Manufacture of microporous membranes

  Precisely definable pore sizes
  Very small manufacturing tolerances
  Exact exclusion limits (cut-off)
  High thermal stability
  Flat and smooth surfaces
  Biologically inert / non-toxic to cells (USP class VI)
  Extremely low levels of extractable components
  Conforming to FDA and EC food standards
  Low levels of non-specific protein binding
  Low affinity for staining, therefore high optical contrast
  Non-hygroscopic
  Sterilizable (gamma, autoclaving, EtO)
  Pleatable

The possibility to develop and manufacture molding tools and injection-molded components aside from membranes and to process them further to obtain a finished packaged product, enables us to offer our customers outstanding quality assurance, simplified sourcing processes and therefore fast processes and optimized cost structures. 

The TRAKETCH^® PET vent membrane has two functions: firstly, to ensure that the air is free of pathogens and secondly, to prevent draining of the cell culture medium. Cell cultures require an adequate supply of fresh air. In so doing, no contaminants may be introduced to the cells from the outside.

The inserts are hanging in the wells of cell culture plates by means of three “arms”. The production is carried out in ISO class 8 clean rooms and the used TRAKETCH^® membrane is USP class VI-certified and thus biocompatible.

Cell culture inserts with Track-Etched filter membranes are used for a variety of cell and tissue culture applications. They have a functional, patented design (US 9,139,804 B2) for easy handling when pipetting media into the wells, without the need to remove the cell culture inserts.

Global Life Sciene companies source disposables with colored TRAKETCH membranes for rapid microbial detection from SABEU. They enable users to get useful microbiology results in a matter of hours as opposed to days required for older methods. The users are leading manufacturers in the Pharmaceutical, Home & Beauty, as well as Dairy, Beverage and Food industries.

Vents consist of hydrophobic and oleophobic membranes, which balance out pressure differences, while at the same time reliably holding back moisture and particles from the outside. Vents protect e.g. sensors in electronic housings or remove the air from oxidizing chemicals in chemical packaging.

TRAKETCH^® membranes by SABEU are mainly used for the filtration as well as for venting in a number of applications and markets - predominantly in the medical technology, laboratory analysis, bio technology as well as the chemical and pharmaceutical packaging, the automotive and electronics industries.

The properties of ion track membranes (track etch) can be adjusted to match the specific application, and, as a result of the manufacturing process, they are always characterized by a pore structure that is uniform and within close tolerances. The pore sizes can vary from 0.03 µm to 15 µm. 

With TRAKETCH^® membranes performance data such as air flow and water pressure can be adjusted in accordance with the requirements of the application within the scope of the technical specifications. The membranes can then be further processed by SABEU, e.g. welded in plastic components.

We modify the properties of untreated Track Etched membranes or other polymer membranes by means of different surface treatments, depending on the requirement. Some examples are:

  Hydrophobic and oleophobic for sterile venting
  PVP
  Tissue culture treated (TC)
  Colored membranes: for a reduced autofluorescence
  Sputter coating of gold or other metals
  Further specific modifications upon request

 

For stabilization and optimized handling, all membranes types (e.g. PTFE or Tracketch) can be laminated with different types of non-woven fibers. The heat lamination does not require glue when the fibers are made from poly propylene or PET. The composite material then has a total thickness of 100 µm to 500 µm and can be processed optimally in e.g. automated cutting and welding equipment.

Depending on the application, all membranes can be produced as rolls, sheets, punched round discs or in other outlines and shapes. Further processing into adhesive pads supplied on liners are another option.

• Roll widths from 8 mm to 300 mm
• Typical sheet sizes are 8 x 10” (200 x 250 mm)
• Typical disc diameters are 1/2”(13 mm), 1”(25 mm), 47 mm, 50 mm, 3 ½” (90 mm), 142 mm and 11 ½” (293 mm)
• Other sizes are available upon request.

For the assembly of membranes, SABEU creates tailor-made production designs based on specifications. They guarantee a high availability and a secure, economic production of the products in clean rooms and controlled areas.

SABEU develops conceptual designs for:​

  Assembly lines
  Rotary systems
  Linear systems
  Automatic testing devices

 

SABEU offers different joining techniques for all membranes:​

  Ultrasonic welding
  Thermal bonding
  Edge over-molding

 

Because of the special manufacturing process, TRAKETCH^® micro filtration membranes have capillary pores, which – unlike stretched or foamed membranes – have very precise diameters and a smooth surface.

TRAKETCH^® Vent are characterized by a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface to achieve ideal venting. The air flow can be adjusted due to precisely defined pores.

TRAKETCH^® Bio are ideal as surface filters for any application where cells and particles grow or need to be analyzed on the surface of the membrane, e.g. cell cultures in biotechnology applications as well as particles and microorganisms in environmental analysis.