Research test dialyzer system

Claim 2

A test unit comprising in combination: a. a first membrane; b. a frame for said first membrane; c. said first membrane dividing said frame into a first compartment and a second compartment; d. a first means for introducing a first fluid into said first compartment; e. said first means comprising a first pumping means for exerting a first fluid pressure in said first compartment; f. a second means for allowing said first fluid to leave said first compartment; g. a third means for interchanging said first pumping means and said second means for exerting a second fluid pressure in said first compartment; h. A FOURTH MEANS FOR INTRODUCING A SECOND FLUID IN SAID SECOND COMPARTMENT: AND, i. a fifth means for allowing said second fluid to leave said second compartment.

Claim 3

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said fourth means comprising a second pumping means for exerting a third fluid pressure in said second compartment; and, b. a sixth means for interchanging said second pumping means and said fifth means for exerting a fourth fluid pressure in said second compartment.

Claim 4

A test unit according to claim 2 and comprising in combination: a. said first fluid pressure may be a positive fluid pressure; b. said second fluid pressure may be a negative fluid pressure. c. said third fluid pressure may be a positive fluid pressure; and, d. said fourth fluid pressure may be a negative fluid pressure.

Claim 5

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said first fluid pressure may be a positive fluid pressure; and, b. said second fluid pressure may be a negative fluid pressure.

Claim 6

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said first membrane may be a permeable membrane.

Claim 7

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said third means comprising switching means for rapidly interchanging said first pumping means and said third means.

Claim 8

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said third means comprising switching means for rapidly interchanging said first pumping means and said third means; and, b. said fourth means comprising a second pumping means for assisting the flow of said second fluid through said second compartment.

Claim 9

A test unit according to claim 7 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said first membrane defining said first compartment; c. said second plate on its interior suface in conjunction with said first membrane defining said second compartment; d. sixth means for spacing apart said first plate and said second plate a desired distance for achieving a desired fluid film thickness; and, e. said plate permitting various membranes and various thickness of membranes to be used under test conditions.

Claim 10

A test unit according to claim 7 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said first membrane defining said first compartment; c. said second plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said first membrane defining said second compartment; d. sixth means for spacing apart said first plate and said first membrane a desired distance for achieving a desired fluid film thickness; e. seventh means for spacing apart said second plate and said first membrane a desired distance for achieving a desired fluid film thickness; and, f. said plates permitting various membranes and various thickness of membranes to be used under test conditions.

Claim 11

A test unit according to claim 7 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate having a first port and a second port; c. said first and second ports being spaced apart; d. said first port connecting with the interior surface of said first plate; e. said second port connecting with the interior surface of said first plate; f. said first membrane extending across said first and second ports; g. said second plate having a third port and a fourth port; h. said third and fourth ports being spaced apart; i. said third port connecting with the interior surface of said second plate; j. said fourth port connecting with the interior surface of said second plate; k. said first membrane extending across said third and fourth ports; l. said fourth means introducing said second fluid between said membrane and said second plaTe; and, m. said fifth means allowing said second fluid to leave between said membrane and said second plate.

Claim 12

A test unit according to claim 10 and comprising in combination: a. said first means introducing said first fluid into said first port; and, b. said fourth means introducing said second fluid into said fourth port to have countercurrent flow.

Claim 13

A test unit according to claim 10 and comprising in combination: a. said first means introducing said first fluid into said first port; and, b. said fourth means introducing said second fluid into said third port to have parallel flow.

Claim 14

A test unit according to claim 12 and comprising in combination: a. said ninth means comprising a source of pressure to counter the pressure on the third fluid to adjust the level of the third fluid to said initial level.

Claim 15

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said first membrane defining said first compartment; c. said second plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said first membrane defining said second compartment; d. sixth means for spacing apart said first plate and said second plate a desired distance for achieving a desired fluid film thickness; and, e. said frame permitting various membranes and various thickness of membranes to be used under test conditions.

