Filter Arrangement with Slider Valve and Method for Using the Same

摘要

A filter arrangement with a top element and a bottom element and a filter element therebetween captures oversized particles on the upper surface of the filter element and tangentially rinses these particles using an elution fluid to provide a concentration of particles in a relatively low volume of fluid for further analysis. A configuration using a slider valve may also be utilized. Additionally, an arrangement of supply and receiving containers may be used to minimize the number of containers required. A mass flow meter may be incorporated to measure the flow of elution fluid. Finally, a wash stage of the filtering process may be used to introduce stain onto the particles for further analysis, such as that associated with Gram staining and these stained particles may be further analyzed.

主权项

1. A filter arrangement for isolating particles from a fluid/particle mixture comprised of a body having:
a) a top element having a first open channel extending thereacross, wherein the channel is open on the underside of the top element; b) a bottom element having a first open channel extending thereacross, wherein the channel is open on the upper side of the bottom element and is adapted to receive a suction line; c) wherein the top element is secured to the bottom element such that the underside of the top element is secured against the upper side of the bottom element and wherein the channels align with one another; d) a first filter element is positioned between the top element and the bottom element and overlapping with the channels; e) a first suction outlet in fluid communication with the bottom open channel through which a suction may be introduced into the bottom open channel; f) a first particle inlet in fluid communication with the top first open channel through which fluid with particles may be introduced into the first top open channel and particles deposited upon the first filter element; g) a first elution fluid inlet in fluid communication with the first top open channel through which the elution fluid may be introduced into the first top open channel to displace particles from the filter element; h) a first particle outlet in fluid communication with the first top open channel through which fluid with particles may exit from the first top open channel; i) a slider valve movable along a linear path having multiple channels extending therethrough, wherein:
1) in a first position, channels of the slider valve are aligned to provide fluid communication from the first particle inlet through the first filter element and to the first suction outlet;2) in a second position, channels of the slider valve are arranged to provide fluid communication from the first elution fluid inlet over the first filter element and to a first collector.