Patent ID: 8097153
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: A61M,A61P,B01D,G01N

Abstract:
1. A device for exchanging components between a first fluid and a second fluid, the device comprising: a rectangular membraneless channel with inlet and outlet ends spaced apart across a length of the membraneless channel, the membraneless channel having at least one fluid inlet at the inlet end for receiving first and second fluids, and first, second, and third fluid outlets at the outlet end; the first and second fluid outlets being disposed on opposite facing walls of the membraneless channel at the outlet end, the first and second first fluid outlets each having a filter therein forming a portion of a respective one of the opposite walls; each of the filters being configured and arranged so that they form a single continuous interior-facing surface with a respective one of the facing walls of the membraneless channel; an external channel connected to the first and second outlets and configured to receive and combine the first fluid leaving the membraneless channel through the first and second fluid outlets; the third fluid outlet receiving the second fluid and being located between the first and second outlets across a depth which is perpendicular to the length; and the membraneless channel having at least a portion defining a single unobstructed space to permit the exchange of components between the first and second fluids by diffusion; wherein each of the filters has a regular array of pores whose diameters are less than 800 nm, each pore defining non-serpentine, non-branching channels; wherein the depth is between 75 and 300 microns and the membraneless channel has a width, perpendicular to the depth, that is at least ten times the depth.