Apparatus and method for filter cleaning by ultrasound, backwashing and filter movement during the filtration of biological samples

Abstract

The present application is directed to the separation of—a solid fraction from a fluid sample particularly a therapeutic cellular fraction from a biological sample such as a bone marrow sample by a porous filter () which separates a filtration unit () into an upper pre-filtration chamber () into which a fluid sample () requiring cell separation is introduced and a lower post-filtration chamber () into which a fluid () capable of transmitting an acoustic standing wave is introduced. An acoustic element () is coupled to a substrate () which is located within and at the bottom of the lower chamber () and which resonates in response to the acoustic generating element () and generates a standing wave through the two fluid phases and the filter to agitate the sample (). Simultaneously, a cyclic process of vacuum draw (). causes movement of the sample () downwards through the filter (). Vacuum pressure, fluid flow rate and frequency of vibration are controlled from a remote unit housing appropriate pumps and valves.