Influence of In-Line Filtration in the Delivery of Fat Emulsion

We studied the influence of in-line filtration with various types of filters on the delivery and distribution of particle diameter in the delivey of fat emulsion (10% and 20% Intralipos). The filtration rate of fat emulsion solely by gravity varied with the pore size (0.8 and 1.2 μm) and the materials (mixed esters of cellulose, posidyne nylon 66 and polyethersulfone of filters). The use of an IVEX-PF filter caused occlusion at the initial stage of infusion of fat emulsion. The filtration rate through TNA1 was much lower than those of the other 1.2 μm filters over the whole infusion period. This finding might be interpreted to occur due to the characteristics of the filter suface. IV-1200 and Nutrivex filters showed a higher and more stable filtration rate than the other 1.2 μm filters. The concentration and the average particle diameter and distribution of fat emulsion were not affected by the filtration through any of the filters examined. In conclusion, the fat emulsion could befiltered with 1.2 μmfilters solely by gravity and its phannaceutical stability was also sufficiently maintained during the filtration.