Abstract: An oxygenator combines, in a single structure, a heat exchanger, a gas exchanger and an arterial filter. Such an oxygenator permits fewer fluid connections and thus may simplify an extracorporeal blood circuit, including a heart-lung machine and a blood reservoir, in which it is used. In some cases, the oxygenator may be configured to include multiple purge ports for purging bubbles both before and after filtering the blood.

Abstract: A combination oxygenator and arterial filter device for treating blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit. The device includes a housing maintaining a core and a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is formed by a plurality of hollow fibers continuously helically wound about the core to form layers of level wound fibers. The layers combine to define an oxygenator region and a radially outward depth filter region. A minimum gap spacing between fibers of the oxygenator region layers is greater than a minimum gap spacing of the depth filter region layers. The fiber bundle can function as a blood oxygenator and exhibits a filtration efficiency of not less than 92% in filtering particles having a particle size of about 45 microns. An oxygenator with integrated arterial filtering capability is provided that minimally impacts the extracorporeal blood circuit prime volume.

Abstract: A combination oxygenator and arterial filter device for treating blood in an extracorporeal circuit includes a housing, an oxygenator, and a depth filter. The oxygenator includes a hollow fiber bundle forming an oxygenator exterior face. The depth filter is disposed (e.g., wound) directly over the exterior face, and includes a plurality of filaments arranged to define filter layers of level wound filaments. A first layer directly abuts the oxygenator exterior face. The oxygenator bundle differs from the depth filter in terms of: fiber and filament materials, construction of the fibers and filaments, and/or minimum gap spacings between axially adjacent ones of the fibers and the filaments. An oxygenator with integrated arterial filtering capability is provided that minimally impacts the extracorporeal blood circuit prime volume.

Abstract: A switch comprises a rotating switch member which provides fluid communication in three modes; infusion, recirculation and priming The switch is located between the oxygenator and drug bag and the cardioplegia pump raceway. The switch has three channels molded into the rotating manifold which either direct blood and cardioplegia into the coronary arteries of the patient or into a recirculation line. When the switch is rotated into the recirculation line, a hose is in fluid connection through the switch and connects the recirculation line with the pump blood and drug inlet lines thereby allowing cooling of the cardioplegic mixture during the time between infusions.

Abstract: A device for purification of blood, blood substitutes or solutions for the introduction into the human and/or animal blood circulation and for gas exchange in blood, blood substitutes or solutions for the introduction into the human and/or animal blood circulation, includes at least one gas permeable membrane and a carrier, coated with substances for adsorptive removal of toxins of biological and chemical synthetic origin, their metabolites and degradation products present in blood, blood substitutes or solutions for the introduction into the human and/or animal blood circulation, a use of the aforementioned device and a process for gentle and simultaneous removal of toxins of biological and chemical synthetic origin, their metabolites and degradation products present in blood, blood substitutes or solutions for the introduction into the human and/or animal blood circulation and for enrichment of blood, blood substitutes or solutions for the introduction into the human and/or animal blood circulation with oxy

Abstract: A two-stage system for oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from a physiological fluid, including: a primary exchange module configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and a carrier fluid having carbon dioxide therein. The primary exchange module is configured to transfer oxygen from the gas to the carrier fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the carrier fluid to the gas to create an oxygen loaded carrier fluid and a carbon dioxide load gas. A secondary exchange module is configured to receive the oxygen loaded carrier fluid and a physiological fluid having the carbon dioxide therein. The secondary exchange module is configured to transfer the oxygen from the oxygen loaded carrier fluid to the physiological fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the physiological fluid to the carrier fluid to create an oxygen loaded physiological fluid.

Abstract: An extracorporeal filtration and detoxification system and method generally comprise separating ultrafiltrate from cellular components of blood, treating the ultrafiltrate independently of the cellular components in a recirculation circuit, recombining treated ultrafiltrate and the cellular components, and returning whole blood to the patient. A recirculation circuit generally comprises an active cartridge including active cells operative to effectuate a selected treatment; in some embodiments, the active cells are the C3A cell line.

Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes 2 through an inner cavity of which a heat-transfer medium liquid flows, a sealing member 6 that seals the plurality of tubes 2 while exposing both ends thereof, with a blood channel passing outside each of the tubes 2 being formed in a central portion in the axial direction of the tubes, and a housing 5 that accommodates the tubes 2 sealed with the sealing member 6. The heat exchanger further includes a hollow fiber membrane 3 that is formed of a plurality of hydrophobic and gas permeable hollow fibers 4 and that is disposed on at least one of an entrance side and an exit side of the blood channel in the housing 5 so that a liquid flowing through the blood channel passes through the hollow fiber membrane 3. The housing 5 includes openings 10 for exposing open ends of each of the hollow fibers 4 forming the hollow fiber membrane 3 to the outside, and gaps between an inner side of the openings and the hollow fibers 4 are sealed.

