US3827563A - Supporting plates for the membranes of a dialyzer, particularly for hemodialysis - Google Patents

Supporting plates for the membranes of a dialyzer, particularly for hemodialysis Download PDF

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US3827563A
US3827563A US00161645A US16164571A US3827563A US 3827563 A US3827563 A US 3827563A US 00161645 A US00161645 A US 00161645A US 16164571 A US16164571 A US 16164571A US 3827563 A US3827563 A US 3827563A
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gaps
ribs
supporting plate
projections
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C Boe
S Dawids
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Danske Sukkerfabrikker AS
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D61/00Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/24Dialysis ; Membrane extraction
    • B01D61/28Apparatus therefor
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D63/00Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D63/08Flat membrane modules
    • B01D63/082Flat membrane modules comprising a stack of flat membranes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D2313/00Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus

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  • the invention relates to a supporting plate for the membranes of a dialyzer, particularly for hemodialysis, said plate being provided on both sides with projections adapted to support a membrane and in conjunction with such membrane to form flow paths for the dialysis liquid from one end of the sheet to the other, the blood flowing on the opposite side of the membrane in the same direction as the dialysis liquid or in the opposite direction.
  • Dialyzers of this kind usually comprise a plurality of membranes which are arranged in pairs between the said supporting plates so that the blood flows in a relatively thin layer between the two membranes of each pair.
  • the dialysis liquid flows on the opposite side of the membranes in passages formed by the projections which at the same time support the membrane, the latter being slightly deformed between the projections and thereby forming corresponding passages for the flow of blood.
  • the membranes may either be separate sheets or may be formed by a continuous length of suitable semipermeable material folded in zigzag between and around the edges of the supporting plates.
  • the assembly of the stacked membranes and plates may be clamped together by means of bolts placed outside the periphery of the plates'and the membranes.
  • the projections of the plate are so constructed as to form continuous flow passages from one end of the plate to the other for both the dialysis liquid and the blood, the latter flowing in the passages formed by the bulging of the membranes between the projections.
  • some of the passages may be sinuous, and parallel passages may be mutually connected.
  • the projections of the supporting plates are constructed and arranged in a pattern subdividing each of the flow paths of the dialysis liquid into a multitude of short longitudinal path sections, each being obstructed at either end by a projection and communicating with a laterally offset longitudinal path section through a transverse path section.
  • V the dialyzer According to the invention, the projections arranged in the pattern described will prevent the membranes from bulging in such a manner as to form dead pockets extending continuously in the direction of flow. Besides the dialysis liquid and the blood are forced continually to change direction of flow from longitudinal to transverse. Owing to these circumstances the danger of formation of deposits is reduced and both flows of liquids will become very homogenous and uniform. A further factor contributing towards homogeneity and uniformity is the continual mixing of the individual parallel flows of blood resulting from the transverse flow between offset longitudinal path sections.
  • each longitudinal path section communicates at each end thereof with longitudinal path sections laterally offset therefrom in both transverse directions.
  • the projections are constructed in the form of transverse rows of ribs separated by gaps defining the longitudinal path sections, the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs being laterally offset from one another.
  • the projections are rectilinear and parallel there will be a smooth and rounded transition between the longitudinal and the transverse path sections and there will be no sharp edges or dead corners with stagnant blood which would according to experience result in a risk of clotting with precipitation of fibrin.
  • the distance at which the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs are laterally offset from one another is equal to one half of the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row, whereby all liquid particles will be caused to travel from one end of the dialyzer to the other along paths of practically the same length which contributes towards uniform and thereby optimum utilization of the membrane area.
  • FIG. I shows a plane view of a supporting plate according to one embodiment of the invention before the plate is stacked in a dialyzer
  • FIG. 2 a section along the line 11- in FIG. 1 showing four plates and a continuous membrane sheet folded therebetween, such as these parts will be located in the finished dialyzer, the plates and the membrane sections being, however, drawn apart to improve the illustration,
  • FIG. 3 a plane view on a larger scale showing a fraction of the supporting ribs of the plate shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 a section on a larger scale along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. -8 views corresponding to FIG. 3 of four examples of alternative patterns of projections.
  • FIG. 1 shows a substantially rectangular supporting plate 1 which is provided on both faces with a multitude of supporting ribs 2 for a semipermeable dialyzer membrane 3, see FIG. 2.
  • the plate is constructed at both ends with chambers 4 and 5 serving to distribute the dialysis liquid supplied to the dialyzer, and to collect the individual flows of dialysis liquid to be discharged from the dialyzer, respectively.
  • the plate is cranked outwards, and between the edge and the ribs 6 openings 7 and 8 are provided extending through the whole thickness of the plate.
  • the openings 7 and 8 of the individual plates from vertical passages extending through the whole stack of plates and being connected through openings in bottom and top plates, not shown, to an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit for the dialysis liquid, respectively.
