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

Claim 15:
16. 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 conduit;
a single serpentine filtration channel;
and an outlet conduit;
the extended inlet conduit comprising:
an inlet;
a first transition region;
a first turnaround section;
a second transition region;
a second turnaround section;
wherein in the first transition region the inlet transitions from a circular cross section, configured for connection to a blood vessel of an individual, into a rectangular cross section,
wherein the rectangular cross section at an end of the first transition region matches a rectangular cross section of the first turnaround section,
wherein in the second transition region the first turnaround section expands in width such that a rectangular cross section at an end of the second transition region matches a rectangular cross section of the second turnaround section,
wherein the rectangular cross section of the second turnaround section matches that of the single serpentine filtration channel;

the single serpentine filtration channel comprising:
a plurality of filtration sections arranged in a spaced-apart stacked configuration wherein the filtration sections are connected via turnaround sections; and

the outlet conduit comprising:
first region having a rectangular cross-section; and
a second region that transitions from the rectangular cross section to a circular cross section and terminates in a circular outlet configured for connection to a blood vessel of an individual.