Systems and methods of microfluidic membraneless exchange using filtration of extraction outlet streams

• US 8,097,153 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Original Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Inventors: Leonard, Edward F., West, Alan C., Aucoin, Christian Paul, Nanne, Edgar E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, John
• Application Number:
  US12/759,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20100198131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 210/97, 210/137, 210/200, 210/203, 210/209, 210/511, 210/644, 210/645, 210/646, 210/647, 210/649, 210/650, 210/651, 210/643, 210/634, 210/767, 210/806, 604/5.01, 604/5.04, 604/6.01, 604/6.02, 604/6.09, 604/6.11, 422/81, 422/82, 422/99, 209/155, 209/196
• US Class Current: 210/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/14 Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00 ; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1696 with dialysate regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/32 Oxygenators without membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7563 with means preventing clogging of filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/11 Laminar flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/08 Plasma substitutes; Perfusion solutions; Dialytics or haemodialytics; Drugs for electrolytic or acid-base disorders, e.g. hypovolemic shock artificial tears A61P27/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/0492 Applications, solvents used
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/0496 by extraction in microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/0045 normal, i.e. diffusion or thermal FFF

Abstract

A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid'"'"'s properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Claims

1. A device for exchanging components between a first fluid and a second fluid, the device comprising:

a rectangular membraneless channel with inlet and outlet ends spaced apart across a length of the membraneless channel, the membraneless channel having at least one fluid inlet at the inlet end for receiving first and second fluids, and first, second, and third fluid outlets at the outlet end;

the first and second fluid outlets being disposed on opposite facing walls of the membraneless channel at the outlet end, the first and second first fluid outlets each having a filter therein forming a portion of a respective one of the opposite walls;

each of the filters being configured and arranged so that they form a single continuous interior-facing surface with a respective one of the facing walls of the membraneless channel;

an external channel connected to the first and second outlets and configured to receive and combine the first fluid leaving the membraneless channel through the first and second fluid outlets;

the third fluid outlet receiving the second fluid and being located between the first and second outlets across a depth which is perpendicular to the length; and

the membraneless channel having at least a portion defining a single unobstructed space to permit the exchange of components between the first and second fluids by diffusion;

wherein each of the filters has a regular array of pores whose diameters are less than 800 nm, each pore defining non-serpentine, non-branching channels;

wherein the depth is between 75 and 300 microns and the membraneless channel has a width, perpendicular to the depth, that is at least ten times the depth.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the external channel is configured to return the first fluid to the at least one inlet.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid inlet includes at least three fluid inlets arranged across a depth of the membraneless channel at the inlet end, the external channel being connected to two of the three fluid inlets, the two of the three fluid inlets being arranged on opposite sides of the membraneless channel.

4. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a secondary processor connected to the external channel between the at least one fluid inlet and the first and second fluid outlets, the secondary processor having a membrane, the secondary processor being further configured to remove, by passing it through the membrane, a carrier fluid component of the first fluid and concentrating, in the first fluid, a suspended fraction of the first fluid before returning the first fluid to the at least one fluid inlet.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the third fluid outlet at the outlet end of the channel and the at least one fluid inlet at the inlet end of the channel are connected to blood lines adapted for connection to a patient access.

6. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a secondary processor connected to the external channel between the at least one fluid inlet and the first and second fluid outlets, the secondary processor having a membrane, the secondary processor being further configured to remove, by passing it through the membrane, a carrier fluid component of the first fluid and concentrating, in the first fluid, a suspended fraction of the first fluid before returning the first fluid to the at least one fluid inlet.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third fluid outlet at the outlet end of the channel and the at least one fluid inlet at the inlet end of the channel are connected to blood lines adapted for connection to a patient access.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the third fluid outlet at the outlet end of the channel and the at least one fluid inlet at the inlet end of the channel are connected to blood lines adapted for connection to a patient access.

9. The device according to claim 3, wherein the third fluid outlet at the outlet end of the channel and the at least one fluid inlet at the inlet end of the channel are connected to blood lines adapted for connection to a patient access.