  • the ribs 2 and 6 are produced integrally with a plane body 9, e.g., by injection moulding, said body extending to the edge of the plate 1, with the exception of the openings 7 and 8.
  • a connector element 10 for the supply and discharge of blood, respectively, is provided at each corner.
  • each element 10 can be folded from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position on top of the plate 1, where the element will overlap an incision 12 of the edge of the plate. Details of the connector element 10 and the components belonging thereto for controlling the supply and discharge of blood to and from the dialyzer are described in further detail in a copending application filed simultaneously with the present application. The specification of the said co-pending application should be regarded as part of the specification of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows how the dialyzer is assembled from a continuous membrane sheet 3 and a number of plates 1 whereby, as likewise described in more detail in the said co-pending application, a number of pockets 13 are formed for the flow of blood between consecutive membranes, as well as a number of pockets 14 for the flow of the dialysis liquid along the opposite surface of each membrane.
  • the dialysis liquid supplied through the opening 7 is distributed across the width of the plate 1, the liquid flowing in paths between the individual ribs 6 on the upper edge of which the membrane 3 is supported.
  • the body 9 of the plate 1 which in the zone of the opening 7 is preferably located in the middle of the thickness of the plate, may be located below the middle of the thickness at the opposite edge of the plate, i.e., in the zone of the incision 12, the ribs 6 being then constructed with correspondingly decreasing height from the right to the left on both sides of the body 9.
  • the vertical height of the blood inlet chamber which is delimited between two membranes supported on the ribs 6 on the upper and lower face respectively of two adjacent plates 1 will then decrease correspondingly from the left to the right side of the plate.
  • At least the ribs 6 most adjacent to the edge of the plate have a constant height, the height then decreasing uniformly towards the middle of the chamber 4 or 5, and thereafter increasing towards the transition to the primary dialysis area where the ribs 2 support the membranes. This is illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the ribs 2 are arranged in transverse rows, gaps 16 being provided between the individual ribs of each row.
  • a passage 17 extending transversely of the principal direction of flow of the dialysis liquid and the blood is formed between each two consecutive rows of ribs, the said passage 17 extending continuously from one edge of the effective membrane area to the opposite edge.
  • the individual rows of ribs 2 are preferably mutually offset at a distance such that the gaps 16 of each row of ribs are located directly opposite the middle of the ribs in the two adjacent rows such as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • a great number of parallel flow paths for the dialysis liquid are formed between the ribs 2, the body 9 and the membrane 3, each such flow path being composed of alternate longitudinal and transverse sections formed by the gaps 16 and parts of the passages 17, respectively. Since the membrane 3 engages the rounded edge of the ribs 2 under the influence of a pressure of the flow of blood above that of the flow of dialysis liquid, flow paths of similar configuration are on principle formed in the layers of blood between the pairs of membranes 3 present between consecutive supporting plates, though the ribs 2 will not necessarily form an absolute barrier to the flow of blood, viz. if the ribs 2 of consecutive supporting plates are kept at a slight distance from one another by suitable spacing means.
  • Both the blood and the dialysis liquid will therefore during their flow through the dialyzer be forced repeatedly to change direction and there will be a continual mixing and exchange between the individual parallel flows.
  • these occurrences which are caused by the construction and placing of the ribs 2, have been found to result in a very efficient utilization of the membrane area.
  • the membrane area required for a certain yield will thereby be correspondingly reduced.
  • it will be possible to reduce the total area of the membrane of a hemodialyzer cell by between 25 and percent as compared with a dialyzer cell used up to now.
  • the blood in the individual pockets may flow in the same direction as the dialysis liquid or in the opposite direction.
  • counter flow dialysis is somewhat more efficient, but in practice flow of the two liquids in the same direction will frequently be preferred because it then becomes possible to have a practically constant pressure difference across the membrane in the whole area thereof.
  • FIGS. 5-8 illustrate other examples of patterns of supporting projections accordingto the'invention.
  • the projections 2 are in the form of ribs similar to those of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • the projections 2' are of rounded configuration with a generally triangular cross section.
  • the direction of flow is indicated by an arrow 18.
  • a supporting plate for the membranes of a dialyzer, particularly for hemodialysis said plate being provided within the active part of the plate, and on both sides thereof with projections adapted to support a membrane and in conjunction with such membrane to form flow paths for the dialysis liquid from one end of the plate to the other, the blood flowing on the opposite side of the membrane in the same direction as the dialysis liquid or in the opposite direction, characterized in that the projections are divided into first and second groups of projections, the projections of said first group being substantially perpendicularly arranged with respect to the projections of said second group, said groups of projection are constructed and arranged in a pattern subdividing each of the paths through which the dialysis liquid flows from one end of the dialyzer to the other into a multitude of short longitudinally extending path sections, said path section being arranged for enabling the dialysis liquid to flow along both lateral sides of each of the projections, each of said path sections being obstructed at each end thereof by a projection and communicating with a laterally offset longitudinal path section
  • a supporting plate as in claim 2 characterized in that the distance at which the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs are laterally offset from one another is equal to one half of the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row.
