Support structure for membrane diffusion devices

Claim 2

In combination with an artificial kidney apparatus, a foraminous screen member supporting an extended length of dialyzing tubing in the form of a plastic sheath-like film, said foraminous screen member comprising a first plurality of parallel strand elements, a second plurality of parallel strand elements overlying and supported by said first strand elements and vice versa, each of said pluralities crossing one another thereby to define an angle, each strand element of said pluralities providing a ridGe the apex of which is directed outwardly in a direction substantially normal to the plane of contact of said first and second pluralities of strand elements, and each said element being spaced apart from an adjacent element of the same plurality through a distance of from about 0.030 inches to about 0.090 inches, the ridge apices of said first plurality of strands cooperating to support through substantially line contact said dialyzing tubing and to impress into one side thereof a first plurality of fluid channels which depend into the spaces between and otherwise out of substantial contact with said strand elements.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 comprising an inner core, said dialyzing tubing and foraminous screen member being wound about said core in a manner such that the other side of said dialyzing tubing is supported by said second plurality of strands providing similarly a second plurality of fluid channels at an angle to and in fluid communication with said first plurality of channels.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein each strand element is substantially triangular in cross-section.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 2 wherein said strand elements are continuous.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 2 wherein said foraminous screen member is made of plastic.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 2 comprising connector means for fluid connection of said sheath-like tube in an extracorporeal fluid system, one of said connector means being removably mounted by said inner core.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 2 wherein said angle is less than substantially 90*.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 7 wherein said angle is approximately 60*.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 1 wherein said spacing is approximately 0.075 inches.

Claim 11

In combination with an artificial kidney apparatus, a foraminous screen member supporting an extended length of dialyzing tubing in the form of a plastic sheath-like film, said foraminous screen member comprising a first plurality of parallel strand elements, a second plurality of parallel strand elements overlying and supported by said first strand elements and vice versa, each of said pluralities crossing one another thereby to define an angle, each strand element of said pluralities providing a ridge, the apex of which is directed outwardly in a direction substantially normal to the plane of contact of said pluralities of strand elements, and each said strand element of said pluralities being spaced from an adjacent strand element of the same plurality by a distance of from about 1.2 to about 3.6 times the height of said apex from said plane thereby forming an open space therebetween, the ridges of said first plurality of strand elements providing substantially line contact support for said dialyzing tubing and impressing into one side thereof a first plurality of fluid channels which depend into said spaces and otherwise out of substantial contact with said strand elements.

Claim 12

In combination with an artificial kidney apparatus, a foraminous screen member supporting an extended length of dialyzing tubing in the form of a plastic sheath-like film, said foraminous screen member comprising a first plurality of parallel strand elements, a second plurality of parallel strand elements overlying and supported by said first strand elements and vice versa, each of said pluralities crossing one another thereby to define an angle, each strand element of said pluralities providing a ridge, the apex of which is directed outwardly in a direction substantially normal to the plane of contact of said pluralities of strand elements, and each said strand element of said pluralities being spaced from an adjacent strand element of the same plurality by a distance of from about 1.2 to about 3.6 times the height of said apex from said plane thereby forming an open space therebetween, the ridges of said first plurality of strand elements providing substantially line contact support for said dialyzing tubing and impressing into one side thereof a first plurality of fluid channels which depend into said spaces and otherwise out of substantial contact with said strand elements.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 10 comprising an inner core, said dialyzing tubing and foraminous screen member being wound about said core in a manner such that the other side of said dialyzing tubing is supported by said second plurality of strands providing similarly a second plurality of fluid channels at an angle to and in fluid communication with said first plurality of channels.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 11 wherein each strand element is substantially triangular in cross-section.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 11 wherein said strand elements are continuous.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 11 wherein said foraminous screen member is made of plastic.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 11 comprising connector means for fluid connection of said sheath-like tube in an extracorporeal fluid system, one of said connector means being removably mounted by said inner core.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 11 wherein said spacing between said strands is within the range of from approximately 0.030 inches to approximately 0.090 inches.

Claim 19

The combination of claim 16 wherein said spacing is approximately 0.075 inches.

Claim 20

The combination of claim 11 wherein said angle is less than 90*.

Claim 21

The combination of claim 18 wherein said angle is approximately 60*.