Filter with memory, communication and concentration sensor

• US 20070243113A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: DiLeo, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/402,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20070243113A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7509 for virus
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/291 End caps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/08 Specific process operations in the concentrate stream
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/14 Pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/246 Concentration control
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/60 integrally combined with devices for controlling the filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/22 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/104 Detection of leaks in membrane apparatus or modules
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0618 of the filter type G01N15/0643 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/084 Testing filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00811 consumable or exchangeable components other than sample carriers, e.g. detectors, flow cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/905 Protein
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 Condition or time responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the concentration sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor 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 concentration values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read concentration values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing comprising at least one filtering element, comprising:

said filtering element, defining an upstream side in which unfiltered material exists and a downstream side into which filtered material is passed,

a concentration sensor located in said downstream side, and

a transmitter, in communication with said sensor.

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

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a solid state gas sensor, an optical fiber and an affinity based sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.

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

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said concentration 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 sensor is affixed to said filter element.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter housing further comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein said sensor is located in said outlet.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor is embedded in said filter element.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein based affinity based sensor comprises a microbalance and a suitable ligand.

12. A method of insuring the integrity of a filtering element within a filter housing,

locating a concentration sensor, in connection with a transmitter, on the downstream side of said filtering element;

introducing a tracer gas into said filter housing;

monitoring the concentration of said tracer gas at the downstream side of said filtering element using said sensor; and

comparing said concentration to a predetermined range to determine integrity of said filtering element.

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

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter and said method further comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting said monitored concentration to a receiver located outside of said housing.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said sensor comprises a solid state gas sensor.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said sensor is protected by a hydrophobic filter.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.

19. A method of insuring the integrity of a filtering element within a filter housing,

locating two concentration sensors, in connection with at least one transmitter, on the downstream side of said filtering element;

introducing two gasses in a known ratio into said filter housing;

monitoring the concentration of said two gasses at the downstream side of said filtering element using said sensor; and

comparing the ratio of said monitored concentrations to a predetermined range to determine integrity of said filtering element.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said monitoring step is performed at regular intervals.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter and said method further comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting said monitored concentrations to a receiver located outside of said housing.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said sensor comprises a solid state gas sensor.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said sensor is protected by a hydrophobic filter.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.

26. A method of maintaining a protein concentration at the membrane surface of a filtering element within a filter housing, comprising:

locating a concentration sensor, in communication with a transmitter, to the membrane surface of said filtering element;

monitoring the concentration of said protein using said sensor;

comparing said concentration to a predetermined range; and

adjusting the transmembrane pressure in response to said comparison.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of transmitting said monitored concentration to a receiver located outside of said housing.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said sensor comprises an optical fiber through which an IR or UV measurement is made.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said sensor comprises an affinity based sensor, based on an optical, electrical or piezoelectric detection method.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said affinity based sensor comprises a microbalance and a suitable ligand.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein said adjustment is calculated using a PID loop.