Patent ID: 11957824
Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Field: Chemical engineering (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC A  B  F | IPC A  B  F

Claim 0:
1. A method for filtering blood in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising:
connecting a hemofilter to a vascular circulatory system of the individual, the hemofilter comprising:
an extended inlet manifold;
a plurality of filtration channels; and
an extended outlet manifold,
the extended inlet manifold comprising:
a first region comprising:
a circular inlet configured for connection to a blood vessel of an individual; and a transition section in which lumen of the extended inlet manifold transitions from having a circular cross-section to having a rectangular cross-section; and

a second region comprising a U-shaped turn and followed by a linear tapered section, the linear tapered section comprising a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the plurality of filtration channels,
wherein the plurality of filtration channels are arranged in a spaced-apart stacked configuration and are in fluid communication with a plurality of openings in a first region of the extended outlet manifold,
wherein the first region of the extended outlet manifold is parallel to the linear tapered section of the extended inlet manifold and is reverse-tapered with reference to the linear tapered section of the extended inlet manifold and wherein the extended outlet manifold comprises a second region comprising:
a transition section in which lumen of the extended outlet manifold transitions from having a rectangular cross-section to having a circular cross-section; and
a circular outlet defined by the circular cross-section of the extended outlet manifold, and

wherein the hemofilter is configured for entry of blood through the circular inlet and for transporting the blood through the transition section of the extended inlet manifold to the tapered linear section, into the plurality of filtration channels to the first region of the extended outlet manifold, into the transition section of the extended outlet manifold, and exit via the circular outlet.