Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container
and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes
of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring
a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The
filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid
in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base
and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed
across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented
to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter
membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single
reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing
a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument.
Side wells for collecting samples from the bottom up from the filtration cell outlet
are also provided as are a process incorporating automated equipment for transferring
the container having fluid to be filtered to the piercing point for entry into
the filtration cell.
