In embodiments of the invention, there is provided a dialyzer or filter comprising hollow fibers, in which blood flows on the exterior of the hollow fibers, and dialysate or filtrate may flow on the inside. The external surfaces of the hollow fibers may have properties of smoothness and hemocompatibility. The fiber bundle may have appropriate packing fraction and may have wavy fibers. Optimum shear rates and blood velocities are identified. Geometric features of the cartridge, such as pertaining to flow distribution of the blood, may be different for different ends of the cartridge. Air bleed and emboli traps may be provided. Lengthened service life may be achieved by combinations of these features, which may permit additional therapies and applications or better economics.

A carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane having improved separation characteristics for separating olefins from their corresponding paraffins is comprised of carbon with at most trace amounts of sulfur and a group 13 metal. The CMS membrane may be made by pyrolyzing a precursor polymer devoid of sulfur in which the precursor polymer has had a group 13 metal incorporated into it, wherein the metal is in a reduced state. The pyrolyzing for the precursor having the group 13 metal incorporated into it is performed in a nonoxidizing atmosphere and at a heating rate and temperature such that the metal in a reduced state (e.g., covalently bonded to carbon or nitrogen or in the metal state).

The present disclosure relates to a spinneret for producing hollow fiber membranes in a phase inversion process.

The present invention relates to an assembly-type cartridge block enabling various types of cartridges, and a hollow-fiber membrane module comprising the same. The assembly-type cartridge block of an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body part having a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes therein and having mesh parts formed respectively at the upper and lower parts thereof; and a fastening part formed on a side surface of the body part and configured to be fastened to an adjacent assembly-type cartridge block. Further, the hollow-fiber membrane module of an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing unit including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet; and a cartridge unit installed inside the housing unit and formed by fastening a plurality of assembly-type cartridge blocks, each of the assemble type cartridge blocks having a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes therein.

The present invention relates to an assembly-type cartridge block enabling various types of cartridges, and a hollow-fiber membrane module comprising the same. The assembly-type cartridge block of an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body part having a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes therein and having mesh parts formed respectively at the upper and lower parts thereof; and a fastening part formed on a side surface of the body part and configured to be fastened to an adjacent assembly-type cartridge block. Further, the hollow-fiber membrane module of an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing unit including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet; and a cartridge unit installed inside the housing unit and formed by fastening a plurality of assembly-type cartridge blocks, each of the assemble type cartridge blocks having a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes therein.

A system for liver dialysis makes use of a high cut-off hemodialysis membrane for removing water-soluble and protein-bound toxins from the blood of a person in need. A high cut-off hollow fiber hemodialysis membrane has improved potential to remove albumin-bound toxins and inflammatory mediators.

A system for liver dialysis makes use of a high cut-off hemodialysis membrane for removing water-soluble and protein-bound toxins from the blood of a person in need. A high cut-off hollow fiber hemodialysis membrane has improved potential to remove albumin-bound toxins and inflammatory mediators.

A method of producing a hollow fiber membrane is provided. The method includes: extruding from a molding nozzle a membrane-forming stock solution, the membrane-forming stock solution containing a vinylidene fluoride-based resin, polyethylene glycol, and a common solvent, and having a slope (B) of 1.15 or more and less than 3.00 where the slope (B) is calculated by I=A×q.sup.−B from a scattering intensity of a small-angle X-ray; and solidifying the extruded membrane-forming stock solution in a solution containing water as a main component.

A method of producing a hollow fiber membrane is provided. The method includes: extruding from a molding nozzle a membrane-forming stock solution, the membrane-forming stock solution containing a vinylidene fluoride-based resin, polyethylene glycol, and a common solvent, and having a slope (B) of 1.15 or more and less than 3.00 where the slope (B) is calculated by I=A×q.sup.−B from a scattering intensity of a small-angle X-ray; and solidifying the extruded membrane-forming stock solution in a solution containing water as a main component.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane bundle from a plurality of polysulfone and PVP-based hollow fiber membranes which encompasses the providing of a spinning solution comprising a polysulfone-based material, in particular polysulfone, a vinylpyrrolidone-based polymer, in particular polyvinylpyrrolidone, an aprotic solvent, in particular dimethylacetamide, providing a coagulant liquid comprising water and an aprotic solvent, in particular dimethylacetamide, co-extruding the spinning solution and the coagulant liquid through a concentric annular spinneret into a hollow strand, whereby the cavity of the strand is filled with coagulant liquid, conducting the strand through a precipitation gap, introducing the strand into a precipitating bath comprised substantially of water so as to obtain a hollow fiber membrane, conducting the hollow fiber membranes through at least one rinsing bath and drying the hollow fiber membrane obtained, arranging the resulting hollow fiber membranes into a hollow fiber membrane bundle, and treating the hollow fiber membrane bundle with water vapor.