Abstract: The invention provides an oxygenator of a hollow fiber membrane type where a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are received in a housing, wherein at least a part of the regions of the hollow fiber membranes to contact blood during use is coated with a water-insoluble (meth)acrylate copolymer in which a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate is copolymerized with a hydrophilic (meth)acrylate at a molar ratio of (50 to 90):(50 to 10).

Abstract: An oxygenator that inhibits or prevents bubbles in blood from exiting through a blood outlet includes an oxygenator part which performs gas exchange on blood and a heat exchanging part which performs heat exchange on the blood. The oxygenators part has a housing that is generally in a rectangular parallelepiped form, with a hollow fiber membrane bundle positioned in the housing. The hollow fiber membrane bundle is formed by a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes adapted to perform gas exchange. Blood flows along a blood passage comprised of gaps between the hollow fiber membranes and contacts the surface of the hollow fiber membranes where gas exchange occurs with gas flowing through the lumens of the hollow fiber membranes. In addition, a filter member is arranged on a downstream side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle so that bubbles present in the blood are caught by the filter member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for simultaneous extrarenal blood purification therapy and respiration support therapy. The apparatus includes a CO2 removing means having a first inlet for receiving a flow of blood for CO2 removal and a first outlet for expelling blood deprived of CO2. The apparatus also includes filtering means having a first inlet for receiving the flow of blood, a first outlet for expelling purified blood, and at least one drain channel. The drain channel directs a diluting liquid obtained from the blood expelled during purification of the blood. The drain channel is directly connected to the first inlet of the CO2 removing means to supply the diluting liquid to the CO2 removing means without submitting the diluting liquid to any filtering treatment during passage along the drain channel.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining information representing at least one of a concentration of carbon dioxide in a patient's blood, a concentration of oxygen in the patient's blood or a pH value of the patient's blood. The method may also include setting an initial carbon dioxide tension in a membrane oxygenator of an extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A paracorporeal respiratory assist lung is configured with an annular cylindrical hollow fiber membrane (fiber bundle) that is rotated at rapidly varying speeds. Fluid (for example, blood) is introduced to the center of the device and is passed radially through the fiber bundle. The bundle is rotated at rapidly changing velocities with a rotational actuator (for example, a motor or magnetic coupling). The rotation of the fiber bundle provides centrifugal kinetic energy to the fluid giving the device pumping capabilities and may create Taylor vortexes to increase mass transfer. Rotation of the fiber bundle increases the relative velocity between the fluid and the hollow fibers and increases the mass transfer. The porosity of the fiber bundle may be varied to enhance gas exchange with the blood. Alternatively, a rotating core may be used with a stationary fiber bundle.

Abstract: In a peritoneal dialysis embodiment of the present invention, spent dialysate from the patient's peritoneal cavity passes, along a patient loop, through a dialyzer having a membrane that separates waste components from the spent dialysate, wherein the patient loop returns fresh dialysate to the patient's peritoneal cavity. The waste components are carried away in a second regeneration loop to a regeneration unit or sorbent cartridge, which absorbs the waste components. The regeneration unit removes undesirable components in the dialysate that were removed from the patient loop by the dialyzer, for example, excess water (ultrafiltrate or UF), toxins and metabolic wastes. Desirable components can be added to the dialysate by the system, such as glucose and electrolytes. The additives assist in maintaining the proper osmotic gradients in the patient to perform dialysis and provide the necessary compounds to the patient.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the extracorporeal irradiation of a patient's (P) bodily fluid containing bilirubin, comprising a first (10) and a second (12) line which can be connected to the patient (P), an impermeable irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) connected therewith and located between the first (10) and the second (12) lines, and at least one adjustable feed unit for bodily fluids (16) located in the first (10) and/or the second (12) line, wherein by means of at least one feed unit for bodily fluids (16) an adjustable flow of bodily fluid through the lines (10, 12) and the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) is achievable, in which the first line (10) is designed to continually circulate the bodily fluid drawn from the patient (P) and route it to the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14), and the second line (12) is designed to continually circulate the irradiated bodily fluid to the patient (P), and in which the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) contains an radiation source fo

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical reaction cartridge including a substrate which is a rigid body and an elastic body, and a flow path and two or more chambers connected by the flow path are formed inside the cartridge, the cartridge is structured so as to move or block a fluid substance in the flow path or the chamber by partially sealing the flow path, the chamber or the both of the flow path and the chamber by applying external force to the elastic body from outside, and the substrate includes convex portions which protrude further than the elastic body at a surface of the substrate, on which the elastic body is formed.

