Array of hollow fibers and a system and method of manufacturing same
AssigneeVivonics, Inc.
InventorsAnna M Galea, Kristen LeRoy, Nicholas Vitale
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An array of hollow fibers including a plurality of hollow fibers of a predetermined diameter configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and transfer the oxygen to a fluid and/or transfer carbon dioxide in the fluid to a gas. The array is configured in a predetermined pattern having a predetermined packing density that is a fraction of a total cross-sectional area of the array occupied by the hollow fibers.
Claims19
A method for manufacturing an array of hollow fibers, the method comprising:
- a) providing an array manufacturing device including a base defining a bed and an adhesive applicator receivable in the base;
- b) providing a plurality of shims each configured to fit into the bed;
- c) providing a plurality of layers of hollow fibers;
- d) placing the plurality of shims into the bed;
- e) applying adhesive to the applicator;
- f) positioning the applicator to contact and distribute the adhesive to a top shim of the plurality of shims in the bed;
- g) placing a first layer of hollow fibers over the top shim with adhesive thereon;
- h) rolling the adhesive away from a center portion of the first layer of hollow fibers;
- i) removing one of the plurality of shims from the bed;
- j) placing a next layer of hollow fibers over the first layer of hollow fibers;
- k) applying adhesive to the adhesive applicator;
- l) positioning the applicator to contact and distribute the adhesive to the next layer of hollow fibers;
- m) rolling the adhesive away from a center portion of the next layer of hollow fibers;
- and
- n) repeating at least steps i) through m) until an array having a predetermined number of layers is formed.
A method for manufacturing an array of hollow fibers, the method comprising:
- a) providing an array manufacturing device including a base defining a bed with opposing sides and an adhesive applicator receivable in the base;
- b) providing a plurality of shims each sized to fit the opposing sides;
- c) providing a plurality of layers of hollow fibers;
- d) placing a pair of opposing shims adjacent to the opposing sides;
- e) placing a layer of hollow fibers between the opposing shims;
- f) applying adhesive to the opposing shims and the layer of hollow fibers;
- g) rolling the adhesive away from a center portion of the layer of hollow fibers;
- and
- h) repeating at least steps d) through g) until an array having a predetermined number of layers of hollow fibers is formed.
A method of manufacturing an array of fibers, the method comprising:
- a) providing a plurality of layers of hollow fibers;
- b) providing first and second end-headers each including a plurality of recesses on one side configured to fit a layer of said plurality of hollow fibers;
- c) providing a plurality of mid-headers each including a plurality of recesses on both sides configured to fit a layer of said plurality of hollow fibers;
- d) applying adhesive to one end-header and one mid-header;
- e) sandwiching one layer of said plurality of hollow fibers between the end-header and the mid-header;
- f) applying adhesive to another mid-header;
- g) sandwiching another layer of hollow fibers between two mid-headers;
- h) repeating steps f) and g) a predetermined number of times;
- i) applying adhesive to the second end-header;
- and
- j) sandwiching a final layer of hollow fibers between the end-header and a last mid-header.
A system for manufacturing an array of hollow fibers, the system comprising:
- an array manufacturing device including a base defining a bed and an adhesive applicator receivable in the base;
- a plurality of shims each configured to fit into the base;
- a plurality of layers of hollow fibers sized to fit into the base;
- and
- a roller.
A system for manufacturing an array of hollow fibers, the system comprising:
- an array manufacturing device including a base defining a bed with opposing sides an adhesive applicator receivable in the base;
- a plurality of layers of hollow fibers;
- a plurality of shims each sized to fit the opposing sides;
- and
- a roller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.