Fresenius Ag

Fresenius Hemocare Gmbh

Hoffmann-la Roche Inc.

501 Fresenius Ag

Wolfram Weber

Bernd Mathieu

Hans-Jurgen Neumann

Artur Meisberger

Friedrich Witthaus

Wolfgang Biesel

Klaus Heilmann

Carlo Lay

Michael Rink

Arthur Meisberger

Wolfgang Schulz

Veit Otto

Lothar Leick

Houshang Lolachi

Franz-Josef Gerner

Eckehard Walitza

Henning Brass

Stefan Kreber

Thomas Scherer

Ulrich Behrendt

Berthold Szperalski

Michael Rinck

Hubert Biegel

Jurgen Schnur

Reinhard Gergen

Dieter Selzer

Gerhard Herres

Wolfgang Schiebler

Iris Muller-Stein

Hans J Neumann

Bernhard Glaser

Friederich Witthaus

Bernd Mathiew

The present invention relates to hollow fiber membrane modules for use as 'immersion modules' in filtration and/or dialysis methods, in particular whenever impairments due to fouling effects are expected from the use of liquids that are contaminated or lead to deposits. The hollow fiber membrane module comprises at least one housing and a plurality of tubular hollow fiber membranes which are arranged parallel to one another in and/or around the housing in a packing space, wherein the volumetric ratio of all the hollow fiber membranes arranged in the packing space to the packing space is less than 20%. Methods for producing such hollow fiber membrane modules are also provided.

Hollow fiber membrane module

A multi-lumen tube arrangement for use in a centrifuge free of a sliding seal, the tube arrangement having at least two individual tubes which are rotated around one another around their longitudinal and/or their parallel axes. The rotation of the tubes takes place in this connection in opposite directions starting from a support position disposed approximately centrally in order to compensate the torques applied to the tube arrangement. A method for manufacturing such a tube arrangement is also decribed.

Tube arrangement and a method for its manufacture

A centrifuge having a rotating frame, which is rotatably mounted on a stationary frame, and a separation unit mounted on the rotating frame, rotating about a central axis of rotation in the same direction of rotation as the rotating frame but at twice the rotational speed. A line for supplying and/or removing a fluid is connected to the separation unit and is guided in a loop about the separation unit to a stationary tie-in point. To support the line, at least one guide element having a bearing surface for the line is provided. The bearing surface of the guide element is formed by a rotating planar curve, where the radius of the respective circle of curvature contacts the curve at a point and increases with increasing distance between the contact point and the central axis of rotation. With this contour, abrasion over the entire contact surface is largely uniform, which thereby lengthens the lifetime.

Centrifuge with a fluid line guide element having a curved bearing surface

A centrifuge, especially a flow-through centrifuge free of rotating seals, for centrifuging biological fluids has a stand on which a frame (,) is rotatably mounted. A centrifuge chamber (,) is rotatably mounted on the rotating frame (,) to rotate about the axis of the latter. The centrifuge chamber (,) is driven in the same direction of rotation as the frame (,) but at twice the rotational speed. Coupling elements which are engaged by magnetic forces and are designed in the manner of a clutch disk or a gearwheel are used to transmit the torque to the centrifuge chamber or the rotating frame. Force is transmitted in a non-contact and wear-free manner. No lubrication is necessary, which also reduces the buildup of dust and dirt. In addition, there is little generation of noise.

Flow-through centrifuge for centrifuging biological fluids

A method for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension, more particularly whole blood, in order to obtain an erythrocyte concentrate which is returned to the patient by autotransfusion. In accordance with the invention there are three treatment stages, that is to say sedimentation of the cell suspension, the addition of washing solution to the cell concentrate and renewed sedimentation and separation of the washing solution.

Method for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension

A latching apparatus is provided for a bearing assembly in which at least three bearing rollers, each of which is supported in a rotating fashion on a bearing journal, are arranged rotationally symmetrical and lying in one plane and guide and support a bearing race between them. The bearing journals are arranged on a carrier device that is in turn supported in a rotating fashion on a central axle aligned with the axis of rotation of the bearing race, so that the bearing race and the carrier device can rotate at different RPMs. Such a bearing assembly on a rotating carrier is especially well-suited for a centrifuge, in which a separation chamber with a centrally secured line is to be driven in such a way that the tube does not become twisted. The latching apparatus has bearing journals (22) arranged eccentrically on pins (74) rotatably supported in the carrier device (36) and a gear system component (84, 86) that rotates or revolves at the same angular velocity as the carrier device (36) and engages the pins (74) in such a way that when the gear system component is turned, the pins engaged with the gear system component are turned at the same time relative to the carrier device. The gear system component (84) is coupled by means of at least one coupling link (94; 122, 124, 142) with a shaft (40; 140) supported within a housing. Means are provided for imparting to the gear system component (84, 86) a relative movement with respect to the carrier device.

