Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Susan C Molthop

Milo Eldridge

Jerry D Fisher

George M Jakubowski

A method of blending two different sizes or two different types of hollow fiber membranes provides hemodialyzers with specifiable characteristics utilizing standardized housings. The system can blend two different fiber sizes of the same type to achieve a desired ultrafilteration rate in a standard housing. This system can also blend two different types of fibers to be used in a standardized housing to provide a desired ultrafiltration rate.

Method of making a family of blended fiber filtration devices

A method of preparing a dialyzer unit having a plurality of coextending hollow fibers includes washing interior fiber surfaces with an acetic acid both, flushing the interior surfaces with an aqueous glycerin solution, and removing the residual water while retaining a substantial quantity of absorbed glycerin in the fibers. The dialyzer can then be sealed and sterilized.

Washing of semipermeable membrane

The ends of bundles of microporous tubing may be potted in otherwise conventional manner for assembly as a diffusion device for oxygenation of blood, blood plasmapheresis, or the like. In accordance with this invention, prior to impregnating the bundle ends in sealant, the micropores of the capillary tubing are filled with a liquid capable of entering the micropores, with the result that air in the bores of the tubing cannot migrate outwardly through the micropores as the sealant impregnates the bundle ends. This, in turn, prevents the sealant from advancing into the bores of the tubing to the level occupied by the sealant outside of the bores of the tubing, so that the ends of the potted bundle may be transversely cut within the block of cured sealant to expose open bores of the tubing.

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Mundelein, IL, United States of America

Susan C Molthop