  • each longitudinal path section communicates at each end thereof with longitudinal path sections laterally offset therefrom in both transverse directions.

Abstract

For use in a dialyzer consisting of a stack of alternate pairs of membranes and supporting plates for these, a supporting plate is provided which has supporting projections arranged in a pattern such as to subdivide the path of flow from one end of the dialyzer to the other into a multitude of short longitudinal sections each connected at both ends through transverse flow paths with adjacent longitudinal sections at both sides thereof.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Boe et al. 1 Aug. 6, 1974 1 SUPPORTING P'EAT'ES' FOR THE 3,411,630 11/1968 Alwall 210/541 x MEMBRANES OF A D ALYZER 3.511.381 5/1970 A1wu11 ct a1 210/456 X PARTICULARLY FOR HEMODIALYSIS 3.608.610 9/1971 Grenturex et a1 3,612,281 10/1971 Leonard 23/2585 X [75] Inventors: Christian Thorkild Boe, Farum;
Steen Gamwe D i FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Klampenborg, both of Denmark 1,217,044 12/1970 Great Britain 210/321 [73] Assignee: Aktieselskabet De Danske Sukkerfabrikker, C h Primary ExaminerFrank A. Spear, Jr. Denmark Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watson, Cole, Grindle & 22 Filed: July 12, 1971 Watson 21 A 1.N 16164 1 1 p 0 5 57 ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data For use in a dialyzer consisting ,of a stack of alternate J I I 3 1970 D 4 k 3641/70 pairs of membranes and supporting plates for these, a u y supporting plate is provided which has supporting pro- 1 jections arranged in a pattern such as to subdivide the 2 6 path of flow from one end of the dialyzer to the other [58] Fie'ld 321 541 into a multitude of short longitudinal sections each 23/258 connected at both ends through transverse flow paths with adjacent longitudinal sections at both sides [56] References Cited thereof UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 8/1968 Lande et a1 23/2585 X mentions 3.827. 563
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STEEN G. DAWIDS SUPPORTING PLATES FOR THE MEMBRANES OF A DIALYZER, PARTICULARLY FOR HEMODIALYSIS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a supporting plate for the membranes of a dialyzer, particularly for hemodialysis, said plate being provided on both sides with projections adapted to support a membrane and in conjunction with such membrane to form flow paths for the dialysis liquid from one end of the sheet to the other, the blood flowing on the opposite side of the membrane in the same direction as the dialysis liquid or in the opposite direction.
Dialyzers of this kind usually comprise a plurality of membranes which are arranged in pairs between the said supporting plates so that the blood flows in a relatively thin layer between the two membranes of each pair. The dialysis liquid flows on the opposite side of the membranes in passages formed by the projections which at the same time support the membrane, the latter being slightly deformed between the projections and thereby forming corresponding passages for the flow of blood. The membranes may either be separate sheets or may be formed by a continuous length of suitable semipermeable material folded in zigzag between and around the edges of the supporting plates. The assembly of the stacked membranes and plates may be clamped together by means of bolts placed outside the periphery of the plates'and the membranes.
In the known dialyzers, the projections of the plate are so constructed as to form continuous flow passages from one end of the plate to the other for both the dialysis liquid and the blood, the latter flowing in the passages formed by the bulging of the membranes between the projections. In the known dialyzers some of the passages may be sinuous, and parallel passages may be mutually connected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 According to the invention, in a dialyzer of the kind described, the projections of the supporting plates are constructed and arranged in a pattern subdividing each of the flow paths of the dialysis liquid into a multitude of short longitudinal path sections, each being obstructed at either end by a projection and communicating with a laterally offset longitudinal path section through a transverse path section.
It has been found that by arranging the projections in the pattern described a substantial improvement of the efficiency of the dialyzer is obtained, the efficiency being measured e.g., as the reciprocal value of the time required at a predetermined flow of blood and dialysis liquid and with a certain membrane area for obtaining a predetermined change of the concentration in the blood of a chemical compound or ion to which the membrane is permeable. Consequently the total membrane area of the dialyzer and thereby the size of the dialyzer may be reduced which again means that the volume of blood in the extracorporal circulatory system and the time of stay of the blood in the dialyzer are reduced so that.the treatment is gentle to the patient. The reduction of the size of the dialyzer also results in a reduction of the manufacturing expenses which is of particular importance in the case of a disposable dialyzer.
