Abstract: A method of integrating individual water treatment assemblies into a seamless water treatment control system. A Reverse Osmosis assembly contains a controller wherein all other pretreatment and post-treatment assemblies are electrical coupled thereto. The controller is preprogrammed for use in recognizing the coupling of the pretreatment and/or post treatment assemblies wherein and for receiving all control commands for operation thereof. The controller employs cells that allows and installer to interconnect assemblies by coupling low voltage control signal wiring having predefined inputs, set up as PnP, or by use of a personal wireless network.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine includes at least one pump, a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient, and an input device operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine.

Abstract: A field flow fractionator to separate particles contained within an injected sample aliquot is described. As required, said fractionator may be used to capture, for subsequent removal, specific predefined classes of such particles. Based upon the cross flow or asymmetric flow field flow fractionators, the fractionator disclosed contains means to vary the applied transverse flows at a plurality of locations along the length of its separating channel. One embodiment utilizes a plurality of separated compartments, each lying below a distinct and corresponding membrane supporting permeable frit segment, are provided individual means to control the localized flow through the membrane section thereabove. A corresponding concentric compartment implementation achieves the same type of compartmentalized cross flow when integrated with a hollow fiber fractionator.

Abstract: A device (25) and a method for detecting the cause of a deviation from an ideal operating state of an extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein blood to be treated in an extracorporeal blood circulation (9) flows through the blood chamber (3) of a dialyzer (1), subdivided by a semipermeable membrane (2) into a blood chamber (3) and a dialysis fluid chamber (4), and dialysis fluid flows through the dialysis fluid chamber (4). The method includes the following: changing a characteristic (170; 171) of the dialysis fluid upstream from the dialysis fluid chamber (1), measuring a characteristic of the dialysis fluid downstream from the dialysis fluid chamber, determining a dialysance or clearance at a certain point in time during the blood treatment, detecting a deviation in the dialysance or clearance, and detecting the cause of a deviation from an ideal operating state as a function of the certain point in time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dialyser having a blood-pressure measuring unit assigned to the dialyser, a pulse-wave-transit-time measuring system assigned to the dialyser and an evaluation unit, the evaluation unit being configured such that a signal representing the blood pressure can be derived from this pulse wave transit time; the parameters describing the relationship between the pulse wave transit time and the blood pressure can be determined from a plurality of measurements made by the blood-pressure measuring unit and simultaneous measurements made by the pulse-wave-transit-time measuring system, it being possible to determine at least two of these pairs of measured values at times when the absolute and/or the relative pulse-wave-transit-time deviation is above a threshold value.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the separation of blood within a device to form plasma or serum. In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the removal of fluids, such as blood, contained within a device. For example, a device may be applied to the skin of a subject to receive blood from the subject and pass the blood through a separation membrane, which separates the blood into plasma and a portion concentrated in blood cells. As another example, blood or plasma may be allowed to clot within the device and serum (the unclotted portion of the blood) may be withdrawn from the device. The device may contain, in some cases, a vacuum source such as a pre-packaged vacuum to facilitate receiving of blood and/or passage of the blood through the separation membrane to produce plasma or serum.

Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus for treating blood outside the human body, with a view to improving the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus including a semi-permeable membrane carrying out an exchange of solutes, referred to as dialysis, and of liquid, referred to as ultrafiltration, with the blood, the method including at least one iteration of the following steps: determination of a so-called instantaneous value, of an ultrafiltration coefficient corresponding to the ratio of an ultrafiltration flow rate to a difference in pressure, the so-called transmembrane pressure, on either side of the semi-permeable membrane, comparison of the instantaneous value with at least one previously determined characteristic value; and control of the treatment apparatus to reach a maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient, the control including a variation of the ultrafiltration flow rate up to a value corresponding to the maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient.

