Abstract: A membrane oxygenator includes an upper nested arrangement of a hard shell venous reservoir, a bowl-like defoamer within the reservoir and a heat exchanger coil vertically supported within the defoamer, and includes a membrane oxygenator unit mounted on the bottom of the upper arrangement. The oxygenator unit includes an inlet chamber with a tangential inlet providing swirling blood flow to dislodge air bubbles and centrifuge air to an upper center region of an inlet chamber where gas is exhausted through a vent. A bottom blood outlet chamber of the blood oxygenator unit has a relatively thin vertical cross-sectional area such that priming flow velocity therein discharges all air from the outlet chamber.

Abstract: The gas-permeable membrane comprises a reinforcing substrate (2) and a continuous layer (1), deposited thereonto, of a polymer based on an organosilicon rubber. The substrate (2) is made of a solid open-pore material. The layer (1) has a thickness of from 2 to 5 .mu.m and partly fills pores (3). The process for the manufacture of the gas-permeable membrane comprises preparation of a 1-20% solution of a polymer based on an organosilicon rubber in a solvent inert relative to the solid porous substrate material and capable of wetting it. The substrate is heated to a temperature by 0.5.degree.-20.degree. C. above the boiling point of the solvent and the polymer solution is sprayed onto the substrate surface in an amount of from 0.5 to 5 mg/cm.sup.2. The blood oxygenator comprises a plurality of rigid gas-permeable membranes (13) positioned one above another in a housing (17).

Abstract: A perfusion device, such as an oxygenator including a parallel plate membrane consisting of an accordian-folded elongated sheet, is provided with a plurality of perfusion compartments, each with its own inlet and outlet, so that a greater or lesser perfusion membrane area may be used, as desired.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator comprising a housing generally in the form of a box and bundles of hollow fibers of semipermeable membrane set therein for effecting gas exchange therethrough. In this blood oxygenator, each end of each bundle of hollow fibers of semipermeable membrane is secured together by potting material in such a way as to allow their open ends to communicate separately with a gas inlet and a gas outlet; the space around the bundles of hollow fibers of semipermeable membrane communicates with a blood inlet and a blood outlet; the blood-gas contact chamber within the housing is divided into a plurality of compartments with the interposition of blood flow channels narrowed by baffles; and the bundle of hollow fibers of semipermeable membrane is disposed in the contact chamber so as to be substantially parallel to the baffles.

Abstract: A hollow fiber type blood oxygenator having an integrated and improved heat exchanger having a generally conical housing and core member between which a helically wrapped conduit is situated. The conduit has a plurality of parallel flutes. A housing and core member are formed with helical recessed regions which conform to the conical helix defined by the tubing or conduit. The tubing is formed with flattened opposing surfaces which mate with the corresponding recesses in the housing and core member. The mating on the flats on the tube or conduit to the corresponding flats in the recessed regions of the housing and core member allows a substantially tighter and more uniform fit which minimizes the dynamic blood priming volume.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator of the outside perfusion type using hollow fibers as the gas exchange membrane. In this blood oxygenator, a plurality of contact chambers each containing a bundle or bundles of hollow fibers for gas exchange use and communicating with a blood inlet and a blood outlet are disposed to make blood flow in multiple paths within a housing, and each bundle of hollow fibers is arranged so as to be substantially perpendicular to the direction of blood flow. In spite of its compact construction, this blood oxygenator has high oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange rates per unit of membrane even when used in the gas exchange of blood having high flow rate, exhibits only a small pressure loss, and causes little channeling of the blood and gas. Moreover, it is easy to manufacture because of its relatively simple structure.

Abstract: Spacers for membrane exchanges whose useful exchange zone is divided by at least one transversal rib directing one of the fluids to the side of the exchange zone where it passes through orifices to circulate subsequently on the opposite face.Application to heat and/or material exchanges with various fluids, especially biological fluids. Particular applications in haemodialysis and in blood oxygenation.