One probable reason for the increased efficiency of V the dialyzer according to the invention is that the projections arranged in the pattern described will prevent the membranes from bulging in such a manner as to form dead pockets extending continuously in the direction of flow. Besides the dialysis liquid and the blood are forced continually to change direction of flow from longitudinal to transverse. Owing to these circumstances the danger of formation of deposits is reduced and both flows of liquids will become very homogenous and uniform. A further factor contributing towards homogeneity and uniformity is the continual mixing of the individual parallel flows of blood resulting from the transverse flow between offset longitudinal path sections. It has also been found that obstruction of the flow passages owing to the formation of bubbles of air is practically eliminated because any such bubbles will be caught and taken along by the flowing liquids instead of being trapped by the walls of the flow passages, thereby to obstruct the flow so that the corresponding portions of the membrane area are put out of action.
Advantageously, each longitudinal path section communicates at each end thereof with longitudinal path sections laterally offset therefrom in both transverse directions. By this arrangement the tendency towards intermixing of the individual flows of blood is increased.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the projections are constructed in the form of transverse rows of ribs separated by gaps defining the longitudinal path sections, the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs being laterally offset from one another. In such a pattern where all the projections are rectilinear and parallel there will be a smooth and rounded transition between the longitudinal and the transverse path sections and there will be no sharp edges or dead corners with stagnant blood which would according to experience result in a risk of clotting with precipitation of fibrin. The distance at which the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs are laterally offset from one another is equal to one half of the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row, whereby all liquid particles will be caused to travel from one end of the dialyzer to the other along paths of practically the same length which contributes towards uniform and thereby optimum utilization of the membrane area.
It has been found that a spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row amounting to approximately five times the width of each gap will be suitable for obtaining a favourable mutual proportion of the lengths of the transverse and longitudinal flow path sections and also of the supported and the non-supported membrane areas with a view to obtaining the advantages mentioned above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I shows a plane view of a supporting plate according to one embodiment of the invention before the plate is stacked in a dialyzer,
FIG. 2 a section along the line 11- in FIG. 1 showing four plates and a continuous membrane sheet folded therebetween, such as these parts will be located in the finished dialyzer, the plates and the membrane sections being, however, drawn apart to improve the illustration,
FIG. 3 a plane view on a larger scale showing a fraction of the supporting ribs of the plate shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 a section on a larger scale along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1, and
FIG. -8 views corresponding to FIG. 3 of four examples of alternative patterns of projections.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The figures of the drawings are in part diagrammatical.
FIG. 1 shows a substantially rectangular supporting plate 1 which is provided on both faces with a multitude of supporting ribs 2 for a semipermeable dialyzer membrane 3, see FIG. 2. At the ends of the supporting area formed by the ribs 2 the plate is constructed at both ends with chambers 4 and 5 serving to distribute the dialysis liquid supplied to the dialyzer, and to collect the individual flows of dialysis liquid to be discharged from the dialyzer, respectively. In both chambers 4 and 5 ribs 6 are provided which are similarly constructed as the ribs 2, but have greater dimensions and a correspondingly greater spacing. To simplify the illustration, only some of the ribs 2 and 6 are shown, but it is to be understood that these cover the whole=of the relevant areas of the surface of the plate in the patterns illustrated. At each of the chambers 4 and 5 one side edge of the plate is cranked outwards, and between the edge and the ribs 6 openings 7 and 8 are provided extending through the whole thickness of the plate. When a number of plates are stacked in the finished dialyzer, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2, with membranes 3 therebetween, and are clamped tightly together, the openings 7 and 8 of the individual plates from vertical passages extending through the whole stack of plates and being connected through openings in bottom and top plates, not shown, to an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit for the dialysis liquid, respectively. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4, the ribs 2 and 6 are produced integrally with a plane body 9, e.g., by injection moulding, said body extending to the edge of the plate 1, with the exception of the openings 7 and 8.
At the longitudinal edge of the plate 1 remote from the openings 7 and 8 a connector element 10 for the supply and discharge of blood, respectively, is provided at each corner. By means of a hinged connection 11 each element 10 can be folded from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position on top of the plate 1, where the element will overlap an incision 12 of the edge of the plate. Details of the connector element 10 and the components belonging thereto for controlling the supply and discharge of blood to and from the dialyzer are described in further detail in a copending application filed simultaneously with the present application. The specification of the said co-pending application should be regarded as part of the specification of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows how the dialyzer is assembled from a continuous membrane sheet 3 and a number of plates 1 whereby, as likewise described in more detail in the said co-pending application, a number of pockets 13 are formed for the flow of blood between consecutive membranes, as well as a number of pockets 14 for the flow of the dialysis liquid along the opposite surface of each membrane. In the chamber 4 the dialysis liquid supplied through the opening 7 is distributed across the width of the plate 1, the liquid flowing in paths between the individual ribs 6 on the upper edge of which the membrane 3 is supported. To facilitate the distribution in the transverse direction, the body 9 of the plate 1, which in the zone of the opening 7 is preferably located in the middle of the thickness of the plate, may be located below the middle of the thickness at the opposite edge of the plate, i.e., in the zone of the incision 12, the ribs 6 being then constructed with correspondingly decreasing height from the right to the left on both sides of the body 9. The vertical height of the blood inlet chamber which is delimited between two membranes supported on the ribs 6 on the upper and lower face respectively of two adjacent plates 1 will then decrease correspondingly from the left to the right side of the plate. To avoid excessively sharp bends of the membrane which at the ends of the plates 1 is clamped between the sealing ribs 15, illustrated in FIG. 4, and the next plate above, it is preferable, however, that at least the ribs 6 most adjacent to the edge of the plate have a constant height, the height then decreasing uniformly towards the middle of the chamber 4 or 5, and thereafter increasing towards the transition to the primary dialysis area where the ribs 2 support the membranes. This is illustrated in FIG. 4.
