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: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing hollow fiber membrane-containing filters. The methods include laying a plurality of hollow fibers in a first portion of a filter housing to form a bundle, forming first and second portions into a filter housing, sealing the portions together, connecting the plurality of hollow fibers together at at least one end of the filter housing, connecting the hollow fibers to the filter housing, and simultaneously adhering the first and second portions of the filter housing together by applying a potting compound thereto, and cutting the ends of the hollow fibers at at least one end thereof, whereby the hollow fibers include open ends.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing hollow fiber membrane-containing filters. The methods include laying a plurality of hollow fibers in a first portion of a filter housing to form a bundle, forming first and second portions into a filter housing, sealing the portions together, connecting the plurality of hollow fibers together at at least one end of the filter housing, connecting the hollow fibers to the filter housing, and simultaneously adhering the first and second portions of the filter housing together by applying a potting compound thereto, and cutting the ends of the hollow fibers at at least one end thereof, whereby the hollow fibers include open ends.

Abstract: This invention describes blood treating material having the capacity to selectively remove endotoxin and cytokine inducing substances from blood or plasma by extracorporeal adsorption for therapeutic septic shock treatment. The endotoxin adsorption ligands of the invention are oligopeptides synthesized from amino acids having a pk>7.2 such as arginine, lysine or histidine, using a polycondensation step such that the resultant oligopeptides exhibit a high degree of polydispersity. Also provided are methods and devices using an adsorbent having a polydisperse oligopeptide of the invention immobilized on a solid state support medium for removing endotoxin from the blood of human or animal subject.

Abstract: Heat-sterilizable membranes are disclosed comprising at least two hydrophobic polymers which are normally immiscible with each other, and in which at least one of the hydrophobic polymers is normally unstable under sterilization conditions while at least one of the other hydrophobic polymers is normally stable at sterilization conditions, and in which the at least two hydrophobic polymers are compatibilized with each other so that the membrane formed therefrom is stable at such sterilization conditions.

Abstract: Drip chambers and expansion chambers for the transfer of blood are disclosed, including a housing, an entry port in the upper portion of the housing, an exit port in the lower portion of the housing, and at least one filter integral with either the upper or lower housing portions. Methods for manufacturing these chambers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Membranes composed of sulphonated polyaryl ether sulphones are disclosed in which the repetitive polymer units have the formula ##STR1## in which the aryl radicals are substituted by SO.sub.3 X where X is hydrogen or an alkali metal and the polymer includes from about 0.3 to 0.6 SO.sub.3 X radicals per unit. Processes for producing these membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for drying porous ultrafiltration membranes by the use of heat and possibly also at reduced pressure is characterized in that prior to the application of heat the pores of the membranes are at least partially filled with a solution of a water-soluble organic solid which swells the membranes and which has a melting point above 35.degree. C. in an organic solvent which is completely miscible with water and which does not change the membrane structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of fluids are disclosed including a cylindrical housing closed at both ends by end caps, one of which includes an inlet for a fluid and the other includes an outlet for the fluid, a plurality of hollow fibers are arranged longitudinally within the housing between a pair of end walls, and one of the end caps includes an outlet for a second fluid which can thus be withdrawn from the outer surface of the hollow fibers between the end walls, and the apparatus includes a ring mounted between the hollow fibers at one of the end caps in order to create a fluid channel for the second fluid between the ring and the inner wall surface of the housing. This apparatus can be used, for example, for hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration or hemodialysis, but it may also be generally used for dialysis or filtration and purification of sewage, and for heat transfer, or as an oxygenator.

