Abstract: A device for the diffusion of substances between fluids through semi-permeable membranes is disclosed. The device includes a stack of longitudinally extending spacer plates alternating between the folds of a folded semi-permeable membrane in which channels extend longitudinally across the face of the spacer plates, and the spacer plates also include ducts extending transversely through the stack at each end thereof, each being in fluid communication with one of the longitudinally extending sides of the spacer plates, and including a fluid connector extending between the transverse ducts at a location displaced from that longitudinally extending side and the longitudinal channels on the spacer plates.

Abstract: A device for the diffusion of substances between fluids through semi-permeable membranes is disclosed. The device includes a stack of alternating spacer plates and semi-permeable membranes including transverse passages for each of the fluids so that one of the fluids is conducted on one side of the membranes while the other fluid is conducted across the opposite side of the membranes, and including inlets and outlets for each of the fluids, and in which at least one of the inlets or outlets includes a fluid duct to divert that fluid from its respective transverse passage to a location between the ends of the stack so that it can be fed into or withdrawn from the device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse passages at that location between the ends of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for diffusing matter between two fluids is disclosed, including a stacked configuration of alternating spacing plates and pairs of semi-permeable membranes, the spacing plates including flow passages for each of the fluids so that they can be passed between the pairs of semi-permeable membranes and between the spacing plates and the pairs of membranes, respectively, first and second clamping plates, and means for clamping the first clamping plate to the second clamping plate with the stacked configuration pressed therebetween.

Abstract: A method is provided for sampling and measuring the content of a low-molecular weight compound, such as glucose, cholesterol, or urea, in a complex fluid medium to be sampled, such as blood. A dialyzer is placed in contact with the complex fluid medium so that it passes through the dialyzer. One or more semipermeable membranes are disposed within the complex fluid medium to form one or more passageways for the passage of dialysis fluid, with the passageways being substantially smaller in volume than the volume of the surrounding complex fluid medium. A fractional portion of the complex fluid medium is acted on by the dialysis fluid and dialyzed so that only a fractional portion of the low-molecular weight compound diffuses into the passageways containing the dialysis fluid to produce a dialysate in the passageways. The dialysate is then measured to determine the content of the low-molecular weight compound in the complex fluid medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for diffusing matter between a first and second fluid is provided and includes a plurality of spacer plates and a plurality of pairs of semipermeable membranes arranged in a stacked configuration. The spacer plates and semipermeable membranes each include first and second openings which, in the stacked configuration, form first and second vertical flow passages for the first and second fluids, respectively. In addition, the spacer plates include grooves formed in the upper and lower surfaces thereof so that in the stacked configuration, the grooves cooperate to form first horizontal flow passages between the membranes and the spacer plates which are connected to the first vertical flow passage. The pairs of semipermeable membranes are disposed within the grooves to form second horizontal flow passages between the membranes which are connected to the second vertical flow passage, with the second horizontal flow passages being disposed within the first horizontal flow passages.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for the diffusion of substances between two fluids via semipermeable membranes. The membranes are arranged in a stack of at least two pairs of such membranes, a first fluid being conducted between the membranes in these pairs, while another fluid is conducted outside the same membranes, the membranes in the pairs being interconnected so that they form a grating of channels between themselves for the first fluid by being joined to one another at a plurality of points.

Abstract: Apparatus for diffusing matter between two fluids is disclosed, including a stacked configuration of alternating spacing plates and pairs of semi-permeable membranes, the spacing plates including flow passages for each of the two fluids so that they can be passed between the pairs of semi-permeable membranes and between the spacing plates and the pairs of membranes, respectively, a first and second clamping plate, and means for clamping the first and second clamping plates together with the stacked configuration pressed between them.

Abstract: A dialysis device having alternating spacers and pairs of semipermeable membranes disposed therebetween, and an inlet channel for the dialysis liquid traversing the assembly of alternating spacers and pairs of membranes, said spacers including passages for introducing and distributing the dialysis liquid into the space outside each pair of membranes while sealing the membranes together.

Abstract: A device for diffusing substances between two fluids via semi-permeable diaphragms for dialysis apparatus in general and in particular as so-called artificial kidneys. The diaphragms are disposed in pairs between spacer plates and each plate includes an arrangement of flow-through ducts for the respective fluid connected to inlets and outlets respectively. A first fluid is arranged to be ducted between the diaphragms of each pair and a second fluid is arranged to be ducted outside the diaphragms, the diaphragms forming between them a network of ducts for the first fluid. In order to make it possible to prevent such duct networks having a well defined thickness and volume, the diaphragms are joined together by gluing, heat sealing, or the like within a pattern of spots, lines and/or small areas.

Abstract: A cooling unit especially adapted for cooling a living body organ comprises a readily formable coiled tubing for conducting a cooling medium, which tubing can be made to enclose the body object to be cooled, together with means for circulating a cooling medium through said tubing.

Abstract: An insert for use preferably in vascular surgery which includes an unperforated, hollow body of substantially circular cross-section. The body is provided with a spiral line of fracture extending about the periphery of the body and defining continuous spiral coils to thereby weaken the cohesion of the body along the spiral coils so that the body may be disassembled into an elongated thread having a substantially smaller cross-section than that of the insert.