Abstract: An asymmetrical, microporous, hollow fiber membrane is made from a polymeric dope mixture of polysulfone and polyvinyl pyrrolidone dissolved in an aprotic solvent. The physical morphology of the hollow fiber membrane, i.e., the asymmetric microporous wall, is rapidly formed by passing the polymeric dope mixture through an outer annular orifice of a tube-in-orifice spinneret while simultaneously passing a precipitating solution through the central tube of the spinneret. The emerging hollow fiber travels substantially downward for about 0.01-10 m before submersion into a quenching bath. The asymmetrical, microporous, hollow fiber membrane is biocompatible and suitable for use in, for example, dialysis, hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and water filtration applications.

Abstract: A device (10) having a blood oxygenator (12) and heat exchanger (14) of the outside perfusion type. The blood oxygenator (12) employs a tightly packed, crisscrossing bundle of gas permeable hollow fibers (50). The heat exchanger (14) employs a bundle of polyurethane, liquid impermeable hollow tubes (96). A center divider (16) facilitates two separate compartments (30, 40) and allows control over pack densities within each compartment while allowing blood to move in a planar manner throught out the device (10).