get your questions answered

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about Vibro^® Membrane Filtration (VMF) – from how it differs from conventional TFF and what services Sani Membranes offers to how the vibrations will affect your product.

What is Vibro^® Membrane Filtration (VMF)?

Vibro^® Membrane Filtration (VMF) is a dynamic membrane filtration technology for microfiltration and ultrafiltration applications. VMF reduces fouling through membrane vibration rather than high crossflow velocity as conventional tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems do.

Technology

How does the Vibro^® technology differ from conventional cross-flow filtration methods?

Vibro^® technology generates localized turbulence at the membrane surface using controlled vibration, which reduces the need for high-velocity flow and high-pressure drops required by traditional tangential flow filtration. This creates gentler processing conditions and allows for more precise control over transmembrane pressure, leading to higher yields and lower fouling rates.

What are the key benefits of using Vibro^® technology in membrane filtration?

The key benefits include higher product yields, uniform transmembrane pressure across the membrane, lower fouling, gentler processing conditions for sensitive biomolecules, potential elimination of certain process steps, and significant energy savings compared to traditional methods.

In what ways does Vibro^® technology improve microfiltration and ultrafiltration processes?

Vibro^® technology enables uniform membrane conditions, reduces shear stress, increases yield and transmission, minimizes fouling, and substantially lowers energy requirements in both microfiltration and ultrafiltration. For ultrafiltration, it specifically allows for continuous, stable operation and can enable single-pass processing.

Why is energy efficiency cited as a significant advantage of Vibro^® membrane filtration systems?

Energy efficiency is achieved by eliminating the need for rapid liquid flows and large pressure drops, which are energy-intensive in conventional systems. Vibro^® technology can reduce energy consumption by up to 95%, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for filtration applications.

Is it possible to recover the membranes by CIP and sanitize the unit?

Yes, CIP is possible for both our lab and industrial units as well as our flow systems. However, they cannot tolerate SIP (Steaming in Place).

Can I use my existing TFF process control system for Vibro^® filtration?

In many cases, existing systems can control the flow rates and pressures required for a Vibro^® filtration process. For a complete integration, taking full advantage of the Vibro^® technology, some minor adaptations may be required.

How low should my TMP be for ideal product transmission?

This depends on the product. However, with Vibro^® filtration, optimal product transmission is typically not achieved by directly controlling the transmembrane pressure (TMP), but rather by controlling the permeate flux.

The resulting optimal TMP is often significantly lower than what is typically required or achievable with other membrane filtration technologies. In practice, the TMP can be very low, but it should never be zero or negative since it may compromise the membrane integrity.

Vibrations

What impact do the vibrations have on my building and work environment?

Vibro^® units operate smoothly and quietly and are designed for use in standard processing facilities. As with any industrial equipment, a stable installation surface is recommended. If the unit is placed in areas with lighter structures or higher comfort requirements, additional isolation solutions can be added to further reduce any transmitted vibration.

Does the use of vibration in VMF affect the quality and stability of sensitive biological products?

By reducing shear stress through lower pump speeds and localized turbulence, Vibro^® technology preserves the integrity of sensitive biomolecules and cells, thereby maintaining product quality and stability during filtration processes.

Service, Maintenance & Support

Is it possible to try out the Vibro^® technology?

Yes! All our lab units are available for rent.

What technical support and training are provided?

We have a commissioning and training concept in place. Please contact your local sales representative regarding support and training options.

How long does the filter last?

The lifetime of a membrane filter cartridge depends on several operational and process-related factors, including, but not limited to:

Operating conditions: pressure, flow rate, and temperature
Feed composition: pH, temperature, and chemical composition of the process media
Membrane characteristics: polymer type and MWCO/pore size
Cleaning regime (CIP): frequency, duration, chemical composition, temperature, and pH
Storage conditions: storage solution, temperature, and handling practices

We recommend customers to change the filters once a year and to further secure your peace of mind with the Sani Service Concept.

Does Sani Membranes provide a service concept?

Yes, Sani Membranes offers a tailored service concept designed to match each customer’s specific process and application.