Abstract: A membrane oxygenator has a housing and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed within the housing. A gas inlet and a gas outlet are in communication with the microporous hollow fibers. A blood inlet and blood outlet are so positioned that the blood flowing through the housing will flow generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the fibers. The fibers are preferably placed at a center to center spacing within a layer of about 1.5 to 4 times the diameter of the fibers. A coating, which is permeable to both oxygen and carbon dioxide, is preferably provided on the exterior of the fibers. Filaments may be positioned between at least some fibers so as to improve spacing and facilitate more efficient transfer between the gas and blood. The fibers may be wound around a frame member and adjacent layers preferably have fibers angularly offset with respect to each other. Methods and apparatus for making membrane oxygenators of the above-described types.

Abstract: An artificial lung has an axially extending housing which accommodates a bundle of hollow fibers retained within the housing by a pair of walls provided at the ends of the housing. The housing has blood inlet and outlet ports defining a blood chamber within the housing. Oxygen gas is passed through the hollow fibers and blood is passed through the blood chamber so that a gas exchange may take place through the hollow fiber walls. The artificial lung is provided with a blood reservoir chamber integral with the blood chamber and capable of being communicated with the blood chamber, so that blood which has undergone a gas exchange inside the chamber may be stored within the reservoir. A heat exchanger is disposed at a point preceding, following or intermediate the blood chamber and blood reservoir chamber, which construct a blood circuit.

Abstract: A method for extracting oxygen from a fluid environment, which comprises the steps of (1) contacting a first fluid environment containing oxygen with a first surface of a first oxygen permeable membrane having a first and a second surface, wherein the membrane separates the environment from an interior space of a closed container, (2) transporting a carrier fluid into contact with the second surface of the membrane, wherein the carrier fluid is confined in the closed container and the carrier fluid contains a binding-state oxygen carrier, whereby oxygen which diffuses through the membrane binds to the carrier to give a bound oxygen complex, (3) transporting the carrier fluid containing the bound oxygen complex to a first electrode compartment of an electrochemical cell which forms a second portion of the closed container, (4) electrochemically modifying the binding-state oxygen carrier to an oxidation state having less binding affinity for oxygen, thereby releasing free oxygen into the carrier fluid and produ

Abstract: A unitary system incorporates an upper reservoir container having a blood gas separator, a cardiotomy reservoir and a venous reservoir. The upper container is positioned directly above a lower mass transfer container coupled with the venous reservoir by means of a check valve and having a spirally wound flattened tubular transfer membrane. A vacuum is drawn upon an upper portion of the reservoir container which carries a blood gas separator into which aspirated wound site blood is drawn for filtering and collection of blood in the cardiotomy reservoir. The latter is automatically drained via a pressure responsive valve into a venous blood reservoir at the lower portion of the reservoir container and into which venous blood flows for mixing with the filtered cardiotomy blood.

Abstract: Methods and devices for assaying the sensitivity of of biopsied cells to therapeutic agents are disclosed. Cells are cultured in artificial organs and then contacted with a fluorogenic substrate such that living cells accumulate a characteristic amount of fluorescence. The agent is then introduced into the organ and changes in the fluorescence released by the cells serve as an indicator of the sensitivity of the cells to the agent.

Abstract: A novel device for mass transfer across a membrane is disclosed, which is particularly suitable for use as a blood oxygenator. The novel device is of the type having a pleated, selectively permeable membrane defining first and second sets of alternating pockets for the flow of a fluid to be treated (e.g. blood) and a treating fluid (e.g. oxygen), and a discrete support screen disposed within each of the pockets of said first and second sets. Of considerable importance is the feature that the support screens are designed to be substantially interdigitated when the assembly of membrane and support screens is held as a compressed stack within the housing of the device. The novel mass transfer apparatus may be utilized as a compact blood oxygenator with excellent gas transfer rates, low pressure drops and negligible trauma to blood components.