Claim 16

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said first pumping means comprising a first helix pump; b. a first direct current shunt motor with a sixth control means; c. said first direct current shunt motor connecting with said first helix pump and for driving said first helix pump so as to create a positive displacement of said first fluid at a first predetermined pressure and at a first predetermined flow rate; and, d. said pressure ranging from positive pressure to negative prssure.

Claim 17

A test unit according to claim 15 and comprising in combination: a. said sixth control means comprising a first torque controller; and, b. the combination of said first torque controller and said first direct current shunt motor and said first helix pump makes it possible to have said first helix pump pump fluid at a first constant predetermined flow rate and at a first constant predetermined pressure.

Claim 18

A test unit according to claim 15 and comprising in combination: said fourth means comprising a second helix pump for exerting a third fluid pressure in said second compartment; b. a second direct current shunt motor with a seventh control means; c. said second direct current shunt motor connecting with second second helix pump and for driving said second helix so as to create a positive displacement of said second fluid at a second predetermined pressure and at a second predetermined flow rate; and d. said second predetermined pressure ranging from positive pressure to negative pressure.

Claim 19

A test unit according to claim 17 and comprising in combination: a. said sixth control means comprising a first torque controller; b. the combination of said first torque controller and said first direct current shunt motor and said first helix pump makes it possible to have said first helix pump pump fluid at a first constant predetermined flow rate and at a first constant predetermined pressure; c. said seventh control means comprising a second torque controller; and, d. the combination of said second torque controller and said second direct current shunt motor and said second helix pump makes it possible to have said second helix pump pump fluid at a second constant predetermined flow rate and at a second constant predetermined pressure.

Claim 20

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. said first means including a flow through pressure galvanometer; b. said galvanometer having a housiNg of fixed volume; c. a flexible wall dividing said housing into a third compartment and a fourth compartment; d. a sixth means to introduce said first fluid into said third compartment; e. a seventh means to allow said first fluid to flow out of said third compartment; f. a stem connecting with said fourth compartment; g. a third fluid in said fourth compartment and said stem; h. an eighth means to sense the initial level of said third fluid in said stem at a set condition; and, i. with a variation of the level of said third fluid in said stem caused by a variation in the pressure in the third compartment a ninth means to adjust the level of said third fluid to said initial level and thereby determine the pressure of the first fluid in the third compartment.

Claim 21

A test unit according to claim 19 and comprising in combination: a. said eighth means comprising a translucent tube and a tenth indicator means to indicate the initial level of said third fluid.

Claim 22

A test unit according to claim 1 and comprising in combination: a. a second membrane; b. said first membrane and said second membrane defining said second compartment; c. said second membrane and said frame defining a third compartment; d. a sixth means for introducing said first fluid into said third compartment; and, e. a seventh means for allowing said first fluid to leave said third compartment.

Claim 23

A test unit according to claim 21 and comprising in combination: a. said first membrane being between said first compartment and said second compartment; and, b. said second membrane being between said third compartment and said second compartment.

Claim 24

A test unit according to claim 21 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said first membrane defining said first compartment; c. said first membrane and said second membrane defining said second compartment; d. said second plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said second membrane defining said third compartment; e. means for spacing apart said first plate and said first membrane a desired distance for approaching a desired fluid film thickness and for spacing apart said second membrane and said second plate a desired distance for approaching a desired fluid film thickness and for spacing apart said first membrane and said second membrane a desired distance for approaching a desired fluid film thickness; and, f. said plates permitting various membranes and various thickness of membranes to be used under test conditions.

