Syringe filters: what are they used for? All you need to know

Syringe filters: what are they used for? All you need to know

Overview

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  • Source: Microbioz India

  • Date: 17 Mar,2023

A syringe filter is a filtering membrane housed in a plastic housing. Either the fluid to be purified can be drawn up the syringe and filtered, or the unfiltered fluid can be pushed through the filter. When analysing a sample with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Ion chromatography (IC), Gas chromatography (GC), or Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP), a Syringe Filter is used to remove particles.

The end of a syringe is screwed onto it so that it can be used. There is a possibility that syringe filters will include Luer lock fittings, however this is not always the case. The use of a needle is optional; where desired it may be fitted to the end of the syringe filter.

How do syringe filters work?

In most cases, a syringe filter will be made up of a housing and a membrane that will act as the filter (classified according to composition, filter diameter and pore size). Both the application and the solution that is going to be filtered have to be compatible with the components.

Filtration of the samples in the correct manner raises the quality and consistency of the analytical results and cuts down on instrument downtime.

  1. Put the sample into the syringe that’s been provided.
  2. Using a turning motion, firmly fasten the filter into place. When using a syringe with a Luer Slip connection, this action requires about a quarter turn of the screwdriver. If the syringe has a luer lock, be sure that it is attached securely but not too tightly.
  3. To equally moisten the membrane, you should hold the completed syringe and filter in a vertical position (this promotes high flow rates).
  4. To force the sample through the filter, press the plunger of the syringe in a moderately gentle manner. Throw away the first 0.25–0.5 ml of the sample if at all possible since, in the event that there is contamination, it is likely to be at a higher concentration in the initial microliters of the sample.
  5. If there is a noticeable increase in the back pressure, replace the filter because it is possible that it has become blocked. It is important not to apply too much force when pressing because this could cause the filter housing to explode.
  6. Alter the filter, then carry out the previous steps for the next sample.

What are they used for?

Before doing any form of examination on a liquid sample, a syringe filter is often applied to the sample in order to eliminate any particles that could potentially cause harm to the instrumentation (e.g. Ion Chromatography, ICP, etc.) They come at a reasonable price, can handle volumes of any size, and circumvent the challenges that are inherent in the employment of Buckner filter sets and other apparatus of a similar nature.

The two primary categories of filters are those from which you may recover your sample and those from which you cannot. The vast majority of the syringe filters that are now in use do not permit the solid to be reclaimed. They are often used just before the analysis to eliminate any material that is solid and has not dissolved. You can reclaim control of your filter with other sorts of filter holders, such as in-line types.

Schlenk line work, which involves a significant amount of interaction with needles and syringes, is an excellent use for syringe filters.

They can be utilised for filtration for general purposes, particularly of smaller amounts where large losses might be incurred due to filter paper soaking up liquid.

Can you reuse Syringe filters?

Sure, we are able to, however we recommend that you steer clear of reusable and disposable syringe filters. Because repeated use raises the risk of contamination from other sources, we do not recommend it. If an issue has been identified, it is essential to determine whether or not the sample has been tainted. The end outcome will be an increase in prices.

Cleaning Syringe Filters

For cleaning the syringe filter, first the distilled water is pumped repeatedly with a needle tube, then it is subjected to ultrasonic for around 20 minutes, then it is soaked in distilled water for more than 5 hours, and finally it is withdrawn and dried at approximately 40 degrees. Do not bake the gaskets; rather, allow them to dry in their natural state.

After each usage, the micron Syringe Filter should be cleaned and disinfected in the same manner as other high-pressure plastics; however, polyethylene cannot be made into a high-pressure plastic.

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