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the ribs 2 are arranged in transverse rows, gaps 16 being provided between the individual ribs of each row. Thus, a passage 17 extending transversely of the principal direction of flow of the dialysis liquid and the blood is formed between each two consecutive rows of ribs, the said passage 17 extending continuously from one edge of the effective membrane area to the opposite edge. Moreover, the individual rows of ribs 2 are preferably mutually offset at a distance such that the gaps 16 of each row of ribs are located directly opposite the middle of the ribs in the two adjacent rows such as illustrated in FIG. 3. A great number of parallel flow paths for the dialysis liquid are formed between the ribs 2, the body 9 and the membrane 3, each such flow path being composed of alternate longitudinal and transverse sections formed by the gaps 16 and parts of the passages 17, respectively. Since the membrane 3 engages the rounded edge of the ribs 2 under the influence of a pressure of the flow of blood above that of the flow of dialysis liquid, flow paths of similar configuration are on principle formed in the layers of blood between the pairs of membranes 3 present between consecutive supporting plates, though the ribs 2 will not necessarily form an absolute barrier to the flow of blood, viz. if the ribs 2 of consecutive supporting plates are kept at a slight distance from one another by suitable spacing means. Both the blood and the dialysis liquid will therefore during their flow through the dialyzer be forced repeatedly to change direction and there will be a continual mixing and exchange between the individual parallel flows. As explained above these occurrences, which are caused by the construction and placing of the ribs 2, have been found to result in a very efficient utilization of the membrane area. The membrane area required for a certain yield will thereby be correspondingly reduced. Experiments indicate that it will be possible to reduce the total area of the membrane of a hemodialyzer cell by between 25 and percent as compared with a dialyzer cell used up to now. As an example of the dimensions of the supporting pattern of the plates, very good results have been obtained with a length of the ribs 2 to 4 mm and a minimum width of the gaps 16 of 1 mm, i.e., one-fifth of the rib spacing of the transverse row. The width or thickness of the ribs in the principal direction of flow was about 0.5 mm and the spacing in this direction about 1.5 mm, the width of the passages 17 thus likewise being about 1 mm. The height of the ribs 2 was about 0.8 mm while the thickness of the body 9 of the plate was about 1.1 mm. The total thickness of the plate 1 was 3.0 mm so that the ribs 2 on either side were retracted about 0.15 mm whereby the height of the layer of blood between two membranes supported by the ribs was about 0.3 mm.
In a dialyzer constructed as above described the blood in the individual pockets may flow in the same direction as the dialysis liquid or in the opposite direction. Theoretically, counter flow dialysis is somewhat more efficient, but in practice flow of the two liquids in the same direction will frequently be preferred because it then becomes possible to have a practically constant pressure difference across the membrane in the whole area thereof.
FIGS. 5-8 illustrate other examples of patterns of supporting projections accordingto the'invention. In the patterns of FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 the projections 2 are in the form of ribs similar to those of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the projections 2' are of rounded configuration with a generally triangular cross section. In each of FIGS. 5-8 the direction of flow is indicated by an arrow 18.
We claim: 7
I. A supporting plate for the membranes of a dialyzer, particularly for hemodialysis, said plate being provided within the active part of the plate, and on both sides thereof with projections adapted to support a membrane and in conjunction with such membrane to form flow paths for the dialysis liquid from one end of the plate to the other, the blood flowing on the opposite side of the membrane in the same direction as the dialysis liquid or in the opposite direction, characterized in that the projections are divided into first and second groups of projections, the projections of said first group being substantially perpendicularly arranged with respect to the projections of said second group, said groups of projection are constructed and arranged in a pattern subdividing each of the paths through which the dialysis liquid flows from one end of the dialyzer to the other into a multitude of short longitudinally extending path sections, said path section being arranged for enabling the dialysis liquid to flow along both lateral sides of each of the projections, each of said path sections being obstructed at each end thereof by a projection and communicating with a laterally offset longitudinal path section through a transverse path section.
