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US 6,659,973 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for in-vivo plasmapheresis using periodic backflush
AssigneeTransvivo, Inc.
InventorsReynolds G. Gorsuch, Tommy Cooper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed.
Claims39
Apparatus for carrying out in-vivo plasmapheresis comprising:
- a filter assembly for being implanted in a blood vessel comprising a plurality of elongated hollow microporous membrane fibers for diffusing plasma therethrough and a header in fluid communication with the interior of said hollow fibers;
- a multiple lumen catheter in fluid communication with said header comprising a first lumen in fluid communication with the interior of said fibers for directing backflush fluid through said header into the interior of said hollow fibers, a second lumen in fluid communication with the interior of said fibers for directing plasma from said filter assembly, and a third lumen for returning plasma to the blood vessel;
- and
- a pump in fluid communication with said first lumen for periodically pumping backflush fluid into the interior of said fibers and through the membrane thereof.
1 more element
Apparatus for carrying out in-vivo plasmapheresis comprising:
- a filter for being planted in a patient's blood vessel comprising a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers having an interior lumen and a fiber wall having a pore size capable of allowing plasma to diffuse therethrough;
- a multiple lumen catheter in fluid communication with the interior fiber lumen including a first lumen for directing backflush fluid into said fiber lumen and a second lumen for directing plasma from said fiber lumen;
- and
- means for periodically pumping backflush fluid into said first fiber lumen at a pressure and duration sufficient to backflush and cleanse the pores of the fiber walls.
1 more element
A method of carrying out in-vivo plasmapheresis comprising:
- implanting a filter device within a blood vessel of a patient, said filter device comprising a plurality of elongated hollow microporous fibers;
- providing a multiple lumen catheter in fluid communication with the hollow interior of said fibers;
- and
- diffusing plasma and toxins from the patient's blood through the wall of said fibers into the hollow interior thereof, and therefrom through a second lumen of said catheter;
- periodically interrupting said diffusion of plasma and toxins and thereafter directing a fluid through a first lumen of said catheter into said fibers and backflushing said fibers with said fluid at a pressure and for an interval sufficient to substantially cleanse the pores of said filter, and after said interval, resuming said diffusion of plasma.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.