Abstract: Air or gas is prevented from entering into the exchange zone of an artificial organ such as an artificial kidney, dialyzer, or hemofilter. For this purpose a separating path is arranged in parallel with the artificial organ or with the exchange zone or other operative portion of the artificial organ between the liquid inflow and outflow conduits. This parallel path is provided with a high flow resistance for the liquid and with a low flow resistance for the air. Such differential flow resistance may, for example, be accomplished by apertures, gas permeable materials, and eddy chambers. The gas separating path is incorporated as an integral part of the artificial organ or as an integral part of the liquid inflow and outflow conduits. According to several embodiments, an enlargement is provided in the separating path or conduit in which the liquid may "rise and dwell" to enhance air separation before the liquid flows into the operative portion of the artificial organ.

Abstract: A dialyzer is formed by first placing a film strip into a membrane hose and then simultaneously folding the hose and a netting intermediate layer so that the folds of the hose and the folds of the netting extend crosswise relative to each other in a mutually interlocking manner. The facing ends of the hose layers are then sealed with a curable sealing compound and severed. Then the film strips are withdrawn from the hoses in the so formed package. The resulting product is a dialyzer or hemofilter, depending on the type of membrane hose used, in which the facing ends of the membrane hoses are open for the passage of blood therethrough, after the withdrawal of the film, and in which the netting layers are located between adjacent hoses.

Abstract: A hollow fiber dialyser comprises a webbing of hollow fibers. A loose warp hread at each end of a webbing wound on a core, acts as a wick barrier to prevent sealant from leaking into the interstices between the hollow fibers. A tight warp thread nearest the open ends of the fibers pinches off the free inner cross section of each hollow fiber to prevent sealant from penetrating into the hollow fibers.

Abstract: The present mass transfer apparatus between two media is especially adapted to blood dialysis. To assure an undisturbed flow of the blood through the dialyser and to avoid coagulation all flow channels are shaped to avoid dead corners and choking zones so that the blood is prevented from forming wakes or so-called "dead waters" in its flow path. For this purpose a hollow space is formed adjacent to the open ends of the hollow fibers. The inlet and/or outlet to this hollow space may extend radially axially or tangentially.