2. A supporting plate as in claim 1, characterized in that the projections of said first group are constructed in the form of transverse rows of ribs separated by gaps defining the longitudinal path sections, the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs being laterally offset from one another.
3. A supporting plate as in claim 2, characterized in that the distance at which the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs are laterally offset from one another is equal to one half of the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row.
4. A supporting plate as in claim 3, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.
5. A supporting plate as in claim 2, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.
6. A supporting plate as in claim 1, characterized in that each longitudinal path section communicates at each end thereof with longitudinal path sections laterally offset therefrom in both transverse directions.
7. A supporting plate as in claim 6, characterized in that the projections of said first group are constructed in the form of transverse rows of ribs separated by gaps defining the longitudinal path sections, the gaps of two consecutive rows or ribs being laterally offset from one another.
8.'A supporting plate as in claim 7, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.
9. A supporting plate as in claim 7, characterized in that the distance at which the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs are laterally offset from one another is equal to one half of the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row.
10. A supporting plate as in claim 9, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.

Claims (10)

1. A supporting plate for the membranes of a dialyzer, particularly for hemodialysis, said plate being provided within the active part of the plate, and on both sides thereof with projections adapted to support a membrane and in conjunction with such membrane to form flow paths for the dialysis liquid from one end of the plate to the other, the blood flowing on the opposite side of the membrane in the same direction as the dialysis liquid or in the opposite direction, characterized in that the projections are divided into first and second groups of projections, the projections of said first group being substantially perpendicularly arranged with respect to the projections of said second group, said groups of projection are constructed and arranged in a pattern subdividing each of the paths through which the dialysis liquid flows from one end of the dialyzer to the other into a multitude of short longitudinally extending path sections, said path section being arranged for enabling the dialysis liquid to flow along both lateral sides of each of the projections, each of said path sections being obstructed at each end thereof by a projection and communicating with a laterally offset longitudinal path section through a transverse path section.
2. A supporting plate as in claim 1, characterized in that the projections of said first group are constructed in the form of transverse rows of ribs separated by gaps defining the longitudinal path sections, the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs being laterally offset from one another.
3. A supporting plate as in claim 2, characterized in that the distance at which the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs are laterally offset from one another is equal to one half of the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row.
4. A supporting plate as in claim 3, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.
5. A supporting plate as in claim 2, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.
6. A supporting plate as in claim 1, characterized in that each longitudinal path section communicates at each end thereof with longitudinal path sections laterally offset therefrom in both transverse directions.
7. A supporting plate as in claim 6, characterized in that the projections of said first group are constructed in the form of transverse rows of ribs separated by gaps defining the longitudinal path sections, the gaps of two consecutive rows or ribs being laterally offset from one another.
8. A supporting plate as in claim 7, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.
9. A supporting plate as in claim 7, characterized in that the distance at which the gaps of two consecutive rows of ribs are laterally offset from one another is equal to one half of the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row.
10. A supporting plate as in claim 9, in which the spacing of two consecutive gaps of each row is approximately five times the width of each gap.
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Cited By (24)

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US3907687A (en) * 1968-12-07 1975-09-23 Baxter Laboratories Inc Plate dialyzer
US3943057A (en) * 1973-07-11 1976-03-09 Rhone-Poulenc, S.A. Membrane support-plates and fluid separating apparatus in which they are present
US3966612A (en) * 1973-09-13 1976-06-29 Johansson Paul Johny Dialysis apparatus for purification of a medium, preferably blood
US4146480A (en) * 1976-08-19 1979-03-27 Chirana, Koncern Hemicapillar plate dialyzer
