Abstract: Method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, directing backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed. The backflush fluid, preferably a normal saline solution, may contain an anticoagulant such as heparin, citrate or NO donor in suitable concentration for systemic anti-coagulation or for treating the fiber for thromboresistance.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis and/or ultrafiltration membrane comprises elongated hollow fibers each fiber having an interior lumen extending along the fiber length, the fiber wall having a plurality of zones between the inner and outer wall surfaces, each of the zones having a mass density different than the mass density of an adjacent zone. The fiber wall is characterized by having a lower mass density zone at the inner wall surface and a higher mass density zone at the outer wall surface. The fiber is further characterized by having an average elongation breaking force strength of at least about 0.2 lbs. and an average elongation of at least about 45%.

Abstract: An in-vivo plasmapheresis or in-vivo ultrafiltration membrane comprises a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers each fiber having an outer wall, an inner wall and an interior lumen extending along the length thereof and defined by an inner wall surface, and wherein the fiber wall structure is a substantially continuous change in mass density from the outer wall to the inner wall and comprises a continuum of voids bounded by solid frames, the fiber wall having an asymmetrical pore size and asymmetrical mass density between said inner wall surface and the outer wall surface with a higher mass density adjacent to the outer wall and a lower mass density adjacent to said inner wall, and characterized by a nitric oxide donor composition capable of producing or releasing nitric oxide or inducing nitric oxide production or release in-vivo with a blood vessel, distributed on or in the fiber wall.

Abstract: Method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, directing backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed. The backflush fluid, preferably a normal saline solution, may contain an anticoagulant such as heparin, citrate or NO donor in suitable concentration for systemic anti-coagulation or for treating the fiber for thromboresistance.

Abstract: Patient fluid management is carried out by separating plasma from whole blood in vivo via an implantable filter device comprising one or more elongated hollow tubes and a plurality of elongated microporous fibers having an interior lumen extending along the length thereof, each fiber having a first and second end secured to the one or more elongated hollow tubes by passing plasma through the fiber wall from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface and to the interior fiber lumen, directing the separated plasma to an ultrafiltration apparatus having a sieving coefficient cutoff between about 1×104 and about 6×104 daltons, separating plasma water and selected plasma components, from the separated plasma, and directing the treated plasma to the patient.

Abstract: Method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, directing backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed. The backflush fluid, preferably a normal saline solution, may contain an anticoagulant such as heparin, citrate or NO donor in suitable concentration for systemic anti-coagulation or for treating the fiber for thromboresistance.

Abstract: An elongated hollow microporous fiber comprises an inner wall surface defining an interior fiber lumen, an outer wall surface, and a microporous fiber wall therebetween, the fiber wall having one or more continuous, cohesive, elongated filaments embedded in the fiber and extending lengthwise of the elongated fiber along substantially the full length of the fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out therapeutic apheresis includes a filter device for being implanted in a blood vessel for carrying out in-vivo plasma separation having one or more elongated hollow tubes and a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers capable of separating plasma from whole blood at pressure and blood flow within a patient's vein, a multiple lumen catheter secured to the proximal end of the filter device having one or more lumens in fluid communication with the interior of said one or more hollow tubes and a plasma return lumen, and therapeutic apheresis apparatus for removing and/or separating selected disease-related components from the separated plasma and means for directing plasma between said catheter and the selective component removal apparatus.

Abstract: An in-vivo plasmapheresis and/or in-vivo ultrafiltration membrane comprises elongated hollow fibers each fiber having an interior lumen extending along the fiber length, the fiber wall having a plurality of zones between the inner and outer wall surfaces, each of the zones having a mass density different than the mass density of an adjacent zone. The fiber wall is characterized by having a lower mass density zone at the inner wall surface and a higher mass density zone at the outer wall surface. The fiber is further characterized by having an average elongation breaking force strength of at least about 0.2 lbs. and an average elongation of at least about 45%.

Abstract: Segmental edema is treated by inserting a plasma extraction filter device in a major vein of a body segment or servicing the body segment containing the edemic tissues, and inserting a return catheter in a major artery of the body segment affected or feeding the body segment from which plasma is extracted. Blood plasma and plasma proteins extracted from the edemic body segment through the plasma extraction filter fluids are directed to an ultrafiltration apparatus where plasma water is separated from the plasma proteins. Plasma proteins are returned to the body segment from which the plasma was extracted via the return catheter in the major artery of the subject body segment.

