The present invention is directed to affinity chromatography devices that separate a targeted protein or antibody from an aqueous mixture containing the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may contain a stacked membrane assembly or a wound membrane assembly. The membrane assemblies include at least one polymer membrane that contains therein inorganic particles. The polymer membrane and/or the inorganic particles have an affinity ligand bonded thereto. The affinity ligand may be a protein, an antibody, or a polysaccharide that reversibly binds to the targeted protein or antibody. The chromatography device may be repeatedly used and may be cleaned with a caustic solution between uses. The chromatography devices may have a dynamic binding capacity (DBC) of at least 30 mg/ml (or 0.07 micromol/ml) at 10% breakthrough at a residence time of 20 seconds or less.

This invention discloses methods for reducing physiologic molecules in abnormal levels and/or exogenous toxins in blood from blood by way of an extracorporeal circuit comprising a hollow-fiber filter module and polymer sorbent in combination.

A gas scrubber includes a canister having a rotatable spiral separator which provides a non-linear path configured to be filled with modular adsorbent material portions between a gas inlet and a gas outlet.

A device and method are described for the treatment of blood, which device may be used in conjunction with or in place of a failed Kidney. The device includes an ultrafiltration unit to remove proteins, red and white blood cells and other high molecular weight components, a nanofiltration unit to remove glucose, at least one electrodeionization unit to transport ions from the blood stream, and a reverse osmosis unit to modulate the flow of water, to both the blood and urine streams. In one embodiment, a specialized electrodeionization unit is provided having multiple chambers defining multiple dilute fluid channels, each channel filled with an ion specific resin wafer, and electrodes at the extremity of the device and proximate each of the resin filled dilute channels. By selective application of voltages to these electrodes, the ion transport functionality of a given dilute channel can be turned on or off.

An air dehydration module includes polymeric fibers for separating water vapor from air, and also includes a carbon filter material, positioned at an outlet end of the module, and within the same pressure vessel which houses the fibers. The module may generate its own sweep stream, in which case a portion of its output is directed to flow through an orifice, towards the inlet end of the module. In an alternative embodiment, the sweep gas is produced by a distinct gas-separation module, which receives an input stream from the output of the dehydration module. The dehydration module produces clean and dry air which can be used as is, or as an input stream to an air separation module.

Devices, systems and methods for the broad-spectrum reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in blood. The pro-inflammatory cytokines can be freely circulating in the blood as well as cytokines that are transported within or bound to the surface of particles collectively referred to as CytoVesicles while simultaneously adsorbing toxins and pathogens from blood and blood plasma. A plasma separation column with binding, capture and adsorbent components optimize the removal of cytokines and CytoVesicles from blood while minimizing the removal of essential blood elements. Adsorbent components are incorporated within the extra-lumen space, outside of the plasma fiber walls and within the outer shell of the column and can include activated carbon, ion exchange resins and non-ionic exchange resins. The resulting devices, systems and methods alleviate the symptoms or severity of a wide range of disease conditions associated with an abnormal production or dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

A water purification system that generates ozone and passes the ozone through stored purified water to reduce the growth and/or presence of bacteria, organisms, and/or other undesirable components in purified water.

A portable water filtration device is provided. The portable water filtration device comprises a housing defining an interior volume, said housing comprising; an input port for receiving water under pressure from an external source, and; an output port having an open position and a closed position. The device further comprises; a filter comprising an an array of hydrophilic capillary fibre membranes, said filter being positioned within the housing so as to form a fluid path between the interior volume of the housing and the output port such that, in use, when the output port is in the open position, water received at the input port flows under a pressure differential induced by the external source through walls of the capillary fibre membranes to respective open ends of the capillary fibre membranes to the output port, and further wherein; the filter fills at least 65% of the interior volume of the housing.

A process for removing Co.sup.2+, Pb.sup.2+, Cd.sup.2+ and Cr.sup.3+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchange composition to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchange composition. The ion exchange compositions are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

Described are wrapped fluid treatment elements, comprising: a composite material; an interleaf; and an inner core; wherein the composite material and the interleaf form layers wrapped around the inner core. The composite material and interleaf may be wrapped in a spiral configuration around the inner core. The invention also relates to a method of separating a substance from a fluid, comprising the step of placing the fluid in contact with an inventive device or element, thereby adsorbing or absorbing the substance to the composite material contained therein.