Abstract: A water-on-water filtration system that includes a filter member and two storage vessels. The system includes a plurality of valves that are controlled to place a first of the storage vessels in a fill state in which the first storage vessel is being filled with filtered water, and concurrently place the second of the storage vessels in a service state in which filtered water held in the second storage vessel is delivered as an output of the filtration system. The filtration system can be configured to supply a constant output of filtered water to meet a constant demand while using a relatively small filter member and relatively small storage vessels.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine includes at least one pump, a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient, and an input device operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. Embodiments are operated without large circulation pumps. Other embodiments use components which can be disposed after a single use. The system, method and device can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: An apparatus for reclaiming hot process water from a animal processing facility includes a screen portion, a filtration portion and optionally a UV sterilization portion. The screen portion receives dirty hot process water and removes macroscopic debris to produce raw tank water. Raw tank water is pumped through the filtration portion at relatively high pressure in order to remove substantially all solids to produce a permeate side stream. The permeate is optionally passed through a very intense ultra-violet field in order to produce uncontaminated reclaimed hot process water which may be safely reintroduced as hot scald water for the poultry cleaning process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for monitoring the supply of replacement fluid during an extracorporeal treatment of blood is disclosed. Detection of the supply of replacement fluid upstream or downstream of the dialyser or filter is based on a measurement of the optical or physical density of the blood or of a constituent of blood in the extracorporeal circulation. To detect pre- or post-dilution, the blood flow rate and/or the replacement rate and/or the flow rate of the fluid removed from the blood through the dialyser membrane is altered, and the density of the blood or of the constituent of blood is measured upstream and/or downstream of the dialyser. Additionally, an apparatus for treating blood with an apparatus for monitoring the supply of replacement fluid is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for separating and processing liquid-borne particles within an aliquot thereof following injection into a field flow fractionator. Said fractionation method may be employed also to capture, for subsequent segregation, specific predefined classes of such particles. The unique fractionation method disclosed contains means to control the applied transverse flow at each designated location along the length of said channel. In one embodiment of the method a separate compartment lies below each distinct location and corresponding membrane supporting permeable frit segment of the fractionator, providing the individual means to control the localized flow through the membrane section thereabove. Employment of a corresponding concentric compartment implementation achieves the same type of compartmentalized cross flow when applied to a hollow fiber fractionation means.

Abstract: In a small-volume reverse osmosis system with a reverse osmosis module, a concentrate line leading from the reverse osmosis module to an outlet line, a permeate line leading from the reverse osmosis module to a storage tank, as well as a permeate pump connected to the concentrate line and to the permeate line with a displacement unit and two control channels, the invention proposes that two valves that are alternately switched by the displacement unit (12) depending on the position be integrated into a joint control slide and control channel opening combination.

Abstract: A high efficiency water purification system is provided incorporating recovery of a portion concentrate wastewater associated with the reverse osmosis unit. This reduces the overall volume of concentrate wastewater requiring discharge/disposal by reusing the purified concentrate of a concentrate recovery units as RO feed water. Initial feedwater is pressurized and passed through an RO membrane, and separated into a permeate flow and a concentrate flow. A portion of the higher pressure concentrate is then directed to an additional set of thin film composite membranes (concentrate recovery membranes). The concentrate recovery membranes are arranged in an array such that the concentrate pressure is adequate to provide the force required to drive the concentrate through the recovery system membranes. The permeate produced by the concentrate recovery system is directed back to the feed of the primary RO unit; thereby, reducing the volume of raw feed water required for system operation.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting a Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (“CCPD”) therapy to minimize the potential for excess intra-peritoneal volume. The adjustments are made at the end of the drain, just prior to the next fill. The adjustments short the next fill, if necessary, to limit the intra-peritoneal volume, add a cycle, if necessary, to use all of the available dialysis solution and will average the remaining dwell time to maximize the therapeutic benefit of the therapy in the allotted time. In another embodiment, a tidal therapy using trended patient UF data is provided.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a logic implementer configured to: (i) generate a number of peritoneal dialysis therapy regimens that meet at least one therapy target input; (ii) accept a filter input; and (iii) filter the generated therapy regimens according to the filter input to refine the number of therapy regimens available for selection.

Abstract: A field flow fractionator to separate particles contained within an injected sample aliquot is described. As required, said fractionator may be used to capture, for subsequent removal, specific predefined classes of such particles. Based upon the cross flow or asymmetric flow field flow fractionators, the fractionator disclosed contains means to vary the applied transverse flows at a plurality of locations along the length of its separating channel. A plurality of separated compartments, each lying below a distinct and corresponding membrane supporting permeable frit segment, are provided individual means to control the localized flow through the membrane section thereabove. A corresponding concentric compartment implementation achieves the same type of compartmentalized cross flow when integrated with a hollow fiber fractionator.

Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting a Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (“CCPD”) therapy to minimize the potential for excess intra-peritoneal volume. The adjustments are made at the end of the drain, just prior to the next fill. The adjustments short the next fill, if necessary, to limit the intra-peritoneal volume, add a cycle, if necessary, to use all of the available dialysis solution and will average the remaining dwell time to maximize the therapeutic benefit of the therapy in the allotted time. In another embodiment, a tidal therapy using trended patient UF data is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing salinity power using pressure retarded osmosis and a biometric membrane (e.g., a liquid bilayer membrane or a lipid membrane containing multiple bilayers of fused deposited lipid vesicles) containing aquaporin water channels. The invention also provides power plants for producing salinity energy using pressure retarded osmosis and a biometric water membrane containing functional aquaporin channels.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes a dialysis instrument having a pump actuator and first and second valve actuators, and a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis instrument, the disposable cassette including a pump portion operable with the pump actuator, first and second valve chambers operable with the first and second valve actuators, the first and second valve chambers communicating fluidly with each other, at least the first valve chamber communicating fluidly with a compliance chamber, the compliance chamber negating a first backpressure due to a pneumatic closing pressure used to close the first valve chamber to help to ensure the pneumatic pressure applied to the first valve chamber will close the first valve chamber against a second backpressure from an existing closure of the second valve chamber.