Claim 25

A test unit according to claim 21 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate having a first port and a second port; c. said first and second ports being spaced apart and on the interior surface of said first plate; d. said first plate having a third port and a fourth port; e. said third and fourth ports being spaced apart; f. said third port connecting with the interior surface of said first plate; g. said fourth port connecting with the interior surface of said first plate; h. said first port connecting with said third port; i. said second port connecting with said fourth port; j. said first membrane extending across said first, second, third and fourth ports in the first plate; k. said second plate having a fifth port and a sixth port; l. said fifth and sixth ports being spaced apart and on the interior surface of the second plate; m. said second plate having a seventh port and an eighth port; n. said seventh and eighth port being spaced apart; o. said seventh port connecting with the interior surface of said second plate; p. said eighth port connecting with the interior surface of said second plate; q. said fifth port connecting with said seventh port; r. said sixth port connecting with said eighth port; s. said second membrane extending across said fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ports in the second plate; t. a ninth port in said second compartment; u. a tenth port in said second compartment; v. said fourth means introducing said second fluid in the second compartment between said first membrane and said second membrane; w. said fifth means allowing said second fluid to leave said second compartment between said first membrane and said second membrane; x. said sixth means introducing said first fluid into said third compartment between said second membrane and said second plate; y. said seventh means allowing said first fluid to leave said third compartment between said second membrane and said second plate; z. said first means introducing said first fluid into said first compartment between said first membrane and said first plate; aa. said second means allowing said first fluid to leave said first compartment between said first membrane and said first plate; and, bb. with said first port connecting with said third port, said second port connecting with said fourth port, said fifth port connecting with said seventh port and said sixth port connecting with said eighth port, there is allowed a gaseous fluid in said ports and in said compartments to be removed thereby enabling free flow of liquid fluid in said ports and compartments.

Claim 26

A unitary test unit according to claim 24 and comprising in combination:. a. said first membrane being spaced from said first plate for the positioning of a membrane support material in said first compartment.

Claim 27

A unitary test unit according to claim 24 and comprising in combination: a. said first membrane being spaced from said first plate for the positioning of a membrane support material in said first compartment; and, b. said second membrane being spaced from said second plate for the positioning of a membrane support material in said second compartment.

Claim 28

A test unit according to claim 24 and comprising in combination: a. said first means introducing said first fluid into said first compartment at said third port; b. said sixth means introducing said first fluid into said second compartment at said seventh port; and, c. said fourth means introducing said second fluid into said second compartment at said ninth port to have parallel flow.

Claim 29

A test unit according to claim 24 and comprising in combination: a. said first means introudcing said first fluid into said first compartment at said third port; b. said sixth means introducing said first fluid into said second compartment at said seventh port; and, c. said fourth means introducing said second fluid into said second compartment at said tenth port to have countercurrent flow.

Claim 30

A test unit according to claim 24 and comprising in combination: a. said ninth port comprising a first tube; b. said first tube having an eighth locking means; c. said first plate being recessed to receive said first tube and said eighth locking means; d. said tenth port comprising a second tube; e. said second tube having a ninth locking means; and, f. said first plate being recessed to receive said second tube and said ninth locking means.

Claim 31

A test unit according to claim 29 and comprising in combination: a. said first tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane; and, b. said second tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane.

Claim 32

A test unit according to claim 24 and comprising in combination: a. said ninth port comprising a first tube; b. said first tube having an eighth locking means; c. said first plate being recessed to receive said first tube and said eighth locking means; d. said tenth port comprising a second tube; e. said second tube having a ninth locking means; and, f. said secoNd plate being recessed to receive said second tube and said ninth locking means.

Claim 33

A test unit according to claim 31 and comprising in combination: a. said first tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane; and, b. said second tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane.

Claim 34

A test unit according to claim 24 and comprising in combination: a. said ninth port comprising a first tube; b. said first tube having a shoulder; c. said first plate and said second plate each being recessed and aligned to receive said first tube having said shoulder; d. said tenth port comprising a second tube; e. said second tube having a shoulder; and, f. said first plate and said second plate each being recessed and alinged to receive said second tube having said shoulder.

Claim 35

A test unit according to claim 33 and comprising in combination: a. said recesses in said first plate and said second plate in conjuction with said shoulders aligning said first plate and said second plate.

Claim 36

A test unit according to claim 33 and comprising in combination: a. said first tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane; and, b. said second tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane.

