Ultrasound enchancement of membrane permeability
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- controlling transport of preselected species of molecules in a solution through a membrane, by, providing a membrane containing apparatus,contacting a solution containing molecules with the membrane,exposing the membrane containing apparatus to ultrasound, andadjusting the intensity, frequency and time of exposure of the ultrasound sufficient to selectively pass said preselected species of molecules through the membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for enhancing or controlling permeability of large molecular weight molecules in a membrane system wherein molecules in solution are contacted with membranes and the system is exposed to ultrasound at a selected intensity and frequency and for a specific length of time. The method may be designed to insure that only reversible changes in the membrane result from exposure to the ultrasound or to enhance the rate of degradation of the membrane and/or selectivity of passage of molecules through the membrane. The method may include selection of the membrane composition and structure, including the pore size, thickness, crystallinity and molecular arrangement. Selection of the solvent or media in which the molecules are suspended may be used to further enhance or control permeability. The media may be either an aqueous or inorganic solution with the physical and chemical properties may be selected to attenuate sound transmission or to enhance stability of the molecule permeating the membrane.
105 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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controlling transport of preselected species of molecules in a solution through a membrane, by, providing a membrane containing apparatus, contacting a solution containing molecules with the membrane, exposing the membrane containing apparatus to ultrasound, and adjusting the intensity, frequency and time of exposure of the ultrasound sufficient to selectively pass said preselected species of molecules through the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for enhancing membrane dialysis comprising controlling transport of preselected species of molecules in a solution through a membrane, by, exposing a kidney dialysis apparatus to ultrasound at a frequency between about 10 KHz and 20 MHz and at an intensity of between about 0.05 and 30 W/cm2, wherein the frequency and intensity of the ultrasound is limited to avoid irreversible damage to the membrane and blood.
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18. A method for enhancing the oxygenation of blood comprising controlling transport of preselected species of molecules in a solution through a membrane, by, exposing a solution to be oxygenated in a membrane oxygenator device to ultrasound at a frequency between about 10 KHz and 20 MHz and an intensity of between about 0.05 and 30 W/cm2, wherein the frequency and intensity of the ultrasound is limited to avoid irreversible damage to the membrane and solution.
- 19. A method for controlling the rate of a separation process comprising controlling transport of preselected species of molecules in a solution through a membrane, by, selecting a separation system medium and exposing the molecules to be separated to ultrasound in the medium, wherein the molecules move within the medium as a function of the frequency and intensity of the ultrasound.
Specification