Filtration device for quantitation of microorganism contaminated liquids
First Claim
1. A disposable filtration capsule suitable for use in the quantitation of targeted microorganisms in a microorganism-containing fluid sample, said disposable filtration capsule comprising:
- a) a polymeric housing having an inner surface, a sealable sample inlet and a sealable outlet;
b) a filter element having an upstream side and a downstream side, the filter element comprising a pleated membrane having a filter volume, an upstream side and a downstream side, the membrane also having a pore size such that a smallest targeted microorganism is substantially retained by said membrane, said membrane positioned between said sample inlet and said outlet such that fluid entering said sample inlet and exiting said outlet must flow through said membrane, a space between said membrane and said sample inlet defining an upstream, microorganism-retaining cavity, said membrane supported on its downstream side by a macroporous polymeric support, said membrane not having any occluding surface on its upstream side which would interfere with resuspension of microorganisms deposited on said membrane during filtering;
c) a distinct, elution-effective void volume having a geometrical volume which is at least 2.2×
the filter volume of said membrane, said distinct, elution-effective void volume being capable of containing a sufficient volume of elution solution and allowing for sufficient agitation to resuspend microorganisms deposited on the membrane during filtering;
d) optionally, an air purge valve communicating through said polymeric housing with said upstream, microorganism-retaining cavity;
e) optionally, a non-occluding mesh of suitable material fitting over the upstream side of the membrane such that the membrane when wet cannot substantially contact the inner surface of the housing causing an occlusion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Use of a disposable filtration capsule with a non-occluded membrane filter element in the place of a standard spiral wound cartridge allows for the more rapid and quantitative filtration, recovery, and quantitation of microorganisms in liquid, particularly surface waters, well water, tap water, and the like. The capsule allows a severe reduction in the water sample size tested, substantially minimizes risks of cross-contamination, and provides a leak-proof vessel for shipment. Risk of infection of laboratory personnel and time of analysis are both reduced. Costs of measuring contamination by microorganisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium is lowered significantly while increasing the accuracy and dependability of the measurement.
74 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A disposable filtration capsule suitable for use in the quantitation of targeted microorganisms in a microorganism-containing fluid sample, said disposable filtration capsule comprising:
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a) a polymeric housing having an inner surface, a sealable sample inlet and a sealable outlet; b) a filter element having an upstream side and a downstream side, the filter element comprising a pleated membrane having a filter volume, an upstream side and a downstream side, the membrane also having a pore size such that a smallest targeted microorganism is substantially retained by said membrane, said membrane positioned between said sample inlet and said outlet such that fluid entering said sample inlet and exiting said outlet must flow through said membrane, a space between said membrane and said sample inlet defining an upstream, microorganism-retaining cavity, said membrane supported on its downstream side by a macroporous polymeric support, said membrane not having any occluding surface on its upstream side which would interfere with resuspension of microorganisms deposited on said membrane during filtering; c) a distinct, elution-effective void volume having a geometrical volume which is at least 2.2×
the filter volume of said membrane, said distinct, elution-effective void volume being capable of containing a sufficient volume of elution solution and allowing for sufficient agitation to resuspend microorganisms deposited on the membrane during filtering;d) optionally, an air purge valve communicating through said polymeric housing with said upstream, microorganism-retaining cavity; e) optionally, a non-occluding mesh of suitable material fitting over the upstream side of the membrane such that the membrane when wet cannot substantially contact the inner surface of the housing causing an occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A filtration capsule suitable for use in the quantitation of microorganisms in a microorganism-containing fluid sample, said filtration capsule comprising:
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a) a housing having at least one inlet and an outlet; b) a filter element comprising a pleated membrane having a pore size such that a targeted microorganism is substantially retained by said membrane, the membrane having an upstream side and a downstream side, said membrane positioned between said inlet and said outlet such that fluid entering said inlet and exiting said outlet must flow through said membrane, the upstream side of said membrane being substantially free of an occluding structure which would interfere with resuspension of microorganisms deposited on said membrane during filtering; wherein said filtration capsule has a void volume capable of containing a sufficient volume of elution solution and allowing for sufficient agitation to resuspend microorganisms deposited on the membrane during filtering. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A filtration capsule suitable for use in the quantitation of microorganisms in a microorganism-containing fluid sample, said filtration capsule comprising:
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a) a housing having at least one inlet and an outlet; b) a filter element comprising a pleated membrane having a filter volume, the membrane having a pore size such that a targeted microorganism is substantially retained by said membrane, the membrane having an upstream side and a downstream side, said membrane positioned between said inlet and said outlet such that fluid entering said inlet and exiting said outlet must flow through said membrane; and c) a distinct, elution-effective void volume having a geometrical volume which is at least 2.2×
the filter volume of said pleated membrane, said distinct, elution-effective void volume being capable of containing a sufficient volume of elution solution and allowing for sufficient agitation to resuspend microorganisms deposited on the membrane during filtering. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification