Abstract: There are disclosed sterilant compositions having improved biocompatibility comprising a sterilant such as sodium chlorite, an acid such as citric acid, and a buffer such as sodium bicarbonate, the compositions forming an isotonic solution with pH of approximately 7.3.The compositions are particularly useful for cleansing and sterilizing kidney hemodialysis apparatus with minimal disruption of the protein layer which forms on the internal surface of the hollow fibers of a dialysis membrane when a patient is undergoing treatment with the apparatus thus establishing improved biocompatibility between patient and apparatus. The compositions are also useful in other areas of technology, such as, for example, food and wine making technologies.

Abstract: A resealable device for providing repeated access to the lumen of a fluid transmitting conduit including a puncturable elastomeric member maintained in radial compression and limited longitudinal expansion about the conduit to reseal punctures in the elastomeric member and provide a compression seal between the elastomeric member and the conduit. Advantageously, the elastomeric member is held in a state of radial compression and limited longitudinal expansion by a rigid windowed jacket having fixed transverse stops. Moreover, the jacket is formed of a material which is substantially impenetrable to needles or cannulae in normal usage.

Abstract: A laminar flow connector for conduits including a first element having a portion for receiving a first conduit and a hollow tapered member having one end in open communication with the end of the first conduit and continuously tapering away from the first conduit toward its other end, a second element having a portion for receiving a second conduit and a mating tapered channel for receiving the hollow tapered member therein and having one end in open communication with the second conduit, and interlocking members which coact to provide a hermetic seal between the elements and enable a fluid to flow from one conduit to the other without encountering any discontinuities in the flow path. Advantageously, the interlocking members include mating pairs of spaced ramped projections capable of advancing the elements toward each other and providing a hermetic seal therebetween when the hollow tapered member is fully inserted into the mating tapered channel and the elements are rotated relative to one another.

Abstract: An improved non-woven support screen for mass transfer devices including a first set of parallel spaced longitudinally extending filaments having a predetermined thickness or diameter and a second set of parallel spaced filaments obliquely arranged relative to the first set of filaments and having a predetermined thickness or diameter approximately 1/2 that of the first set of filaments to provide improved control of membrane distention for minimizing the masking of the membrane surface by preventing excessive distention in one plane, to reduce the volume of body fluid layer in the membrane (low prime), and provide improved mass transfer efficiency while maintaining gentle mixing of the body fluid. Moreover, the velocity gradient of the exchange fluid is enhanced by the limited space provided for the exchange fluid channels to significantly improve the scrubbing action of the exchange fluid on the membrane surface.

Abstract: An improved fluid manifold for mass transfer devices in which a rigid retainer member and a rigid receptacle coact to compressively retain an elastomeric band and tubular membrane therebetween to provide a hermetic seal between the interior of the membrane and a port in the manifold.