Systems and methods of blood-based therapies having a microfluidic membraneless exchange device

A system for performing hemodialysis, comprising:

• a membraneless exchange device comprised of:
• first and second dialysate inlet channels;
• blood inlet and exit channels;
• first and second dialysate exit channels;
• and
• a microfluidic dialysis channel connected to the first and second dialysate inlet and outlet channels and the blood inlet and exit channels, wherein laminar flows of a first dialysate fluid, blood fluid, and a second dialysate fluid are established in order inside the dialysis channel, and wherein at least some of the components of the blood fluid exits the device through the first and second dialysate exit channels;
• a flush port, wherein the port intermittently forces sheathing fluid from its position into the sample fluid, so that the displaced sheathing fluid carries accumulated cells back into the sample fluid, and is replaced with fresh sterile fluid, and
• a secondary processor that receives the dialysate fluid and the at least some of the components of the blood fluid exiting the device through the first and second dialysate exit channels.

A method for performing hemodialysis, comprising:

• establishing laminar flows of a first dialysate fluid, blood fluid and a second dialysate fluid inside a microfluidic extraction channel;
• withdrawing the first dialysate fluid, the blood fluid and the second dialysate fluid from the extraction channel such that at least some of the components of the blood fluid are removed together with the first dialysate fluid and the second dialysate fluid and apart from the remainder of the blood fluid;
• and
• providing the first and second dialysate fluids and the at least some of the components of the blood fluid to a secondary processor.