Patent ID: 7494591
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: A61M,B01D

Abstract:
1. A system for removing waste from the blood of an individual comprising an access device for withdrawing blood from an individual; a blood processing device, including an inlet; a first flow path in fluid communication between said access device and said inlet for conveying whole blood from the individual to said blood processing device; said blood processing device comprising a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface, said inlet and a first outlet communicating with the gap for continuous flow of blood between the inlet and the first outlet, at least one of the inner and outer surfaces carrying a hemofiltration membrane having one surface facing the gap and another surface facing away from the gap and said membrane having a pore size sufficiently small to prevent passage of molecules greater than about 50,000 Daltons so as to prevent the passage of albumin, a driver causing relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap, to create movement of the blood within the gap that induces transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane; a second flow path in fluid communication with the first outlet for conveying blood components from said processing device for return to the individual; a second outlet communicating with the membrane surface facing away from the gap; and a third flow path in communication with said second outlet for conveying plasma water and waste material away from said blood processing device.