Method and apparatus for rapid filter analysis of fluid samples

摘要

An apparatus for analyzing a fluid of volume V includes a filter having a filter surface or area A, the filter being capable of allowing the fluid to flow through the filter surface. The fluid's volumetric flow density, averaged over the filter surface, is jmean. The apparatus further includes a scanner for scanning the filter surface with a scan rate B. The area A is optimized based on the volume V, the scan rate B and the volumetric flow density jmean to minimize the sum of filtering time and scanning time. Instead of one filter, at least two filters may be used each having a different area A. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for selecting one of the filters and placing the selected filter in an operating position, where the scanner scans the filter surface face of the selected filter.

主权项

1. An apparatus for analyzing a fluid of volume V, comprising:
a filter having a filter surface of area A, the filter being configured to allow the fluid to flow through the filter surface at a volumetric flow rate, the volumetric flow rate divided by the area A being a mean volumetric flow density jmean; and a scanner for scanning the filter surface with a scan rate B; wherein the area A is substantially equal to an optimum area Aopt defined asAopt=VBjmean.