Abstract: Apparatus for oxygenating blood or for separating whole blood into a plasma fraction and an enriched plasma-depleted blood fraction comprising at least two contiguous membrane units, each unit consisting of a first membrane layer, a second membrane layer, a first spacer layer and a second spacer layer. The membrane layers and the spacer layers are configured so that only plasma or oxygen passes through the membrane layers from or into whole blood. Plasma and plasma-deplected blood or oxygen-depleted gas and oxygenated blood are separately collected while preventing admixture thereof with whole blood.

Abstract: A unitary system incorporates an upper reservoir container having a blood gas separator, a cardiotomy reservoir and a venous reservoir. The upper container is positioned directly above a lower mass transfer container coupled with the venous reservoir by means of a check valve and having a spirally wound flattened tubular transfer membrane. A vacuum is drawn upon an upper portion of the reservoir container which carries a blood gas separator into which aspirated wound site blood is drawn for filtering and collection of blood in the cardiotomy reservoir. The latter is automatically drained via a pressure responsive valve into a venous blood reservoir at the lower portion of the reservoir container and into which venous blood flows for mixing with the filtered cardiotomy blood.

Abstract: Total or fractional precipitation of proteins from salt-containing proteinaceous solution or suspension mixtures is induced or enhanced by subjecting the proteinaceous mixture to a desalting treatment, for example, by electrodialysis. In one aspect of the invention, the desalting treatment is used in conjunction with the addition of heavy metal ions to the proteinaceous mixture to provide a synergistic effect on the precipitation of the protein fraction. In another aspect of the invention, the desalting treatment, either with or without the heavy metal ion addition, is employed as an integral part of a selective plasmapheresis procedure for the removal or recovery of one or more selected plasma proteins from blood plasma.

Abstract: Blood oxygenating apparatus having a sampling access device connected to the blood outlet port and a blood inlet port of the apparatus by a sample supply line and return line and means to cause the pressure at the blood outlet port to be sufficient to cause a small continuous flow of blood through the lines and access device.

Abstract: Potting the spaced-apart fold edges of a pleated membrane and spacer stack to the interior of a housing without blocking the fluid passages between the spaced-apart pleats by applying a layer of thixotropic adhesive to the fold edges of the pleated membrane and spacer stack and thereafter injecting the potting material between the layer of thixotropic adhesive and the housing.

Abstract: A membrane type blood oxygenator with a microporous membrane separating blood and air channels, the blood in the blood channels flowing downward to cause any accidentally introduced air bubbles to have an increased residence time in the membrane device owing to buoyancy, the blood being at a pressure sufficiently greater than the air pressure to cause passage of air bubbles through the pores of the microporous membrane to the air side prior to being carried out of the device by flowing blood.

Abstract: A laminate formed by the solvent casting of a two phase siloxane-polyarylene polyether block copolymer onto a suitable microporous substrate such as a microporous polypropylene film, to produce a gas permeable and blood compatible membrane having sufficient mechanical strength for use in blood oxygenators and gas separation devices. For use in blood oxygenators, implantable biomedical devices, blood sampling, analysis or purification devices and artificial membrane lungs for cancer therapy or lung disease therapy, the two phase block copolymers such as polysufone-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer preferrably have molecular weights in the ratio 5,000/5,000 M.sub.n 's with a 45% volume fraction as polysulfone, or at least 50% volume fraction represented as siloxane. For use in gas separation devices, the molecular weights of the polysulfone-polydimethylsiloxane blocks may be varied from 1,500 to 100,000 or greater M.sub.

Abstract: A closed, air-free blood oxygenator assembly having integrated into one self-supporting unit a rigid-shell blood reservoir having an easily visible, concavity which is closed by an attached expansible, flexible membrane which overlies the concavity and forms a variable volume liquid and air-tight blood reservoir, and an attached blood heater, and a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator. The assembly stores, heats, oxygenates and purifies blood by passing oxygen through the lumens of a mat of small diameter gas-permeable hollow fibers supported on a cylindrical core as blood flows over the outside surfaces of the fibers in a small, easy to use, safe, integrated unit which avoids blood contact with ambient air as blood circulates through the assembly during surgery.

