Hollow fiber artificial kidney

Claim 1

A hollow fiber artificial kidney comprising a plurality of hollow fibers (1) for passing therethrough blood to be dialysed, both end portions of the hollow fibers being bundled together to be potted in respective headers (2), a shell (3) with both end portions thereof diametrically enlarged-for accommodating within the inner space thereof the hollow fibers potted in the header and for fixedly connecting the headers in a fluid tight manner to the outward portion, away from the middle of the shell, of the diametrically enlarged portion to form a joint (20) between the outer surface of the header and the inner surface of the shell, dialysate inlet and outlet ports (3) being formed integrally with the shel and located inwardly toward the middle of the shell adjac to the joint, and cover members (23) coupled with the end portions of the shell and having blood inlet and outlet ports (7) formed centrally thereof and defining header chambers (24) between the blood inlet and outlet ports an the tips of the hollow fibers for divering the blood to b dialysed toward the hollow fibers and converging the bloc dialysed into the outlet port, characterised in that said cover members (23) are comprised of external depending walls (25) integrally formed at the peripheral edges the for being coupled with the end portions of said shell (3 and internal depending walls (26) parallel to and spaced apart from said external depending walls (25) extending toward the top edges of said headers (2) and being substantially in contact therewith thereby forming groov (27) between said external and internal walls , sealing; members (28, 30) are provided which are fitted within sa grooves (27), and the inner surfaces of said external w are coupled with the both end portions of said shell by means of welding, sais sealing members (28, 30) prevent the blood in said header chambers (24) from communicati with air through said welded portions between said exte walls and the end portions of said shell.