초록 ▼

An apparatus for the continuous in vivo separation of plasma from other blood components comprising a bundle of microporous hollow fibers inserted into the vena cava. The fibers are sized to permit diffusion of plasma through the fiber pores but not cellular or other larger blood components. The fib

An apparatus for the continuous in vivo separation of plasma from other blood components comprising a bundle of microporous hollow fibers inserted into the vena cava. The fibers are sized to permit diffusion of plasma through the fiber pores but not cellular or other larger blood components. The fibers are in fluid communication with a dual lumen catheter which removes plasma from the hollow fibers to a treatment system and returns treated plasma to the bloodstream. The apparatus can be incorporated into an ambulatory plasma separator system for providing continuous plasma treatment while the user is mobile.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for continuous in vivo plasma separation, comprising: at least one elongated microporous fiber having a hollow interior, said fiber being dimensioned to be received within a blood vessel without significantly obstructing fluid flow through said blood vessel, the pore size of said fiber

An apparatus for continuous in vivo plasma separation, comprising: at least one elongated microporous fiber having a hollow interior, said fiber being dimensioned to be received within a blood vessel without significantly obstructing fluid flow through said blood vessel, the pore size of said fiber being sufficient to allow plasma to diffuse through said pores into said hollow interior of said fiber but not sufficient to allow cellular components larger than plasma to diffuse therethrough; and said hollow interior of said elongated fiber being in fluid communication with a means for conducting plasma comprising a first discrete hollow tube which connects to one end of the fiber and permits passage of plasma from said hollow interior of said fiber and a second discrete hollow tube which returns plasma to said blood vessel such that plasma being removed from said fiber is kept separated from plasma being returned to the blood vessel.