Filter apparatus and methods to capture a desired amount of material from a sample suspension for monolayer deposition, analysis or other uses
First Claim
1. An apparatus for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter for deposition on a receiving surface, comprising a filter, a member to support said filter, means for providing a pressure to cause said sample suspension to flow through said filter, means for sensing said pressure across said filter so as to determine the flow rate of said sample suspension through said filter, thereby indicating the amount of material captured on said filter, means for adjusting said flow rate of said sample suspension through said filter, and a receiving surface which receives said captured material from said filter.
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Abstract
The present invention is a filter apparatus with methods to capture a desired amount of material suspended in a liquid or gas for monolayer deposition, analysis or other uses. Novel filter devices are employed to capture material which may be used for the purification or enrichment of various sample constituents or captured material may be observed or analyzed. Alternatively, particulate material may be used as a transport mechanism for proteins or chemicals which in turn may be assessed or used. The filter device employs means to sense pressure and adjust, halt or otherwise control sample flow. The pressure sensor essentially monitors the flow rate of sample suspension through a filter, typically responding at a predetermined pressure associated with capture of a desired amount of material on the filter. A separate valve or valve integrated with pressure sensing provides a means to adjust sample flow. Typically, pressure is used to provide a means to cause the sample suspension to flow through the filter, which is preferably a membrane filter for monolayer deposition. In some embodiments a novel syringe provides this pressure, functioning as a vacuum source. The filter apparatus may be further automated to process a plurality of samples, simultaneously.
85 Citations
52 Claims
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1. An apparatus for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter for deposition on a receiving surface, comprising
a filter, a member to support said filter, means for providing a pressure to cause said sample suspension to flow through said filter, means for sensing said pressure across said filter so as to determine the flow rate of said sample suspension through said filter, thereby indicating the amount of material captured on said filter, means for adjusting said flow rate of said sample suspension through said filter, and a receiving surface which receives said captured material from said filter.
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12. An apparatus for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
a filter a member to support said filter, means for providing a pressure to cause said sample suspension to flow through said filter, a pressure-sensitive check valve in communication with said pressure, whereby said check valve vents said pressure when said pressure reaches a predetermined level, and a receiving surface which receives said captured material from said filter.
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19. An apparatus for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
a filter made of a deformable substance a body member having a top and a bottom, said filter being disposed between said top and said bottom of said body member, an inlet port for said sample suspension, situated in said bottom of said body member, an outlet port for said sample suspension, situated in said top of said body member, said outlet port having an area less than the area of said filter, said inlet port and said outlet port thereby providing a pathway for said sample suspension to flow through said filter means for providing a pressure to cause said sample suspension to flow through said filter, whereby said filter deforms within said body member so as to adjust the flow of said sample suspension through said filter, and a receiving surface which receives said captured material from said filter.
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27. A method for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
providing a pressure to cause said sample suspension to flow through a filter, sensing said pressure across said filter so as to determine the flow rate of said sample suspension through said filter, thereby determining the amount of material captured on said filter, and adjusting said flow rate of said sample suspension through said filter at a predetermined pressure, and transferring said captured material from said filter to a receiving surface.
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38. A method for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a filter, comprising
providing a pressure to cause said sample suspension to flow through said filter, providing a pressure-sensitive check valve in communication with said pressure, and at a predetermined pressure, using said pressure-sensitive check valve to adjust said flow of said sample suspension through said filter when a desired amount of material has been captured on said filter, and transferring said captured material from said filter to a receiving surface.
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45. A method for capturing a desired quantity of material from a sample suspension on a deformable filter, comprising
disposing said deformable filter between a body member having a top and a bottom, providing a pressure to cause said sample suspension to flow through said deformable filter, deforming said deformable filter within said body member to adjust the flow of said sample suspension through said deformable filter, and transferring said captured material from said filter to a receiving surface.
Specification