Abstract: A device for the diffusion of substances between fluids through semi-permeable membranes is disclosed. The device includes a stack of alternating spacer plates and semi-permeable membranes including transverse passages for each of the fluids so that one of the fluids is conducted on one side of the membranes while the other fluid is conducted across the opposite side of the membranes, and including inlets and outlets for each of the fluids, and in which at least one of the inlets or outlets includes a fluid duct to divert that fluid from its respective transverse passage to a location between the ends of the stack so that it can be fed into or withdrawn from the device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse passages at that location between the ends of the stack.

Abstract: A hollow fiber medical separatory device of the type including a shell containing a plurality of hollow semipermeable fibers extending through a central dialysate chamber and terminating in spaced apart blood chambers; the device is improved by tubesheets at each end of the fibers having the shape of a frustum of a cone and sized such that the fibers fill the cone to the peripheral edge at the outer end planar surface of the frustum; and a multi-functional blood chamber means forming a blood chamber by pressure sealing engagement with the outer tapered surface of the cone and also pressure sealed to the outer end surface of the shell to prevent air ingress into the dialysate chamber during testing or use.The invention also includes a method for potting the frusto-conical tubesheets on the end portions of the fibers while the fibers are positioned in the shell which is improved by the use of steps and means to insure centering of the fibers in the cone during centrifugal casting of the resin.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for separating blood from other fluids added to the blood in connection with operative procedures. It is particularly exemplified by bypassing a portion of the blood during surgery through an artificial kidney apparatus or the like in conjunction with the oxygenation, simultaniously, of all blood, including that bypassed through the artificial kidney, wherein the excess fluids other than blood are removed for all practical purposes by completion of the operative procedure.

Abstract: Blood units and water units for membrane type blood oxygenator in which blood units are separated from water units by oxygen units; oxygen diffuses through membranes of blood units from oxygen units and water units apply pressure to blood units through intervening oxygen units. The blood unit is formed by a frame having a pair of opposing sides and a pair of opposing ends, the ends being imperforate, the sides being formed with flow-through passages for flow of blood from one blood unit to the next and with lateral passages for flow of a portion of the blood into, through and out of the blood unit, there being a semi-permeable membrane affixed to opposite faces of the frame. The water unit comprises a water impermeable, expansible water mattress having rigid end members formed with water flow-through passages for flow of water from one water unit to the next and having lateral passages for flow of a portion of the water into, through and out of the mattress.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting mass transfer between two fluid phases, at least the first of which is a liquid, which apparatus comprises an annular permeable element which is rotatable about its axis of symmetry, means to charge the first fluid to the permeable element, means to charge the second fluid to the permeable element, and means to discharge at least one of the fluids or a derivative thereof from the permeable element characterized in that the permeable element is formed by winding a tape under tension around the said axis and anchoring the tape to maintain it under tension.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting transfer of heat or mass between two fluids through a transfer membrane comprises a conduit for flow of one of the fluids at least partly defined by the membrane. A wall of the conduit is provided with furrows preferably extending obliquely to the general direction of fluid flow through the conduit. Means, preferably comprising a unidirectional pump for providing mean flow and a pulsatile pump for superimposing reciprocatory pulsations on the mean flow, are provided for passing fluid through the conduit in pulsatile flow, so that eddies of the fluid are formed in the hollows provided by the furrows. When the conduit is defined between two predominantly planar surfaces, these surfaces may be separated, along the ridges between the furrows, by discontinuous webs, the openings in which provide communication between adjacent furrows. These features promote mixing of the fluid and its contact with the transfer membrane.

Abstract: A hollow fiber-type artificial lung having an enclosed heat exchanger comprises a first housing and a second housing connected together coaxially. A gas exchange chamber is defined in the first housing by a pair of spaced walls and a bundle of hollow fibers designed for gas exchange arranged in the first housing and between the pair of walls. The hollow fiber bundle is preferably constricted at the central portion to increase the packing ratio of the hollow fibers. The second housing is connected to the first housing by way of a blood chamber and has a pair of spaced apart walls, and multiple tubes which extend lengthwise between the pair of walls to effect heat exchange between a circulating heat exchange medium and the blood flowing through the multiple tubes.

