Abstract: A filter for intravenous solutions including a flat, rectangular housing formed of two pieces sandwiching a filter sheet diagonally from end to end with support ribs on one side of the sheet and luer connections in the large end of each piece of the housing.

Abstract: An improved multi-tubular module is provided for use in ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis devices. Improved mechanical strength is achieved in the module by bonding the individual tubes to each other at spaced intervals along their total length whereby lateral and axial movement of individual tubes with respect to one another is eliminated, resulting in a coherent monolith of tubes. Additionally, improved resistance to thermal cycling is imparted to the module by connecting the tube sheet or header to the module shell in a manner which allows for slight movement of the tube sheet with respect to the module shell and yet provides a device which can be easily sanitized or sterilized when used for food or drug applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns a membrane filtration type hollow fiber. It is composed of a single material phase which material is a chain high polymer and capable of forming fibers by the spinning of the high polymer. The cylindrical wall defining the hollow fiber represents a three-dimensional net-like structure of fine filtering passages of 0.05 to 1 micron, preferably 0.1 to 1 micron. This structure occupies substantially the whole mass of the tubular wall or a closed ring band zone when seen in any cross-section of the wall, providing thus an effective and active filtering zone. The pore rate amounts to at least 55%, and active points of the filtering passages for governing minimum passable sizes of the passages for solids included in a filtering liquor to be treated upon are distributed at random throughout at least the active zone. These sizes are nearly uniform.

Abstract: The invention provides a tubular membrane separation apparatus useful for ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. A tubular separation element (1) is fitted in a porous pressure-resistant tube (2) which is inserted in a liquid collector tube (3) of larger diameter. The collector tube (3) is detachably connected to connector tubes (6) by joints (4). Each end of the separation element (1) is held between the inner surface of the joint (4) and the end of the connector tube (6) and thereby sealed. The separation element (1) is replaceable, and the apparatus can be disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane comprising a porous support and a crosslinked thin film formed on said porous support, said crosslinked thin film being formed by reacting compound (A) which is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkylenimines and polyalkylenimine derivatives, compound (B) which is at least one compound selected from a group of compounds typified by piperazine, 2,5-dimethylpiperazine, 4-aminomethylpiperidine and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, and compound (C) as a crosslinking agent which is a compound having in one molecule two or more functional groups capable of reacting with amino groups; and a process for preparing said composite semipermeable membrane.

Abstract: In an automobile fuel system and particularly for a diesel powered vehicle, it is desirable to provide a water separator to prevent passage of water to the engine and particularly the fuel induction components. It is also desirable to provide ejection means for the separated water which may include a provision to prevent the ejected water from falling to the ground.

Abstract: A modular block for osmotic methods of separation under pressure can be folded open and the filtration unit can easily be removed and introduced in the process. The filtration unit consists of a base plate with a membrane filter candle, and the filter candle consists of a stack of membrane filter plates. Spacers are placed between the filter plates and deflecting plates are provided to ensure zigzag penetration. The permeate transportation is displaced to the edge of the plates. The permeate issues laterally at the flange.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration membrane comprised of a linear polyurethane having a hydraulic permeability for water of about 50 to 500 1/m.sup.2 .multidot. h and a separation factor .alpha. of about 2.times.10.sup.-3 to 1.times.10.sup.-4, the permeability being based on determination with a membrane of a thickness of about 0.02 mm, a pressure differential of 1 bar and a temperature of 20.degree. C. and the separation factor .alpha. being established with a 2% oil-water emulsion at 25.degree. C. The membrane is particularly suited for operation of oil-water mixtures or emulsions.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a dialysis machine: (a) to which a negative pressure dialyzer can be connected; and (b) which can be operated so as to drain the dialysis solution from the dialyzer through the lower of the dialysis solution inlet and outlet ports. This apparatus and method permit a dialyzer to be drained of dialysis solution at the end of the dialysis treatment session in such a manner as to prevent spillage and leakage associated with the removal of the dialyzer from the machine.

Abstract: Leukocytes are advantageously separated from blood or other leukocyte-containing suspensions by causing the leukocyte-containing suspensions to flow through a filter unit comprising a container provided with inlet and outlet conduit means and with a mass of fibers packed therein. The mass of fibers is characterized as possessing a bulk density of from 0.02 to 0.40 gram/cubic centimeter, and each of the fibers is characterized as having an average diameter of from 3 to 10 microns. The fibers to be used are selected from synthetic fibers, semi-synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers and natural proteinaceous fibers.