Claim 37

A test unit according to claim 21 and comprising in combination: a. said first pumping means comprising a helix pump; b. a first direct current shunt motor with an eighth control means; c. said first direct current shunt motor connecting with said first helix pump and for driving said first helix pump so as to create a positive displacement of said first fluid at a first predetermined pressure and at a first predetermined flow rate; and, d. said pressure ranging from positive pressure to negative pressure.

Claim 38

A test unit according to claim 36 and comprising in combination: a. said eighth control means comprising a first torque controller; and, b. the combination of said first torque controller and said first direct current shunt motor and said first helix pump makes it possible to have said first helix pump pump fluid at a first constant predetermined flow rate and at a first constant predetermined pressure.

Claim 39

A test unit according to claim 21 and comprising in combination: a. said first means including a guage isolator; b. said gauge isolator having a housing of fixed volume; c. a flexible, yieldable, deformable diaphragm in said housing and dividing said housing into a fourth compartment and a fifth compartment; d. said fourth compartment being in contact with and for receiving said first fluid; and, e. a pressure indicating means connecting with said fifth compartment.

Claim 40

A test unit acccording to claim 38 and comprising in combination: a. said housing being a hypodermic syring; and, b. said flexible, yieldable, deformable diaphragm being a balloon.

Claim 41

A test unit according to claim 21 and comprising in combination: a. said fourth means including a flowmeter; b. said flowmeter comprising a tube; c. an eighth means for introducing a trace component into said tube; and, d. a ninth means for meausring the rate of flow of said trace component in said tube.

Claim 42

A test unit according to claim 40 and comprising in combination: a. said tube being translucent; b. said trace component being a gaseous bubble; c. said ninth means comprising indicia on said tube; and, d. the cross-sectional area of said tube being known.

Claim 43

A test unit according to claim 21 and comprising in combination: a. said fourth means including a flow through pressure meter; b. said meter having a housing of fixed volume; c. a flexible diaphragm dividing said housing into a fourth compartment and a fifth compartment; d. a means to introduce said second fluid into said fourth compartment; e. a mEans to allow said second fluid to flow out of said fourth compartment; f. an electrical transducer connecting with said fifth compartment; g. a third fluid in said fifth compartment and connecting with said electrical transducer for varying the electrical characteristics of said electrical transducer with a change in the pressure of said second fluid in said fourth compartment; and, h. an indicating means for indicating the change in said electrical characteristics in said transducer.

Claim 44

A test unit according to claim 42 and comprising in combination: a. said electrical transducer comprising a variable resistor; and b. said third fluid being a conductor of electricity.

Claim 45

A test unit according to claim 43 and comprising in combination: a. said variable resistor comprising a tube; b. said tube having a resistance; and, c. the variation of said third fluid in said tube varying the resistance of said resistance.

Claim 46

A test unit and comprising in combination: a. a first membrane; b. a frame for said first membrane; c. a second membrane in said frame; d. said first membrane and said frame defining a first compartment; e. said first membrane and said second membrane defining a second compartment; f. said second membrane and said frame defining a third compartment; g. a first means for introducing a first fluid into said first compartment; h. a second means for allowing said first fluid to leave said first compartment; i. a third means for introducing a second fluid in said second compartment; i. a fourth means for allowing said second fluid to leave said second compartment; k. a fifth means for introducing a third fluid into said third compartment; l. a sixth means for allowing said third fluid to leave said third compartment; m. said first means comprising a first pumping means for exerting a positive fluid pressure in said first compartment; n. a seventh means for interchanging said first pumping means and said second means for exerting a negative fluid pressure in said first compartment; o. said fifth means comprising a second pumping means for exerting a positive fluid pressure in said third compartment; and, p. an eighth means for interchanging said second pumping means and said sixth means for exerting a negative fluid pressure in said third compartment.