Abstract: A hollow fiber type oxygenator comprising a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for oxygen and an inlet port and an outlet port for blood, and a plurality of hollow fibers for gas exchange disposed inside the housing along the longitudinal direction thereof. In the housing is formed an inward projection midway in the longitudinal length thereof for engaging and fastening the bundle of hollow fibers to the housing, and there is formed a liquid passage at the inward projection for discharging the water. The oxygenator is so constructed that no water accumulates at the inward projection and the gas exchange efficiency is maintained at a high level even after a protracted use.

Abstract: A dialyser has a membrane assembly (14) comprising two U-shaped conduits partially defined, and separated, by a transfer membrane wall. The walls of the conduits are provided with furrowing at an inclination to the direction of flow through the conduit. Blood is pumped through one conduit by a roller pump (16) in series with a reciprocatory pump (18) and dialysate is pumped in counter current through the other conduit by a roller pump (23) in series with a reciprocatory pump (25). The reciprocatory pumps (18,25) are operated in phase so that the resulting pulsatile component in the two conduits is in phase. This pulsatile flow, in conjunction with the furrows, produces vortexes in, and good mixing of, the blood and dialysate in their respective conduits and hence enhanced contact of each of these liquids with the transfer membrane wall.

Abstract: Hydrophobic diffusion membranes such as porous polypropylene may be rendered hydrophilic at their surfaces, without losing their valuable characteristics as diffusion membranes, by subjection to a corona discharge or other ionizing condition, preferably in air or a similar oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A conduit assembly (23) for an artificial lung is formed from two sheets (30) of thermoplastic transfer membrane material which are sealed together along sinuous lines (24) to provide a unitary assembly of tubular conduits (26) each having longitudinally spaced hollows (27) which promote eddies in, and mixing of, blood when passed through the conduits with a pulsatile flow.

Abstract: A diffusion membrane unit comprising: in a first embodiment, a planar arrangement of parallel separate capillary membrane tubes and junction lines of adhesive material extending continuously across said parallel membrane tubes and continuously along the entire length of said arrangement; and in a second embodiment a plurality of planar single-layered arrays of parallel capillaries defining out of phase sinuous paths.

Abstract: A sheet member of silicone rubber suitable for use in gas-exchange such as oxygenation and decarbonation of blood in an oxygenator of a mechanical heart and lung is proposed.The sheet member of the invention is provided with a plurality of capillary pores extending in parallel and each opening at both ends thereof. The oxygenator is constructed with a plurality of the inventive sheet members arranged in parallel and air is passed through the spaces between the adjacent sheet members while blood is passed through the capillary pores in the sheet members.The efficiency of the gas exchange by use of the above sheet members is further enhanced by providing the sheet member with capillary pores each having an undulating longitudinal cross section comprised of an alternating repetition of wider portions and narrower portions.

Abstract: A dialyser has a membrane assembly (12) comprising two superposed conduits partially defined, and separated, by a transfer membrane wall. The walls of the conduit are provided with furrowing (38 or 39) extending with a component along the conduits. Blood is pumped through one conduit by a roller pump (21) and dialysate is pumped in counter current through the other conduit by a roller pump (24). The conduits communicate with separate chambers in flexible bladders (16) along each side edge of the conduits and the bladders are alternately compressed by rollers (27) to provide a superimposed reciprocatory flow component on the blood and dialysate in a direction transverse to the length of the conduits. This reciprocatory flow component, in conjunction with the furrows, produces vortexes in, and good mixing of, the blood and dialysate in their respective conduits and hence enhanced contact of each of these liquids with the transfer membrane wall.