Abstract: The production of purified water from a residential reverse osmosis drinking water system is limited by the pressure build up in the holding tank or reservoir. While the pressure in the tank increases the brine or waste water continues to flow at a constant rate. This condition makes an undesirable out of proportion relationship between the purified water and the waste water. The production of product water is controlled by the differential pressure across the purification membrane, as the tank pressure increases the differential pressure decreases and reduced production of product water results. The purpose of the device is to utilize the increasing tank pressure as a force to actuate the valve that proportions the waste water in a direct relationship with the product water. The ratio between the product water and the waste water remains constant during the period that purified water is being delivered to the holding tank.

Abstract: Dialysis treatment devices and methods for removing urea from dialysis waste streams are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis treatment device including: 1) a first filter having a filtration membrane, 2) a urea removal unit having urease and in fluid communication with the first filter, and 3) a second filter having an ion rejection membrane and in fluid communication with the first filter and the urea removal unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine includes: at least one pump; a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient; and an input device operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the is APD machine.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes: an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine configured to remove ultrafiltrate (“UF”) from a patient and record how much UF has been removed; and a logic implementer configured to (i) form a first moving average UF removed trend, (ii) determine a trending range around the first moving average UF removed trend, (iii) determine at least one of an upper and lower UF removed limit from the trending range, (iv) form a second moving average UF removed trend, and (v) alert if the second moving average UF removed trend moves outside of the at least one UF removed limit.

Abstract: A medical apparatus comprises a control system allowing storage of a number of shaping profiles. Each shaping profile is stored as a plurality of pairs, including a shaping profile reference value and a time interval value. The reference value is represented as fraction, for instance a percentage, of the total weight loss the apparatus should achieve at the end of a treatment time. Each time interval value is represented either as fraction of the total treatment time or as a prefixed actual time interval. The control system calculates the actual weight loss rate versus time profile based on the desired total weight loss, on the desired total treatment time as well as on selected desired shaping profile.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a logic implementer configured to: (i) accept at least one therapy target input; (ii) accept at least one patient transport characteristic input; (iii) accept at least one solution input; (iv) accept at least one fluid volume input; (v) accept at least one therapy time input, at least one of the inputs (ii) to (v) including an input range; and (vi) generate each therapy regimen using the inputs of (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v), including each of the possibilities within the at least one input range, that satisfy the at least one therapy target input.

Abstract: An in situ reverse flow shipboard membrane integrity test apparatus and method, for determining if a membrane arrangement is defective. A membrane arrangement within a separation unit is tested when the membrane arrangement is arranged to perform wastewater separating functions. The separation unit includes a first inlet conduit, a first outlet conduit, and a second outlet conduit. An end cap is attached to the second outlet conduit to seal the second outlet conduit. A test air supply connected to the first outlet conduit for supplying an airflow to the membrane and a microparticle source containing microparticles for injecting microparticles into the airflow forming a test airflow. The test airflow is directed towards the membrane, and a filter is positioned over the first inlet conduit. The presence or absence of microparticles on the filter indicates whether or not the membrane arrangement is defective.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: A pure water producing apparatus prevents fluctuations in the amount of produced pure water without requiring a heat exchanger. Raw water is filtered with an activated carbon filtration device, sent through a water supply pump to the reverse osmosis device, and demineralized. Demineralized water output from the reverse osmosis device contacts a water quality sensor including a water temperature sensor, is sent to an electrodeionization device, and subjected to electrodeionization. Water subjected to electrodeionization contacts a water quality sensor having a water temperature sensor, and is taken out as treated water. A sensing signal output from the water temperature sensor is input to a pump control circuit to control an amount of the water supplied from the pump so that an amount of water passing through the reverse osmosis device is maintained constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring an arrangement for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid. The determination of the concentration of the analyte by means of the arrangement involves a procedure in which the analyte from the body fluid passes through an interface and is transported in a stream of liquid into a flowmeter chamber, in which a measurement is carried out to determine the concentration of the analyte. The evaluation of the measurement takes place in a signal processor. The monitoring of the arrangement comprises the following steps: measurement of measured values of at least two correlated system parameters of the arrangement by means of a sensor system, and comparison of the measured values with limit values stored for each of the system parameters in a storage unit, to obtain a combination of at least two comparison results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for purifying water whereby: the water to be purified is pressurized (13); a pressurized flow of said water is directed onto at least one selective permeability membrane to divide (11) the flow of pressurized water into a permeate flow and a retentate flow; the permeate flow is electrodeionized (12) to produce a flow of purified water consisting of the electrodeionized permeate flow; the flowrate of the retentate flow (19) is reduced; a substantially constant predetermined pressure (21) is maintained on the selective permeability membrane(s); and a substantially constant predetermined permeate flowrate is maintained. It also relates to a tangential filtration module suitable for the above kind of system.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to dialysis therapy, particularly continuous flow dialysis therapy, are provided. The present invention includes a single closed fluid path along which a minimal amount of therapy fluid including dialysate is fed into, continuously circulated and cleaned such that a therapeutic effective amount of solutes, excess water and the like can be removed from the patient connected to the closed fluid loop during treatment.

