Systems, Apparatus and Methods for Vacuum Filtration

Abstract

A liquid filtering system and methods for filtering are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a filtering apparatus having a receiving receptacle coupled with an adapter. The adapter has an adapter port for receiving a vacuum and an interface for coupling with an output receptacle that receives filtered liquid from the filtering apparatus. The adapter is between the receiving receptacle and output receptacle when the output receptacle is coupled with the adapter interface. The system also includes a base having a substantially rigid housing containing an internal vacuum channel terminating at a base vacuum delivery port. The adapter is couplable with the base to connect the adapter port to the base vacuum delivery port.

1 . A liquid filtering system comprising:
 a filtering apparatus having a receiving receptacle coupled with an adapter having an adapter channel terminating at an adapter port for receiving a vacuum, the adapter port being substantially unmovable relative to any part of the adapter channel, the adapter also having an interface for coupling with an output receptacle for receiving filtered liquid from the filtering apparatus, the adapter being between the receiving receptacle and output receptacle when the output receptacle is coupled with the adapter interface; and   a base having a substantially rigid housing containing an internal vacuum channel terminating at a base vacuum delivery port, the base vacuum delivery port being substantially unmovable relative to the base vacuum channel,   the adapter being couplable with the base to connect the adapter port to the base vacuum delivery port,   the adapter configured so that the adaptor port abuts the base vacuum delivery port when the adapter is coupled to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the filtering apparatus also comprises a cell culture medium filter for filtering a liquid received by the receiving receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The system as defined by  claim 1  further comprising the output receptacle coupled with the adapter interface. 
     
     
         4 . The system as defined by  claim 3  wherein the output receptacle comprises threads that mate with corresponding threads in the interface. 
     
     
         5 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the filtering apparatus is removably couplable with the base. 
     
     
         6 . The system as defined by  claim 5  further comprising the output receptacle coupled with the adapter interface, the base having a bottom portion, the base suspending the output receptacle above the bottom portion to form a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the housing defines the vacuum channel. 
     
     
         8 . The system as defined by  claim 1  further comprising a seal to provide a sealed connection between the adapter port and the vacuum delivery port of the base. 
     
     
         9 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the filtering apparatus and base are configured to provide a registration coupling in a manner that connects and substantially locks the base vacuum delivery port with the adapter port. 
     
     
         10 . The system as defined by  claim 9  wherein the filtering apparatus has a first aligning detail, the base having a second aligning detail, the first and second aligning details being in registry when the base is coupled with the adapter to align the base vacuum delivery port with the adapter port. 
     
     
         11 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the base has a vacuum receiving port for receiving a vacuum from an external source, the internal vacuum channel being between the vacuum receiving port and the base vacuum delivery port. 
     
     
         12 . The system as defined by  claim 1  wherein the receiving receptacle comprises a funnel. 
     
     
         13 . A liquid filtering system comprising:
 a filtering apparatus having a receiving receptacle coupled with an adapter;   an output receptacle for receiving filtered liquid from the filtering apparatus; and   a substantially rigid base couplable with the adapter, the base having a coupling portion configured to suspend the filtering apparatus when the adapter is coupled with the base, the coupling portion having a vacuum channel, the coupling portion fluidly connecting the vacuum channel of the coupling portion and the output receptacle when suspending the output receptacle.   
     
     
         14 . The system as defined by  claim 13  wherein the base has a bottom portion, the output receptacle being spaced from the bottom portion. 
     
     
         15 . The system as defined by  claim 13  wherein the vacuum channel is contained substantially entirely within the base, the vacuum channel connecting with the adapter to provide a vacuum. 
     
     
         16 . The system as defined by  claim 13  wherein the output receptacle is removably couplable with the filtering apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The system as defined by  claim 13  wherein the base is removably couplable with the adapter. 
     
     
         18 . The system as defined by  claim 13  wherein the filtering apparatus and base are configured to provide a registration coupling in a manner that connects the vacuum channel with the adapter. 
     
     
         19 . A liquid filtering system comprising:
 a filtering apparatus having a receiving receptacle coupled with an adapter, the adapter having an adapter vacuum channel terminating at an adapter port positioned at a substantially fixed location relative to the adapter vacuum channel; and   a substantially rigid base having a rigid coupling portion with a base vacuum channel, the coupling portion being for supporting the filtering apparatus and having a support port that terminates the base vacuum channel,   filtering apparatus and coupling portion having corresponding registration details for forming a registration fit that substantially locks the filtering apparatus to the coupling portion, the registration fit also aligning and abutting the adapter port and the support port when the coupling portion supports the filtering apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The system as defined by  claim 19  wherein the details comprise a protrusion and a corresponding recess.