Claim 47

A test unit and comprising in combination: a. a first membrane; b. a frame for said first membrane; c. a second membrane in said frame; d. said first membrane and said frame defining a first compartment; e. said first membrane and said second membrane defining a second compartment; f. said second membrane and said frame defining a third compartment; g. a first means for introducing a first fluid into said first compartment; h. a second means for allowing said first fluid to leave said first compartment; i. a third means for introducing a second fluid in said second compartment; i. a fourth means for allowing said second fluid to leave said second compartment; k. a fifth means for introducing a third fluid into said third compartment; l. a sixth means for allowing said third fluid to leave said third compartment; m. said first means comprising a first pumping means for exerting a positive fluid pressure in said first compartment; n. a seventh means for interchanging said first pumping means and said second means for exerting a negative fluid pressure in said first compartment; o. said fifth means comprising a second pumping means for exerting a positive fluid pressure in said third compartment; and, p. an eighth means for interchanging said second pumping means and said sixth means for exerting a negative fluid pressure in said third compartment.

Claim 48

A test unit and comprising in combination: a. a first membrane; b. a frame for said first membrane; c. a second membrane in said frame; d. said first membrane and said frame defining a first compartment; e. said first membrane and said second membrane defining a second compartment; f. said second membrane and said frame defining a third compartment; g. a first means for introducing a first fluid into said first compartment; h. a second means for allowing said first fluid to leave said first compartment; i. a third means for introducing a second fluid in said second compartment; i. a fourth means for allowing said second fluid to leave said second compartment; k. a fifth means for introducing a third fluid into said third compartment; l. a sixth means for allowing said third fluid to leave said third compartment; m. said first means comprising a first pumping means for exerting a positive fluid pressure in said first compartment; n. seventh means comprising switching means for rapidly interchanging said first pump means and said second means; o. said fifth means comprising a third pumping means for assisting the flow of said third fluid through said third compartment; and, p. eighth means comprising switching means for rapidly interchanging said third pumping means and said sixth means.

Claim 49

A test unit and comprising in combination: a. a first membrane; b. a frame for said first membrane; c. a second membrane in said frame; d. said first membrane and said frame defining a first compartment; e. said first membrane and said second membrane defining a second compartment; f. said second membrane and said frame defining a third compartment; g. a first means for introducing a first fluid into said first compartment; h. a second means for allowing said first fluid to leave said first compartment; i. a third means for introducing a second fluid in said second compartment; i. a fourth means for allowing said second fluid to leave said second compartment; k. a fifth means for introducing a third fluid into said third compartment; l. a sixth means for allowing said third fluid to leave said third compartment; m. said first means comprising a first pumping means for exerting a positive fluid pressure in said first compartment; n. seventh means comprising switching means for rapidly interchanging said first pump means and said second means; o. said fifth means comprising a third pumping means for assisting the flow of said third fluid through said third compartment; and, p. eighth means comprising switching means for rapidly interchanging said third pumping means and said sixth means.

Claim 50

A test unit according to claim 46 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said firsT membrane defining said first compartment; c. said first membrane and said second membrane defining said second compartment; d. said second plate on its interior surface in conjunction with said second membrane defining said third compartment; e. ninth means for spacing apart said first plate and said first membrane a desired distance for approaching a desired fluid film thickness; f. tenth means for spacing apart said second membrane and said second plate a desired distance for approaching a desired fluid film thickness; g. tenth means for spacing apart said first membrane and said second membrane a desired distance for approaching a desired fluid film thickness; and, h. said plates permitting various membranes and various thickness of membranes to be used under test conditions.

