A device includes a housing, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and one or more gas exchange units within the housing. Each gas exchange unit includes a gas channel in fluid connection with the gas inlet and with the gas outlet and a first liquid channel in fluid connection with the liquid inlet and with the liquid outlet. The first liquid channel is positioned adjacent to the gas channel and is separated from the gas channel via a first gas-permeable membrane. The first gas-permeable membrane is connected to a rigid substrate system so that the first gas-permeable membrane extends beyond a first edge of the rigid substrate system. The device further includes an oscillator to induce oscillation in the rigid substrate system and thereby in the first gas-permeable membrane.

Intravascular membrane oxygenator catheter systems and methods are disclosed, along with methods of making and using the same. A catheter system includes a catheter shaft having a wall that extends from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis to define a lumen, a plurality of hollow fiber membrane loops each having a proximal portion positioned within the lumen of the catheter shaft and a distal portion extending beyond the lumen of the catheter shaft, the hollow fiber membrane loops are nonporous with solid walls; a pneumatic source in pneumatic communication with the hollow fiber membrane loops. The pneumatic source provides a gas containing oxygen at a pressure sufficient to cause a diffusive flux of the gas containing oxygen from an interior of the hollow fiber membrane loops to a fluid exterior to the hollow fiber membrane loops in a region of interest of a subject.

A device and methods for treating renal failure are disclosed. One embodiment of the device is an implantable peritoneal dialysis device. When in use, the device can have a semi-permeable reservoir implanted in the peritoneal cavity. The reservoir can receive blood waste and drain through one or more conduits, via a pump, to the biological bladder. Solids and/or a solution benefiting dialysis can be pumped to the reservoir and/or implanted in the peritoneal cavity.

A biocompatible and hemocompatible material and filter which is suitable for blood filtration applications. Biocompatibility and hemocompatibility is achieved through a modification of an existing ceramic substrate, in which a pyrolytic carbon layer is coated onto the filter.

The present disclosure is a machine that permits intra-corporeal dialysis, which machine may be carried by the patient and include a canister of dialysate and a small pump. Filtration of toxins from blood takes place in the patient's own blood stream via a catheter. The catheter is inserted into a major blood vein. Dialysate is pumped from a first end of a canister into the central channel of the catheter. At the other end of the catheter, the dialysate passes to an annular region and reverses direction. The exterior wall of the exterior region of the catheter is permeable to blood, but not to the dialysate. Blood passes through the exterior wall of the catheter and is exposed to the dialysate in the annular region. There the dialysate absorbs toxins before it returns to the second side of the canister.

(57) Abstract: Bioartificial ultrafiltration devices comprising a scaffold comprising a population of cells enclosed in a matrix and disposed adjacent a plurality of channels are provided. The population of cells provides molecules such as therapeutic molecules to a subject in need thereof and is supported by the nutrients filtered in an ultrafiltrate from the blood of the subject. The plurality of channels in the scaffold facilitate the transportation of the ultrafiltrate and exchange of molecules between the ultrafiltrate and the population of cells.

A portable device for removal of metabolic waste from the blood of patient having kidney disease or in need of hemodialysis is provided. Methods of hemodialysis employing the portable device beneficially obtain a dialysate by electrokinetic means from excess fluid in the peripheral blood of the patient in need thereof. The methods employ a branched microfluidic channel for the use of ion concentration polarization to separate charged from neutral species in blood to obtain the dialysate for undergoing hemodialysis. Beneficially the methods and device are resistant to biofouling, remove the need for a dialysate and/or dialysate reservoir, and provide a disposable, wearable device.

A method for operating a portable dialysis device, comprising the following steps: continuously and alternately filling and emptying a hydraulic chamber with hydraulic fluid by a pump, wherein upon filling the hydraulic chamber, an at least partially flexible delivery membrane is moved towards a blood chamber adjoining the hydraulic chamber, in which blood is received, and wherein the blood flows tangentially along an inner wall of the blood chamber through an inlet side, whereby the blood chamber is compressed to eject the blood, and enhancing a return flow of the blood from the blood chamber while avoiding dead points in the flow in the blood chamber, and wherein upon emptying the hydraulic chamber, the delivery membrane is moved away from the blood chamber so that the blood chamber expands to receive the blood, so that a continuous, alternate compression and expansion of the blood chamber by the delivery membrane occurs, such that a continuous uninterrupted exchange of the blood in the blood chamber is performed while avoiding the formation of thrombi.

A hemodialysis device is described herein. An exemplary hemodialysis device includes an import tube, a dialysis tube, and an export tube. The dialysis tube includes an inner dialysis tube, a dialysis membrane and an outer dialysis tube. The inner dialysis tube is within the dialysis membrane, which is within the outer dialysis tube. An inlet and an outlet of the inner tube are disposed at a first end of the outer dialysis tube. The inlet of the inner dialysis tube is coupled to the import tube and the outlet of the inner dialysis tube is coupled to the export tube. The dialysis tube is inserted into an artery of a patient, and thereby performs hemodialysis within the body. Since the hemodialysis in performed within the artery instead of drawing blood out of the body, the hemodialysis device will minimally affect blood pressure, which is more economic and safe.

Treatment of cardiac tissue via an implantable heart treatment device is described. A device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a substrate configured for implantation within a body; an electromagnetic signal generator coupled to the substrate and configured to generate one or more electric signals configured to stimulate one or more tissues of a heart within the body; and an energy-carrier molecule delivery device coupled to the substrate and configured to supply one or more non-oxygen cellular energy sources to one or more tissues of the heart within the body.