Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Baxter International Inc.

David Bellamy, Jr

David A Winchell

Paul R Prince

Shmuel Sternberg

Michael O Pekkarinen

Ludwig Wolf, Jr

John L Quick

Dale A Smith

A method and apparatus for filtering suspensions of medical and biological fluids, one aspect of which is separating a suspension comprising at least two types of particles which are differently sized or shaped and in which the first type of particle may be deformable at a relatively lower force and/or faster rate than the second type of particle. A filter member is provided having substantially precisely dimensioned pore sizes, with the pores being dimensioned to allow passage of the first type of suspended particle without distortion or only minimal distortion and passage of the second type of particle only with substantial distortion. Because the filter membrane has precisely dimensioned pores, with spacing between the pores being maintained despite the smaller interval between the pores, the porosity of the membrane may be much greater than nominal pore size membranes, allowing faster filtration rates and/or smaller membranes for a given filtration rate, while reducing the exposure time of the cells within the shear environment, and consequently reducing particle damage. Various methods for preventing clogging of the membrane are also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for filtering suspensions of medical and biological fluids or the like

An apparatus is disclosed for separating a suspension comprising at least two types of particles which are differently sized or shaped and in which the first type of particle may be deformable at a relatively lower force or faster rate than the second type of particle. A housing is provided having a generally cylindrical inner surface in which is mounted a rotor having a generally cylindrical outer surface. The outer surface of the rotor is spaced from the inner surface of the housing to define a suspension processing gap. A filter membrane is provided on the surface of the rotor or the housing that has pores with substantially precisely dimensioned shapes and sizes to correspond substantially to the shape of the first type of particle, thus allowing passage of the first type of particle and blocking passage of the second type of particle. A suspension is directed into the processing gap for either a selected residence time in contact with the filter membrane and/or at a selected force.

Method and apparatus for filtering suspension of medical and biological fluids or the like

A flexible container comprises first and second flexible sheets of plastic material having peripheral edges, which have been sealed together along a plane to create an interior chamber in the container. At least one of the first and second flexible sheets includes a preformed, stress-relieved region, which is extended outside the plane and overlies at least a portion of the interior chamber.

Heat and pressure-formed flexible containers

A fluid transfer assembly includes first and second connector members, each associated with a fluid conduit and having a meltable wall which normally seals the connector member, and thus the associated conduit. The connector members can be coupled together, with the meltable walls positioned in facing contact. One of the meltable walls includes a radiant energy absorbing material. The other meltable wall is relatively non-absorbant of radiant energy, but does conduct heat energy. By exposing the coupled assembly to a source of radiant energy, the one wall melts in response to thermal radiation, while the other wall conducts heat energy from the melting wall to also melt. By melting, the walls open a fluid path between the fluid conduits.

System for the sterile mixing of materials

A process for sterilizing a solution and thereafter transferring it to a solution container for storage. A sterilizing filter, flexible tubing and the solution container are provided as a pre-sterilized unit with a label indicating that the unit is sterile. A source of solution to be transferred is connected to an inlet of the sterilizing filter, and the solution is sterilized by transferring it from the source and through the sterilizing filter to the container via the flexible tubing. The integrity of the filter is determined by introducing a pressurized gas into the filter and observing through a light-transmissive portion in the sterile unit for gas bubbles, which would indicate a loss of filter integrity and unit sterility.

Process for sterilizing and transferring a solution

A container for storing and dispensing sterile liquids is provided with a hermetically sealed primary cap and overcap. The overcap and primary cap are provided, respectively, with an interlocking ring and undercut lip to provide for limited relative axial movement; the overcap and bottle neck are provided with interfitting lugs and ribs to provide for limited rotational movement. An outer ring has internal threads engaging external threads on the overcap and defines a jacking member whereby rotation of the outer ring moves the overcap upwardly to break the hermetic seals.

Growing community of inventors

Kenilworth, IL, United States of America

David Bellamy, Jr