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fluid from its respective transverse passage to a location between the ends of the stack so that it can be fed into or withdrawn from the device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse passages at that location between the ends of the stack.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 dialysis system is disclosed for treatment of a first fluid with dialysis fluid, the dialysis fluid being a mixture of water and dialysis concentrate. The system comprises a dialyzer, a source of water, a source of dialysis concentrate, first and second fluid conducting means communicating with the sources of water and dialysis concentrate, pump means associated with the first and second fluid conducting means, and third fluid conducting means for conducting fluid from the pump means to the dialyzer. The pump means serves to draw water and dialysis concentrate through the first and second fluid conducting means respectively, and to mix the water and dialysis concentrate so that a mixture of water and dialysis concentrate is conducted through the third fluid conducting means.

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. Specifically, in the improvement for this apparatus which is disclosed, the first clamping plate includes a pair of laterally extending side walls which form that clamping plate into cup-shaped configuration, and the apparatus also includes means for engaging the side walls of the first clamping plate to the second clamping plate at a plurality of locations around the periphery of the entire apparatus in order to contain the unit under increased pressure uniformly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilization of a dialysis system. The dialysis system comprises a dialyzer, a receptacle for water and a receptacle for dialysis concentrate, and fluid conducting means for conducting fluids from the receptacles for water and dialysis concentrate to and through the dialyzer. The method includes the steps of terminating the conducting of dialysis concentrate through the fluid conducting means, introducing sterilizing agent into the fluid conducting means at a first point in the fluid conducting means, conducting the sterilizing agent through the fluid conducting means downstream of the first point, and directing a portion of the sterilizing agent from a second point in the fluid conducting means to a third point in the fluid conducting means, the second point being downstream of the first point and the third point being upstream of the first point.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating blood is disclosed which comprises a dialyzer for treating the blood with a treatment liquid and a circulating system which is operative to circulate the treatment liquid through the dializer. The circulating system comprises heating means for heating the treatment liquid to a predetermined treatment temperature and for heating the treatment liquid to a cleaning temperature such that when the treatment liquid is circulated through the circulating system at the cleaning temperature it will effect cleaning thereof. The circulating system further comprises actuating means for actuating the heating means to heat the treatment liquid to the cleaning temperature which means are only operative to actuate the heating means when the circulating system is in communication with the actuating means whereby the actuating means will not be operative when the circulating system is in communication with the dialyzer.

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.