes.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it allows the user to do analyses that could not previously be done. Elimination of mechanical separation processes (such as centrifugation) results in better filtrates capable of responding to the analytic techniques which heretofore have been precluded from use. Other separation technologies, including centrifugation, vertical filtration, chemical and the like result in either contaminated filtrates or filtrates in which the analyses are affected by the process such that, typically, larger specimens must be processed. Cross flow microfiltration produces “clean filtrates.” Further, microfiltration is not constrained by sample size. Analytical techniques applied to microfiltered samples are not hindered by the presence of unwanted particulates nor does the process affect the analytes. Accordingly, very small sample volumes can be processed for analysis. The ability to process and manage microvolumes of samples is particularly useful in many applications requiring a high degree of purity and unaffected analyte, such as, for example, in veterinary applications where plasma rather than serum is the preferred analytical matrix.
The generation and control of filtrates may be done in parallel with the filtration cycle. The present invention provides the benefit of being able to dispense filtrate in various ways for exercising control over the manner in which the filtrate is collected and dispensed, for example, the filtrate may be taken in an unmeasured collection, as an approximate measure, as a precise measure even in microliters.
In another embodiment of the present invention, as best shown in
The present invention overcomes the problem of trapped air in an open well by providing a microfiltration cell 10′ that fills a well from the bottom up. Consequently, the plasma remains uniform as it fills the well. Another benefit of providing a well that fills from the bottom up is that the microfiltration cell itself requires less expensive parts and is easier to assemble, thereby reducing its overall cost to manufacture.
In further discussion of the preferred embodiments of the filtration cells of the invention, and referring now to the drawings,
The support 14 also retains an upstanding piercing instrument 16. The piercing instrument 16 is hollow having interior space 17 and opens through the support 14 as shown in
The filtration cell includes a filter membrane 18 whose purpose is to filter fluid passing across its top surface. Filter membrane 18 can be a microporous membrane but the invention is not limited to any particular type of filter. Filtrate moves through the filter membrane 18 and is collected in the base 20. The base 20 collects the filtrate and guides it via channels to an outlet port 22. The guide path for the filtrate is substantially the same as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,923 which is referred to and incorporated herein by reference.
As best shown in
The specimen container 26 may be any conventional container for holding a specimen of fluid to be analyzed. As illustrated, the specimen container 26 is a specimen tube closed at its open end by a conventional closure device having a relatively soft material, such as a polymeric or elastomeric material that can be penetrated by the piercing instrument 16. However, it is within the scope of the invention to use a container which is itself capable of being breached by a piercing instrument and the invention should not be considered limited with respect to the particular type of container to be used, except to the extent it may be compromised by a piercing instrument such as piercing instrument 16. The closure device 28 may also include a septum or similar device.
In the preferred embodiment, the reservoir 12 is provided with upper and lower optical paths 30 and 32, respectively. In the further preferred, alternative embodiments of
The process for direct sample filtration is best understood by reference to
The next step in the process is to apply pressurized air through the filter head 34. The air passes through the flow channel 24, the piercing instrument 16 into the container 26. Air is preferably applied at a pressure of approximately 2 to 10 pounds per square inch (psi). The air pressure should be kept as low as possible consistent with obtaining proper filtration. Low air pressure avoids potential physical damage to, such as cellular deformity, and the migration of constituents of the specimen being filtered, particularly with respect to biological fluids. For example, it is desirable to use a pressure of 2.75 psi (120 mm of mercury) when processing blood because this is equal to normal blood pressure in the human body.
Next, the air pressure is relieved and air exhausted from the reservoir 12. The residual air pressure in the container 26 forces the specimen of blood to flow through the piercing instrument, through the flow channel and into the reservoir 12. Flow in the direction described continues until the upper optical path 30 senses the specimen or fluid level. Then pressurized air is again applied to the surface of the fluid within the reservoir 12. This time the outlet port 22 is opened by removing the seal 36. The fluid now flows back through the flow channel 24 and piercing instrument into the container 26. Flow of the fluid in this direction continues until the lower optical path 32 senses a low fluid level. The process is then again reversed and repeated. Each reciprocal passing of the fluid over the filter membrane causes a filtrate to pass through the membrane where it is dispensed through the output port 22. The cycle is repeated several times to produce a desired volume of filtrate.
