a biological fluid processing or fluid filtration system is provided having novel open and closed loop processing systems wherein the gases transferred into and out of the system during processing pass through a porous medium in upstream and / or downstream gas inlet or outlet housings or vents in a manner which precludes the fluid being processed or filtered from ever contacting the housings or vents . each housing or vent is separated from the fluid by a column of gas in its respective transfer line . the upstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the unfiltered biological fluid , and the downstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the filtered biological fluid .