Abstract: An oxygenator which helps avoid bubbles in the blood from being discharged through the blood outlet port of the oxygenator includes a housing, a hollow fiber membrane bundle in the housing and formed by a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes serving for gas exchange, gas-inlet and gas-outlet ports communicating with gas passages of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood-inlet and blood-outlet ports. A filter member is provided on a side closer to the blood outlet port of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and serves to catch bubbles in blood. The blood outlet port projects from the housing and a passage enlargement is provided in a vicinity of the end of the blood outlet port closer to the housing and having an increased passage cross-sectional area. The blood passed the filter member is allowed to reach the blood outlet port by being decelerated in the passage enlargement.

Abstract: The invention provides an oxygenator of a hollow fiber membrane type where a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are received in a housing, wherein at least a part of the regions of the hollow fiber membranes to contact blood during use is coated with a water-insoluble (meth)acrylate copolymer in which a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate is copolymerized with a hydrophilic (meth)acrylate at a molar ratio of (50 to 90):(50 to 10).

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a dialysis system are disclosed including an apparatus for delivering saline during dialysis treatment, an apparatus for delivering saline to a patient after dialysis treatment has ended, and an apparatus for alerting a patient that dialysis treatment is about to end. In the apparatus for delivering saline during dialysis treatment, a controller is configured to automatically deliver saline in response to a request. In the apparatus for delivering saline to a patient after dialysis treatment has ended, a controller is configured to automatically deliver saline after dialysis treatment has concluded, but before the patient is disconnected in response to a request. In the apparatus for alerting a patient that dialysis treatment is about to end, a controller is configured to monitor a dialysis treatment and activate an alarm when treatment is about to end.

Abstract: The present invention refers to polymeric membranes and its synthesis with combination of innovative characteristics at the level of the bi-soft segment polyurethane material and at the level of the structure as integral asymmetric membranes. The hemocompability properties—non-hemolytic, non-thrombogenic and no platelet adhesion—combined with the high fluxes of permeation of O2 and CO2 have been designed for the use of the membranes in medical equipments that involve contact with blood like extracorporeal blood oxygenators and can be further designed for hemodialysers and imunnisolation barriers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing coronary perfusion and cardiac reoxygenation that enables accurate control of oxygen levels in blood used for the coronary circulation. Deoxygenated blood and oxygenated blood are collected and oxygen levels are measured by sensors. The deoxygenated and oxygenated blood is then mixed and the mixed blood is measured by another sensor. The sensors provide data used to provide real-time oxygen level measurement and adjustment for blood supplied for coronary circulation.

Abstract: An in-vitro blood plasma lipids filtering method includes the following steps: separating out the blood plasma from the blood collection; flushing a filtering device with saline solution; controlling the pressure of the separated blood plasma; passing the blood plasma to the filtering device for filtering out lipids; controlling the temperature of the filtered blood plasma; and feeding the blood plasma back to the blood. The method is clearly effective and accurate, quick response indication, securer and safer, more tolerant, and the treatment time is short.

Abstract: Provided herein is an innovative hemoperfusion system and method including a thermal-fused broad-spectrum biocidal iodinated interactive polymer for the treatment of biological contaminants in body fluids. In one exemplary embodiment, the system and method utilizes a Triosyn® thermal fused broad-spectrum iodinated interactive polymer, included in a hemoperfusion column, for devitalizing high levels of cell-free microorganisms in whole blood and biological fluids in relation with the characterization of blood cells viability and function post-treatment.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment system including: a blood circuit having a first blood passage coupled at a first end to a first end of a blood treatment device and a second blood passage coupled at a first end to a second end of the treatment device, wherein the first and second blood passages each have a second end adapted to be coupled to a vascular system of a human patient; a first blood pump connectable to the first blood passage and a second blood pump connectable to the second blood passage, wherein said first and second blood pumps are adapted to move blood through the first and second blood passages in a first direction and in a reverse direction, and a pump controller operatively connected to the first and second blood pumps, said controller operates the blood pumps to cyclically move blood through the first and second blood passages in the first direction and the reverse direction.

