Abstract: A dialyzer design that includes a potting material encasing a microfiber bundle in each end of a cylindrical body. The potting material is set by spinning the dialyzer in a centrifuge to force the potting material to the ends of the dialyzer interior chamber, where it sets with a non-planar surface. Dialysate fluid distribution rings define a space between the dialyzer interior chamber and dialyzer inlet and outlet ports, and laterally support the microfiber bundle against the dialysate fluid flow pressure. The dialysate fluid distribution ring circumferential edge substantially conforms to the non-planar potting material surface, to ensure that the lateral support to the microfiber bundle is constant, thereby lessening distortion, rupturing and obstruction of the microfibers.

Abstract: A hemodiafiltration system for treating blood which has module having a housing in which hollow-fiber membranes are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent and are embedded at their ends in first and second sealing compounds joined to the inner wall of the housing in a fluid-tight manner. The membrane module also has a dialyzate space and a substituate space separated from the dialyzate space in a fluid-tight manner by a continuous dividing wall. The membrane module further includes means for delivering and withdrawing a dialyzate to and from the dialyzate space, and means for delivering a substituate to the substituate space. The hollow-fiber membranes are used for blood treatment, filtration of the substituate, and delivery of the substituate to the blood.

Abstract: This invention provides an inexpensive hollow-fiber membrane module that can prevent diaphragms from peeling or coming off from the cylindrical casing. The invention includes a hollow-fiber membrane module, comprising a cylindrical casing having an inlet port for the treating liquid at one end and an outlet port for the treating liquid at the other end, a hollow-fiber membrane bundle contained in the cylindrical casing, potting layers for fixing the hollow-fiber membrane bundle to the inner wall of the cylindrical casing at both the ends of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle, a header having an outlet port for the liquid undergoing treatment provided at one end of the cylindrical casing, and a header having an inlet port for the liquid undergoing treatment provided at the other end of the cylindrical casing, wherein baffle cylinders having slits extending in the direction at an angle to the axis of the cylindrical casing are fitted in the potting layers.

Abstract: A dual-stage filtration cartridge is provided. The cartridge can be embodied as a mid-dilution hemodiafiltration cartridge or a redundant sterilization filtration cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The housing has a primary fluid inlet and outlet at the first end of the cartridge. The housing also defines first and second filtration stages with the first filtration stage including first filtering elements disposed between the first and second ends of the housing. Each stage has a separate inter-lumen fiber space, but shares a common extra-lumen space. The primary fluid inlet communicates with the first filtering elements at the first end so that fluid flows through the first filtering elements toward the second end. The second filtration stage includes second filtering elements disposed between the first and second ends of the housing with the fluid outlet communicating with the second filtering elements at the first end.

Abstract: A filtration assembly is presented which removes bacteria and endotoxin from a solution so that a sterile fluid is produced. The sterile fluid is suitable for direct on-line infusion to a patient from a device, such as a dialysis machine. The filtration assembly is constructed so that two separate filtration compartments exist, resulting in redundant filtration of the fluid prior to infusion. Each compartment holds a filter which preferably consists of a longitudinal bundle of semipermeable hollow fibers. The filter is sized so that it creates a separate area within the compartment for filtrate and infusate flow. This redundant filtration produces a lower risk of creating a pyrogenic or septic condition in the patient due to filter failure.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating of fluid mixtures. A number of tubular membranes are arranged parallel to each other. Each of the membranes has an inner lumen and the flow direction is from the exterior of the membrane to the inner lumen. Each tube is surrounded by a larger diameter feed tube and a gap is formed between the outside service of the tubular membrane and the inside service of the feed tube. This annulus provides a feed flow channel for the fluid mixture along the outer surface of the tubular membrane. The annulus has a first and second end each being connecting with means for entrance and discharge respectively of the feed flow and with means to direct the feed flow through the channels. The inner lumen of the tubular membranes are sealed from the annular gap and provided with a connection for the discharge of the permeate flow.

Abstract: The drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by an electrode fluid distributor. The electrode fluid distributor comprises a fluid passageway having a first end with an inlet and a second end with an outlet. A baffle is included that diagonally traverses the fluid passageway from the first end to the second end, and from a base of the fluid passageway toward an at least partially open side of the fluid passageway. The baffle defines at least a portion of a first reservoir and at least a portion of a second reservoir, with the inlet defining at least a portion of one end of the first reservoir and the outlet defining at least a portion of one end of the second reservoir. The inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet over the baffle. The first reservoir has a width proximate the open side which is smaller proximate the inlet than proximate the outlet.

Abstract: A filtration module has a plurality of hollow fibre nanofiltration or reverse osmosis membranes suspended between a pair of opposed headers. The lumens of the membranes are the retentate or feed side. The membranes are arranged in groups, such as sectors of a cylinder, and form preceding or succeeding stages. A permeate collection plenum is in direct fluid communication with each stage. The stages are connected by caps typically having dividers located at the ends of the module. The module is used to filter water and, when optionally fitted with hollow fibre membranes adapted to selectively reject hardness causing salts, is used to remove hardness. Methods of cleaning using acidic solutions or gaseous carbon dioxide are discussed.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module comprising a module case and a hollow fiber membrane bundle comprising a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, at least one end of the bundle being bonded to and fixed on the module case, wherein the bonding portions of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the module case comprise a silicone type resin and in at least one of the bonding portions, a reinforcing rib for reinforcing the bonding portions is directly fixed on the module case. According to the hollow fiber membrane module of this invention, the membrane filtration treatment of water containing ozone over a long period of time and the repeating washing with water containing ozone are made possible.

Abstract: Membrane module and process for its manufacture, wherein the membrane module contains at least two groups of hollow-fiber membranes, the groups arranged in layers and capable of being fed independently by fluids. The membrane module has a housing shell comprising a channel-shaped housing middle section, open at the top, and adjoining end pieces, also open at the top and with a number of arms corresponding to the number of groups. The groups of hollow-fiber membranes are inserted as layers over one another such that they are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the housing middle section and substantially parallel to each other. The ends of hollow-fiber membranes of different groups are arranged in respectively different arms of the end pieces and embedded with a sealing compound such that at least one end of the hollow-fiber membranes is open.

Abstract: In a membrane treatment method, raw liquid is supplied to a circulation tank, and circulation liquid is supplied into an inter-membrane passage between filtration membranes disposed within a membrane apparatus, which is disposed separately from the circulation tank. Filtrate is obtained from the circulation liquid within the inter-membrane passages via the filtration membranes, and the circulation liquid is circulated by a circulation pump disposed between the circulation tank and the membrane apparatus, while returning the remaining circulation liquid to the circulation tank. A portion of the circulation liquid overflows from the circulation tank. A membrane treatment apparatus comprises a membrane apparatus, a circulation tank, and a circulation pump. The membrane apparatus includes filtration membranes disposed to form an inter-membrane passage between the filtration membranes. The membrane apparatus takes out filtrate from circulation liquid in the inter-membrane passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capillary filtration membrane module, comprising a filter housing provided with an inlet, an outlet and a membrane compartment accommodating a bundle of capillary filtration membranes, the filtration membranes being cased at both ends of the membrane module in membrane holders, and the membrane compartment being provided with discharge conduits coupled to the outlet for the conveyance of the permeate. The discharge conduits comprise at least one discharge lamella and provided in the membrane compartment extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the capillary filtration membrane.