The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 02, 1976
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1974
Donald J Bentley, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Donald A Raible, Orange, CA (US);
Bentley Laboratories, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tubular membrane apparatus, which may be made as a disposable unit, and the method of operation of that apparatus to achieve a transfer or exchange function. More specifically, the present invention may be used to oxygenate blood, purify water, as a dialysis medium, and for other purposes. The apparatus comprises a series of tubular membranes which are deformed at spaced intervals along their lengths to induce turbulent flow and secondary flow patterns which displace the stationary boundary layer which would otherwise exist adjacent to the inner surface of the tubular membrane such that the resistance to diffusion or exchange is substantially reduced. Pulsatile flow of the fluid within the tubular membrane and/or the fluid surrounding the tubular membrane may be employed to enhance the effectiveness of the unit. In a preferred embodiment, a liquid is flowed through the tubular membranes and a gaseous medium is caused to flow around the outer surface of the tubular membrane.