Abstract: A method of reducing pathogens in blood by exposure to a nitric oxide containing gas in an extracorporeal circuitry is provided. The method includes: obtaining blood from a mammal or a blood source, separating the blood into plasma and blood cells, exposing the plasma to nitric oxide containing gas, combining the exposed plasma with the blood cells, reducing nitric oxide content in the recombined blood, and returning the blood to the mammal or blood source.

Abstract: An improved cross-flow filtration unit utilizing at least one two-ply membrane is disclosed that has a particular pore size relationship in the two membrane layers.

Abstract: The invention is a nanoporous membrane exchanger.

Abstract: There is provided a mass exchange apparatus (114) for use in blood/air mass exchange comprising plural blood flow conduits for defining a blood flow from a blood flow inlet provided thereto; and plural air flow conduits for defining an air flow from an air flow inlet provided thereto. The plural air flow conduits and plural blood flow conduits at least partially comprise gas-permeable membrane material, and the conduits are arranged relative to each other such as to enable transfer of oxygen from the air flow to the blood flow and transfer of carbon dioxide from the blood flow to the air flow through the membrane material. The apparatus additionally comprises at least one sensor (170) for sensing patient respiratory demand; and a controller (160) for controlling the rate of blood/air mass exchange by separate control of the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the air flow responsive to the sensing of patient respiratory demand by the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photolytic cell, and to a photolytic artificial lung incorporating such a cell. The photolytic artificial lung converts water to oxygen for blood absorption, regulates pH, the removes carbon dioxide, and co-produces electrical power. The photolytic artificial lung includes a photolytic cell where all of the chemical reactions occur. Additionally, the present invention relates to photolytically sensitive materials for oxygen generation. These materials are useful for gas-free artificial lung and/or pulmonary capillary fabrication. The photolytic cell disclosed herein can also be used to direct chemical reactions in organs other than the lung.

Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing coronary perfusion and cardiac reoxygenation that enables accurate control of oxygen levels in blood used for the coronary circulation. Deoxygenated blood and oxygenated blood are collected and oxygen levels are measured by sensors. The deoxygenated and oxygenated blood is then mixed and the mixed blood is measured by another sensor. The sensors provide data used to provide real-time oxygen level measurement and adjustment for blood supplied for coronary circulation.

Abstract: A dialysate regeneration chamber is provided. In one embodiment, the dialysate regeneration chamber may include a toxin trap configured to selectively trap toxins and repel select cations.

Abstract: An artificial lung includes a housing, a tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle contained in the housing and providing a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes having a gas exchange function, a gas inflow port and a gas outflow port communicating with each other through hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port through which blood is distributed. The tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle has a cylindrical overall shape, and a filter member having a bubble-trapping function is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated centrifugal blood pump-oxygenator (1) comprising a housing (2) with a top (3) having a blood inlet (4), a blood outlet (5) and a gas inlet (6), and a bottom (7) having a rotational body (8) being rotatably arranged in a rotor-housing (9) of the bottom (7). The integrated centrifugal blood pump-oxygenator (1) further comprises an oxygenator membrane (10) provided in an interior (11) of the housing (2), wherein in the operation state oxygen (12) is transferred from the gas inlet (6) through the oxygenator membrane (10) to an gas outlet (13) and a blood (14) is brought in direct contact with the oxygenator membrane (10) by pumping the blood (14) by the rotational body (8) from the blood inlet (4) to the blood outlet (5). According to the invention, the rotational body (8) is magnetically journalled in a contact free manner with respect to the rotor-housing (9).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for photolytic oxygenation of whole blood.

Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a venous blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.

Abstract: The invention provides a bio-reactor device and a method of cultivating live cells. The device comprises a holder which contains a matrix of porous foam material in whose interior live cells are anchored, the device comprising also a liquid contained in the holder. The liquid is an oxygen carrier and saturates the matrix, the liquid comprising a synthetic or semi-synthetic constituent. The method involves perfusing the oxygen carrier liquid through the matrix to deliver oxygen to the cells and to absorb carbo-dioxide from the cells.

Abstract: A combination mass transfer and pump apparatus, which in a single step actively mixes a first mass and a second mass and simultaneously pumps one of the first mass and the second mass through the apparatus. The combination mass transfer and pump apparatus substantially comprises a housing and at least one distributor element having a plurality of selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements wherein the at least one distributor element is agitated within the second mass such that the first mass diffuses across the selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements, mixing with the second mass, and in the same step the second mass is pumped through the housing.

Abstract: The bioartificial reactor has a reactor vessel. A cell culture chamber in the reactor, in particular for liver cells, is divided off from a flow chamber for a nutritive medium and from a flow chamber for plasma and blood by semipermeable walls. At least one flow chamber is formed as a tube that is helically wound in the shape of a screw and that is made of semipermeable material.

