Medarray, Inc.

University of Michigan

Michigan Critical Care Consultants, Inc.

Other

Michigan State University

Jean P Montoya

Scott I Merz

Robert H Bartlett

Peiyuan Li

Sean D Chambers

Victor M Montoya

Ronald B Hirschl

Disclosed herein are membrane separator modules. The membrane separator module includes a plurality of hollow fibers arranged as an annular shaped bundle defining a bore, wherein each of the plurality of hollow fibers includes a lumen; a first manifold attached to a first end of the plurality of hollow fibers and a second manifold attached to a second end of the plurality of hollow fibers; a fluid inlet port disposed on the first manifold and in fluid communication with a first interior volume thereof, and a fluid outlet port disposed on the second manifold and in fluid communication with a second interior volume thereof, wherein a fluid path is defined through the inlet port, the first interior volume, the lumens of the plurality of hollow fibers, the second interior volume, and the outlet port; and an impeller operable to drive fluid flow over exterior surfaces of the plurality of hollow fibers.

Impeller driven hollow fiber membrane separator

A method of forming a plurality of hollow fibers includes the step of providing an elongated flexible substantially continuous fiber and coating an outer surface of the fiber with a hollow fiber material. The hollow fiber material is cured or hardened. A gap is created between the outer surface of the support fiber and the inner surface of the coating layer defined thereon. The coated support fiber is cut into a plurality of fiber segments each having exposed ends. The support fiber segments are removed from the coating layer so as to provide a plurality of hollow fibers.

Method for forming hollow fiber bundles

The present invention provides inventive hollow fibers having defined gas permability characteristics. Hollow fibers of the present invention are characterized by a PMPgreater than 30,000 Barrer*MPa. Curable compositions and silicone elastomers produced by curing the curable compositions are provided by the present invention. Compositions and methods for making the hollow fibers and devices incorporating them are provided by the present invention.

Siloxane based hollow fibers

A method of forming hollow fiber bundles includes the step of providing a mat having a plurality of hollow fibers forming a weft and a plurality of soluble fibers forming a warp. Each hollow fiber extends between a first side and an opposed second side of the mat. The mat is bundled so as to form a bundle with the first side of the mat defining a first end of the bundle and the second side of the mat defining a second end of the bundle. At least a portion of the bundle is potted so as to substantially fix a position of the hollow fibers relative to each other. The soluble fibers are at least partially dissolved so as to remove the soluble fibers from the bundle.

Hollow fiber mat with soluble warps and method of making hollow fiber bundles

A thin walled microtube is formed by providing a continuous elongated member having an outer surface. The member is at least partially formed of a water soluble material. A coating material is provided. The coating material may be a silicone compound that is curable such that the coating material cures into a substantial non-porous silicone. The outer surface of the elongated member is coated with a coating material so as to form a substantially uniform and continuous layer of coating material on the outer surface. The layer of coating material is cured so as to form a substantial uniform and continuous layer of substantially non-porous silicone on the outer surface. The elongated member is at least partially dissolved using water and purged from the silicone layer, such that an elongated tube of substantially non-porous silicone is formed.

Method for forming hollow fibers

An apparatus for exchanging gases in a liquid is provided. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a housing, a first inlet, a gas exchange medium, a separator, a first outlet, and a second inlet and outlet. The apparatus may further comprise a circumferential collection gap that collects liquid from the gas exchange medium and directs it toward the first outlet. Also, the apparatus may further comprise a compliant chamber positioned near the first inlet. The compliant chamber reduces the overall impedance of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for use as an implantable, artificial lung. In this embodiment, the liquid comprises blood and the apparatus exchanges supplied oxygen for waste carbon dioxide.

Apparatus for exchanging gases in a liquid

A gas permeable membrane including a plurality of conduit members which are formed of a gas permeable material, The conduit members are unitarily formed with one another and oriented to intersect one another and define a multidimensional array. Defined within each conduit member is an interior passageway and these passageways intersect and are in communication with each other. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the membrane and devices incorporating the membrane.

Hollow, multi-dimensional array membrane

A blood reservoir which includes a primary reservoir that smoothly transitions into an outlet reservoir located beneath the primary reservoir. An inlet port permits the inflow of blood into the reservoir and an outlet port permits blood to flow out of the outlet reservoir. The primary reservoir defines an upper cavity that has first average cross sectional flow area. The outlet reservoir defines a lower cavity that has a second average cross sectional flow area which is preferably not more than one-half of the first average cross sectional flow area. The outlet reservoir therefore exhibits an increased sensitivity to blood level changes in the reservoir. The reservoir further includes features which inhibit the flow of blood from the outlet reservoir if the volume of blood in the outlet reservoir is reduced to a predetermined safety level.

Venous blood reservoir with increased level and volume sensitivity

An involuntary respiratory apparatus for perfusing and entraining a breathable liquid from the lungs of a patient. The system includes a number of components which are interconnected by a conduit so as to form a substantially closed loop, single path circuit. The various components include a reservoir, a pump, an oxygenator, a heat exchanger, an endotracheal tube, a Y-connector, a valve and a controller. To simulate inspiration, the controller closes the valve, which is located downstream of the Y-connector, thereby forcing the liquid into the lungs of the patient. After a tidal volume of liquid has been perfused into the patient's lungs, the controller opens the valve. The Y-connector is shaped such that the flow of liquid through its inspiratory limb will cause the liquid in the patient's lungs to be entrained into the flow out of the Y-connector. In this manner, the Y-connector operates as an ejector pump and allows the apparatus to continuously perfuse the liquid through the single path circuit.

Liquid ventilator with venturi-inducing patient connector

A peristaltic pump having a pump conduit with an occlusive inlet segment. The pump includes a frame with rollers carried by rotor and rotated by a motor. A flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end is positioned around the rollers and includes an occlusive segment and non-occlusive segment. In its free condition, the occlusive segment is collapsed and the passageway through it substantially completely occluded when the pressure within the occlusive segment is equal to or less than pressure acting on the outside of the occlusive segment. The non-occlusive segment is mildly biased to exhibit an inflated condition with an open passage when in its free condition with the pressure within the non-occlusive segment equal to pressure acting on the outside of the non-occlusive segment.

Peristaltic pump with occlusive inlet

A peristaltic pump having controlled suction. In one embodiment, the pump includes a tubing which is collapsed when the internal pressure of the tubing is equal to or less than ambient. In this state, the pump is unable to generate negative pressures. An air-tight housing may be provided over the tubing and connected to a vacuum source. Upon a vacuum being applied, the tubing is capable of controllably producing negative pressures, allowing the pump to be operated as a suction pump. In another embodiment the tubing exhibits a variable cross-sectional width.

Self regulating blood pump with controlled suction

A self-regulating peristaltic pump having a pumping chamber of enhanced operating life. The operating life of the tubing is improved by a combination of features including providing the tubing with a naturally collapsed passageway. The tubing is collapsed when the internal pressure of the tubing is equal to or less than ambient. In this state, the pump is unable to generate negative pressures. Upon fluid being supplied to the tubing at a pressure greater than ambient, the tubing inflates and cooperates with rollers of the pump to transmit the fluid. The pump also includes a novel means for adjusting and regulating the tension of the tubing further enhancing the operating life of the tubing.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Jean P Montoya