XCell ATF Series User Manual

1
XCell
TM
ATF System with C410:V3 Controller
User Guide
1. Description of XCell
TM
ATF System and Process
The XCell
TM
ATF System provides an efficient means for fractionation of various mixtures. It may
include separation of large particles such as microcarriers (~ 200 microns in size) from a suspending
medium. It may include separation of mammalian cells (~ 10 microns in size) from culture medium;
or it may include separation of some molecules from other molecules or from a suspending solvent.
The focus in this manual will be on the use of the XCell
TM
ATF System and process for separation of
these constituents by filtration, based primarily on size.
The XCell
TM
ATF System is an alternating tangential flow filtration system consisting of the
following primary components (see also Figure 1):
• Controller: a dedicated controller used to control and monitor XCell
TM
ATF System
activity. It also provides the means for connecting to and controlling utility services.
• Filtration Assembly: a stainless steel assembly of two major elements, a filter housing
and a diaphragm pump:
- Filter Housing: steel housing containing the filtration element, either a hollow fiber
module (HFM) or screen module (SM).
- Diaphragm Pump: steel spherical housing in which a diaphragm membrane is moved up
and down by pressurized air or vacuum, creating alternating flow.
The Filtration Assembly includes the following components for each process application:
- Connection Assembly: tubing assembly connecting the Filtration Assembly to a bioreactor
or process vessel
- Bioreactor Adaptor: adaptor between the Connection Assembly and bioreactor port.
Typical ports/connectors/adaptors for stainless steel bioreactors include an Ingold-type
port or, if a single use bioreactor (SUB), then, a disposable aseptic connector (DAC) or
equivalent.
A typical configuration of the XCell
TM
ATF System is shown in Figure 1. The Filter Housing
accepts either a HFM, with pore sizes from 30kD to ~0.5 micron, or a SM for fractionation of
larger particles, >70 microns. The separating element, the HFM or SM, is positioned
between a process vessel or a bioreactor at one end and the Diaphragm Pump at the other
end. The vessel serves as a storage container for the content to be filtered. The Diaphragm
Pump provides the means for generating alternating tangential flow (ATF), back and forth,
between the vessel and pump, through the hollow fibers of the HFM or through the SM. The
ATF process provides the means for generating rapid, low shear, tangential flow. A filtrate
pump as shown in Figure 1 is used for controlled removal of a filtered stream. The unfiltered
material remains in the system. The XCell
TM
ATF System provides the means for confining
the process. The entire process is enclosed. Only a single connection is required between
the XCell
TM
ATF System and the vessel. As shown in Figure 1, that connection can be either
through a head plate of the vessel or through a side or bottom port. Placing the Filtration
Assembly next to the vessel requires only a short tubing to complete the connection
between the two. That connection can be hard piped or soft piped. Either one may be used
to make a sterile connection between vessel and the Filtration Assembly, as will be
discussed further on.

XCell ATF Series Specifications

General

Brand	XCell
Model	ATF Series
Category	Laboratory Equipment
Language	English