MEMBRANE FLUID DIFFUSION EXCHANGE DEVICE

1312344 Diffusion apparatus M L EDWARDS 28 May 1970 [9 June 1969] 25850/70 Headings B1X and B1L Diffusion apparatus used, e.g. for fluid diffusion in general or for the dialysis or oxygenation of blood comprises a stack of plates P, Fig. 2, and membrane envelopes M, each membrane enclosing one end and two opposing sides of a plate. Adjacent membranes are marginally clamped together and to the plates by means of ridges 40-43 on the margin of the plates P. The plates have horizontal grooves 50, 54 and a series of interfingered vertical grooves 51-53 and 55-57 blocked off by discontinuous clamping ridges 58, 59 and joined by horizontal fine grooves 66. The grooves 66 are separated by low and high ridges 67, 70, Fig. 6, which cause the formation of blood passageways 71 between adjacent membrane envelopes. The network of grooves and clamping ridges in the plates cause, through the result of pressure, correspondingly shaped passageways to form between the adjacent membrane envelopes so that the blood, after entering at inlet 31, Fig. 2, and manifold 32, can be said to follow the same pathway as that designated by the series of vertical and horizontal grooves until it exits via manifold 33 and outlet 33. Oxygen or dialysis fluid enters inlet 20 and passes via manifold 22 along the plates P via rear side grooves 66 to covered end 26 hence through plate holes 65 (shown as a slot) and back along the front side grooves 66 to exit as CO 2 or waste fluid via manifold 23 and outlet 21. The membranes may be of silicone rubber or regenerated cellulose whilst the plates may be of polyethylene, metal, or styrene acrylonitrile reinforced with glass fibres. The plates are fitted together by means of co-operating corner plugs and sockets.