Automated Pre-Filtration Air Management and Filtration Systems and Methods

Abstract

Filtration systems and methods using a pump and pressure sensor are provided for improved efficiency in fluid filtration systems. A filtration system includes a pre-filter container joined to a post-filter container by a filter line having a filter. To reduce the time required for filtration a pump and pressure sensor are included in a filter inlet flow path. The pump also is used to provide air management in the system via pre-filtration evacuation of air from at least the filter.

1 . A filtration system comprising.
 a pre-filter container adapted to contain a fluid;   a filter;   a post-filter container adapted to contain a filtered fluid;   a filter inlet flow path extending between the pre-filter container and the filter;   a filter outlet flow path extending between the filter and the post-filter container;   a pump in the filter inlet flow path; and   wherein the pump provides pre-filtration evacuation of air from at least the filter.   
   
   
       2 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor adapted to provide a signal used to control operation of the pump, wherein the pressure sensor is in communication with the filter inlet flow path. 
   
   
       3 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump further provides pre-filtration evacuation of air from at least the filter outlet flow path. 
   
   
       4 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein the post-filter container is suspended at any elevation or orientation relative to the pre-filter container during filtration of a fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is blood or a blood component. 
   
   
       6 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bypass flow path extending between the filter inlet flow path and the filter outlet flow path. 
   
   
       7 . The filtration system of  claim 6 , wherein the bypass flow path further comprises a one-way valve and an air detector. 
   
   
       8 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , further comprising an air detector in the filter inlet flow path. 
   
   
       9 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is reversible and the flow through the pump may be reversed to move fluid from the pre-filter container through the filter. 
   
   
       10 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump provides pre-filtration retro-priming of fluid from the post-filter container through at least the filter. 
   
   
       11 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump in the filter outlet flow path. 
   
   
       12 . The filtration system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second pressure sensor wherein the second pressure sensor is adapted to provide a signal used to control operation of the pump in the filter outlet flow path. 
   
   
       13 . The filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter outlet flow path further is in communication with a plurality of post-filter containers. 
   
   
       14 . A method of filtering a fluid, comprising:
 providing a pre-filter container;   providing a post-filter container;   providing a filter line having a filter between the pre-filter container and the post-filter container;   providing a pump and a pressure sensor in communication with the pre-filter container and the filter;   flowing air from at least the filter into the pre-filter container; and   flowing a fluid from the pre-filter container, through the pump and filter line, and into the post-filter container.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising flowing air from at least a portion of the filter line between the filter and the post-filter container into the pre-filter container. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a second pump and pressure sensor in communication with the filter and the post-filter container. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the filter line further comprises a filter inlet flow path and a filter outlet flow path, and the method further comprises providing a bypass flow path between the filter outlet flow path and the filter inlet flow path, and permitting air in the bypass flow path to move into the filter inlet flow path wherein the air assists in moving fluid through the filter. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the flowing of the fluid from the pre-filter container, through the pump and filter line, and into the post-filter container advances automatically after the step of flowing air from the filter into the pre-filter container. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pump is reversed to flow the fluid from the pre-filter container, through the pump and filter line, and into the post-filter container after flowing air from the filter into the pre-filter container. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing an air detector in the filter line to monitor the presence of fluid flowing from the pre-filter container and wherein a signal from the air detector is used in stopping the pump that is in communication with the pre-filter container and the filter.