A membrane separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib associated with the membrane that decreases the gap between the membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.

A filter element for cleaning liquids, having a stack of at least two filter membrane pockets, which are substantially flat and include a flexible, liquid-permeable filter material for retaining waste particles and/or microbes, wherein each filter membrane pocket has a substantially polygonal shape with at least three corners and a corresponding number of edges, wherein the filter membrane pockets are stacked with a defined distance and aligned with each other, wherein aligned corners of the filter membrane pockets are embedded in a casting covering only part of the adjacent edges such that the casting for each corner is spaced from the castings of the neighboring corners.

A water storage tank built for a reverse osmosis water purifying system deploys multi water flow passages of purified water and drainage water, allocated a soft bladder unit receiving purified water encompassed by the waste water in the tank. When the water tank unit is fully filled with water, the water pressure activates the auto-shut-off valve or solenoid valve to stop operation of the reverse osmosis water purifying system. When the dispensing faucet is turned on, the drainage water swells to squeeze the soft bladder unit to deliver the purified water out from the soft bladder unit to the dispensing faucet, and the drainage water flushes the reverse osmosis membrane as well. The technique enables the tank to take the least water pressure resistance to hold water and drain water which results in energy saving and water saving.

A method of separating heavy water from normal through application of acoustic pressure shock waves to a fluid including heavy water and normal water and recovering separated normal water.

A method of desalinating water through application of acoustic pressure shock waves to a slush to separate ice crystals from brine and recovering desalinated water from the separated ice crystals.

Acoustic pressure shock waves are applied to a membrane in a fluid to prevent attachment of or dislodge biological or solid matter for membrane cleaning or desalination with a membrane.

A method of treating fluids, including for recovery of water apart from impurities or undesired matter, utilizes application of shock waves to the fluids.

An artificial lung device includes: a housing which is formed in a tubular shape including both end portions closed, includes a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port, and is arranged such that a center axis of the housing is directed in a lateral direction; a hollow fiber body (gas exchanger) which is arranged in the housing and performs gas exchange with respect to blood while the blood flows from the blood inflow port to the blood outflow port; and a straightening frame (gas guide portion) by which a gas having flowed through the gas exchanger by the flow of the blood is guided to the gas exchanger again in the housing.

A blood oxygenator includes a housing having a first end opposite a second end with a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis. The housing defines an interior chamber having a liquid inlet at the first end and a liquid outlet at the second end. The oxygenator further includes a gas exchange assembly positioned within the interior chamber. The gas exchange assembly includes a retainer having an upper cap spaced apart from a lower cap by one or more spacers, and a gas exchange medium disposed between the upper cap and the lower cap. The gas exchange medium has a plurality of subunits stacked on top of each other, with each subunit having a plurality of layers of hollow fiber mats.