Abstract: Provided are a membrane filtering device managing system by which the membrane filtering device can be managed with a better precision and membrane filtering device for use therein, as well as to a membrane filtering device managing method. At least two sensors of an electric conductivity sensor 11, a flow rate sensor 13, and a pressure sensor 15 are provided in at least two membrane elements 10 provided in a membrane filtering device 50. A managing device 200 obtains data from the at least two sensor, and compares the data with comparison data that represents a correlative relationship between a position along the axial line direction in the membrane filtering device 50 and a standard value obtained from the at least two sensor. Accordingly, it is possible to specify the cause of change occurring in the membrane filtering device 50 more definitely, and to carried out a suitable maintenance in accordance with the cause, so that the membrane filtering device 50 can be managed with a higher precision.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for calculating blood flow and to an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment provided with the device. The device includes a memory for receiving and storing either a first datum relating to a blood flow removed from the patient Qb, or a second datum relating to a flow of liquid Qt crossing a tract of the extracorporeal circuit, and a third datum relating to a flow of infusion liquid Qinf flowing through the infusion line. The device also comprises a control unit able to calculate the first datum or the second datum as a function of the third datum relating to the flow of infusion liquid Qinf.

Abstract: A multipurpose hemofiltration system and method are disclosed for the removal of fluid and/or soluble waste from the blood of a patient. The system continuously monitors the flow rates of drained fluid, blood, and infusate. When necessary, the pumping rates of the infusate, drained fluid and blood are adjusted to remove a preselected amount of fluid from the blood in a preselected time period. A supervisory controller can monitor patient parameters, such as heart rate and blood pressure, and adjust the pumping rates accordingly. The supervisory controller uses fuzzy logic to make expert decisions, based upon a set of supervisory rules, to control each pumping rate to achieve a desired flow rate and to respond to fault conditions. An adaptive controller corrects temporal variations in the flow rate based upon an adaptive law and a control law.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid during an extracorporeal blood treatment and to an extracorporeal blood treatment unit equipped with a device for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid. The monitoring of the supply of substitution liquid is based on the measurement of pressure waves, which are generated by the substitution liquid pump, in the extracorporeal blood circulation system. A disturbance in the supply of substitution liquid is inferred when the amplitude of the pressure waves exceeds a predetermined limit value. The amplitude of the pressure waves is preferably monitored in the venous blood line.

Abstract: A filter device for a motor vehicle has a filter element with a porous ceramic support body provided with one or more passages for receiving a liquid to be filtered and filter membranes formed on inner walls of the passages. The liquid to be filtered passes through the filter membranes into the support body and exits from the support body through a circumferential surface of the support body. At least one compensation element is arranged at an end face of the support body. The compensation element is elastically deformable for providing an additional liquid volume that is generated when the liquid expands due to freezing.

Abstract: A system, program product and method continuously optimize an ultrafiltration rate during an extracorporeal renal replacement process by modeling physiological and actual rate data. The system maps the sensed, physiological data to a mathematical model to assess the data in terms of the ultrafiltration rate. The model provides parameters used to predict where the treatment is headed based on current conditions. The system processes the parameters in terms of preset criteria to generate the optimized ultrafiltration rate. Where the system is networked, communication of the data may be accomplished using remote and online communication techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane filtration system (1) including: a filtering membrane portion (3) for removing impurities in feed water; a drain line (16) for draining a part of concentrate from the filtering membrane portion (3) to an exterior of a system; a concentrate return line (17) for returning a remainder of the concentrate from the filtering membrane portion (3) to an upstream side of the filtering membrane portion (3); a return flow rate adjusting portion (28) for concentrate provided in the concentrate return line (17); and a control portion (30) controlling the return flow rate adjusting portion (28) based on a drain flow rate of the concentrate or a flow rate of product water from the filtering membrane portion (3). With this construction, it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption in a feed pump (7) for feeding water to the filtering membrane portion (3) and to prevent clogging in the filtering membrane in the filtering membrane portion (3).