Abstract: Nipples for use in coupling various secondary coupling components including so-called Hansen couplings are disclosed in which the nipple includes a longitudinally extending cylinder which includes an outer recess on its outer surface which is adapted for engagement with a Hansen-type secondary coupling component including a locking element for engaging the outer recess, and in which the nipple includes threads located between the outer recess and the outer end of the longitudinally extending cylinder, which are adapted for engagement with a secondary coupling component including corresponding threads thereon. The disclosed nipples are intended to be used in order to couple dialyzer or similar diffusion and/or filtration devices to different tube systems which can include coupling components which are intended for throw-away use and/or for multiple usage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a diffusion and/or filtration apparatus, including a housing which consists of a cylindrical open-ended main part closed by two end caps and provided with an inlet and an outlet for a fluid. This fluid is adapted to flow through the fibers of a bundle of semipermeable hollow fibers which are arranged between two end walls within the housing. Additionally, the housing includes at least a second outlet for another fluid, with this fluid being adapted to be removed from the space outside the fibers through this second outlet, the ends of the hollow fibers being moulded into the end walls of the housing and opened by cutting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diffusion and/or filtration apparatus, including a housing which consists of a cylindrical open-ended main part closed by two end caps and provided with an inlet and an outlet for a fluid. This fluid is adapted to flow through the fibers of a bundle of semipermeable hollow fibers which are arranged between two end walls within the housing. Additionally, the housing includes at least a second outlet for another fluid, with this fluid being adapted to be removed from the space outside the fibers through this second outlet, the ends of the hollow fibers being moulded into the end walls of the housing and opened by a cutting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a diffusion and/or filtration apparatus, including a housing consisting of a cylindrical open-ended main part closed by two end caps and being provided with an inlet and outlet for a first fluid and at least one outlet for a second fluid, said first fluid being adapted to flow through the fibers of a bundle of semipermeable hollow fibers arranged between two end walls within the housing and said second fluid being adapted to be removed from the space outside the fibers through said at least one outlet for the second fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diffusion and/or filtration apparatus, including a housing consisting of a cylindrical open-ended main part closed by two end caps and being provided with an inlet and outlet for a first fluid and at least one outlet for a second fluid having a penetrable membrane, said first fluid being adapted to flow through the fibers of a bundle of semipermeable hollow fibers arranged between two end walls within the housing and said second fluid being adapted to be removed from the space outside the fibers through said at least one outlet for the second fluid.

Abstract: Columns for the treatment of a liquid with particulate material are disclosed comprising first and second layers of sheet material in face-to-face contact with each other, an inlet and an outlet located at points between the layers, and welds or the like for joining the layers together along a pair of substantially parallel paths between the inlet and the outlet in order to form an elongated space adapted to be filled with particulate material therebetween.

Abstract: A connection nipple for providing fluid communication with the interior of the container, such as for example a blood bag or the like. The connection nipple comprises a hollow tubular member having a first end which is adapted to be sealingly inserted within the blood bag and a second open end disposed externally of the blood bag. A circumferential rib member is provided circumferentially about the hollow tubular member intermediate the first and second ends. The circumferential rib has a cross-section which tapers substantially to a point to define a connection line about the circumference of the hollow tubular member. A releasable sealing sleeve member is integrally connected to the hollow tubular member in the vicinity of the connection line, and sealing surrounds and completely encloses the second open end of the tubular member to thereby prevent fluid communication with the interior of the blood bag through the second open end.

Abstract: A connection device for connection to first and second fluid conduits for providing selective fluid communication between the two conduits. The connection device comprises a first member having first and second open ends and a fluid passageway therebetween, and a second member having a first open end and a second end with a fluid passage defined therebetween and in which the second end is disposed within the second open end of the first member. The first and second members are movable relative to one another between an open position in which the first fluid passageway in the first member and the second fluid passageway in the second member are in fluid communication with one another, and a closed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for selective separation of matter between a first fluid and a second fluid through semi-permeable membranes. The apparatus comprises a plurality of separate frame assemblies each of which defines a separate contact chamber for the second fluid. A plurality of tubular semi-permeable membranes for the first fluid are supported in each of the contact chambers of the separate frame assemblies so that the second fluid will substantially surround the tubular membranes as it passes through such contact chambers. The plurality of frame assemblies are clamped together in stacked relationship so that the contact chambers are arranged in side by side relationship. Sealing means are provided for sealing the tubular membranes from the contact chambers so that there is no contact between the first fluid and the second fluid.