Hollow fiber dialyzer end seal system
AssigneeBaxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
InventorWilliam J. Schnell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hollow fiber diffusion device comprises a bundle of hollow fibers disposed in a generally rigid, tubular housing having relatively diametrically enlarged manifold members adjacent opposite housing ends. In accordance with this invention, a relatively resilient plastic sleeve member is carried at each end of the housing and sealed to it. Each sleeve member carries an added inner sleeve of less inner diameter than the inner sleeve, being coaxially positioned with the housing to receive, hold, and center the ends of the bundle. Preferably, the sleeve is made of a material which sealingly adheres to the potting compound to facilitate the sealing of the system.
Claims22
In a hollow fiber diffusion device which comprises a bundle of hollow fibers enclosed in a generally rigid tubular housing, said housing having relatively diametrically enlarged manifold members adjacent opposite housing ends, and being sealed at said opposite ends, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a relatively resilient plastic sleeve member carried at each end of said housing and sealed thereto, each sleeve member carrying an integral added inner sleeve of less inner diameter than the inner diameters of the manifold members, said inner sleeves being spaced radially inwardly of the remainder of said plastic sleeve member to define a space therebetween open at one end and coaxially positioned with said housing to receive, hold and center the ends of said bundle, said inner sleeve containing a mass of potting compound which is interspersed throughout the exterior surfaces of the fibers of said bundle, said inner sleeve being made of a material which sealingly adheres to said potting compound.
In a hollow fiber diffusion device which comprises a bundle of hollow fibers disposed in a generally rigid, tubular housing, said housing having relatively diametrically enlarged manifold members adjacent opposite housing ends, and being sealed at said opposite ends, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a relatively resilient plastic sleeve member carried at each end of said housing and sealed thereto, each sleeve member carrying an added integral inner sleeve of less inner diameter than the inner diameters of the manifold members, each inner sleeve being spaced radially inwardly of the remainder of said plastic sleeve member to define an open space therebetween and coaxially positioned with said housing to receive, hold, and center the ends of said bundle, in which the ends of the housing are each sealed by means of an attached end closure member, said closure member defining a central port, and an inwardly pointing, annular sealing ring positioned to sealingly press against the end of said inner sleeve.
The method of sealing the end of a hollow fiber diffusion device which comprises a bundle of hollow fibers disposed in a generally rigid, tubular housing which carries a plastic sleeve member at said end, which method comprises:
- inserting an end of said bundle of hollow fibers into an inner sleeve radially inwardly of and integral with the remainder of said plastic sleeve member to define an open space therebetween, said inner sleeve being coaxially positioned with the housing to hold and center the end of said bundle, said inner sleeve defining a closed outer end;
- applying potting compound to the end of said bundle to permeate and enclose the bundle end within said inner sleeve, while rotating said housing to impel said potting compound toward said end;
- allowing said potting compound to cure;
- slicing away the outer, closed end of said inner sleeve and the outermost portion of said bundle end adjacent said inner sleeve to expose the bores of the individual fibers of the bundle;
- and attaching to the end of said housing a closure member which defines a central port and an inwardly pointing, annular sealing ring, and positioning said sealing ring to sealingly press against the cut end of said inner sleeve to define a manifold chamber within said annular sealing ring for communication between the central port and the bores of the bundle fibers.
In a hollow fiber diffusion device which comprises a bundle of hollow fibers disposed in a generally rigid, tubular housing, said bundle and housing having relatively diametrically enlarged manifold members adjacent opposite housing ends, and being sealed at said opposite ends, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a relatively resilient plastic sleeve member carried at each end of said housing and sealed thereto;
- an inner sleeve carried at each end of said housing, said inner sleeve being spaced radially inwardly of said plastic sleeve member to define a space therebetween, said inner sleeve being coaxially positioned with said housing to receive, hold and center the ends of said bundle, said inner sleeve containing a separate mass of potting compound sealed thereto which is interspersed throughout the exterior surfaces of the fibers of said bundle, said inner sleeve being made of a material which sealingly adheres to said potting compound;
- and
- an attached end closure member sealing each end, said closure member defining a port, and an inwardly pointing, annular sealing ring positioned to sealingly press against the end of said inner sleeve.
In a hollow fiber diffusion device which comprises a bundle of hollow fibers enclosed in a generally rigid, tubular housing, said housing having relatively diametrically enlarged manifold members adjacent opposite housing ends, and being sealed at said opposite ends, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- a plastic sleeve member carried at each end of said housing and sealed thereto, an inner sleeve carried at each end of said housing of less inner diameter than the inner diameters of the manifold members, said inner sleeves being spaced radially inwardly of said plastic sleeve member to define a space therebetween and coaxially positioned with said housing to receive, hold and center the ends of said bundle, said inner sleeve containing a mass of potting compound which is interspersed throughout the exterior surfaces of the fibers of said bundle, said inner sleeve being made of a material which sealingly adheres to said potting compound, and said space between each plastic sleeve member and its related inner sleeve also containing potting compound adhering to both said inner sleeve and the plastic sleeve member, in which the ends of the housing are each sealed by means of an attached end closure member, said closure member defining a port, and an inwardly pointing, annular sealing ring positioned to sealingly press against the end of said inner sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.