Abstract: A separation apparatus using a membrane for diafiltration, which provides precise fractionation of a target substance by monitoring and regulating permeability of the target substance based on measurement values and analytical values indicating separation status, such as physical values and concentration of a permeate liquid, a circulating liquid and an internal circulating liquid in a membrane device. A diafiltration process including adding a cleaning liquid to an treating liquid which contains multiple target substances and extracting a target substance into the permeate liquid supplied from a membrane separation apparatus to fractionate the target substance from other target substances remaining in a residual liquid.

Abstract: A membrane separation module (10) has a shell (11) having inlet port (20), outlet port (21) and a plurality of membrane units (12) disposed therebetween. Each membrane unit (12) has a plurality of elongated membrane elements (13), with at least a portion of each membrane element (13) having a semipermeable surface to permit selective permeation of one or more components of a multi-component feed fluid. The plurality of elongated membrane elements (13) are attached to collecting manifolds (16) (17), with one of those manifolds (16) (17) being unrestrained, permitting axial movement of each membrane element (13) in response to temperature changes. At least one manifold (16) (17) from each membrane unit (12) is in fluid communication with a manifold (16) (17) from one other membrane unit (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for purifying water whereby: the water to be purified is pressurized; a pressurized flow of said water is directed onto at least one selective permeability membrane to divide (11) the flow of pressurized water into a permeate flow and a retentate flow; the permeate flow is electrodeionized (12) to produce a flow of purified water consisting of the electrodeionized permeate flow; the flowrate of the retentate flow (19) is reduced; a substantially constant predetermined pressure (21) is maintained on the selective permeability membrane(s); and a substantially constant predetermined permeate flowrate is maintained and also relates to a suitable tangential filtration module system.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention removes contaminants from well water without creating the problem of large volumes of waste liquid disposal. It uses double-cone devices as pressure amplifiers which due to their lack of moving parts avoid the risk of additional contamination of the well and provide a prolonged lifetime. For toxic contaminants, a periodic purging of the concentrated contaminants is required. In the case of (sea) salt contamination, there is no waste brine to be continuously handled at all and the system may be run without interruption over an extended period. In this case, the brine is dumped into the well simply by periodically stopping the plant. The brine pours out of the double-cone unit(s) and due to its higher density, sinks down in the well without disturbing the operation of the purification plant.

Abstract: An apparatus for consecutive sequential closed-circuit desalination of a salt water solution by reverse osmosis having at least one circuit and a single container (CN), wherein the circuit includes at least one RO module (M1) connected in parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood treatment device by extracorporeal circulation comprising a filter having a primary chamber and a secondary chamber separated by a semi-permeable membrane; a blood circuit comprising an arterial line intended to come from the patient, the filter's primary chamber and the venous line intended to return to the patient; a dialysate circuit comprising the filter's secondary chamber and at least a drain line for circulating the waste intended to come from the filter and intended to go to a drain; a first bag in fluid communication with the drain line; at least a first gravimetric weighing means linked to the first bag, fluid flow rate adjustment means acting on the drain line; a control unit linked to the first gravimetric weighing means and with the fluid flow rate adjustment means; a second bag in fluid communication with the drain line, the control unit being capable of receiving weight signals from the first gravimetric weighing means and of controlling the fluid flow rate adju

Abstract: The present invention concerns a semi-permeable membrane for use in osmosis consisting of one thin layer of a non-porous material (the diffusion skin), and one or more layers of a porous material (the porous layer), where the porous layer has a structure where porosity ?, thickness of the porous layer (m), and tortuosity ?, are related to one another as given by the expression: x·?=?·S wherein S is a structure parameter having a value equal to or less than 0.0015 meter. Further a method for providing elevated pressure by osmosis as well as a device for providing an elevated osmotic pressure and electric power is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrafiltration. In particular, the present invention provides nanoporous membranes having pores for generating in vitro and in vivo ultrafiltrate, devices and bioartificial organs utilizing such nanoporous membranes, and related methods (e.g., diagnostic methods, research methods, drug screening). The present invention further provides nanoporous membranes configured to avoid protein fouling with, for example, a polyethylene glycol surface coating.