INTEROSMOLAR FLUID REMOVAL
First Claim
1. A method of collecting fluids from a patient comprisingplacing, in a patient, a fluid collection device that comprises a semipermeable membrane that at least partially bounds a lumen containing trapped osmotic solutes in aqueous solution, with the lumen being in fluid communication with a reservoir that is removable or reloadable while the device is in use,wherein the trapped osmotic soluteshave a molecular weight greater than a molecular weight cutoff of the semipermeable membrane and create an osmotic pressure that draws physiological fluid from the patient across the membrane and into the lumen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Inventions are disclosed that generate osmotic pressure that can be used to remove fluids from a patient. One embodiment involves implanting a reservoir that has a semipermeable membrane sidewall. The reservoir contains trapped osmotic solutes that can not pass out through the membrane. But fluid from the patient can flow in. The osmotic pressure from the trapped solutes in the reservoir draws fluid from the patient across the semipermeable membrane and into the device. The reservoir may optionally be recharged from time to time and/or replaced by a new reservoir.
9 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of collecting fluids from a patient comprising
placing, in a patient, a fluid collection device that comprises a semipermeable membrane that at least partially bounds a lumen containing trapped osmotic solutes in aqueous solution, with the lumen being in fluid communication with a reservoir that is removable or reloadable while the device is in use, wherein the trapped osmotic solutes have a molecular weight greater than a molecular weight cutoff of the semipermeable membrane and create an osmotic pressure that draws physiological fluid from the patient across the membrane and into the lumen.
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14. A medical system for collecting physiological fluid from a patient that comprises:
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a fluid collection device that comprises a semipermeable membrane that at least partially bounds a lumen containing trapped osmotic solutes in aqueous solution, with the lumen being in fluid communication with a reversibly attachable or reloadable reservoir, wherein the trapped osmotic solutes have a molecular weight greater than a molecular weight cutoff of the semipermeable membrane and create an osmotic pressure that draws physiological fluid from the patient across the membrane and into the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification