Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane filter unit for liquid or gaseous media, comprising a bundle of capillary membranes which are open on at least one front surface side and which are cast in an area which is close to the end of the open membrane ends, in a sealing layer forming a hardened head part. The open membrane ends protrude on the outer side of the sealing layer. The sealing layer is arranged on a spacer element which has a layer which is penetrated by the capillary membranes and which is non-permeable in relation to the casting material which hardens in order to form the sealing layer. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a membrane filter unit.

Abstract: A paracorporeal respiratory assist lung is configured with an annular cylindrical hollow fiber membrane (fiber bundle) that is rotated at rapidly varying speeds. Fluid (for example, blood) is introduced to the center of the device and is passed radially through the fiber bundle. The bundle is rotated at rapidly changing velocities with a rotational actuator (for example, a motor or magnetic coupling). The rotation of the fiber bundle provides centrifugal kinetic energy to the fluid giving the device pumping capabilities and may create Taylor vortexes to increase mass transfer. Rotation of the fiber bundle increases the relative velocity between the fluid and the hollow fibers and increases the mass transfer. The porosity of the fiber bundle may be varied to enhance gas exchange with the blood. Alternatively, a rotating core may be used with a stationary fiber bundle.

Abstract: A system that is suitable for extracting plasma from blood received from a blood supply is provided. The system comprises a housing, an inlet opening for receiving the blood, a filtration chamber comprising a membrane, and a plasma compartment. The membrane forms a barrier between the blood and the plasma extracted from the blood, and the plasma compartment collects the plasma extracted from the blood. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plasma flow path compression chamber for pulling plasma across the membrane. In some embodiments, the system comprises a blood flow path compression chamber for facilitating blood flow. Some embodiments of the system further comprise means for measuring plasma and blood analytes using spectroscopic and biosensor techniques.

Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes a set of tubes, each containing gas-separation membrane elements, arranged within a housing. The housing contains tube sheets that divide the space within the housing into three separate, gas-tight spaces, with the tubes mounted in the central space. Feed gas enters the tubes through apertures positioned to feed multiple membrane elements within a tube in parallel, and one or more manifolds are used to collect residue gas from the membrane elements and direct the gas to the residue port or to a second group of membrane elements within the tube. The assembly can be used in various ways to carry out gas separation processes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus which reduces the fines in a liquid discharge stream and/or increases the dryness of a solids discharge stream while under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid.

Abstract: A contained liquid membrane contactor includes a perforated center tube, first and second membrane mats each with a first and a second end both being open, four tube sheets affixing the membrane mats to the center tube, a shell sealed to the tube sheets, and two end caps. The first end of the first mat extends a first distance beyond the second end of the second mat. The first end of the first mat is open at the first tube sheet while the first end of the second mat is open at the second tube sheet. The second end of the first mat is between the second and fourth tube sheets and the second end of the second mat is between the first and third tube sheets.

Abstract: A center tube is disclosed which allows a draw solution to flow through all membrane elements in a membrane system in parallel. The center tube may include a cylindrical wall with two open ends and a barrier element there between separating an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber within the cylindrical wall. At least one non-perforated bypass tube may be located substantially within the cylindrical wall, which extends a length of the downstream chamber and/or the upstream chamber so that the upstream chamber is configured to communicate with a second upstream chamber of a second center tube and/or the downstream chamber is configured to communicate with a second downstream chamber of the second center tube.

Abstract: A filter device having filter means, in particular hollow fiber membranes, arranged in more than one filtration compartment within a filter housing. The filter device thereby allows more than one filtration process to be carried out serially and/or simultaneously within a single housing. For example a dialysis type filtration process such as hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration or hemodialysis may be carried out at the same time as an ultrafiltration process or as another hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration or hemodialysis process. The device may have a split shell construction bonded or welded together along longitudinal seams. Internal separating walls within the housing are formed integrally with the shell portions of the housing to form adjacent filtration compartments when the housing portions are joined together.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A gas-separation membrane assembly, and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly incorporates multiple gas-separation membranes in an array within a single vessel or housing, and is equipped with two permeate ports, enabling permeate gas to be withdrawn from both ends of the membrane module permeate pipes.

