Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dialyzer primarily intended to be utilized as an artificial kidney and includes a plurality of blood and bath plates stacked in alternating relation with there being a membrane between adjacent plates. The membrane is preferably in the form of a continuous web arranged in pleated relation with respect to the plates. The stacked plates are arranged in a housing formed of side plates interlocked together and having flow controlling means for effecting flow into and out of flow passages defined by the plates and membranes on opposite sides of each membrane.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a transfer device, such as an artificial kidney, which is formed of a plurality of identical plates and wherein between each pair of adjacent plates first and second fluids flow on opposite sides of a transfer membrane. One face of each plate is provided with grooves defining flow passages and the other face of each plate is planar with there being a membrane clamped between unlike faces of adjacent plates and wherein the membrane is deformed into the grooves by fluid flowing along the planar surface of a plate at a pressure higher than the fluid flowing on the opposite side of the membrane in the grooves.

Abstract: A exchange device which may be utilized as an artificial kidney wherein a group of capillary tubes have opposite end portions bonded together in sealed relation by a rib and the rib has formed in cooperating relation therewith a header. The exchange device may have one pair of continuous headers arranged in spiral relation, or there may be plural pairs of headers connected to manifolds. The headers and tubes are disposed within a housing and a treating fluid is circulated in the housing around the tubes.

Abstract: This relates to a transfer device of the type including dialyzers wherein plates are arranged in stacked relation separated by separator sheets or plates with there being different liquids or fluids flowing on opposite sides of the separated sheets for transfer therethrough. Such devices are relatively thick due to the required thickness of plates which define the channels for the fluids. The transfer plates of this device are shaped from a relatively rigid and thin sheet material with the fluid passages being defined by the transfer plate on opposite sides thereof, thereby resulting in a relatively thin plate making it possible to have a maximum capacity within a relatively thin stack.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a capillary mass transfer device suitable for use as an artificial kidney or an artificial lung and including a plurality of capillary tubes through which blood may flow. The capillary tubes are carried by sheet material which defines wall portions of passages in which the capillary tubes are disposed and through which a second fluid (dialysate) flows. The sheet material with the tubes arranged thereon may either be continuous and spirally wound or may be in the form of separate sheets and arranged in stacks.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for testing the optical axis of an optic device having respective left and right lenses. The apparatus is designed to simulate respective left and right axes of vision which intersect at a focal point lying on a central axis of the optical device. Two collimated light beams such as are produced by a laser are projected to pass through respective equally spaced points, lying on opposing sides of the central axis, with a distance spanning therebetween and intersecting at the focal point. The distance spanning between the spaced points is the interpupiliary distance measurement pertaining to a particular set of prescribed measurements. The apparatus includes supporting structure for retaining an optic device made according to the set of prescribed measurements. The supporting structure positions the optic device in a position normal to the central axis.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a transfer device, preferably in the form of an artificial kidney, which is formed of a continuous membrane film reversely folded or pleated so as to define sets of films with each set including two film layers and there being disposed between adjacent sets of film layers first spacers extending in the central area of the device and for a major portion of the length thereof, and second spacers between the films of adjacent sets of films at the ends thereof, the second spacers being spaced from the first spacers, and there being third spacers aligned with the second spacers, but each third spacer being between the two films of a set with the second and third spacers combining to define flow passages into and out of between the two films of the sets of films for a first fluid, and there being means for introducing a second fluid, at a lesser pressure than the first fluid, into the first spacers at the ends thereof with the films of each pair of films ballooning into the first spacer t

Abstract: A purification device for utilizing a gas to purify a liquid, principally useable as an artificial lung, and employs a simple mixing tube so as to assure the mixing of a purification gas with the liquid, with the liquid and gas mixture exiting from the mixing tube into a housing carrying gas separation means in the form of a filter with the purified liquid flowing through the housing in reverse direction to liquid flow in the mixing tube and being collected at one end of the housing while the separated gas is vented from the opposite end of the housing. The housing carries a heat exchange device for maintaining the purified liquid at a predetermined temperature as it exits from the purification device. A pump is provided for pumping the purified liquid from the housing. In order that the housing will not be pumped dry, there is provided a float valve arrangement for controlling flow of the purified liquid out of the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bearing unit wherein the rolling elements are supplied with at least one of the raceways, and wherein the rolling elements are formed of a magnetically attractable material and that raceway which is furnished with the rolling elements has been treated to have magnetic characteristics wherein the rolling elements are permanently magnetically attracted to the raceway by a force sufficient to overcome gravitational forces normally urging the rolling elements away from the raceway.

Abstract: A capillary mass transfer device suitable for use as an artificial kidney or an artificial lung and includes a plurality of capillary tubes through which blood or other liquid to be treated may flow. The capillary tubes are carried by perforated supports which define passages in which the capillary tubes are disposed and through which a second fluid (dialysate) flows. The tubes are arranged in sets which are readily positioned within a split housing in a manner wherein the transfer device may be quickly and economically assembled.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a fluid exchange device such as an artificial kidney, wherein controlled flow of two membranes for exchange purposes is controlled by means of a special stack of flow plates. These flow plates include first and second sets of flow plates disposed in alternating relation with the flow plates of the first set being contoured to define first flow paths, and the flow plates of the second set being plain and being telescoped within a membrane sleeve, the membrane sleeve being deformable under fluid differential pressure partially into the first flow path so as to define second flow paths between the plain flow plates and the sleeve.