Claim 51

A test unit according to claim 46 and comprising in combination: a. said frame comprising a first plate and a second plate; b. said first plate having a first port and a second port; c. said first and second ports being spaced apart and on the interior surface of said first plate; d. said first plate having a third port and a fourth port; e. said third and fourth ports being spaced apart and connecting with the interior surface of said first plate; f. said first port connecting with said third port; g. said second port connecting with said fourth port; h. said first membrane extending across said first, second, third and fourth ports in the first plate; i. said second plate having a fifth port and a sixth port; j. said fifth and sixth ports being spaced apart and on the interior surface of the second plate; k. said second plate having a seventh port and an eighth port; l. said seventh and eighth ports being spaced apart and connecting with the interior surface of said second plate; m. said fifth port connecting with said seventh port; n. said sixth port connecting with said eighth port; o. said second membrane extending across said fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ports in the second plate; p. a ninth port in said second compartment; q. a tenth port in said second compartment; r. said first means introducing said first fluid in the first compartment between said first plate and said first membrane; s. said second means allowing said fluid to leave said first compartment between said first plate and said first membrane; t. said third means introducing said second fluid in the second compartment between said first membrane and said second membrane; u. said fourth means allowing said fluid to leave said second compartment between said first membrane and said second membrane; v. said fifth means introducing said third fluid into said third compartment between said second membrane and said second plate; w. said sixth means allowing said third fluid to leave said third compartment between said second membrane and said second plate; and, x. with said first port connecting with said third port, said second port connecting with said fourth port, said fifth port connecting with said seventh port and said sixth port connecting with said eighth port there is allowed a gaseous fluid in said ports and in said compartments to be removed thereby enabling free flow of liquid fluid in said ports and compartments.

Claim 52

A test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said first membrane being spaced from said first plate for the positioning of a membrane support material in said first compartment.

Claim 53

A test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said first membrane being spaced from said first plate for the positioning of a membrane support material in said first compartment; and, b. said second membrane being spaced from said second plate for the positioning of a membrane support material in said second compartment.

Claim 54

A test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said fIrst means introducing said first fluid into said first compartment at said third port; b. said fifth means introducing said third fluid into said third compartment at said seventh port; and, c. said third means introducing said second fluid into said second compartment at said ninth port to have parallel flow.

Claim 55

A test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said first means introducing said first fluid into said first compartment at said third port; b. said fifth means introducing said third fluid into said third compartment at said seventh port; and, c. said third means introducing said second fluid into said second compartment at said tenth port to have countercurrent flow.

Claim 56

A test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said first means introducing said first fluid into said first compartment at said third port; b. said third means introducing said second fluid into said second compartment at said ninth port to have parallel flow between said first fluid and said second fluid; and, c. said fifth means introducing said third fluid into said third compartment at said tenth port to have countercurrent flow between said second fluid and said third fluid.

Claim 57

A test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said ninth port comprising a first tube; b. said first tube having a ninth locking means; c. said first plate being recessed to receive said first tube and said ninth locking means; d. said tenth port comprising a second tube; e. said second tube having tenth locking means; and, f. said first plate being recessed to receive said second tube and said tenth locking means.

Claim 58

A test unit according to claim 54 and comprising in combination: a. said first tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane; and, b. said second tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane.

Claim 59

A test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said ninth port comprising a first tube; b. said first tube having a ninth locking means; c. said first plate being recessed to receive said first tube and said ninth locking means; d. said tenth port comprising a second tube; e. said second tube having a tenth locking means; and, f. said second plate being recessed to receive said second tube and said tenth locking means.

Claim 60

A test unit according to claim 56 and comprising in combination: a. said first tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane; and, b. said second tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane.

Claim 61

A unitary test unit according to claim 48 and comprising in combination: a. said ninth port comprising a first tube; b. said first tube having a shoulder; c. said first plate and said second plate each being recessed and aligned to receive said first tube having said shoulder; d. said tenth port comprising a second tube; e. said second tube having s shoulder; and, f. said first plate and said second plate each being recessed and aligned to receive said second tube having said shoulder.

Claim 62

A test unit according to claim 58 and comprising in combination: a. said recesses in said first plate and said second plate in conjunction with said shoulder aligning said first plate and said second plate.

Claim 63

A test unit according to claim 58 and comprising in combination: a. said first tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane; and, b. said second tube having a seal so as to be between said first membrane and said second membrane.