Systems and methods of microfluidic membraneless exchange using filtration of extraction outlet streams
First Claim
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1. A system for performing blood treatment, comprising:
- a rectangular membraneless channel with inlet and outlet ends spaced apart across a length of the membraneless channel, the membraneless channel having a fluid inlet at the inlet end for receiving blood, and first, second, and third fluid outlets at the outlet end;
the fluid inlet being connected to a patient access for receiving blood;
the first and second fluid outlets being disposed on opposite facing walls of the membraneless channel at the outlet end, the first and second 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 it forms 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 fluid outlets and configured to receive and combine the flow of plasma leaving the membraneless channel through the first and second outlets; and
the third fluid outlet receiving the blood and being located between the first and second fluid outlets across a depth which is perpendicular to the length;
wherein each of the filters has a regular array of pores whose diameters are less than 800 nm, each pore defining a non-serpentine, non-branching channel;
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; and
the external channel being configured to convey the combined flow of plasma to a secondary treatment device with a membrane that extracts water from the combined flow of plasma and returns the result back to the membraneless channel.
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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.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A system for performing blood treatment, comprising:
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a rectangular membraneless channel with inlet and outlet ends spaced apart across a length of the membraneless channel, the membraneless channel having a fluid inlet at the inlet end for receiving blood, and first, second, and third fluid outlets at the outlet end; the fluid inlet being connected to a patient access for receiving blood; the first and second fluid outlets being disposed on opposite facing walls of the membraneless channel at the outlet end, the first and second 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 it forms 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 fluid outlets and configured to receive and combine the flow of plasma leaving the membraneless channel through the first and second outlets; and the third fluid outlet receiving the blood and being located between the first and second fluid outlets across a depth which is perpendicular to the length; wherein each of the filters has a regular array of pores whose diameters are less than 800 nm, each pore defining a non-serpentine, non-branching channel; 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; and the external channel being configured to convey the combined flow of plasma to a secondary treatment device with a membrane that extracts water from the combined flow of plasma and returns the result back to the membraneless channel. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for performing blood treatment, comprising:
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passing blood from a patient through a rectangular membraneless channel with inlet and outlet ends spaced apart across a length of the membraneless channel, the membraneless channel having a fluid inlet at the inlet end for receiving blood, and first, second, and third fluid outlets at the outlet end; passing plasma from the blood in the membraneless channel through the first and second fluid outlets which are disposed on opposite facing walls of the membraneless channel at the outlet end, the first and second 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 it forms a single continuous interior-facing surface with a respective one of the facing walls of the membraneless channel, the rate of flow of blood in the passing being sufficient to move cells along interior facing surfaces of the first and second outlet filters; combining the flow of plasma leaving the membraneless channel through the first and second fluid outlets and conveying the combined flow of plasma to a secondary treatment device with a membrane; extracting water from the combined flow of plasma and returning a result back to the membraneless channel; and conveying blood from the membraneless channel through the third fluid outlet, which is located between the first and second fluid outlets across a depth which is perpendicular to the length, back to the patient; wherein each of the filters has a regular array of pores whose diameters are less than 800 nm, each pore defining a non-serpentine, non-branching channel; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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Specification