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MEMBRANE ENRICHMENT PLATFORM

Membrane-enrichment technology platform

Centrifugation / embedded adsorption or filtration / retention concentrates targets and retains them at the membrane surface. Typical workflows reach about 20–100× enrichment depending on sample volume and process conditions, and matched clearing reduces the light scattering caused by air in the membrane pores, before morphology, fluorescence, nucleic-acid or other detection.

Watch the principle View the product system

INTERACTIVE PRINCIPLE

How targets reach the membrane,
remain there and enter detection

After the required handling, the sample enters centrifugation / embedded adsorption or filtration / retention. Targets concentrate at the membrane surface before morphology, fluorescence, nucleic-acid or other analysis.

Principle schematic

The sample enters one of two membrane-enrichment routes

  1. 01

    Bring the sample into membrane enrichment

    After the required sample handling, bring the sample into the centrifugal sandwich cup or filtration device.

  2. 02

    Complete enrichment at the membrane surface

    Centrifugation / embedded adsorption drives targets toward the ultra-thin membrane; filtration lets carrier pass while targets are retained. The routes are selected independently, but both concentrate targets at the membrane surface.

  3. 03

    Connect the enriched membrane to downstream detection

    The enriched membrane connects directly to downstream detection. Compatible microscopy workflows can observe targets directly, while PCR / NGS workflows can enter lysis, amplification or library preparation without first eluting targets back into liquid; each method keeps its required downstream steps.

Centrifugation / embedded adsorption

The sandwich cup is used in the operation, with centrifugal action and embedded adsorption enriching target material at the ultra-thin membrane surface.

Filtration

The sample passes through the membrane, where target material is retained and enriched; membrane transfer may be used.

The mechanisms differ, but both routes concentrate targets and retain them at the membrane surface.

Principle schematic · time is accelerated; samples and operating conditions follow the method used.

TECHNOLOGY ROUTES

Two parallel enrichment routes

The routes are chosen independently by sample, target and downstream method; each route page explains its principle, workflow and products.

Embedded-adsorption enrichment membrane sandwich-cup platform

ROUTE A · Centrifugal action

Centrifugation / embedded-adsorption enrichment membrane

Centrifugation and embedded adsorption concentrate dispersed targets at an ultra-thin membrane surface before clearing, slide preparation, staining and digital review.

  • Concentrated targets
  • A more connected workflow
  • Built for standardised handoffs
Explore the route
Shadowless membrane concentration sampler and slide-preparation device

ROUTE B · Direct filtration

Filtration / retention enrichment membrane

Filtration and retention concentrate small particles from a larger liquid sample onto one membrane, ready for microscopy, fluorescence or PCR / NGS preprocessing.

  • A broader sample entry point
  • Fewer avoidable transfers
  • One membrane, multiple pathways
Explore the route

FAQ

About membrane concentration

What is membrane concentration?
Membrane concentration is the smear technique specified in group standard T/CHATA 044—2024 (Technical and operating specification for acid-fast staining of membrane-concentrated smears). It has two routes, filtration-membrane concentration and adsorption-membrane concentration: after digestion and inactivation, the sample undergoes negative-pressure filtration or centrifugal adsorption that enriches the targets on the membrane, which is then stained directly and mounted on a slide for microscopy. It is one methodological implementation of sample concentration.
Source: Group standard T/CHATA 044—2024, Technical and operating specification for acid-fast staining of membrane-concentrated smears
What is the concentration factor of membrane concentration?
Under Annex A.2.1 of T/CHATA 044—2024, a direct smear uses about 0.05 mL of sputum, while membrane concentration should actually use ≥1.0 mL, giving a concentration factor of ≥20. The standard also gives an analytical sensitivity of 2000 acid-fast bacilli/mL in sputum.
Source: Group standard T/CHATA 044—2024, Technical and operating specification for acid-fast staining of membrane-concentrated smears
Why can't a filter membrane be examined directly under the microscope?
A filter membrane is not a transparent viewing medium in itself, so it has to be cleared first. A porous membrane looks white because air in its pores scatters light; once a matched clearing medium fills the pores, the membrane transmits light more easily while the targets stay on its surface, ready for microscopy. On the adsorption-membrane route, the membrane material itself transmits enough light for light-microscopy examination.

Questions and answers last reviewed October 28, 2026.

ENRICHMENT FIRST · DETECTION NEXT

Enrich the target,
then connect downstream detection

The enriched membrane interface can connect to morphology, fluorescence, nucleic-acid and other methods as needed. Our technical team can explain how the platform fits the existing workflow and which product system carries it forward.

  • Increase target concentration
  • Reduce avoidable transfer and elution loss
  • Connect existing detection methods
  • Support manual and automated workflows
Discuss membrane enrichment Enquiries0745-2921999 Sales hotline0731-82297991 Emailhntq@hntq.com