A dialyzer composed of: first and second dialyzation chambers, and an intermediate chamber interposed between the first and second dialyzation chambers. Each of the chambers has a respective one of a blood inlet or outlet and a dialysate inlet or outlet arranged so that blood and dialysate flow in counter-current to one another in both chambers. The intermediate chamber is connected to form a dialysate-free blood flow passage between the blood chambers and is configured to maintain a substantially uniform blood flow.

Methods and systems for filtering of biological particles are disclosed. Filtering membranes separate adjacent chambers. Through osmotic or electrokinetic processes, flow of particles is carried out through the filtering membranes. Cells, viruses and cell waste can be filtered depending on the size of the pores of the membrane. A polymer brush can be applied to a surface of the membrane to enhance filtering and prevent fouling.

The present invention relates to a crossflow membrane module configured to separate a feed fluid into a permeate fluid and a residue fluid across one or more membrane sheet(s). The crossflow module comprises a second end offset from a first end along the first direction where an inlet is provided at the first end and an outlet is provided at the second end. The one or more membrane sheet(s) each have a first portion and a second portion. A conduit is adjacent to the first side of each membrane sheet and is configured to receive and output the permeate fluid separated from the feed fluid. The second portion of the membrane sheet has a greater permeance for a major component than the first portion such that the second part of the permeate fluid, which is generated by separation across the second portion of the membrane sheet, has a higher concentration of the major component than the first part of the permeate fluid, which is generated by separation across the first portion. The second portion is spaced apart from the first side of the membrane sheet along the second direction thereby causing the second part of the permeate gas to flow towards the first side of the membrane sheet such that the second part of the permeate gas mixes with the first part of the permeate gas thereby reducing the concentration of the minor component in the first part of the permeate gas.

A separation system for separating and purifying a target component, a method for separating and purifying a target component, and the use of a crossflow diafiltration unit for processing a target phase. The system includes an aqueous-two phase extraction unit for aqueous-two phase extraction of the fluid, a separation unit for separating a target phase, and a crossflow diafiltration unit.

This invention relates to a triple layer composite nanofiber membrane for Membrane Distillation (MD) applications. The triple layer membrane has an extremely hydrophobic nanofiber layer, a hydrophobic microporous middle layer and a hydrophilic backing layer for MD applications.

A membrane filter element includes at least two cylindrical-shaped, fiber bundles, one of the fiber bundles containing first fibers fabricated to provide a selected first gas selectivity, a selected first gas permeability, or a selected first gas selectivity and permeability performance and arranged so a first gas permeate exits the membrane element; another of the fiber bundles containing second fibers fabricated to provide a selected second, different gas selectivity, a selected second different gas permeability, or a selected second gas selectivity and permeability performance and arranged so a second different gas permeate exits the membrane element. The different performance characteristics can reduce the number of membrane elements required for gas separation and to improve gas separation performance due to changing gas composition as the gas travels through the membrane element.

Devices and methods are presented in which a plasma separation device with a first and second portion separates a blood containing fluid. Most preferably, the first portion produces a cell fraction and a plasma fraction, and the second portion captures the plasma fraction. A first actuator then fluidly isolates a portion of the plasma fraction within the second portion, and a second actuator moves the isolated portion of the plasma fraction from the second portion.

A device includes (i) a housing defining an interior, wherein the interior has a blood compartment, a plasma compartment, and a fluid compartment; (ii) a first filter disposed in the interior of the housing, and (iii) a second filter disposed in the interior of the housing. The first filter separates at least a portion of the blood compartment from at least a portion of the plasma compartment. The first filter is configured to allow plasma components, but not cell components, of blood to pass through the first filter from the blood compartment to the plasma compartment. The second filter separates at least a portion of the plasma compartment from at least a portion of the fluid compartment. The second filter is configured to allow fluid and small molecules, but not larger components, to pass through the second filter from the plasma compartment to the fluid compartment. The device may include a sorbent in the plasma compartment to remove or reduce the concentration of selected components of the plasma. In embodiments, a system including the device includes a sorbent with which the plasma may be contacted.

Provided is a multi-functional filter including a first filter and a second filter to purify a biological fluid, a housing defining an adsorption section outside of the first filter and the second filter, a flow partitioning connector connecting the first filter and the second filter, and a housing port allowing a fluid to flow through the adsorption section. The housing may comprise a wall, a first cap coupled to the first filter at one end of the wall along a longitudinal direction, and a second cap coupled to the second filter at the other end of the wall along a longitudinal direction. The multi-functional filter according to the present invention in which dialysis, adsorption, and plasma separation or ultrafiltration are integrated to purify blood or dialysate and the internal flow is facilitated may provide a blood purifying apparatus that simplifies the whole apparatus, provides convenience in installation and use, and reduces a treatment cost.

Devices and methods are presented in which a plasma separation device with a first and second portion separates a blood containing fluid. Most preferably, the first portion produces a cell fraction and a plasma fraction, and the second portion captures the plasma fraction. A first actuator then fluidly isolates a portion of the plasma fraction within the second portion, and a second actuator moves the isolated portion of the plasma fraction from the second portion.