Blood filter and method for filtering blood

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for filtering blood to produce plasma or serum and to a blood filter for the production of plasma or serum from a blood sample. The invention further relates to a kit comprising a blood filter for the production of plasma or serum from a blood sample and a syringe.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A blood filter for the production of plasma or serum from a blood sample, comprising:
 a filter membrane having opposite first and second sides;   a receiving compartment defining a hollow space for receiving a blood sample to be filtered, said receiving compartment being arranged on said first side of the filter membrane, the filter membrane resting on a seating, wherein at least 50% of the surface of the second side of the filter membrane is in contact with said seating, and wherein the seating comprises a plurality of channels for collecting the filtered blood sample.   
     
     
         2 . The blood filter of  claim 1 , wherein the seating is convex having a radius of curvature between 30 and 150 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The blood filter of  claim 2 , wherein at least 75% of the surface of the second side of the filter membrane is in contact with said seating. 
     
     
         4 . The blood filter of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of channels cover between 0.5% and 15% of the surface of the seating. 
     
     
         5 . The blood filter of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of channels forms a sampling compartment having a volume in the range between 0.06 mm 3  and 3.5 mm 3  per cm 2  of the filter surface. 
     
     
         6 . The blood filter of  claim 1 , wherein the blood filter comprises a single filter membrane.