MOLECULAR EXCHANGE DEVICE

• US 20100016779A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cornel Medical Limited
• Original Assignee: Probe Scientific Limited
• Inventors: O'Connell, Mark Thomas, Block, Stewart Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,790,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/6.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14528 invasively
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/243 Dialysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/40 Concentrating samples
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present application relates to a molecular exchange device (1) for use with an analysis and control apparatus and a method of manufacturing a molecular exchange device. The molecular exchange device comprises a casing (2), extending from a proximal end (3) to a distal end (4), supporting at least two fluid passageways (7a, 7b) extending from the proximal end to the distal end; the casing comprising at least one exchange aperture (9a, 9b) between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein a portion of the fluid passageway exposed by the exchange aperture is porous

Claims

1. A molecular exchange device comprising;

a casing, extending from a proximal end to a distal end, supporting at least two fluid passageways extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

the casing comprising at least one exchange aperture between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein a portion of the fluid passageway exposed by the exchange aperture is a porous portion.

2. The molecular exchange device according claim 1, wherein a separator extends along the casing for at least a length of the exchange aperture, separating the at least two fluid passageways.

3. The molecular exchange device according to claim 2, wherein the separator extends along substantially the entire length of the casing, from the distal end to the proximal end, separating the at least two fluid passageways.

4. The molecular exchange device according to claim 2, wherein the separator extends along a central axis of the casing.

5. The molecular exchange device according to claim 4, wherein the two fluid passageways are arranged on aligning sides of the central separator.

6. The molecular exchange device according to claim 4, wherein two or more of fluid passageways are arranged around the central separator.

7. The molecular exchange device according to claim 2, wherein the at least two fluid passageways are defined by the casing and/or separator.

8. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two fluid passageways are not defined by the casing and/or separator.

9. The molecular exchange device according to claim 2, wherein, the at least two fluid passageways are not defined by the casing and/or separator, and wherein the at least two fluid passageways are at least one tube held within the casing.

10. The molecular exchange device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one tube is a porous membrane.

11. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the porous portion of the fluid passageway is a porous membrane bonded with the casing at the proximal and distal ends of the exchange aperture.

12. The molecular exchange device according to claim 10, wherein the porous membrane is a dialysis membrane.

13. The molecular exchange device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one tube extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the casing, folds back on itself at the distal end and extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the casing, providing two fluid passageways.

14. The molecular exchange device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one tube has a circular or non-circular shaped cross section or the cross section has one straight edge and or the cross section is D-shaped.

15. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the exchange aperture is an opening, formed by (a) a cut-away a portion of the casing;

or (b) a porous portion of the casing.

17. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein more than one exchange aperture exposes the same fluid passageway.

18. The molecular exchange device according to claim 17, wherein the porous portions of the more than one exchange aperture have different porosities.

19. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two fluid passageways have aligned or non-aligned exchange apertures.

20. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the device comprises a plug in the end of the casing.

21. The molecular exchange device according to claim 2, wherein the separator extends to the distal end of the casing and contains a fluid aperture to allow flow from one fluid passageway to another fluid passageway.

22. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the casing is formed as a tip containing a flow chamber to allow flow from one end of at least one fluid passageway into the end of another fluid passageway.

23. The molecular exchange device according to claim 22, wherein the ends of at least one fluid of the passageways extend into the flow chamber.

24. The molecular exchange device according to claim 22, wherein the flow chamber has a sensor arrangement to enable spectrologic measurement.

25. The molecular exchange device according to claim 24, wherein the spectrologic measurement is spectrophotometric measurement.

26. The molecular exchange device according to claim 24, wherein the sensor arrangement is a reflector, wave guide, conductor, photoelectric, electro-active or electrochemical sensor.

27. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, further comprising a channel leading from the proximal end of the casing to the distal end of the casing to provide additional materials to the interior and/or exterior of the distal end of the casing.

28. The molecular exchange device according to claim 27, wherein the channel is integral with the separator.

29. The molecular exchange device according to claim 28, wherein the channel is formed within the central axis of the separator.

30. The molecular exchange device according to claim 27, wherein the channel provides access to or access for an optical, sonic and/or electrical probe.

31. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the casing is adapted for attachment to a catheter and/or cannular.

32. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the casing is a lockable-mating arrangement and or anchoring member for connecting to an invasive port.

33. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the casing is adapted for attachment to a pump.

34. The molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the casing is adapted for attachment to an external device.

38. A method of manufacturing a molecular exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

i) forming of a casing ii) providing at least two fluid passageways within the casing iii) forming of at least one exchange aperture in the casing

39. The method of according to claim 38, wherein steps i), ii) and/or iii) occur simultaneously.

40. The method according to claim 38, further comprising the step of forming a separator to separate the at least two fluid passageways.

41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the casing is formed by moulding.

42. The method according to any one of claim 41, wherein the at least one exchange aperture is formed by the moulding of the casing.

45. The method according to claim 38, wherein the exchange aperture is formed by treating the casing by laser ablation, x-ray, such spark erosion, etching, or oxidation use of salt treatment during an extrusion process or other microfabrication processes, to render the casing porous.

47. The method according to claim 38, wherein the least two fluid passageways are inserted into the casing after forming the exchange apertures.

48. The method according to claim 38, wherein the fluid passageways are inserted into casing after the sealing of the distal end of the casing.

49. The method according to claim 38, wherein the at least one fluid passageway has a cross-section which is circular or non-circular has one straight edge or is D-shaped, for orientation into the lumen.

50. The method according to claim 38, wherein the distal end of the casing is sealed.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the distal end of the casing is sealed by heat sealing, cold sealing, crimping or mechanical methods.

16. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

46. (canceled)