Shear-enhanced systems and methods for removing waste materials and liquid from the blood
First Claim
1. A system for removing waste from the blood of an individual comprising:
- a blood processing device comprising a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface, an inlet and an outlet communicating with the gap, at least one of the inner and outer surfaces carrying a hemodialysis membrane, wherein the hemodialysis membrane includes a first surface facing toward the gap and a second surface, the blood processing device including a channel to convey a dialysate along the second surface of the hemodialysis membrane to create a concentration gradient across the hemodialysis membrane to transport waste material from the blood, a drive mechanism causing relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, and a source of dialysate communicating with the channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.
76 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A system for removing waste from the blood of an individual comprising:
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a blood processing device comprising a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface, an inlet and an outlet communicating with the gap, at least one of the inner and outer surfaces carrying a hemodialysis membrane, wherein the hemodialysis membrane includes a first surface facing toward the gap and a second surface, the blood processing device including a channel to convey a dialysate along the second surface of the hemodialysis membrane to create a concentration gradient across the hemodialysis membrane to transport waste material from the blood, a drive mechanism causing relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, and a source of dialysate communicating with the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for removing waste from the blood of an individual comprising the steps of conveying the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface, at least one of the inner and outer surfaces carrying a hemodialysis membrane,
causing relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, and conveying a dialysate along an opposite side of the hemodialysis membrane to create a concentration gradient across the hemodialysis membrane to transport waste material from the blood.
Specification