Thermo Scientific 168-0045 Rapid Flow Filter 250 ml Sterile 0.45 um

Thermo Scientific™ Nalgene™ Rapid-Flow™ Sterile 250 mL Vacuum Filter Units, 0.45 µm PES (168-0045) – Case of 11

The Thermo Scientific™ Nalgene™ 168-0045 is a complete, single-use vacuum filtration system engineered for the prefiltration, clarification, and particle analysis of aqueous laboratory fluids, buffers, and biological solutions. This full assembly features a 250 mL upper filter funnel pre-docked to a matching 250 mL receiver storage bottle. Utilizing Nalgene’s proprietary Rapid-Flow™ multi-column support plate system paired with a high-velocity polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, it delivers exceptional filtration throughput and low clogging tendencies. While the manufacturer's standard packaging configuration is a case of 12 individually wrapped units, this versatile 0.45 micrometer (µm) filter assembly is a core consumable for clearing macro-particulates, sample cytology preparation, and analytical assay stabilization.

Technical Performance & Membrane Architecture

• Asymmetric Hydrophilic PES Membrane: Outfitted with an advanced asymmetric polyethersulfone membrane featuring a dual-porosity zone. The upper layer acts as an integrated pre-filter to catch larger debris, while the lower zone enforces strict 0.45 µm particulate retention, significantly increasing overall processing volumes.
• Low-Binding Clarification Pathway: Minimizes non-specific protein binding and trace chemical extractables. This preserves the precise concentration of solute matrices, enzymes, and downstream analytical buffers during critical clarification or scintillation counting prep steps.
• Proprietary Rapid-Flow™ Support Column Matrix: Features an engineered internal support structure that distributes vacuum pressure perfectly across the 50 mm membrane. This minimizes foaming and sample shear stress while maximizing fluid velocity across the filtration plane.
• Leak-Proof Safe Storage Vessel: The 250 mL receiver storage bottle uncouples easily from the filter collar and seals airtight with an included 1.5-turn high-density polyethylene (HDPE) screw cap. This secure seal protects filtered reagents from atmospheric exposure and prevents evaporation-driven pH shifts during cold room storage.

Product Specifications

• Catalog Number / MPN: 168-0045 (Alternative Ref: 1680045)
• Primary Manufacturer: Thermo Scientific™ (Nalgene™ Filtration Portfolio)
• Volumetric Capacity: 250 mL Upper Funnel / 250 mL Lower Receiver Storage Bottle
• Membrane Pore Size: 0.45 µm fluid clarification grade
• Membrane Diameter Profile: 50 mm nominal diameter
• Membrane Material Chemistry: Hydrophilic Asymmetric Polyethersulfone (PES)
• Housing Construction: Crystal-clear, impact-resistant polystyrene (PS) body with a blue identifying collar
• Sterility & Purity Standards: Gamma radiation-sterilized; Certified Non-Pyrogenic and Non-Cytotoxic
• Standard Packaging Layout: Case of 11 Complete Units (Each unit individually wrapped for a 5-year sterile shelf life, complete with standalone storage screw closures)

Key Benefits & Applications

• Aqueous Buffer & Mobile Phase Prefiltration: The premier choice for clearing macro-particulates and dust from complex laboratory salts, HPLC mobile phases, and aqueous reagents prior to high-sensitivity analysis.
• General Cytology and Particle Analysis: Provides a highly uniform, low-background plastic framework for isolating and harvesting cellular suspension samples or target micro-particles for microscopic diagnostics.
• Tissue Culture Media Pre-Clearing: Acts as an ideal high-throughput pre-filter for dense, high-protein solutions or viscous sera matrices before passing them through a finer 0.1 µm or 0.2 µm sterilizing-grade filter.
• **Audit-Ready Inventory Control:** The upper funnel housing is permanently printed with the catalog number, pore size rating, membrane material chemistry, manufacturing lot code, and expiration metric to support flawless batch traceability.

Thermo Scientific™, Nalgene™, and Rapid-Flow™ are registered commercial trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Catalog number 168-0045 specifies the 250 mL complete filter assembly with a 0.45 µm PES membrane. For absolute bacterial sterilization or mycoplasma removal applications, companion 0.2 µm or 0.1 µm pore size filter assemblies must be specified within the supply chain framework.