Abstract:
A dialyzer module utilizing a nano-porous ceramic membrane for enhanced hemodialysis performance, and a method for manufacturing the same, are provided. The dialyzer module may be utilized in an extracorporeal blood circuit together with pumps, monitors, and/or other components used for dialysis therapy. The one or more nano-porous ceramic tubes that serve as the hemodialysis membrane may comprise aluminum oxide (alumina) or titanium oxide (titania) tubes manufactured by the anodization of aluminum (Al) or titanium (Ti) tubes in an appropriate acid solution. The nano-porous ceramic tubes may be produced with a nano-porous wall structure having an average pore diameter of approximately five to ten nanometers (nm). The nano-porous ceramic tubes exhibit a uniform pore size, uniform pore distribution, high porosity, and high hydraulic conductivity, enabling the removal of more middle and large molecular weight solutes to achieve a performance more comparable to that of an actual kidney while, at the same time, reducing the undesirable loss of important macromolecules such as albumin.
Abstract:
A dialyzer header cleaning device composed of: a connecting member for connecting the device to the header, the connecting member having a longitudinal passage with a longitudinal axis; and a flow directing member having first and second opposed ends and a fluid passage extending between a fluid inlet at the first end and a fluid outlet at the second end. The flow directing member has a portion that extends from the second end toward the first end and is held in the longitudinal passage. The flow directing member is manually rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the connecting member and is manually movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the connecting member. The fluid outlet of the flow directing member is constructed to eject at least one liquid stream in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis when fluid is supplied to the fluid inlet.
Abstract:
A module (10) is provided which includes a manifold (12), an elongated medium (23) capable of effecting mass transfer or energy transfer through the medium (23) and a bowl (14) which houses the medium (23). The medium (23) and bowl (14) are connected to each other by a key (30) which is secured to flat surfaces (38, 40) on the medium (23) to form a unitary construction. The medium (32) and bowl (14) are in fluid communication with the manifold (12) in a manner which prevents mixing of a first fluid feed and a second fluid feed to the module (10).
Abstract:
A problem in the manufacture of filters using tubular membrane bundles is keeping potting material from flowing into the openings at the ends of the tubes. A preferred embodiment of a method for manufacturing a tubular membrane filter employs a non-contact heat source such as radiant heating to melt the tips of the tubular membranes. This prevents the migration of potting material into the tubes when the potting material is flowed into the ends of tube bundles during the manufacturing process for a filter.
Abstract:
A coating material and a method for coating a hydrophobic membrane with a copolymer that contains at least one hydrophilic segment and at least one hydrophilic segment, such as a PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer, so that the surface of the membrane becomes hydrophilic. The hydrophilic coating helps repel biological molecules, thereby reducing the risk that these molecules will adsorb or deposit on the membrane surface. When the copolymers are modified with an active group, ligands can be immobilized on the copolymer through the active group so that specific molecules that will bind with the ligands cna be targeted for immobilization on the copolymer coating, thereby improving the efficiency of the removal of specific targets.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft einen Membrankörper (10) mit wenigstens einer Flachmembran (12), die wenigstens eine Hohlmembran (11) wenigstens teilweise umgibt. Darüber hinaus betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Membrankörpers (10).
Abstract:
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Hohlfaser- oder Kapillarmembranmoduls sowie eine Vorrichtung mit einem derartigen Modul. Bei dem Verfahren werden die Hohlfasern oder Kapillaren (3) in ungesintertem Zustand in eine zur Aufnahme der Hohlfasern oder Kapillaren (3) strukturierte Form (1) eingelegt und erst in der Form (1) gesintert. Anschliessend oder gleichzeitig mit der Sinterung werden die Fasern in der Form gepottet. Mit dem vorgestellten Verfahren lassen sich Hohlfaser- oder Kapillarmembranmodule auf einfache Weise und mit geringer Bruchgefahr herstellen.
Abstract:
A gas vent filter construction is provided that incorporates a hollow fiber membrane assembly as a means for selectively preventing liquid species from escaping from, for example, a substantially closed liquid filtration system, as gas building up therein is vented out of said system through said gas vent filter construction. The gas vent filter construction downstream from the hollow fiber membrane assembly. Both single and multiple hollow fiber membranes (preferably, hydrophobic) are considered.
Abstract:
The aim of the invention is to provide a separation module that does not have the disadvantages of metal, glass or plastic housings and that at the same time allows to produce a separation layer that is as flawless as possible. To this end, the inventive separation module comprising a housing and a separation element retained thereby. The invention is further characterized in that a) the separation module is composed of a housing produced from a dense ceramic material and of separation element supports produced from a porous ceramic material; b) the separation element supports are coated with a separation layer either on the feed side or on the permeate side thereof; and c) the separation layer is applied on the separation element supports after the fully ceramic separation module has been assembled. The inventive product is especially but not exclusively useful in chemical process engineering in the broader sense thereof.