Importance

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Abstract

A gel contactor receives a fluid media produced in a bio-reactor and containing a product to be extracted, cells and other particles. The gel contactor has a cylindrical container with a cylindrical filter mounted inside the container. A freely rotatable wiper blade sweeps the upstream side of the filter in a closely spaced relationship. The container holds a supply of beads of an absorptive chromatography media such as an ion-exchange or affinity type gel, that selectively bond to the product. An orbital drive causes the blade, process fluid and gel to revolve. The rotation of the blade depolarizes the filter and circulates the process fluid process fluid and gel within the container so that they are well mixed, with substantially no dead spots. After mixing and filtration an elution buffer solution strips the product from the gel. There are no rotary seals connecting to the container. The orbital drive preferably has a variable radius, but may have a fixed radius when combined with start up techniques of the present invention such as introducing a small void volume in the container.

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First Claim