Patent ID: 8241239

Claim:
An implantable apparatus for removing fluid from a patient, comprising: a) a first elongated header defining a first flow path having a single inlet and multiple outlets, the first header comprising a plurality of diverging bifurcated flow paths extending therethrough for uniformly distributing fluid flow from the single inlet to the multiple outlets; b) a second elongated header defining a second flow path having multiple inlets and a single outlet; c) a filter in fluid communication with and substantially coplanar with said first elongated header and said second elongated header to facilitate implantation, said filter including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, each of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes being aligned with each of the multiple outlets on a one-to-one basis, and each of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes being aligned with each of the multiple inlets on a one-to-one basis; d) a first graft for connecting the vascular system of the patient to the single inlet; e) a second graft for connecting the single outlet to the vascular system of the patient; f) a housing adapted to collect fluid that passes through the filter; and g) a drain conduit connected to the housing.