PARABIOTIC DIALYSIS APPARATUS

• US 3,699,960 A
• Filed: 01/04/1971
• Issued: 10/24/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frank B. Freedman
• Original Assignee: Frank B. Freedman
• Inventors: Freedman, Frank B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/103,774
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 128/214R,214B,214.2,DIG.3 210/321
• US Class Current: 604/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/03 Heart-lung

Abstract

Parabiotic dialysis apparatus which may be safely used with humans is disclosed. Three chambers are fluidically interconnected yet separated by two membranes to enable safe and efficient transfer of substances between the blood of two organisms. One chamber is arranged to be connected into the blood circulation system of a normal human. A second chamber is arranged to be connected into the blood circulation system of a diseased human. A third chamber, which is split into two interconnected halves, is arranged to hold physiological fluid. The chambers are arranged with the third chamber between the first and second chambers. The membranes are arranged with one membrane forming the fluid boundary between the first chamber and one half of the third chamber and the second membrane forming the fluid boundary between the second chamber and the other half of the third chamber to thus provide a fluid path from the first chamber to the second chamber which fluid path can transfer substances to and from the first and second chambers across the membranes and third chamber due to convection and diffusion.

Claims

1. Apparatus for blood to blood exchange of substances between a first organism and a second organism, comprising in combination:

a. a first closed surface forming a first chamber designed to hold blood b. first conduit means fluidically communicating with the first chamber and arranged to attach to cannulation means associated with the first organism for supplying blood from the first organism to the first chamber;

c. second conduit means fluidically communicating with the first chamber and arranged to attach to cannulation means associated with the first organism for returning blood from the first chamber to the first organism;

d. a second closed surface forming a second chamber designed to hold blood;

e. third conduit means fluidically communicating with the second chamber and arranged to attach to cannulation means associated with the second organism for supplying blood from the second organism to the second chamber;

f. fourth conduit means fluidically communicating with the second chamber and arranged to attach to cannulation means associated with the second organism for returning blood from the second chamber to the second organism;

g. a third chamber designed to hold physiological fluid, the third chamber comprising;

aa. a first portion including a third closed surface designed to hold a physiological fluid; and

bb. a second portion including a fourth closed surface designed to hold a physiological fluid; and

h. first membrane means, forming at least a portion of the first surface, having a first face arranged to contact blood within the first chamber and having a second face arranged to contact physiological fluid within the first portion of the third chamber to form an interface between the first chamber and the third chamber;

i. second membrane means, forming at least a portion of the second surface, having a first face arranged to contact blood within the second chamber and having a second face arranged to contact physiological flUid within the second portion of the third chamber to form an interface between the second chamber and the third chamber;

j. fifth conduit means for fluidically interconnecting the portions of the third chamber to allow any physiological fluid within the third chamber to recycle, including;

aa. a first portion fluidically communicating with the first portion of the third chamber for supplying fluid from the first portion and fluidically communicating with the second portion of the third chamber for returning fluid to the second portion;

bb. a second portion fluidically communicating with the second portion of the third chamber for supplying fluid from the second portion and fluidically communicating with the first portion of the third chamber for returning fluid to the first portion;

k. variable orifice means interconnected within one of the first and second portions of the fifth conduit means for allowing ultrafiltration between the first organism and the second organism;

l. pump means connected to the other of the first and second portions of the fifth fluid conduit means, the pump means being designed to continually recycle the physiological fluid within the third chamber; and

m. detector means positioned in relation to the third chamber so as to continually monitor the physiological fluid in the third chamber and provide an alarm indicating a membrane leak.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portions of the third chamber each comprise one-half of the third chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fluid flow within the first conduit means and the second conduit means, fluid flow within the third conduit means and the fourth conduit means, and fluid flow within the fifth conduit means are co-current.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the volume of the third chamber is not substantially greater than 2,000 cubic centimeters.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the volumes of the first chamber and the second chamber are each not substantially greater than 500 cubic centimeters.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second membrane means each have surface areas not substantially greater than 3 square meters.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the volume of the third chamber is not substantially greater than 1,000 cubic centimeters.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the volumes of the first chamber and the second chamber are each not substantially greater than 300 cubic centimeters.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second membrane means each have surface areas not substantially greater than 1 square meter.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the maximum maintainable size of any individual pore of the first membrane means is such that the first membrane means is substantially impermeable at least to molecules of molecular weight greater than 10,000.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the maximum maintainable size of any individual pore of the second membrane means is such that the second membrane means is substantially impermeable at least to molecules of molecular weight greater than 10,000.