The amount of filtrate is dependent on the specimen volume, the membrane surface area and the number of reciprocating filtration cycles. The range, however, is limitless, from micro liters to liters.
Initial testing of a system operating in accordance with the foregoing indicates that the time for the machinery to pick a container 26, such as a conventional specimen tube, and place the specimen tube is about 10 seconds. Adding the filtration cycle time of about 17 to 20 seconds, the total time to obtain a volume of filtrate sufficient for analysis is of less than 30 seconds. This is about one-half the time it took to complete the previous process.
An advantage of the apparatus and method thus described is that it need not necessarily be used with relatively complex batch microfiltration equipment. The unit or filtration module preferably includes a filtration cell in accordance with the invention, a suitable printed circuit board for process control, a standard power supply, an air reservoir and a filter head, such as the filter head described herein. The printed circuit board, power supply and air reservoir as well as the filter head can be designed in accordance with those available or known to those skilled in the art or to be developed, provided the filter head can accommodate the alternative designs described herein. The unit or filtration module can be made relatively small, (approximately 12 inches by 8 inches by 12 inches high) and is inexpensive to manufacture. This means several units can be placed together in a small area for high throughput. The units can also be used individually. For example, a unit may be portable and battery operated. This allows for its use in an operating suite, in emergency vehicles, or remote locations.
Use in an emergency vehicle allows the plasma for blood analysis to be prepared by the time the patient arrives at the hospital. When used at remote locations, the plasma can be prepared and frozen for shipment. In an operating suite, the unit can be used to prepare a sufficient quantity of plasma to help stop the patient from bleeding. As hereinafter explained, there is an existing method of mixing plasma and clotting agents, and then applying this mixture to the patient's sutured wound. The mixture helps stop postoperative bleeding.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Bottom fill causes the filtrate to fill the well from the bottom up. The result is the plasma or other viscous filtrate remains as a unified drop as it fills the well. Thus no air is trapped in the filtrate within the well.
Bottom up fill has especial applicability when working with small volumes of filtrate, particularly volumes measured in microliters delivered into a well of comparable size. Moreover, bottom up fill allows for use of a variety of fluids since the variations in viscosity do not affect performance of the filtering process and delivery to the collection well.
Referring to
During operation, pressure provided by a filter head draws fluid from a container on the piercing instrument 116, along the channel 124 through the pre-filter 140. The pre-filtered fluid is then alternately passed between the reservoirs 112, 113, and filtrate then moves past the filter membrane 118 and is collected in the well 142. The pre-filter 140 filters the fluid before it reaches the reservoirs 112, 113 and allows the filter membrane 118 to work more efficiently thereby speeding the filtration process and producing a higher quality of filtrate. For example, when filtering a blood specimen in the microfiltration cell 110, a quantity of red blood cells or other interference could be reduced in the pre-filter 116. When filtering a serum specimen, cells, fibrin strands, or other interference could be reduced.
The pre-filter 140 described above and the pre-filters 240, 340 described below are preferably of the type having a torturous path which freely passes liquids but traps solids, for example, typical depth filters or cell traps. Filter materials can be chosen based on their ability to trap cells or other solids, and treatments such as surface treatments can be applied to the filter materials to enhance cell trapping or solids trapping properties. Example filter materials include plastic open cell foam, glass fibers, cotton fibers, and hollow core tubular filters. The pre-filter can also be configured to utilize chemical or biological characteristics to bind cells, fibrin strands or other solids present in a fluid sample. Alternatively, the pre-filter can employ an electric potential or a temperature differential to attract solids from a fluid.
Referring to
Referring to
The container 326 includes a pre-filter 340 which can be inserted into the container 326 as shown in
After installing the pre-filter 340, the container can be installed on the microfiltration cell 310 as shown in
Although the present invention is primarily intended for separating plasma from blood, it is not so limited. It may be used for other biological fluids such as urine, serum, or serous fluids. Alternatively, it may be used for non-biological fluids. Or it may be used generally where direct transfer of a fluid from a container to the filtration apparatus is desirable.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application is continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/853,382, filed May 25, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,834 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/068,331, filed Feb. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,240, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/580,987, filed May 30, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,956, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/136,668, filed May 28, 1999. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/853,382, 10/068,331 and 09/580,987, as well as U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/136,668 are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth
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