Filtration system and use thereof

1. A cell capture system for receiving a fluid sample, the system comprising:

(a) a cup comprising:

(i) an upper portion,

(ii) a ring having a periphery, wherein the upper portion is separably coupled to the ring by a frangible connection comprising a circumferential groove that defines a parting plane between the upper portion and the ring so that the upper portion can be separated from the ring upon manual application by a user of a rotational force sufficient to break the frangible connection, and

(iii) a fluid permeable membrane attached to the periphery to produce a fluidic seal between the membrane and the ring, wherein a portion of the membrane is adapted to retain cells thereon; and

(b) a base configured to receive the ring.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the membrane portion (i) defines a plurality of pores having an average diameter less than about 1 μm so as to permit fluid to traverse the portion of the membrane while retaining cells thereon and (ii) is substantially non-autofluorescent when exposed to light having a wavelength in a range from about 350 nm to about 1000 nm.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the membrane portion has a flatness tolerance of up to about 100 μm.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cup is adapted to direct a fluid, when introduced into the upper portion, toward the membrane portion.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ring is integrally formed with the upper portion.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the frangible connection comprises a thin wall at an intersection of the upper portion and the ring.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ring comprises a circumferential registration feature.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the membrane is at least one of adhered, bonded, heat welded, and ultrasonically welded to the ring.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base defines a recess adapted to receive a membrane support.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the recess defines a plurality of openings adapted to permit the passage of fluid therethrough.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a registration feature.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the registration feature comprises a depression defined by a surface of the base.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cup further comprises at least one latch adapted to couple the cup to the base.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one latch is adapted to resist separation of the cup and the base in a plane perpendicular to a parting plane.

15. A method of harvesting cells if present in a fluid sample, the method comprising:

(a) introducing the fluid sample to the upper portion of the cup of claim 1 ; and

(b) permitting the fluid to pass through the membrane portion.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising, after applying the fluid, separating the upper portion from the ring.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein separating the upper portion from the ring comprises applying a force sufficient to decouple the ring from the upper portion.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein applying the force comprises twisting the cup relative to the base.

19. A method of manufacturing a cell capture system of claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a ring having a periphery;

(b) securing a fluid permeable member to a periphery to produce a fluidic seal between the membrane and the ring; and

(c) positioning the ring having the membrane secured thereto within a base configured to receive the ring.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein, prior to step (b), the ring is separably coupled to the upper portion.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the positioning step comprises mating the cup with the base in a predetermined circumferential orientation.

22. The method of claim 19 , further comprising, prior to positioning the cup within the base, placing a porous support in a recess formed in the base.