Processing System for Multiple Tangential Flow Filtration Stations in Bioprocessing Applications

Abstract

A multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus includes a plurality of tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems, a support frame defining a plurality of stations for supporting individual TFF systems and a single controller for controlling the plurality of tangential flow filtration systems. Each of the systems include at least a product vessel, a tangential flow filtration (TFF) filter and a pump for circulating a flow of liquid between said product vessel and said filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems, each system comprising:
 a product vessel; 
 a tangential flow filtration (TFF) filter; and 
 a pump for circulating a flow of liquid between said product vessel and said filter; 
   a support frame defining a plurality of stations, each station supporting a respective tangential flow filtration (TFF) system; and   a single controller for controlling the plurality of tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems.   
     
     
         2 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said support frame defines at least one interior chamber for containing said pump of each tangential flow filtration system. 
     
     
         3 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said support frame supports each tangential flow filtration (TFF) system in a vertical orientation with respect to a direction of gravity. 
     
     
         4 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises a product container, and said support frame further comprises a plurality of hangers, each hanger hanging said product container of each system above said product vessel, whereby a product liquid is fed by gravity to said product vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises a buffer container hung from a respective one of said plurality of hangers, said product container and said buffer container being in fluid communication with said product vessel of each system via tubing. 
     
     
         6 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises a buffer selection valve fluidly connected to said tubing between said buffer container and said product vessel, said buffer selection valve being electrically connected to said single controller for controlling a flow of a buffer liquid from said buffer container to said product vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein each tangential flow filtering system further comprises an air-in-tube detector fluidly connected to said tubing between said product container and said product vessel, said air-in-tube detector being electrically connected to said controller for sending an electrical signal to said controller when air is detected within said tubing. 
     
     
         8 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises a diafiltration valve fluidly connected to said tubing between said product container and said product vessel, said diafiltration valve being electrically connected to said controller for controlling a flow of liquid from said product container to said product vessel. 
     
     
         9 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises at least one adjustable liquid level sensor disposed adjacent said product vessel for detecting a liquid level in said product vessel, said adjustable liquid level sensor being electrically connected to said controller for sending an electrical signal to said controller upon detecting said liquid level in said product vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises an adjustable bracket assembly attached to said support frame for adjusting a height of said liquid level sensor with respect to said product vessel, said adjustable bracket assembly comprising:
 a longitudinal rail fixed to said support frame in a vertical orientation;   a carriage slidably mounted on said rail; and   a clamping device for securing said carriage at a desired height along said rail.   
     
     
         11 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises:
 a filtrate vessel connected to an output of said tangential flow filtration filter; and   a filtrate scale supporting said filtration vessel for measuring an amount of liquid in said filtrate vessel, said filtrate scale being electrically connected to said controller.   
     
     
         12 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises a throttle valve fluidly connected to an output of said tangential flow filtration filter, said throttle valve being electrically connected to said controller for applying a back pressure in said tangential flow filtration filter. 
     
     
         13 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein each tangential flow filtration system further comprises:
 an inlet pressure sensor fluidly connected to an inlet of said tangential flow filtration filter for measuring an inlet pressure; and   a retentate pressure sensor fluidly connected to a first outlet of said tangential flow filtration filter for measuring a retentate pressure, said inlet and said retentate pressure sensors being electrically connected to said controller for sending pressure signals to said controller.   
     
     
         14 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each of said tangential flow filtration systems further comprises a filtrate pressure sensor fluidly connected to a second outlet of said tangential flow filtration filter for measuring a pressure of filtrate fluid filtered out of the filter. 
     
     
         15 . The multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said tangential flow filtration systems further comprises a stir plate supporting said product vessel, said stir plate having a stir mechanism for stirring fluid in said product vessel. 
     
     
         16 . A method for performing multiple tangential flow filtration (TFF) processes, the method comprising:
 supporting a plurality of tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems on a single support frame, each tangential flow filtration system comprising a product vessel, a tangential flow filtration (TFF) filter and a pump for circulating a flow of liquid between said product vessel and said filter; and   controlling said plurality of tangential flow filtration systems with a single electrical controller.   
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 detecting air in tubing fluidly connecting a product container to said product vessel; and   closing at least one of a buffer selection valve, fluidly connected to a buffer container and said product vessel, or a diafiltration valve, fluidly connected between said product container and said product vessel, upon said detection of air in said tubing.   
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 detecting a level of liquid in said product vessel with at least one liquid level sensor; and   closing at least one of a buffer selection valve, fluidly connected to a buffer container and said product vessel, or a diafiltration valve, fluidly connected between said product container and said product vessel, upon detection of a desired level of liquid in said product vessel.   
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 detecting an amount of liquid in a filtrate vessel fluidly connected to an outlet of said tangential flow filtration filter with a filtrate scale; and   closing at least one of a buffer selection valve, fluidly connected to a buffer container and said product vessel, or a diafiltration valve, fluidly connected between said product container and said product vessel, upon detection of a desired level of liquid in said product vessel.   
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising controlling average transmembrane fluid pressure in said tangential flow filtration filter with a throttle valve fluidly connected to an output of said tangential flow filtration filter, said throttle valve applying a back pressure in said filter. 
     
     
         21 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising applying a back pressure in said tangential flow filtration filter with said throttle valve upon detection of an inlet pressure set point. 
     
     
         22 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising applying a back pressure in said filter with said throttle valve upon detection of a retentate pressure set point.