Abstract: A porous multilayered hollow fiber for outer side pressed filtration is made of a multilayer comprising a supporting layer constituted of the thickness of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene tube, and a filtration layer provided on the outer surface of the supporting layer, wherein pores surrounded by fibrous frameworks in the filtration layer are smaller than those of the supporting layer, and the mean of the maximum fibril length (L) of the fibrous frameworks surrounding each pore in the outer surface of the filtration layer is designed to be small such that (X) and (Y) fall within the range on the XY plane, where (X) is a particle diameter of particles captured when the particle trapping ratio is equal to or more than 90% in the case where the filtration is done under an elevated pressure of 0.1 MPa, and (Y) is a value designated as RFL obtained by dividing (L) by (X).

Abstract: Disclosed is a submerged hollow fiber membrane module which is easy to expand, has a small installation area, and exhibits excellent contamination prevention and durability. The submerged hollow fiber membrane module comprises: (I) a module body divided into two portions which has a permeated water collection space (5) and a permeated water outlet (3); (II) module support tubes (17) which are vertically connected to the upper and lower ends of the module body; (III) a plate type module header insertion layer which is provided with hollow fiber membrane spaces (10), and is inserted into the module body; (IV) a plate type diffusion layer which is provided with a diffusion port (4) and diffusion tubes (11) and is inserted into the module body subsequent to the module header insertion layer; and (V) module headers which are inserted into the module header insertion layer.

Abstract: A modification in the configuration of the blood microtubular filter/dializer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems can provide highly a effective mechanism for removing air from the blood circuit of such systems. In embodiments, for example, the invention takes advantage of the slow flow rate that usually occurs where blood exits the microtubules into a header area of the filter to provide a settling area and, preferably, a air relief mechanism.

Abstract: A membrane separation module (10) has a shell (11) having inlet port (20), outlet port (21) and a plurality of membrane units (12) disposed therebetween. Each membrane unit (12) has a plurality of elongated membrane elements (13), with at least a portion of each membrane element (13) having a semipermeable surface to permit selective permeation of one or more components of a multi-component feed fluid. The plurality of elongated membrane elements (13) are attached to collecting manifolds (16) (17), with one of those manifolds (16) (17) being unrestrained, permitting axial movement of each membrane element (13) in response to temperature changes. At least one manifold (16) (17) from each membrane unit (12) is in fluid communication with a manifold (16) (17) from one other membrane unit (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane pipe module, said module comprising a cylindrical housing containing a plurality of tubular membrane sections which extend in the axial direction and are interconnected at the ends thereof, forming longer tubular membrane sections. Said cylindrical housing comprises a heatable chamber, on one or both sides, comprising U-shaped connection pipes which are arranged therein and are guided through a separating wall between the chamber and the housing, with the two open ends thereof, and respectively connect two adjacent open tubular membrane sections, forming a membrane loop.

Abstract: A module has a housing and a tube-sheet. Hollow fiber membranes are potted in the tube-sheet with their ends open. Mechanical interference prevents excessive movement of the tube-sheet along the length of the housing. A gasket is placed in a groove between the tube-sheet and the housing, opening towards the outer face of the tube-sheet. A cap is secured and sealed to the end of the housing. To construct the module, membranes are placed inside of the housing with their ends protruding. A potting fixture is attached to the end of the housing over the ends of the membranes and protruding into the end of the housing so as to form the groove. Liquid potting material is injected into the potting fixture and solidified into a tube-sheet. The potting fixture is removed and the ends of the fibers are cut open. The module may be used, for example, to dehydrate a fermentation product vapour mixture fed through the lumens of the fibres by extracting water vapour permeated into the housing under partial vacuum.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.

Abstract: This invention discloses dialysis devices, related housings, related membranes, related kits, and related methods.

Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes a set of tubes, each containing gas-separation membranes, arranged within a housing. The housing contains a tube sheet that divides the space within the housing into two gas-tight spaces. A permeate collection system within the housing gathers permeate gas from the tubes for discharge from the housing.

Abstract: A membrane filtration module (5) of the type having a plurality of permeable, hollow membranes (6) mounted therein, wherein, in use, a pressure differential is applied across the walls of the permeable, hollow membranes (6) immersed in a liquid suspension containing suspended solids, said liquid suspension being applied to one surface of the permeable, hollow membranes (6) to induce and sustain filtration through the membrane walls wherein some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes to be drawn off as clarified liquid or permeate, and at least some of the solids are retained on or in the permeable, hollow membranes (6) or otherwise as suspended solids within the liquid suspension, the module (5) including a fluid retaining means (13) at least partially surrounding the membrane module (5) for substantially retaining at least part of fluid flowed into the membrane module (5).

