A device for the separation of small particles or cells from a fluid
suspension of the same is described. The device includes a coaxial
tubular design in which the inner tube is a micro porous tube that allows
the passage of liquids and certain particulates up to a certain size
cut-off, and the outer tube allows for the collection of passed fluids.
Inlet and outlet ports allow the introduction and flushing of components
of interest. Embodiments of the device can be used for the separation of
blood components, the sequestering of micro spheres used in
micro-sphere-based immuno assay, and sample filtration. Other
applications are not precluded. Another field of application for this
device is in the separation of plasma from red blood cells. The red blood
cells will not pass through the membrane due to their size, but plasma
will.