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:
May. 04, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 22, 1997
Hubert S Smith, III, Denver, CO (US);
Tom L Clark, Windsor, CO (US);
Laura L McBurney, Arvada, CO (US);
Cobe Laboratories, Inc., Lakewood, CO (US);
Abstract
The integrity of a microporous membrane within a mass transfer device such as an oxygenator is tested simultaneously with applying a biocompatible surfactant to at least the blood-contact surface of the membrane. The membrane integrity test contacts both sides of the microporous membrane with a conductive fluid to establish an electrical circuit. An electrical signal is then applied to the circuit and a measurement is taken of the test voltage across an impedance in the circuit. The value of the test voltage is used to determine the conductivity and thus the integrity of the membrane. The biocompatible surfactant is mixed with the conductive fluid used in the electrical integrity test and has an affinity for the microporous membrane material so that a durable biocompatible coating is applied to at least a portion of the microporous membrane. The biocompatible surfactant additionally reduces the drying time of the microporous membrane following the integrity test, and the surfactant may be applied to both sides of the membrane to further reduce the drying time.