IP Portfolio

SPF Technologies holds several U.S. patents and has several pending domestic and foreign patent applications. The SPF business model is to secure patent rights on our inventions, develop the inventions, and license the technology to top suppliers. We also provide assistance with manufacturing and marketing. This way we are able to leverage the sales and marketing capability of existing suppliers and thereby accelerate the adoption of our new technologies.

SP-TFF™ Process Patents (Licensed to Pall Corporation)

SP-TFF™ Sample Prep Patents

  • U.S. Patent 8,747,669 Method and apparatus for the filtration of biological samples (PDF) [online text version]

    A separation module and method are disclosed for processing a liquid sample and providing high conversion by operating a single-pass tangential-flow process without a recirculation loop. In one embodiment, the separation module includes three reservoirs and has at least one long, thin channel with a large ratio of channel membrane area to: channel void volume; volume of a sample feed reservoir; and volume of the feed sample. In another embodiment, the separation module includes an external feed reservoir, an external retentate reservoir fluidly and a first vacuum source adapted to apply a first vacuum to the separation element disposed within the housing. The single-pass TFF separation element and single-pass process provides high conversion while operating with relatively low pressure sources. Certain embodiments disclosed herein can be used for the separation of blood.

  • U.S. Patent 8,231,788 Method and apparatus for the filtration of biological samples (PDF) [online text version]

    A separation module and method are disclosed for processing a liquid sample and providing high conversion by operating a single-pass tangential-flow process without a recirculation loop. In one embodiment, the separation module includes three reservoirs and has at least one long, thin channel with a large ratio of channel membrane area to: channel void volume; volume of a sample feed reservoir; and volume of the feed sample. In another embodiment, the separation module includes two reservoirs and a hydrophobic vent. The single-pass process provides high conversion while operating with relatively low pressure sources.

  • U.S. Patent 8,231,787 Tangential flow filtration system (PDF) [online text version]

    A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. Embodiments are operated without large circulation pumps. Other embodiments use components which can be disposed after a single use. The system, method and device can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

  • U.S. Patent 7,510,654 Method and apparatus for the filtration of biological samples (PDF) [online text version]

    See the continuation patent: 8,231,788.

UTF™ Patents

Chromassette® Patents

  • U.S. Patent 10,507,409 Hyper-productive chromatography system and process (PDF) [online text version]

    A hyper-productive chromatography technique includes providing a scalable and stackable chromatographic cassette, loading a sample to be processed, operating the scalable chromatographic cassette having an adsorptive chromatographic bed having a volume greater than 0.5 liter by establishing a flow at a linear velocity greater than 500 cm/hr with a residence time of the loading step of less than one minute.

  • U.S. Patent 10,391,423 Stackable planar adsorptive devices (PDF) [online text version]

    A lattice and distribution network for a stackable chromatography cassette comprising:

    • a peripheral seal;

    • at least one screne forming the lattice surrounded by the peripheral seal, each at least one screen comprising a plurality of struts in a latticed arrangement;

    • a first internal distribution network fluidly coupled to the lattice and surrounded by the peripheral seal;

    • wherein a direction of fluid flow is established from the first internal distribution network through the lattice to the second internal distribution network; and

    • wherein preferential streamlines are minimized.

  • U.S. Patent 9,599,594 Stackable planar adsorptive devices (PDF) [online text version]

    Adsorptive bed devices include a scaffold in housing having a stress absorbing rigid structure and open cells filled with adsorptive beads. The scaffold restricts movement of the plurality of adsorptive beads, absorbs compressive stress induced by a hydraulic pressure gradient along a direction of liquid flow and transfers a portion of the induced compressive stress to the housing. In one embodiment the adsorptive bed in packed into a chromatography column, and in another embodiment the adsorptive bed is sealed in a monolithic block. In another embodiment, the adsorptive bed device includes an adsorptive block, first and second planar distributors, and peripheral seal. The adsorptive media includes multiple layers of planarly cohesive media and when operated in a shallow bed configurationm possesses significant tensile strength along its planar dimensions enabling it to support the hydraulic pressures that will be generated by the fluids being process through the adsorptive devices.

  • U.S. Patent 9,210,037 Stackable planar adsorptive devices (PDF) [online text version]

    Adsorptive bed devices include a scaffold in housing having a stress absorbing rigid structure and open cells filled with adsorptive beads. The scaffold restricts movement of the plurality of adsorptive beads, absorbs compressive stress induced by a hydraulic pressure gradient along a direction of liquid flow and transfers a portion of the induced compressive stress to the housing. In one embodiment the adsorptive bed in packed into a chromatography column, and in another embodiment the adsorptive bed is sealed in a monolithic block.

  • U.S. Patent 8,506,802 Stackable planar adsorptive devices (PDF) [online text version]

    Stackable planar adsorption devices include a plurality of layers of adsorptive media provided in a web format. The layers are stacked in contiguous fashion, sealed and include fluid passageways to provide a range of scalable chromatography devices suitable for large scale manufacturing applications.