Abstract Mass transfer diffusion devices, such as artificial kidneys and membrane oxygenators, are provided having a membrane support which comprises a supporting layer made from photoinsolubilized plastic. The supporting layer defines a plurality of projections of uniform height to support the membrane and to define fluid flow channels of uniform depth between the projections. The membrane support is fabricated by overlaying a photoinsolubilizable plastic layer with a master transparency having transparent and opaque areas disposed in a predetermined arrangement, passing light or other radiation through the transparency to insolubilize appropriate portions of the plastic layer, and then washing away the remaining soluble portions of the plastic layer.
The method of claim 1 in which said projections are uniformly distributed upstanding protrusions having a height of 0.005 to 0.08 inch and covering from 5 to 30 per cent of the area of said membrane support, there being from 30 to 5,000 of said protrusions per square inch of said area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 in which said protrusions are in the shape of truncated cones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 in which said projections are 0.015 to 0.03 inch high, there being from 600 to 900 of said protrusions per square inch of said area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 in which said projections cover 5 to 20 per cent of the area of said membrane support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 5 in which said projections cover about 8 per cent of the area of said membrane support, said protrusions being about 0.02 inch high, there being about 700 to 800 of said projections per square inch of said area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 in which said diffusion membrane is a flattened tube, and said plastic layer and overlying diffusion membrane are moved into a spiral configuration about a core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 in which said plastic layer and overlying diffusion membrane are moved into a convoluted shape to define a plurality of fluid flow paths on each side of said diffusion membrane.