Our approach includes an extended warranty, scheduled filter supply, and a strong focus on maximizing uptime. We understand how critical a reliable process is to avoid loss of valuable time or media, and we work proactively to keep your operations running smoothly.

How easy is it to install and/or operate Vibro^® units?

Vibro^® units, for both lab and industrial use, are designed for straightforward installation and operation. Installation instructions and relevant foundation or installation details are available, and we can support commissioning as needed. Contact us for the appropriate installation guide and commissioning support for your setup.

application

Is the system compliant with FDA, GMP or other regulatory standards?

Sani Membranes’ products are designed for use in GMP‑regulated pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing and manufactured under an ISO:9001 certified quality management system. Depending on configuration, materials comply with:

USP Class VI
EU 1935/2004
EU 10/2011
EU 2023/2006
BSE/TSE‑free and animal‑derivative‑free declarations.

Which membrane/pore size/MWCO should I use for my application?

This depends on your application and your cells/products of interest. If you wish to retain and concentrate your product (e.g. cells or a molecule), your MWCO should as a rule of thumb be 3-5x smaller than the product. If you on the other hand would like to transmit your product across the membrane, then the MWCO should in general be 5-10x larger than the product.

Can VMF be integrated into continuous or batch processes?

Yes, VMF is a continuous filtration technology and can be used in both continuous and batch processes.

Can I use Vibro^® filtration for single-pass TFF (SPTFF)?

Yes, since the turbulence of Vibro^® Membrane Filtration (VMF) is independent from the liquid flow rate, SPTFF is possible. There are already several publications available demonstrating how our standard VMF device is superior to specialised SPTFF solutions in the market. Contact Sani Membranes to hear more about the latest experience with this exciting process opportunity.

Can VMF be used in both upstream and downstream filtration?

Yes, the potential uses of Vibro^® Membrane Filtration (VMF) are many:

For upstream processes, VMF is highly relevant as a cell retention device in seed train intensification, and for perfusion processes in mammalian as well as microbial cell cultures.
For harvest applications, whether considered up-, mid- or downstream, VMF has potential for simplifying the process, and delivering high product yields with minimum cell damage, reducing the purification burden of the DSP steps.
In downstream processes, VMF provides efficient and gentle concentration & buffer exchange without product aggregation due to the gentle processing.

Can using Vibro^® filtration reduce my mAbs downstream process cost?

Yes indeed, and in more than one way:

VMF clarifies mammalian/E. coli cultures directly from the bioreactor in a single step.
VMF’s low, uniform TMP and high product transmission result in a high step yield.
The clarified broth contains less HCP and host cell DNA compared to conventional TFF due to minimal cell damage.
Protein A column capacity can be increased by concentrating the clarified broth on a UF Vibro^® membrane.

The result is a simplified, gentle and efficient process that significantly reduces the cost of mAbs purification.

What if my process requirements exceed the largest unit?

Due to the modularity of the Vibro^® technology scaling up is very simple. Where needed, multiple Vibro^® units can be run in parallel to reach the desired capacity. For continuous, large volumes, multi-stage installations may be a more suitable alternative, enabling truly continuous 24/7 operation.

What are the footprint requirements for VMF?

Our Vibro^® units are designed to be as compact as possible, enabling production even in space-constrained facilities. Our 2.5 – 10 m² industrial Vibro^® units are equipped with wheels, making them mobile and providing you with flexibility in your bioprocessing setup. Our larger units are available in movable configurations as well.

Beyond that, our technology can drive production space optimization in several ways:

Smaller feed system: Pumps, piping and instrumentation is greatly reduced due to the low flow requirements of the technology – compared to conventional TFF systems.
No cooling needed: The heat dissipation to the processed medium is minimal reducing or more often eliminating the requirement for cooling.
Fewer process steps: VMF can replace or eliminate several process steps, such as centrifugation, depth filtration or pre-clarification. It also has the potential to be used for single-pass processing (inline concentration). This simplifies your process and minimizes overall space requirements.

curious to learn more about Vibro^®?

Book a demo or discuss your application with one of our filtration specialists today.

By filling in this form, you consent to receiving digital communications from Sani Membranes.