Flow-through removal device and system using such device

Abstract

Flow-through systems for processing biological fluid are disclosed. The flow-through systems include a removal device in the flow path for removing unwanted compounds and agents. The removal device includes a removal media contained within a housing made of two separate portions sealed together. The housing is maintained in a substantially vertical disposition, thereby ensuring substantially uniform and complete exposure of the fluid to the media.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A flow-through fluid processing system for removing selected compounds from a fluid comprising: 
 a source container including a fluid outlet;    a receiving container including a fluid inlet;    a compound removal device disposed between said source and receiving containers, said device comprising a housing having an interior chamber and a compound removing medium within said chamber, said housing including a fluid inlet on one side of said housing and nearer to said receiving container than to said source container and a fluid outlet on said housing and nearer to said receiving container than to said source container;    a first tube providing a flow path between said source container outlet and said device inlet;    a second tube providing a flow path between said device outlet and said receiving container inlet.    
   
   
       25 . System of  claim 24  wherein said inlet includes an opening that faces away from said source container.  
   
   
       26 . System of  claim 24  wherein said device outlet includes an opening that faces away from said receiving container.  
   
   
       27 . System of  claim 24  further comprising a retaining member adapted to receive said first tube.  
   
   
       28 . System of  claim 25  further comprising a retaining member adapted to receive said second tube.  
   
   
       29 . System of  claim 25  wherein said retaining member comprises a loop integral with said housing and substantially vertically aligned with said device inlet.  
   
   
       30 . System of  claim 24  wherein the flow of liquid through said device is in a direction 180° inverted relative to the flow-through said first tube.  
   
   
       31 . System of  claim 25  wherein said flow path from said source container to said device inlet port, comprises an approximately 180° turn.  
   
   
       32 . System of  claim 30  wherein said device comprises a connector having at least two openings wherein one of said openings is in flow communication with said inlet port of said device and the other of said openings is in flow communication with said first tube.  
   
   
       33 . System of  claim 32  wherein said device comprises a connector having two openings wherein one of said openings is in flow communication with said outlet port of said device and the other of said openings is in flow communication with said second tube.  
   
   
       34 . System of  claim 32  wherein said connector comprises one end that includes a bifurcated conduit wherein one branch of said conduit includes one of said openings and said other branch includes the other of said openings.  
   
   
       35 . System of  claim 34  wherein said connector comprises a second end with a port and a tube between said port and said receiving container.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35  wherein flow through said tube between said connector second end and said receiving container is restricted.  
   
   
       37 . System of  claim 32  wherein said connector comprises a U-shaped fluid flow conduit.  
   
   
       38 . System of  claim 24  comprising an upstream connector having an inlet in direct flow communication with said source container, and a plurality of outlets; 
 a downstream connector including an outlet and a plurality of inlets,    wherein said first tube provides a flow path between one of said upstream connector outlets and said device inlet; and    said second tube provides a flow path between said device outlet and one of said downstream connector inlets.    
   
   
       39 . System of  claim 38  further comprising a tube defining a flow path, one end of which is connected to one of said upstream connector outlets and the other end connected to a downstream connector inlet, said tube including a valve in said flow path for selectively restricting flow therethrough.  
   
   
       40 . System of  claim 38  wherein said device inlet comprises a port facing away from said receiving container, said system further comprising a tube, one end of which is attached to said port facing said receiving container and other end of which is connected to one of said inlet ports of said downstream connector.  
   
   
       41 . System of  claim 39  wherein said tube comprises a permanently sealed flow path.  
   
   
       42 . System of  claim 38  comprising: 
 a tube defining a flow path between one of said upstream connector outlets and said device inlet;    a tube defining a flow path between one of said upstream connector outlets and one of said downstream connector inlets;    a tube between one of said upstream connector outlets and said device outlet connector.    
   
   
       43 . System of  claim 42  wherein said upstream connector comprises a fluid conduit comprising an inlet and a trifurcated outlet.  
   
   
       44 . System of  claim 24  comprising a holder for supporting said removal device.  
   
   
       45 . System of  claim 38  wherein said holder comprises a sleeve for receiving the housing of said device.  
   
   
       46 . System of  claim 44  wherein said holder comprises two separate parts joined together to provide said sleeve.  
   
   
       47 . System of  claim 44  wherein said holder is attached to a pole support.  
   
   
       48 - 59 . (canceled)  
   
   
       60 . A flow-through fluid processing system for removing selected compounds or components from a fluid comprising: 
 a source container including a fluid outlet;    a receiving container including a fluid inlet;    a compound removal device between said source container and receiving container, said device comprising a housing having first and second outer walls and a compound removing medium between said walls, said housing including a fluid inlet located between the center of said device and said receiving container and a fluid outlet located between said center and said source container;    tubing providing a flow path between said source container outlet and said housing inlet;    tubing providing a flow path between said housing outlet and said receiving container inlet;    wherein the length of said flow path between said source container and said inlet is greater than the length of said flow path between said device outlet and said receiving container.    
   
   
       61 . The flow-through fluid processing system of  claim 60  wherein at least a portion of said tubing between said source container and said device inlet has an internal diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of said tubing between said device outlet and said receiving container.  
   
   
       62 . The flow-through fluid processing system of  claim 61  wherein said tubing providing said flow path between said device outlet and said receiving container has an internal diameter of 0.08±0.003 inches.  
   
   
       63 . The flow-through fluid processing system of  claim 60  comprising a first connector in said flow path between said source container and said device inlet and said tubing defining said flow path between said source container and said device inlet comprises: 
 a first tubing segment with a first end joined to said source container and said second end joined to said connector;    a second tubing segment with a first end joined to said connector and said second end joined to said device inlet;    said system further comprising a second connector in said flow path between said device outlet and said receiving container and a bypass tube having one end joined to said first connector and a second end joined to said second connector.    
   
   
       64 . The flow-through fluid processing system of  claim 63  wherein the internal diameter of said second tubing segment is smaller than the internal diameter of said bypass tube and said internal diameter of said first tubing segment is smaller than the internal diameter of said second tubing segment.