Filter with memory, communication and pressure sensor

• US 8,221,522 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: DiLeo, Anthony, Hubbard, John Dana
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US12/894,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20110017062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 95/19, 961/13, 964/21, 73/37, 73/38
• US Class Current: 95/19
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/291 End caps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/52 Filter identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/14 Pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/44 Cartridge types
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/147 Microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/22 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/102 Detection of leaks in membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/104 Detection of leaks in membrane apparatus or modules

Abstract

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

Claims

1. A method of maintaining a uniform flow within a filter housing, said filter housing comprising a plurality of tangential flow filtration (TFF) devices having a plurality of modules and channels therebetween, said method comprising:

affixing a plurality of sensors, each in communication with a transmitter, to a plurality of locations with said filter housing;

monitoring an operating parameter at each of said plurality of locations within said filter housing using said sensors;

comparing said monitored parameters to one another; and

regulating the flow within individual channels in said filter housing in response to said comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting said monitored parameter to a receiver located outside of said housing.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a pressure sensor and said parameter comprises transmembrane or transchannel pressure.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said pressure sensor is selected from the group consisting of a MEMS device, a piezoelectric device, a conductive polymer device, an elastomer device, and an ink device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a flow rate sensor and said parameter comprises flow a flow rate.

6. The method of claim 1,wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication and said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating parameter comprises pressure, and said pressure is monitored between said modules of said tangential flow filtration (TFF) devices.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensors are used to determine internal flows through said channels.