Abstract: The present invention provides significant improvements in the design and performance of a specific type of Rotary Membrane Filter (RMF) apparatus which has the capability of separating particles from a fluid having the same and nearly the same density as the particles by utilizing shear to achieve separation, not centrifugal forces. A particular application for the apparatus is in the processing of fluid suspensions in which the suspensions contain fragile particles which are subject to damage due to excessive shear stresses. The prior art describes processing at constant shear rate, whereas the present invention provides the design and optimization of operation of such an apparatus at constant shear stress, which is maintained at a value below that at which significant damage to the fragile particles is encountered.

Abstract: The present invention provides significant improvements in the design and performance of a specific type of Rotary Membrane Filter (RMF) apparatus which has the capability of separating particles from a fluid having the same and nearly the same density as the particles by utilizing shear to achieve separation, not centrifugal forces. A particular application for the apparatus is in the processing of fluid suspensions in which the suspensions contain fragile particles which are subject to damage due to excessive shear stresses. The prior art describes processing at constant shear rate, whereas the present invention provides the design and optimization of operation of such an apparatus at constant shear stress, which is maintained at a value below that at which significant damage to the fragile particles is encountered.

Abstract: A mass transfer device of the type used, e.g., for blood dialysis is made by winding on a mandrel a series of fiber strands, each of which consists of a solid fiber and one or more hollow fibers, the solid fiber being at least as large, and preferably substantially larger, in diameter than the hollow fiber. As the strands are wound on the mandrel they are temporarily anchored at spaced locations along the mandrel by beads of a liquid pre-potting compound which eventually harden into said anchor plates. When the winding is complete, the mandrel is cut at each anchor plate to form individual temporary cartridges which can withstand the handling required in washing and drying. After each individual cartridge is final-potted, the anchor plates are discarded, and the final potting is cut in a conventional manner to form manifold surfaces at each end of the cartridge.

Abstract: The operating efficiency of a mass transfer device such as a blood dialyzer is considerably enhanced by subjecting the blood-carrying semipermeable fibers of the dialyzer to a toroidal dialysate flow produced within the fiber cartridge by one or more impeller or pump elements. The impellers may be rotary for continuous flow, or pistons with or without internal check valves may be used for intermittent or reciprocating flow. Moving adjacent impellers in opposite directions creates homogeneous zones of different impurity concentration within the dialyzer.

Abstract: A reactor suitable for extracorporeal treatment of blood includes a conduit defining within itself a passage of generally circular cross section and wound in a plurality of concentric helices so as to generate a transverse double toroidal secondary fluid flow in a fluid passing through the conduit. A spacer means is provided about the conduit to separate adjacent helices and permit circulation of a heat transfer fluid around each helix of the conduit.

Abstract: In the manufacture of wound hollow fiber dialysis cartridges, rigid preliminary tube sheets are formed near each end of the winding, outwardly of the area of the winding which will ultimately be used in finished cartridges. The preliminary tube sheets are then cut transversely to the winding mandrel to expose the hollow fiber ends. The cut preliminary tube sheets, mandrel, and fibers now form a unitary structure which can be washed and treated to make the fiber surface easily adherable to the potting material from which the permanent tube sheets are thereafter formed. After forming the permanent tube sheet, the winding is cut into individual cartridges, and the preliminary tube sheets are discarded.

Abstract: The disclosure sets forth blood processing apparatus of the general type which employs a cylindrical rotor with a semi-permeable membrane at its outer surface, rotatable within a surrounding stationary casing or housing, blood being supplied and discharged at angularly spaced loci of the casing, a secondary fluid being supplied to the interior of the rotor, effecting a cross-transfer of a component in the blood, and a secondary fluid, or a component thereof, across the membrane, sometimes referred to as a "journal machine" to distinguish such type from others which differ basically therefrom. The basic environment is like that of certain patents, identified hereinafter, and incorporates, by reference, features thereof insofar as they are applicable to the present disclosure.

Abstract: In blood dialyzers in which hollow fibers are potted in plastic tube sheets and the tube sheets are then cut to form a manifold surface providing access to the interior of the hollow fibers, blood clotting at the manifold surface is greatly reduced by treating the surface to increase the radii of the microscopic sharp edges of the fiber ends which are produced by the cutting process. The smoothing of the fiber ends can be accomplished by momentary heating, flame polishing, etching, or coating of the manifold surface with a varnish.