EP0036926A1 (en) * 1980-03-19 1981-10-07 Gambro Lundia AB A device for the diffusion of substances between two fluids via semipermeable membranes
WO1982000102A1 (en) * 1980-06-30 1982-01-21 Baxter Travenol Lab Membrane plasmapheresis module
FR2490964A1 (en) * 1980-09-25 1982-04-02 Terumo Corp PLASMA SEPARATOR
EP0195461A2 (en) * 1981-05-20 1986-09-24 Dow Danmark A/S Apparatus for the separation of a liquid into two fractions
US4666603A (en) * 1981-05-20 1987-05-19 Aktieselskabet De Danske Sukkerfabrikker Semi-permeable membrane liquid filtration apparatus including elliptical blocking means
US4786411A (en) * 1980-11-13 1988-11-22 Hospal Industrie Fluid treatment apparatus with semi-permeable membranes
US20080093298A1 (en) * 2004-10-06 2008-04-24 Browning David M Mecs Diayzer
US20100136596A1 (en) * 2007-03-08 2010-06-03 Heidrun Rhode Device for receiving, treating, and storing small volume samples
US8137554B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2012-03-20 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University Microfluidic devices, particularly filtration devices comprising polymeric membranes, and method for their manufacture and use
US20130101797A1 (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 General Electric Company Spiral wound membrane permeate carrier with thin border
US8524086B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2013-09-03 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University Fluid purification system
US8580161B2 (en) 2010-05-04 2013-11-12 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University Fluidic devices comprising photocontrollable units
US9328969B2 (en) 2011-10-07 2016-05-03 Outset Medical, Inc. Heat exchange fluid purification for dialysis system
US9402945B2 (en) 2014-04-29 2016-08-02 Outset Medical, Inc. Dialysis system and methods
US9545469B2 (en) 2009-12-05 2017-01-17 Outset Medical, Inc. Dialysis system with ultrafiltration control
US10369263B2 (en) 2014-03-29 2019-08-06 Novaflux Inc. Blood processing cartridges and systems, and methods for extracorporeal blood therapies
US10399040B2 (en) 2015-09-24 2019-09-03 Novaflux Inc. Cartridges and systems for membrane-based therapies
US10426884B2 (en) 2015-06-26 2019-10-01 Novaflux Inc. Cartridges and systems for outside-in flow in membrane-based therapies
US10583400B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2020-03-10 Bl Technologies, Inc. Material efficiency and fabrication of membrane elements
US11534537B2 (en) 2016-08-19 2022-12-27 Outset Medical, Inc. Peritoneal dialysis system and methods

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GB1442754A (en) * 1972-06-28 1976-07-14 Nat Res Dev Apparatus for and method of effecting heat or mass transfer berween fluids
CA1032480A (en) * 1973-02-08 1978-06-06 Josef Hoeltzenbein Plate dialyzer
FR2287933A1 (en) * 1974-10-15 1976-05-14 Rhone Poulenc Ind Insert for membrane exchange or sepn appts - with ribs supporting membrane and allowing circulation, useful in haemodialysis, etc.
FR2405733A1 (en) * 1977-10-13 1979-05-11 Materiels Annexes Dialyse Dialyser having pairs of membranes between supporting plates - in which plates have rows of ribs providing large number of contact points with membranes
FR2400380B1 (en) * 1978-12-21 1982-04-09 Rhone Poulenc Ind
FR2504392A1 (en) * 1981-04-24 1982-10-29 Hospal Sodip MEMBRANE APPARATUS WITH OFFSET ACTION SUPPORTS
FR2534485A1 (en) * 1982-10-19 1984-04-20 Hospal Ind Insert for membrane apparatus
DE3915197C2 (en) * 1989-05-10 1993-10-07 Dt Membranfilter Vertrieb Spacer for directing flow media
DE4416729C2 (en) * 1994-05-13 1996-09-05 Urt Umwelttechnik Gmbh Device for filtering liquids
SE9703302D0 (en) * 1997-09-10 1997-09-10 Vincenzo Vassarotti Filtration cell for tangential flow filtration and filtration system using such cell

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US3396849A (en) * 1966-05-10 1968-08-13 Univ Minnesota Membrane oxygenator-dialyzer
US3411630A (en) * 1965-07-21 1968-11-19 Gambro Ab Dialysis device for purifying blood or other liquids
US3511381A (en) * 1967-03-06 1970-05-12 Gambro Ab Dialysis blood distribution grooves
GB1217044A (en) * 1968-04-03 1970-12-23 Scheibner Paul Kg Tube guide member for dialysis
US3608610A (en) * 1969-10-01 1971-09-28 Ionics Apparatus for evaporative separation of liquids through microporous panels
US3612281A (en) * 1968-03-11 1971-10-12 Baxter Laboratories Inc Parallel membranous layer type fluid diffusion cell

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US3411630A (en) * 1965-07-21 1968-11-19 Gambro Ab Dialysis device for purifying blood or other liquids
US3396849A (en) * 1966-05-10 1968-08-13 Univ Minnesota Membrane oxygenator-dialyzer
US3511381A (en) * 1967-03-06 1970-05-12 Gambro Ab Dialysis blood distribution grooves
US3612281A (en) * 1968-03-11 1971-10-12 Baxter Laboratories Inc Parallel membranous layer type fluid diffusion cell
GB1217044A (en) * 1968-04-03 1970-12-23 Scheibner Paul Kg Tube guide member for dialysis
US3608610A (en) * 1969-10-01 1971-09-28 Ionics Apparatus for evaporative separation of liquids through microporous panels

Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3907687A (en) * 1968-12-07 1975-09-23 Baxter Laboratories Inc Plate dialyzer
US3943057A (en) * 1973-07-11 1976-03-09 Rhone-Poulenc, S.A. Membrane support-plates and fluid separating apparatus in which they are present
