Filter with memory, communication and temperature sensor

• US 20070240578A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Millipore Corporation
• Original Assignee: Millipore Corporation
• Inventors: DiLeo, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/402,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20070240578A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 96/417
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/291 End caps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/54 Computerised or programmable systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/114 arranged for inward flow filtration B01D29/15, B01D29/33 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/429 Means for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/448 by temperature measuring
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/46 automatic

Abstract

The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the temperature of a filter element. A temperature transducer, and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the temperature of a filter element while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the temperature transducer. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate temperature transducer and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of temperature values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read filter temperatures in situ allows improved Sterilization-In-Place (SIP) protocol compliance, since the temperatures of actual filter elements can be directly measured, rather than interpolated as is done currently.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring the temperature of a filtering element, comprising:

said filtering element,

a temperature sensor in close proximity to said filtering element, and

a transmitter, in communication with said temperature sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a storage element in communication with said temperature sensor adapted to store measurements from said temperature sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is selected from the group consisting of a thermistor, a thermocouple, a temperature transducer, diode and a resistance thermal detector.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor and said transmitter are provided in a single enclosure.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a wireless receiver, adapted to receive signals transmitted from said wireless transmitter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is embedded in said filtering element.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said filtering element comprises an end cap, and said temperature sensor is embedded in said end cap.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said temperature is embedded in the downstream side of said filtering element.

11. A method of insuring the validity of a Sterilization using Steam-In-Place procedure performed on a filtering element within a filter housing, comprising:

providing a temperature sensor, in communication with a transmitter, in close proximity to said filtering element;

performing said sterilization-in-place procedure;

monitoring the temperature of said filtering element during said procedure; and

verifying that said monitored filter temperature is greater than a predefined minimum temperature.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said monitoring step is performed at regular intervals.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter, and said method further comprises the step of wireless transmitting said monitored temperature to a receiver located outside of said housing.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said temperature sensor is embedded in said filtering element.

15. A method for removing temperature variations from integrity test measurements utilizing pressurized gas, performed on a filtering element within a filter housing, comprising:

providing a temperature sensor, in communication with a transmitter, in close proximity to said filtering element;

performing said integrity test procedure;

monitoring the temperature of said gas within the housing during said procedure; and

incorporating said monitored temperature measurement into the interpretation of said integrity test.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said incorporating step comprises rejecting the results of said test if said monitored temperature is not within a predetermined range.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said incorporating step comprises adjusting the results of said test in response to said monitored temperature.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising monitoring the pressure of said gas, and normalizing said monitored pressure based on said monitored temperature.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said temperature sensor is embedded in said filtering element.