Abstract: A filter device for being implanted in a blood vessel for carrying out in-vivo plasma separation comprises one or more elongated hollow tubes and a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers, each fiber having a first and second end secured to one or more of the elongated hollow tubes with the interior lumen of each of the fibers communicating with the interior of the one or more of the hollow tubes, and wherein the fiber wall has a higher mass density zone adjacent to the outer wall surface and a lower mass density zone adjacent to the inner wall surface.

Abstract: A method for carrying out therapeutic apheresis comprises separating plasma from whole blood in-vivo and removing selected disease-related components from the separated plasma. Apparatus for carrying out therapeutic apheresis includes a filter device for being implanted in a blood vessel for carrying out in-vivo plasma separation having one or more elongated hollow tubes and a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers capable of separating plasma from whole blood at pressure and blood flow within a patient's vein, a multiple lumen catheter secured to the proximal end of the filter device having one or more lumens in fluid communication with the interior of said one or more hollow tubes and a plasma return lumen, and therapeutic apheresis apparatus for removing and/or separating selected disease-related components from the separated plasma and means for directing plasma between said catheter and the selective component removal apparatus.

Abstract: A method for carrying out therapeutic apheresis comprises separating plasma from whole blood in-vivo and removing selected disease-related components from the separated plasma. Apparatus for carrying out therapeutic apheresis includes a filter device for being implanted in a blood vessel for carrying out in-vivo plasma separation having one or more elongated hollow tubes and a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers capable of separating plasma from whole blood at pressure and blood flow within a patient's vein, a multiple lumen catheter secured to the proximal end of the filter device having one or more lumens in fluid communication with the interior of said one or more hollow tubes and a plasma return lumen, and therapeutic apheresis apparatus for removing and/or separating selected disease-related components from the separated plasma and means for directing plasma between said catheter and the selective component removal apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed. The backflush fluid, preferably a normal saline solution, may contain an anticoagulant such as heparin in suitable concentration for systemic anti-coagulation or for treating the fiber for thromboresistance.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed.

Abstract: Segmental edema is treated by inserting a plasma extraction filter device in a major vein of a body segment or servicing the body segment containing the edemic tissues, and inserting a return catheter in a major artery of the body segment affected or feeding the body segment from which plasma is extracted. Blood plasma and plasma proteins extracted from the edemic body segment through the plasma extraction filter fluids are directed to an ultrafiltration apparatus where plasma water is separated from the plasma proteins. Plasma proteins are returned to the body segment from which the plasma was extracted via the return catheter in the major artery of the subject body segment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating cells, tissues or organs using in vivo plasma separation by implanting a plasma separation filter device within a blood vessel of a patient, or allogenic, or xenogenic donor, continuously separating blood plasma from whole blood in vivo, directing the plasma from the plasma separation filter device to a bioreactor, and exposing the plasma to cells, tissue or an organ within the bioreactor utilizing immune separation membranes where necessary.

Abstract: Segmental edema is treated by inserting a plasma extraction filter device in a major vein of a body segment or servicing the body segment containing the edemic tissues, and inserting a return catheter in a major artery of the body segment affected or feeding the body segment from which plasma is extracted. Blood plasma and plasma proteins extracted from the edemic body segment through the plasma extraction filter fluids are directed to an ultrafiltration apparatus where plasma water is separated from the plasma proteins. Plasma proteins are returned to the body segment from which the plasma was extracted via the return catheter in the major artery of the subject body segment.

Abstract: A method of removing toxins from a patient's blood comprises implanting a filter device having a dialysis membrane with an exterior surface exposed to the patient's blood and a dialysate cavity exposed to an interior surface of the dialysate membrane within a blood vessel of a patient, continuously directing substantially uncontaminated or substantially decontaminated dialysate into the dialysate cavity and in diffusive communication with the patient's blood, dialysing the patient's blood with the dialysate, and continuously removing toxin contaminated dialysate from the filter device.

Abstract: A filter device for being implanted in a blood vessel for carrying out in-vivo plasma separation comprises one or more elongated hollow tubes and a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers, each fiber having a first and second end secured to one or more of the elongated hollow tubes with the interior lumen of each of the fibers communicating with the interior of the one or more of the hollow tubes, and wherein the fiber wall has a higher mass density zone adjacent to the outer wall surface and a lower mass density zone adjacent to the inner wall surface.