Latching apparatus for a bearing assembly particularly for a centrifuge

A method and apparatus for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension, more particularly whole blood, in order to obtain an erythrocyte concentrate which is returned to the patient by autotransfusion. In accordance with the invention there are three treatment stages, that is to say sedimentation of the cell suspension, the addition of washing solution to the cell concentrate and renewed sedimentation and separation of the washing solution.

Method and apparatus for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension

The invention relates to a centrifuge comprising a separation chamber, with which a duct is permanently connected, a main rotor, on which the separation chamber is able to be bearinged in a relatively rotatable manner with respect to it, by means of a bearing arrangement, and a guide means on the main rotor for guiding the duct from the middle lower part of the separation chamber into a part at a higher level than the centrifuge. In order to be able to introduce the separation chamber into the main rotor in a simple and controlled manner the bearing arrangement has, within the main rotor, a part which is open or is able to be opened in a radial direction for the introduction of the duct into the main rotor.

Centrifuge

A device is disclosed for draining flexible fluid containers, in particular blood bags which form part of an extracorporeal system in a single needle-type arrangement, having a movable plate (4b) and a fixed plate (4a) in which both plates are configured to confront a flexible fluid container. A force member (14), and a force transfer means (8, 18), are arranged in such a way that the force acting upon the movable plate (4b) increases as the container is drained.

Device for draining a flexible fluid container

This invention relates to a method for sterilizing a medical unit having at least two connections for a fluid flow pathway where a sterilizing medium flows through the medical unit. Medical units of this type are e.g. medical filters, in particular dialyzers. A high degree of sterility is here required. This is accomplished through the steps of:

Method for sterilizing a medical unit

An improved apparatus (10) is made available for separating at least two biological substances in solution by adsorption and comprises in the upper interior section (28) of its housing (10) a means effecting a partial constriction of the cross-section of said interior section (28), said section thereby being divided into an upper and lower subspace (34; 36), and which is further distinguished in that the upper subspace (34) and the lower subspace (36) are in flow connection with each other both as regards the solution to be separated and the adsorption agent particles, the feed tube (40) for the solution to be separated being arranged in such a manner that the discharge of the solution to be separated takes place in the lower subspace (36), and the apparatus is a self-contained in unit in sterile form.

Apparatus for separating at least two biological substances in solution

This invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out a method for sterilizing a medical unit comprising at least two connections for a fluid flow pathway where a sterilizing medium flows through the unit. Medical units of this type are e.g. medical filters, in particular dialyzers. A high degree of sterility is here required. This is accomplished through the steps of:

Apparatus for sterilizing a medical unit

The invention relates to a closure cap (1) for dialyzers which is suitable for a so-called in-line sterilization. For this purpose the closure cap (1) comprises two cap parts (2, 3) of which the first cap part (2) is adapted to be mounted on a dialyzer flange (4) while the second cap part (3) is arranged movably in a receiving compartment (5) of the first cap part (2) between an open position and a closure position. In an open position passage of a sterilization medium is possible so that all the parts, sealing and guide surfaces can be reliably sterilized. In the closure position the second cap part (3) is pushed into a sealing position within the first cap part (2) so that contamination of the dialyzer after removal from the sterilization apparatus can be prevented with certainty.

Closure cap for dialyzers

Multi-lumen tube arrangement for use in a sliding-seal-free centrifuge comprising a plurality of equilength individual tubes (12, 14, 36, 38, 40, 42) which after a twisting about the longitudinal axis of the tube arrangement (10) are each held fixed free of tension at their ends (16-18).

Multi-lumen tube arrangement

The invention relates to a centrifuge arrangement having a centrifuge rotor comprising a drive disc (18) connected to a drive source. Furthermore, the centrifuge rotor comprises at least one separation container (1, 32) which comprises a separation passage (6) and a separation chamber (9) whose outlet and inlet passages lead to the center of the drive disc (18). Advantageously, the separation container (1, 32) is made as self-supporting part of rigid or semi-rigid but flexible material and this makes it possible to insert said container easily into the drive disc (18) and in addition provides advantages in the production of the centrifuge arrangement according to the invention.

Growing community of inventors

Spiesen-Elversberg, Germany

Wolfram Weber