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Function of a Pyrogen Filter

A pyrogen filter is a specialized filter used in water purification to remove pyrogens—fever-inducing substances, mainly endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides or LPS from the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria). These filters are especially important in pharmaceutical production, medical applications, and dialysis systems.

How It Works

Pyrogen filters typically use ultrafiltration membranes or special adsorption materials to remove pyrogens from water. Key features include:

  • Pore Size: Typically smaller than 0.005 µm (ultrafiltration range) to retain even dissolved endotoxins.
  • Materials: Often made from hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) or similar membranes with high endotoxin retention.
  • Adsorption: Some filters include materials that bind endotoxins via electrostatic or hydrophobic interactions.

Applications

  1. Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Production of Water for Injection (WFI)
  • Purification steps in sterile drug manufacturing
  • Integrated in ultrapure water systems
  1. Medical Applications
  • Dialysis water treatment: Prevents pyrogenic reactions in patients
  • Parenteral nutrition solutions
  • Irrigation solutions for eyes or wounds
  1. Laboratories and Research
  • Preparation of pyrogen-free water for cell culture or molecular biology (e.g., PCR)
  • Used in animal testing to avoid immune reactions
  1. Biotechnology and Food Industry
  • Used in sensitive production processes requiring microbiological purity