Abstract: The filter 1 of the present invention has at least two filter elements 2 contained in the casing 4, which are connected in series in such a state as interposing the first sealer 5 between them.

Abstract: A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes a set of tubes, each containing gas-separation membranes, arranged within a housing. The housing contains tube sheets that divide the space within the housing into three separate, gas-tight spaces, with the tubes mounted in the central space. Within this space, each tube has an aperture or hole in its wall that enables gas that has been retained on the feed side of the membranes to flow out of the tubes and into the space. The assembly can be used in various ways to carry out gas separation processes.

Abstract: The culture chamber of the present invention has a fluid-filled culture compartment in which cells, tissues and other biologicals are cultured. The culture compartment is transversed by one or more molecular weight cut-off membranes attached to a membrane carrier assembly. Incoming nutrients are transported through the membrane into the culture compartment and metabolic waste products are transported away from the fluid-filled culture compartment through the membrane and out the chamber outlet. Both reusable and disposable culture chambers are described for culturing cells, cell aggregates, particles, tissues and organoids.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: In order to prevent a leakage of pressurized air when a force of 12 N is applied, a multiple cartridge (A) of the present invention plurally provides porous membrane cartridges (1) side by side by a link piece (5), each of which has a tubular barrel (10) having openings (11a, 11b) at a top end portion (13) and rear end portion thereof; a cap (20) that is formed like a tube having a fit-in portion (22) for fitting outside the top end portion, and abuts an opening edge (14) of the top end portion, and has a sandwich face (24) for sandwiching a porous membrane (F) between the cap and the barrel; and the porous membrane sandwiched between the opening edge of the barrel and the cap.

Abstract: A filtration system includes two end manifolds formed from blocks which are adapted to receive two or more reverse osmosis filtration tubes and to provide separate flow channels for the feed and filtered flows through the tubes. The end manifolds are machined from a block of nylon or similar resilient material and have cylindrical grooves formed to receive the outer and inner tubes of the filtration tubes and annular grooves formed within these cylindrical grooves to restrain O rings which seal the outer and inner tubes have channels formed between the cylindrical grooves which receive the outer and inner tubes of the filtration tubes which channels provide separate flow paths for the feed and filtered flows.

Abstract: A filtration cartridge having a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a filtration membrane contained within the housing and located between the inlet and the outlet is described. The membrane is sealed in such a manner that all fluid must flow through the membrane between entering the inlet and leaving the outlet of the housing. The entire cartridge, housing, membrane and any other components are all formed of one or more perfluorinated thermoplastic resins. These resins preferably are PFA, MFA, FEP and blends thereof. The membrane may be in the form of hollow fibers, wound fibers such as in a depth filter, or a flat sheet which may be formed into various configurations such as spiral filters, pleated filters, spiral pleated filters, disks and the like. These cartridges provide an inert, high temperature and acid/oxidative chemical resistant filter having properties similar to that of PTFE resins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fiber membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (5), at least one end of the fiber membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fiber membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid, such as plasma, or from lipid-containing organisms. These systems contact a fluid with an extraction solvent, which causes the lipids in the fluid to separate from the fluid or causes lipids in the lipid-containing organisms to separate from the lipid-containing organism, using at least one hollow fiber contactor. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a level below a particular threshold enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without the patient experiencing undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid, to a different patient, or be stored.

Abstract: The instant invention is a hollow fiber membrane contactor, and method of making same. The hollow fiber membrane contactor includes (1) a shell, said shell having a internal bonding surface, an interlocking geometry ring being provided on said internal bonding surface; (2) a unitized structure; (3) a potting material joining said unitized structure to said shell at said interlocking geometry ring thereby forming an interlocking seal therebetween; and (4) end caps, said end caps being adjoined to lateral ends of said shell. The method of making a hollow fiber membrane contactor includes (1) providing a shell, said shell having a internal bonding surface; (2) providing an interlocking geometry ring on said internal bonding surface; (3) forming a unitized structure; (4) placing the unitized structure into said shell (5) potting said unitized structure to said shell at said interlocking geometry ring thereby forming an interlocking seal therebetween; and (6) adjoining end caps to lateral ends of said shell.