Abstract: A membrane plasmapheresis module (10) comprises semipermeable membrane means (11) capable of permitting blood plasma to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of blood cells, and sealed housing means (18, 19) defining a blood inlet port (43) and blood outlet port (44) positioned adjacent opposite ends of a first flow path (60) extending along one side of the membrane (11). The housing (18, 19) also defines a plasma outlet port (38) adjacent one end of separate, second flow paths (62) extending along the other side of the membrane (11). The membrane (11) may be folded together about a fold line (12) to define a pair of membrane portions (14, 16) lying against each other. The first flow path (60) extends between the membrane portions (14, 16) and the second flow path (62) may optionally extend between each membrane portion (14, 16) and a wall of the sealed housing means (18, 19), or alternatively an adjacent fold (12) of the membrane portion.

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: Blood units and water units for membrane type blood oxygenator in which blood units are separated from water units by oxygen units; oxygen diffuses through membranes of blood units from oxygen units and water units apply pressure to blood units through intervening oxygen units. The blood unit is formed by a frame having a pair of opposing sides and a pair of opposing ends, the ends being imperforate, the sides being formed with flow-through passages for flow of blood from one blood unit to the next and with lateral passages for flow of a portion of the blood into, through and out of the blood unit, three being a semi-permeable membrane affixed to opposite faces of the frame. The water unit comprises a water impermeable, expansible water mattress having rigid end members formed with water flow-through passages for flow of water from one water unit to the next and having lateral passages for flow of a portion of the water into, through and out of the mattress.

Abstract: To supply oxygen to blood and control its carbon dioxide content, the blood is pumped through a silicone rubber tube wound as a helix around an aluminum cylinder. In a typical use, water at 37.degree. C. is pumped through the cylinder to maintain the temperature constant and a gas containing 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide is passed over the silicone rubber tube so that: (1) oxygen passes through the rubber silicone tube to enrich the blood in oxygen; and (2) carbon dioxide is exchanged through the silicone rubber tube between the blood and the outside gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved separatory devices employing polyurethane forming compositions, such as hollow fiber separatory devices intended to be used in biomedical applications. The separatory device employs at least one separatory membrane, suitable for the intended end use application, which is secured, potted or sealed in a housing using a cured polyurethane composition. The improvement comprises utilizing as the potting agent a polyurethane composition comprising the reaction product of an NCO-terminated prepolymer and a hydroxy terminated lactone derived polyester. The lactone polyester comprises the reaction product of a lactone such as caprolactone, and a polyol such as 1,6-hexane diol. The lactone derived polyester imparts to the polyurethane-forming composition a desirable balance of properties, including low mix viscosity, high reactivity, i.e., low gel and demold times, and acceptable hardness values, when used as a potting agent in biomedical separatory devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for the transfer of substances between two fluids with the simultaneous tempering of at least one of the fluids. The apparatus includes at least one heat permeable membrane having first and second opposing surfaces for the transfer of heat therethrough. First and second fluid conducting means are provided for conducting a first and second fluid, respectively. Transfer means are provided for transferring substances between the first and second fluids. The second fluid conducting means conducts the second fluid along the first surface of the heat permeable membrane and third fluid conducting means are providing for conducting a third fluid along the second surface of the heat permeable membrane for tempering the second fluid. According to the preferred embodiment, the transfer means may comprise either means for directly mixing the first fluid into the second fluid or may comprise a semipermeable membrane for diffusing substances therethrough between the first and second fluids.

Abstract: A process which comprises allowing a liquid to contact with the inside of a microporous hollow fiber and a fluid to contact with the outside, thereby allowing the gaseous components contained in both fluids to transfer between said liquid and said fluid. For use in the process, the inner diameter of the hollow fiber should be 50 to 5,000.mu. and the wall membrane should have an average micropore diameter of 0.01 to 0.5.mu., a porosity of 10 vol.-% or more, a micropore surface area of 5 m.sup.2 /g or more, and an oxygen permeability of 10.sup.-6 cm.sup.3 (STP).multidot.cm/cm.sup.2 .multidot.sec.multidot.cmHg or more. In cases where the liquid is water or a liquid substance with aqueous medium, the process can be used effectively in artificial lung units or the like by using a hollow fiber of a polyolefin or a fluorinated polyolefin.