US3966612A (en) * 1973-09-13 1976-06-29 Johansson Paul Johny Dialysis apparatus for purification of a medium, preferably blood
US4146480A (en) * 1976-08-19 1979-03-27 Chirana, Koncern Hemicapillar plate dialyzer
EP0036926A1 (en) * 1980-03-19 1981-10-07 Gambro Lundia AB A device for the diffusion of substances between two fluids via semipermeable membranes
US4318813A (en) * 1980-06-30 1982-03-09 Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. Membrane plasmapheresis module
WO1982000102A1 (en) * 1980-06-30 1982-01-21 Baxter Travenol Lab Membrane plasmapheresis module
FR2490964A1 (en) * 1980-09-25 1982-04-02 Terumo Corp PLASMA SEPARATOR
EP0048901A1 (en) * 1980-09-25 1982-04-07 Terumo Corporation Plasma separator
US4631130A (en) * 1980-09-25 1986-12-23 Terumo Corporation Plasma separator
US4786411A (en) * 1980-11-13 1988-11-22 Hospal Industrie Fluid treatment apparatus with semi-permeable membranes
EP0195461A2 (en) * 1981-05-20 1986-09-24 Dow Danmark A/S Apparatus for the separation of a liquid into two fractions
US4666603A (en) * 1981-05-20 1987-05-19 Aktieselskabet De Danske Sukkerfabrikker Semi-permeable membrane liquid filtration apparatus including elliptical blocking means
EP0195461A3 (en) * 1981-05-20 1987-12-16 Aktieselskabet De Danske Sukkerfabrikker Apparatus for the separation of a liquid into two fractions
US20080093298A1 (en) * 2004-10-06 2008-04-24 Browning David M Mecs Diayzer
US8128822B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2012-03-06 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University MECS dialyzer
US8137554B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2012-03-20 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University Microfluidic devices, particularly filtration devices comprising polymeric membranes, and method for their manufacture and use
US8273245B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2012-09-25 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University Microfluidic devices, particularly filtration devices comprising polymeric membranes, and methods for their manufacture and use
US8419945B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-04-16 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University MECS dialyzer method
US8758706B2 (en) * 2007-03-08 2014-06-24 Scienova Gmbh Device for receiving, treating, and storing small volume samples
US20100136596A1 (en) * 2007-03-08 2010-06-03 Heidrun Rhode Device for receiving, treating, and storing small volume samples
US9545469B2 (en) 2009-12-05 2017-01-17 Outset Medical, Inc. Dialysis system with ultrafiltration control
US8580161B2 (en) 2010-05-04 2013-11-12 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University Fluidic devices comprising photocontrollable units
US8524086B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2013-09-03 State Of Oregon Acting By And Through The State Board Of Higher Education On Behalf Of Oregon State University Fluid purification system
US9138687B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2015-09-22 Oregon State University Fluid purification system
US11724013B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2023-08-15 Outset Medical, Inc. Fluid purification system
US10105476B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2018-10-23 Oregon State University Fluid purification system
US9328969B2 (en) 2011-10-07 2016-05-03 Outset Medical, Inc. Heat exchange fluid purification for dialysis system
US20130101797A1 (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 General Electric Company Spiral wound membrane permeate carrier with thin border
US10583400B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2020-03-10 Bl Technologies, Inc. Material efficiency and fabrication of membrane elements
US9675937B2 (en) * 2011-10-19 2017-06-13 General Electric Company Spiral wound membrane permeate carrier with thin border
US10369263B2 (en) 2014-03-29 2019-08-06 Novaflux Inc. Blood processing cartridges and systems, and methods for extracorporeal blood therapies
US11446419B2 (en) 2014-03-29 2022-09-20 Novaflux Inc. Blood processing cartridges and systems, and methods for extracorporeal blood therapies
US9579440B2 (en) 2014-04-29 2017-02-28 Outset Medical, Inc. Dialysis system and methods
US9504777B2 (en) 2014-04-29 2016-11-29 Outset Medical, Inc. Dialysis system and methods
US11305040B2 (en) 2014-04-29 2022-04-19 Outset Medical, Inc. Dialysis system and methods
US9402945B2 (en) 2014-04-29 2016-08-02 Outset Medical, Inc. Dialysis system and methods
US10426884B2 (en) 2015-06-26 2019-10-01 Novaflux Inc. Cartridges and systems for outside-in flow in membrane-based therapies
US11648341B2 (en) 2015-06-26 2023-05-16 Novaflux Inc. Cartridges and systems for outside-in flow in membrane-based therapies
US10399040B2 (en) 2015-09-24 2019-09-03 Novaflux Inc. Cartridges and systems for membrane-based therapies
US11701622B2 (en) 2015-09-24 2023-07-18 Novaflux Inc. Cartridges and systems for membrane-based therapies
US11534537B2 (en) 2016-08-19 2022-12-27 Outset Medical, Inc. Peritoneal dialysis system and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1355583A (en) 1974-06-05
FR2101592A5 (en) 1972-03-31
DE2134752A1 (en) 1972-01-27
DK123074B (en) 1972-05-15
NL7109615A (en) 1972-01-17
SE385268B (en) 1976-06-21

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