Abstract: A catchment header allowing a plurality of membrane modules to be connected thereto, having a tubular catchment part with a Young's modulus of 4.0 GPa or less for collecting and taking out filtrated liquid from the membrane modules, wherein at least a part of the tubular catchment part is covered with a reinforcement member with a Young's modulus of 4.0 to 250 GPa, the tubular catchment part of the catchment header is preferably formed of a synthetic resin, and the cross sectional area thereof perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tubular catchment part is preferably 4 to 36 cm2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow membrane (11) comprising two support layers arranged one above the other forming a space between them and a plurality of capillary tubes arranged between the support layers forming capillary channels for the flow of a first fluid, the space between the capillary tubes forming an internal cavity for the circulation of a second fluid around the capillary tubes, and the whole assembly being made of an organic polymer. These membranes (11) can be assembled into modules for the treatment of a fluid with intermediate porous panels (13).

Abstract: Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-throughput analysis of compound absorption in a controlled environment that closely resembles in-vivo conditions. The apparatus includes at least one tissue-receiving enclosure that is capable of interfacing (e.g., via transfer of fluids, electronically, etc.) with a variety of preparative devices and analytical instrumentation. In some variations, the tissue-receiving enclosure is formed from two housings, which, when engaged, have a capsular shape. The enclosure receives a tissue sample in the form of an un-everted or everted intestinal segment or tubular artificial membrane. The tissue sample is coupled to a generally cylindrical tissue support. The tissue support and the enclosure are axially aligned, and openings at the ends of the enclosure align with openings at the ends of the tissue support. Two feed fittings, one for each end of the enclosure, forcefully mate with the aligned openings in the housing and the tissue support.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid, such as plasma, or from lipid-containing organisms. These systems contact a fluid with an extraction solvent, which causes the lipids in the fluid to separate from the fluid or causes lipids in the lipid-containing organisms to separate from the lipid-containing organism, using at least one hollow fiber contactor. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a level below a particular threshold enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without the patient experiencing undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid, to a different patient, or be stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fiber membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (5), at least one end of the fiber membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fiber membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water, that includes a frame, in connection with which is arranged a primary space for water to be filtered, secondary space for filtered water and a filter. The filter is arranged to filter water, that is driven by gravity from the primary space existing in the frame to the secondary space, wherein the filtering influence of the filter is based essentially on a thin filtering film made of plastic based material. Essentially underneath the primary space is arranged an accessory space for the filtering means, that is in connection with the primary space and that has an essentially smaller cross-section than the same, in order to keep the filter surrounded by unclean water in the auxiliary space of the primary space, being limited from the secondary space, totally separate from the secondary space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite system comprising an electrode and a membrane, which can be used as a fuel cell element or an ion-exchange membrane.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane cartridge wherein a cartridge head and a bottom ring are connected and fixed to each other by means of a plurality of rods or pipes, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the cartridge head side is open, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the bottom ring side is sealed, and a plurality of through-holes are provided in an adhesion and fixation layer on the bottom ring side and are located in a bundle of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: Modules of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes are arranged in a tank open to the atmosphere to substantially cover the cross sectional area of the tank. A filtration cycle has permeation steps and deconcentration steps. During permeation, supply of feed substantially equals feed removed and little if any aeration is used. During deconcentration, aeration with scouring bubbles is provided with one or both of backwashing and feed flushing. In feed flushing, feed water is supplied to the tank from below the modules. Excess tank water created during deconcentration flows generally upwards through the modules and out through a retentate outlet or overflow at the top of the tank.

