Blood and tissue detoxification apparatus
First Claim
1. A biomedical device comprising an electro-chemical detoxification cell system which includes:
- a. Cell portion comprising;
1. a first, oxygen permeable membrane, adapted to have a fluid containing oxygen in contact therewith,2. a hydrophobic cathode assembly in association with said oxygen permeable membrane, said cathode assembly being adapted to electrochemically reduce oxygen transferred thereto through said oxygen permeable membrane to OH- ions,3. a second membrane adapted to permit transfer therethrough of oxidizable toxic substances present in the extracellular fluid of a patient having endogenous or exogenous toxemia, said extracellular fluid being from at least one natural body fluid zone selected from the circulatory system, the pericardial sac, the abdominal peritoneum, the pleural cavity, the subarachnoid space, and intratissue regions, and which toxic substances said patient'"'"'s body is unable to properly or promptly metabolize or remove to substantially non-toxic levels,
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for blood and tissue detoxification by oxidation of excess undesirable or toxic substances such as ammonia, urea, creatinine, alanine, carbon monoxide, drug overdoses, uric acid, actone, aceto acetate and ethanol in an electrochemical cell which may be implanted or used in an extracorporeal shunt system. The cell may be hybridized with a battery to drive the cell under certain conditions, and the cell may be employed as part of a blood toxic substance level monitoring system. The invention is typified by the case where electrochemical cells convert oxygen and the enumerated toxic substances in the body fluids to harmless products such as CO2, water and nitrogen which are easily dissipated. The cells have hydrophobic cathodes having a membrane thereover of silicone rubber, polyfluorocarbon, polycarbonate, and copolymers thereof which permit diffusion of oxygen therethrough. The anodes may be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic, the former employing a membrane thereover of cellulose or a cation resin and the latter a silicone rubber toxic substance- diffusible membrane. The electrodes are separated by an anion exchange membrane, or inorganic matrix edge-impregnated with a cation exchange membrane. The cells are simple of construction, and typically thin, wafer-like in form which permits ease of implantation at any desired location in the body. In its broadest aspect, the invention involves the use of electromechanical cells in the manner of artificial organs to remove toxic substances the body is unable to metabolize.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A biomedical device comprising an electro-chemical detoxification cell system which includes:
a. Cell portion comprising; 1. a first, oxygen permeable membrane, adapted to have a fluid containing oxygen in contact therewith, 2. a hydrophobic cathode assembly in association with said oxygen permeable membrane, said cathode assembly being adapted to electrochemically reduce oxygen transferred thereto through said oxygen permeable membrane to OH- ions, 3. a second membrane adapted to permit transfer therethrough of oxidizable toxic substances present in the extracellular fluid of a patient having endogenous or exogenous toxemia, said extracellular fluid being from at least one natural body fluid zone selected from the circulatory system, the pericardial sac, the abdominal peritoneum, the pleural cavity, the subarachnoid space, and intratissue regions, and which toxic substances said patient'"'"'s body is unable to properly or promptly metabolize or remove to substantially non-toxic levels, - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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2. an anode assembly in association with said second membrane, said anode assembly being adapted to electrochemically oxidize said toxic substances to non-toxic or metabolizable substances,an ion transfer member disposed between and in intimate association with said cathode and anode assemblies for transfer of ions to said anode assembly,
b. An electrical circuit portion connected to and disposed external to said cell being adapted to transfer electrons produced at said anode to said cathode assembly, and c. Said cell portion being adapted to electrochemically detoxify said toxic substances, and permit return of said fluids to said zones.
Specification