Abstract: A membrane device having particular utility as a blood oxygenator is disclosed. The device comprises a housing having an oxygen inlet and outlet, a blood inlet and outlet, and a water inlet and outlet. A plurality of blood modules and water modules are arranged in a predetermined configuration in the housing. Each of the blood modules is in flow communication with the blood inlet and outlet on the housing and defines a flow path for the blood through the housing and across each of the blood modules. The water modules are in flow communication with the water inlet and outlet on the housing and define a flow path for the water through the housing and across each of the water modules. The blood modules and water modules are arranged and configured in a specific and predetermined configuration so as to form a pathway for introducing oxygen between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A molded polymer body with very fine, discrete, solid particles composed of a metal, metal compound or a mixture of the same incorporated within the molded body in a uniform pattern of distribution, substantially free of agglomeration, as obtained by a process of first impregnating the molded body with a bath solution of a metal compound and then gassing the molded body with a gaseous precipitating agent to precipitate the metal-containing particles. The products are especially useful in catalytic membranes, e.g. as used in artificial lungs or artificial kidneys.

Abstract: An oxygenator comprises a cylindrical housing provided with inlet and outlet ports for oxygen, and a bundle of hollow fibers disposed within the housing. The porous hollow fibers are made of polyolefin resin, sized at 100 to 300.mu. in inner diameter and 10 to 50.mu. in wall thickness, and have an average pore size of 200 to 1,000A and porosity of 20 to 80%. The blood is allowed to flow through the hollow fibers and O.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 exchange is effected through the porous walls of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the diffusion of substances between two fluids. The apparatus comprises at least one semipermeable membrane having first and second opposing surfaces, first conducting means for conducting a first fluid along the first surface of the membrane, and second conducting means for conducting a second fluid along a second surface of the membrane. The membrane is permeable to a portion of the first fluid so that at least a part of the portion of the first fluid is diffused through the membrane into the second fluid during conduction of the first and second fluids along the opposing surfaces of the membrane. Mixing means are provided for directly mixing the first fluid into the second fluid after conduction of the first fluid along the first surface of the membrane. In the preferred embodiment, this mixing means comprises apertures at the downstream end of the membrane for introducing the first fluid directly into the second fluid flowing on the opposite side of the membrane.

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: Apparatus for selectively separating matter between a first fluid and a second fluid through semi-permeable membranes. The apparatus comprises frame means defining first and second contact zones, each of which is in turn comprised of first and second contact chambers. A plurality of tubular semi-permeable membranes are disposed in each of the contact chambers. Each of the tubular membranes has an inlet end and an outlet end, and is adapted to conduct a least a portion of a first fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end. Barrier means are provided between the first contact zone and the second contact zone for preventing fluid communication therebetween. Fluid communication means are provided in each of the contact zones for providing fluid communication between the first contact chamber and the second contact chamber of each of the contact zones so that fluid in each of the contact zones flows substantially throughout both the first and second contact chambers thereof around a plurality of tubular membranes.

Abstract: Apparatus for mass transfer between fluids, comprises two permeable membranes with a porous membrane support sandwiched therebetween, all pleated together with an accordian pleat to form a pleat package, and sealed in a casing to define three flow channels from one end of the casing to the other, to form a filter having a large filter area in a minimum amount of space for use as a dialyzer or as an ultrafilter in the treatment of blood. By selection of different membrane materials, the apparatus may also be used for oxygenation of blood, and three different fluids, including both gases and liquids, may be treated.

Abstract: A non-wicking polyurethane casting system has been developed which comprises the reaction product obtained by admixing a polyol containing N-N-N'-N'-tetrakis (2-hydroxypropyl) ethylene diamine, (hereafter referred to as QUADROL) with an isocyanate terminated polyurethane based prepolymer. This non-wicking casting system is useful as a potting compound in biomedical applications such as dialysis and hemoultrafiltration devices and the like.