| 摘要 |
2135672 9323152 PCTABS00028 A unique hollow fiber filter cartridge (10) that allows repeated autoclaving without any deleterious breaks in sealing integrity between the potted fiber bundle (30) and the filter module is disclosed. The unique filter cartridge (10) broadly includes a casing (50) that has at least one open end with an inner lip (55a) in the casing (50) proximal to the open end; and a porous collar (60) that has first and second peripheral edges, at least one of which is coupled to the casing (50) along the inner ledge. A method of sealingly coupling a hollow fiber bundle (30) having first and second ends (31a, 31b) to a casing (50) for encasing said bundle of hollow fibers is also disclosed. The method broadly includes coupling an outer peripheral edge of a porous collar (60) to a hollow fiber filter casing, wherein the casing (50) has at least one open end with an inner lip (55a) proximal to the open end and wherein the outer peripheral edge of the porous collar (60) is coupled along the inner lip (55a); retaining the bundle of hollow fibers within a chamber defined by the casing (50); fluid impermeably potting the open end of the hollow fiber bundle (30) with a fluid impermeable material; and joining the porous collar (60) to the fluid impermeable material by penetration of the material into the porous collar (60). The method provides a fluid impermeable seal between the casing (50) and the individual unpotted hollow fibers. The seal prevents the unfiltered fluid from coming into contact with filtrate and provides a strong bond that is impervious to dry heat and steam sterilization at temperatures ranging from 100 ·C to 150 ·C and pressures from 10 psi to 60 psi.
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