Abstract: A device (10) for removal of gas bubbles and dissolves gasses from fluids delivered into a patient during medical procedures is disclosed. A housing (20) having a number of gas permeable hollow fibers (50) passing therethrough is provided. The infused fluid is introduced through the interior lumens of the hollow fibers (50), and entrained or dissolved gasses are drawn through the fiber walls to the outer or shell side of the fibers. A vacuum may be drawn on the housing through a vent (32) to enhance gas removal. A passage (70) is optionally provided through the device to allow a tool or other device to be passed therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing entrained gases from a liquid by directing a liquid flow adjacent a substantially hydrophobic microporous membrane material and providing a negative pressure to one side of the membrane material to draw undissolved gas bubbles out of the liquid and through the membrane walls.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method of solvent extraction. The steps of the method include: providing a dual-skinned asymmetric membrane; providing a feed containing a solute; and providing a solvent. The feed and the solvent are contacted across the membrane. The solute of the feed is extracted, and forming thereby a raffinate and an extract.

Abstract: Modules for use in fluid separations, especially contained liquid membrane separations, exhibit minimal effective membrane thickness. The modules have a module case and bundle of a dense plurality of hollow fiber membranes contained in the case. One set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes feed-fibers while another set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes strip-fibers for use in contained liquid membrane separations. The feed-fibers and strip-fibers are disposed within the elongate module case in opposite generally wave-like paths such that the feed-fibers and strip-fibers converge at generally lengthwise-separated crossing regions within the module. This disposition of the feed-fibers and the strip-fibers minimizes the effective membrane thickness value of the module as compared to conventional contained liquid membrane modules thereby enhancing the efficacy of fluid separations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predetermining maximum pressure differentials for particular microporous hollow fiber membranes and essentially immiscible feed and extractant liquids to be employed in liquid-liquid extractions include a test module having a number of such fibers formed into a loop between the opposing ends thereof. A tubular sleeve element encompasses these opposing ends, and a potting compound positionally retains the opposing ends within the tubular sleeve. The hollow fiber lumens are fluid-connected to a reservoir containing a pressurized feed liquid, and the loops of hollow fiber are immersed in an essentially unpressurized extractant liquid. The pressure of the feed liquid is continually increased until there is an incipient presence of the feed liquid in the extractant liquid. The pressure of the feed liquid at that incipient presence may therefore be used to calculate a maximum pressure differential tolerated by the microporous hollow fibers for the feed and extractant liquids used.