SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF BLOOD-BASED THERAPIES HAVING A MICROFLUIDIC MEMBRANELESS EXCHANGE DEVICE
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.
117 Citations
44 Claims
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1-43. -43. (canceled)
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44. A method of performing blood treatment, comprising:
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attaching venous and arterial blood lines of a patient blood to a first respective outlet and a first respective inlet of a membraneless channel; attaching a first inlet and a first outlet of a membrane filter device to a second respective outlet and a second respective inlet of the membraneless channel such that a recirculating channel connecting the second respective outlet and the second respective inlet is defined, the recirculating channel being continuous and uninterrupted by a membrane; attaching a second inlet a membrane filter device to a first source of dialysate; permitting toxins and water to pass from the membraneless channel through the membrane to a second outlet of the membrane filter device; returning components of the patient blood passing in the recirculating channel back to the patent'"'"'s blood; disconnecting the source of dialysate after a first treatment while leaving the venous and arterial blood lines attached to the first respective outlet and the first respective inlet of the membraneless channel; repeating the attaching, permitting, and returning with a second source of dialysate and performing a second treatment.
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Specification