Merck Patent Gmbh

Philippe Rivat

Mathieu Arrault

Vincent Schaal

Sylvain Frey

The invention concerns a filtration assembly for microbiological testing and a method of using the filtration assembly for that purpose. The filtration assembly () comprises a ring-like membrane support () holding a filtration membrane (), a cylindrical reservoir () of which opposite axial ends have openings and one axial opening is removably and fluid-tightly attachable to the membrane support () to define a sample volume adjacent to the filtration membrane () on one axial side of the membrane support (); and a lid device () removably and fluid tightly attachable to the other axial opening of the reservoir () to close the opening. Further, the lid device () is removably and fluid tightly attachable to the membrane support () so as to seal the one axial side of the membrane support () from the environment.

Filtration assembly and method for microbiological testing

The invention concerns a filtration assembly () for microbiological testing and a method of using the filtration assembly for that purpose. The filtration assembly () comprises a ring-like membrane support () holding a filtration membrane (), a cylindrical reservoir () of which opposite axial ends have openings and one axial opening is removably and fluid-tightly attachable to the membrane support () to define a sample volume adjacent to the filtration membrane () on one axial side of the membrane support (); and a drain member () removably and fluid tightly attachable to the membrane support () to define a drain channel space adjacent to the filtration membrane () on an opposite axial side of the membrane support ().

The invention concerns a frame () for holding a plurality of filtration assemblies () and a testing unit () for microbiological testing. The frame () for holding the plurality of filtration assemblies () comprises an array of supports () each configured to receive and support one of the filtration assemblies () on a common support plane (), and connection means () provided on the periphery () of the frame () and configured to releasably connect, by a form-locking engagement, a further frame () such that the common support planes () of the connected frames () are contiguous. Further, the testing unit () comprises at least one frame () packed in a bag () in pre-sterilized condition.

Frame for holding filtration assemblies and testing unit for microbiological testing

A filter device () for filtering complex fluid samples including a first filter funnel () having an inlet (), an outlet () and a first internal space (), and a second filter funnel () having an inlet (), an outlet () and a second internal space (). The first and second filter funnels () are sequentially arranged with a first filter medium () located therebetween such that a volume of sample fluid placed in the first internal space () can pass through the first filter medium () and be collected in the second internal space (). An intermediate connector () is provided between the first filter medium () and the internal space (). The intermediate connector () has a port () and/or a vent for communicating the internal second space () with an external gas source/atmosphere and/or a vacuum source via a valve arrangement ().

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Dorlisheim, France

Philippe Rivat