Apparatus and method for in-vivo plasmapheresis using periodic backflush
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for carrying out in-vivo plasmapheresis comprising:
- a filter assembly for being implanted in a blood vessel comprising a plurality of elongated hollow microporous membrane fibers for diffusing plasma therethrough and a header in fluid communication with the interior of said hollow fibers;
a multiple lumen catheter in fluid communication with said header comprising a first lumen in fluid communication with the interior of said fibers for directing backflush fluid through said header into the interior of said hollow fibers, a second lumen in fluid communication with the interior of said fibers for directing plasma from said filter assembly, and a third lumen for returning plasma to the blood vessel; and
a pump in fluid communication with said first lumen for periodically pumping backflush fluid into the interior of said fibers and through the membrane thereof.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for carrying out in-vivo plasmapheresis comprising:
-
a filter assembly for being implanted in a blood vessel comprising a plurality of elongated hollow microporous membrane fibers for diffusing plasma therethrough and a header in fluid communication with the interior of said hollow fibers;
a multiple lumen catheter in fluid communication with said header comprising a first lumen in fluid communication with the interior of said fibers for directing backflush fluid through said header into the interior of said hollow fibers, a second lumen in fluid communication with the interior of said fibers for directing plasma from said filter assembly, and a third lumen for returning plasma to the blood vessel; and
a pump in fluid communication with said first lumen for periodically pumping backflush fluid into the interior of said fibers and through the membrane thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
12. Apparatus for carrying out in-vivo plasmapheresis comprising:
-
a filter for being planted in a patient'"'"'s blood vessel comprising a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers having an interior lumen and a fiber wall having a pore size capable of allowing plasma to diffuse therethrough;
a multiple lumen catheter in fluid communication with the interior fiber lumen including a first lumen for directing backflush fluid into said fiber lumen and a second lumen for directing plasma from said fiber lumen; and
means for periodically pumping backflush fluid into said first fiber lumen at a pressure and duration sufficient to backflush and cleanse the pores of the fiber walls. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A method of carrying out in-vivo plasmapheresis comprising:
-
implanting a filter device within a blood vessel of a patient, said filter device comprising a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers;
providing a multiple lumen catheter in fluid communication with the hollow interior of said fibers; and
diffusing plasma and toxins from the patient'"'"'s blood through the wall of said fibers into the hollow interior thereof, and therefrom through a second lumen of said catheter;
periodically interrupting said diffusion of plasma and toxins and thereafter directing a fluid through a first lumen of said catheter into said fibers and backflushing said fibers with said fluid at a pressure and for an interval sufficient to substantially cleanse the pores of said filter, and after said interval, resuming said diffusion of plasma. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
Specification