The present disclosure relates to semipermeable membranes which are suitable for blood purification, e.g. by hemodialysis, which have an increased ability to remove larger molecules while at the same time effectively retaining albumin. The membranes are characterized by a molecular retention onset (MWRO) of between 9.0 kD and 14.5 kD and a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of between 55 kD and 130 kD as determined by dextran sieving curves and can be prepared by industrially feasible processes excluding a treatment with salt before drying. The invention therefore also relates to a process for the production of the membranes and to their use in medical applications.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for composite materials, methods of making composite materials, methods of using composite materials, and the like. In particular, the present application relates to hollow fibers and to pressure-retarded osmosis systems comprising said fibers. The hollow fibers have an inside layer and an outside layer, wherein the outside layer covers an outside surface of the inside layer, wherein the inside layer forms a boundary around the lumen, wherein the inside layer includes a bi-layer structure, wherein the bi-layer structure includes a sponge-like layer and a finger-like layer, wherein the sponge-like layer is disposed closer to the lumen of the hollow fiber and the finger-like layer is disposed on the sponge-like layer on the side opposite the lumen, wherein the outside layer includes a polyamide layer.

The present disclosure concerns a hemodialyzer for the purification of blood and use thereof. The hemodialyzer comprises a bundle of hollow fiber membranes, wherein the hollow fiber membranes have an inner diameter (d.sub.B) within the range of 168-175 m, a fiber wall thickness (.sub.m) within the range of 25-26 m, and an effective length (L) within the hemodialyzer within the range of 207-287 mm. The bundle of hollow fiber membranes has a packing density within the range of 57.5-60.0%, and a total membrane surface area (A.sub.tot) within the range of from 1.64 to 1.73 m.sup.2.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a separation membrane having excellent separation performance, having high membrane strength and high permeation performance, and mainly including a cellulose-based resin. The present invention is concerned with a separation membrane including a cellulose ester, having, in the interior thereof, voids each having a specified structure, and having a tensile elasticity of 1,000 to 6,500 MPa.

The present disclosure relates to a hemodialysis membrane for the treatment of restless leg syndrome (RLS), especially in severe and very severe cases and/or in patients which suffer from kidney failure and already receive hemodialysis. The present disclosure therefore also relates to methods of treating restless leg syndrome. The treatment and method encompasses using a hemodialysis membrane which is characterized in that it comprises at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer and in that it has a MWRO of between 8.5 and 14.0 kD and a MWCO of between 55 kD and 130 kD.

A sterile solution product bag includes sterilization grade filter integrated directly into the product bag such that microbial and particulate matter filtration can be performed using the filter directly at the point of fill. The filter can include a hollow fiber filter membrane contained in a stem connected to a bladder of the product bag.

A sterile solution product bag includes sterilization grade filter integrated directly into the product bag such that microbial and particulate matter filtration can be performed using the filter directly at the point of fill. The filter can include a hollow fiber filter membrane contained in a stem connected to a bladder of the product bag.

A membrane distillation device, provided with a membrane distillation module including a plurality of hydrophobic porous hollow fiber membranes, and a condenser for condensing water vapor extracted from the module. The average pore diameter of the porous hollow fiber is 0.01-1 m. The filling ratio of the porous hollow fiber of the membrane distillation module is 10-80%, and the pressure condition for the membrane distillation is equal to or greater than 1 kPa and equal to or less than the saturated vapor pressure of water at the temperature of the water being treated.

An apparatus for removing water vapor from a feed gas is provided that comprises a membrane housing, a membrane that divides a first pressure side and a second pressure side of the membrane housing, a feed gas inlet and outlet on the first pressure side, a sweep gas inlet and outlet on the second pressure side, a sweep gas flow regulator, and a pump. In some embodiments the feed gas can be at ambient pressure and a pressure drop across the membrane can be less than about 1 atm.

The present disclosure relates to hollow fiber tangential flow filters, including hollow fiber tangential flow depth filters, for various applications, including bioprocessing and pharmaceutical applications, systems employing such filters, and methods of filtration using the same.