Abstract: An immersion type membrane filter apparatus 200 is intended for obtaining filtrate by filtrating a fluid to be processed stored within a storage bath 150 and primarily includes a filtration membrane module 300 and an air bubbles supply device 500 disposed therebelow. The filtration membrane module 300 has numerous tubular membranes 310 having on the inner surfaces thereof the function of filtrating a fluid to be processed packed within a cylindrical housing vessel 301 having a discharge port 303 for filtrate. The tubular membranes 310 are held in an opened state at both the ends of the housing vessel 301. The filtration membrane module 300 is soaked in a fluid to be processed in such a way that the tubular membranes 310 are opened in the vertical direction. When air bubbles are supplied to the filtration membrane module 300 from an air bubbles supply device 500, the fluid to be processed flows through the tubular membranes 310 from the down side upwards to naturally circulate within the storage bath 150.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating oily wastewater, such as bilge water or ballast water, generated on a ship. The process uses a combination of a centrifugal separation step and a membrane separation step, such as an ultrafiltration step. The membrane separation step uses a dense, non-porous filtration membrane. The process is able to remove both emulsified oil and dissolved oil from the wastewater to low levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter comprising membranes made of hollow fibers in which the hollow fibers are arranged as a bundle in a tubular housing. The housing comprises an end cap on each of its ends, whereby the hollow fiber bundle is placed between the ends of the housing. The ends of the hollow fiber bundle each comprise a support ring that surrounds the same and are cast inside said support ring. The support rings are displaceably mounted in the housing in order to compensate for, among other things, axial contractions of the hollow fiber bundle occurring during heat sterilization.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid, such as plasma, or from lipid-containing organisms. These systems contact a fluid with an extraction solvent, which causes the lipids in the fluid to separate from the fluid or causes lipids in the lipid-containing organisms to separate from the lipid-containing organism, using at least one hollow fiber contactor. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a level below a particular threshold enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without the patient experiencing undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid, to a different patient, or be stored.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a liquid in a tank has a plurality of elements and a frame for holding the elements while they are immersed in the liquid. The elements have a plurality of hollow fibre membranes attached to and suspended between an upper header and a lower header. The membranes are in fluid communication with one or more permeate channels in one or more of the headers. Releasable attachments between the headers and the frame allow the frame to releasably hold the elements by their headers. The size and configuration of the frame determines the positions of the upper and lower headers of each element relative to each other. Connections between the permeate channels and one or more permeate collection tubes attached to the frame are releasable and resealable connections which are made or broken automatically by the movements involved in inserting or removing an element into or out of the frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.

Abstract: Artificial liver devices and methods for using the devices to purify a biological fluid are disclosed. The methods include the use of living hepatocytes (23) which are either unattached or attached to inert carriers and suspended in a cell culture medium which circulates in the devices with the hepatocytes (23). Blood or plasma passes on one side (7?) of semi-permeable membranes, on the other side (7) of which is the cell culture medium and across which is a concentration and/or pressure gradient. Solutes diffusing across the membrane into the cell culture medium are metabolized by the hepatocytes (23) and/or captured by additional removal means (4). Those undesirable substances which do not diffuse out of the blood or plasma into the hepatocyte containing culture medium are captured by additional removal means (50).

Abstract: A filter device made of less expensive material than comparable filter devices heretofore has basic filter components plus some unique design aspects and an additional ring component. The ring provides an interface inside the filter which enables the potting compound to adhere to the filter and create a seal between a first and second fluid compartment within the filter. An embedded region of the ring possesses a detailed geometry which helps ensure that a delamination would be localized and unable to propagate from the first to the second compartment, maintaining the structural integrity of the filter device. To ensure that the sealing interface remains intact and free from delamination, the ring is subjected to a surface treatment, which modifies the surface energy of the ring. This modified surface energy of the ring allows the hydrophilic potting compound to more effectively bond to the modified hydrophobic ring.

Abstract: A filtering element has ultrafiltration or microfiltration hollow fiber membranes extending horizontally between a pair of opposed horizontally spaced, vertically extending headers. Side plates extending between the pair of vertically extending headers define a vertical flow channel through the element. Modules are created by placing the elements in place without obstructing the vertical flow channels. Each element may be released from the frame, however, and removed by sliding it in a direction substantially normal to its headers without disassembling the remainder of the module. The elements have associated releasable water tight fittings between the elements and a permeate collector, the releasable water tight fittings being releasable by removing an element from the frame. An aerator below the module has a plurality of air holes located to provide a line of air holes below each element or below a side plate between each pair of elements.

Abstract: A medical filter (11) is constructed as a container with an interior volume in open fluid communication with a patient connection element (31) and a transport connection element (39). Filter support structure (13) mounted within the interior is structured as a thin, perforated member (14) carrying hydrophilic filter medium (17). A first flow path directs spent dialysate from the patient across the surface of the filter medium (17) to the transport connection (39). A second flow path directs fresh dialyalysate from the transport connection (39) through the filter medium (17) and the perforated support structure (13) to the patient connection (31).