Abstract: A dialyser has a membrane assembly (12) comprising two superposed conduits partially defined, and separated, by a transfer membrane wall. The walls of the conduit are provided with furrowing (38 or 39) extending with a component along the conduits. Blood is pumped through one conduit by a roller pump (21) and dialysate is pumped in counter current through the other conduit by a roller pump (24). The conduits communicate with separate chambers in flexible bladders (16) along each side edge of the conduits and the bladders are alternately compressed by rollers (27) to provide a superimposed reciprocatory flow component on the blood and dialysate in a direction transverse to the length of the conduits. This reciprocatory flow component, in conjunction with the furrows, produces vortexes in, and good mixing of, the blood and dialysate in their respective conduits and hence enhanced contact of each of these liquids with the transfer membrane wall.

Abstract: A dialysate solution containing sodium bicarbonate is provided in which the sodium bicarbonate is generated just prior to dialysis by combining an aqueous sodium carbonate-containing stream with an aqueous stream containing hydrochloric acid, acetic acid or a mixture of these acids in at least two stages with an excess of acid in the first stage.

Abstract: Module and method for providing a safe treatment of noncondutive organic solutions containing inflammable solvents by passing such solutions under pressure through electrically conductive perforated tubes supporting membrane assemblies therein and being grounded through the case of the module.

Abstract: A brush having bristles of varying heights in predetermined configurations is disclosed for extirpating ingrown facial hair from false follicles prior to shaving. The brush includes bristles of specified shapes, and incorporates a support for a razor. By properly preparing ingrown hairs for shaving a condition known as pseudofolliculitis barbae is more easily managed, thus alleviating physical and social discomfort.

Abstract: This relates to a transfer device of the type including dialyzers wherein plates are arranged in stacked relation separated by separator sheets or plates with there being different liquids or fluids flowing on opposite sides of the separated sheets for transfer therethrough. Such devices are relatively thick due to the required thickness of plates which define the channels for the fluids. The transfer plates of this device are shaped from a relatively rigid and thin sheet material with the fluid passages being defined by the transfer plate on opposite sides thereof, thereby resulting in a relatively thin plate making it possible to have a maximum capacity within a relatively thin stack.

Abstract: The filter device of this invention comprises a housing with an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber separated by a deformable microporous membrane, the outlet chamber containing a perforated membrane support surface of concave compound curvature which is spaced from the wall of the outlet chamber, the deformable membrane being in contact with and conforming to the compound curvature of the support surface when fluid flows through the membrane from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber.

Abstract: A membrane plasmapheresis module (10) comprises semipermeable membrane means (11) capable of permitting blood plasma to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of blood cells, and sealed housing means (18, 19) defining a blood inlet port (43) and blood outlet port (44) positioned adjacent opposite ends of a first flow path (60) extending along one side of the membrane (11). The housing (18, 19) also defines a plasma outlet port (38) adjacent one end of separate, second flow paths (62) extending along the other side of the membrane (11). The membrane (11) may be folded together about a fold line (12) to define a pair of membrane portions (14, 16) lying against each other. The first flow path (60) extends between the membrane portions (14, 16) and the second flow path (62) may optionally extend between each membrane portion (14, 16) and a wall of the sealed housing means (18, 19), or alternatively an adjacent fold (12) of the membrane portion.

Abstract: A bi-directional filter/drier for use in a heat pump refrigerant system or the like. The filter/drier includes a cylindric filter/drier element fitted within a housing and having an axial bore therethrough. The housing has an inlet/outlet at each end thereof for connection to the refrigerant system of the heat pump for selective bi-directional flow of refrigerant therethrough. A valve assembly is provided in the housing at each end of the filter/drier element. Each valve assembly includes a flapper valve and an outlet popet valve with the flapper valves permitting refrigerant to flow from a respective inlet/outlet functioning as an inlet to the exterior of filter/drier unit and with the outlet valves permitting the refrigerant to flow from the interior bore of the filter/drier element to a respective inlet/outlet which functions as an outlet so that no matter which direction refrigerant flows through the housing, the refrigerant at all times flows from the exterior to the interior of the filter/drier element.

Abstract: A membrane module which includes a unitary, curved, backing support which retains all the U bends, serially connecting the membrane tubes, in a sealing relationship, and which includes an annular permeate-collector ring system at the end of each membrane tube and channels with a permeate manifold passageway, to provide efficient removal and easy cleaning of the permeate flow path.

Abstract: A device for mass transfer between fluids through a diaphragm unit comprising a pair of diaphragms with a diaphragm support therebetween, in which the diaphragm unit is a pleated package supported in a case, with the pleats and support defining a plurality of separate flow paths, and the diaphragm unit is shaped in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pleats with a zig zag or sine-wave shape, so that a compound zig zag or sine-wave shape results for the unit.