Abstract: To provide an artificial cardiopulmonary circuit system having high heat resistance and excellent blood compatibility. The artificial cardiopulmonary circuit system includes a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator including a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange having a blood contact part that contacts blood on one side thereof and a gas contact part that contacts a gas on the other side thereof, and a housing that contains the hollow fiber membranes therein. At least a portion of the blood contact part of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator is coated with a polymer comprising a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1) as a main structural component and having a viscosity at 65° C. of 5,000 poise (500 Pa·s) [Chemical Formula 4] (Wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group, R2 is an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms).

Abstract: An integrated, artificial heart-lung machine and method for performing extracorporeal blood oxygenation and circulation. The heart-lung machine is a single unit in which a cylindrical artificial lung, preferably with a heat exchanger, is connected in series to an undulation pump and a removable drive unit. The undulation pump is directly connected to the oxygenator which significantly reduces the blood priming volume of the system.

Abstract: Artificial liver devices and methods for using the devices to purify a biological fluid are disclosed. The methods include the use of living hepatocytes (23) which are either unattached or attached to inert carriers and suspended in a cell culture medium which circulates in the devices with the hepatocytes (23). Blood or plasma passes on one side (7?) of semi-permeable membranes, on the other side (7) of which is the cell culture medium and across which is a concentration and/or pressure gradient. Solutes diffusing across the membrane into the cell culture medium are metabolized by the hepatocytes (23) and/or captured by additional removal means (4). Those undesirable substances which do not diffuse out of the blood or plasma into the hepatocyte containing culture medium are captured by additional removal means (50).

Abstract: A method of separating a cell-containing sample into a substantially cell-depleted portion, and a cell-containing portion comprising at least one of a stem cell, a lymphocyte, and a leukocyte comprises a step in which the sample is received in a vessel with at least one flexible wall. In another step, an additive and particles are added to the sample, wherein the additive substantially binds to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the particles and wherein the particles substantially bind to the at least one of the stem cell, lymphocyte, and leukocyte, and the additive, thereby producing a cell-containing network. In a further step, the network is separated from the substantially cell-depleted portion by applying a magnetic force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for maintaining a gas in a predetermined pressure range during a gas exchange process. The apparatus (20) includes a first conduit (21) having a gaspermeable membrane wall portion (25), at least one inlet port (26) for introducing a first gas into the apparatus, and a reservoir (28) arranged to contain the first gas. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for oxigenating an extracorporeal flow of blood.

Abstract: A compliant blood gas exchanger is provided including a housing having a first end cap, a second end cap, and an elastomeric sidewall or sleeve extending there between forming a chamber. A hollow fiber assembly is disposed in the chamber. The hollow fiber assembly has a first mounting collar, a second mounting collar and a plurality of hollow fibers disposed there between. The first end cap is disposed in communication with the first mounting collar and the second end cap is disposed in communication with the second mounting collar. The end caps are connected to a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The chamber is in communication with a blood inlet and a blood outlet. The elastomeric sidewall is responsive to internal and external pressures affecting the chamber. The first chamber can also be placed adjacent to a second chamber and both chambers placed within a rigid outer housing. Thus, a dual-chamber pulsatile blood gas exchanger can be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation is provided, advantageously comprising an extracorporeal circuit for the preparation and delivery of hyperoxic or hyperbaric blood. In one embodiment, an apparatus for gas-supersaturating fluids, e.g., physiologic saline, includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive the fluid; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply that maintains pressure within the chamber at a predetermined level, advantageously about 600 p.s.i.; and an outlet advantageously coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet advantageously creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which collects within the chamber below the atomizer nozzle for removal via the outlet.

Abstract: The need for a venous reservoir in a heart-lung machine is obviated by using a vacuum-purged negative-pressure air filter in the venous return line ahead of the main blood pump. The purging vacuum for the venous air filter can also be used to purge air from the cardiotomy reservoir if a backflow-preventing valve is used on the venous air filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the progress of membrane fouling that occurs on pores as well as on the surface of a membrane by means of variations of zeta potential (&zgr;) of a hollow-fiber membrane according to time passage of filtration of a suspension, wherein colloid particles, biopolymers and other inorganic particles are dispersed, and the method thereof. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a method to identify the effect of concentration polarization layer and cake layer which can vary according to the axial position of a hollow-fiber and the developing progress of a membrane fouling by measuring the position-dependent zeta potential of the hollow-fiber membrane.