A biological fluid processing or fluid filtration system is provided
having novel open and closed loop processing systems wherein the gases
transferred into and out of the system during processing pass through a
porous medium in upstream and/or downstream gas inlet or outlet housings
or vents in a manner which precludes the fluid being processed or
filtered from ever contacting the housings or vents. Each housing or vent
is separated from the fluid by a column of gas in its respective transfer
line. The upstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the
unfiltered biological fluid, and the downstream gas inlet housing or vent
is in communication with the filtered biological fluid.