Baxter International Inc.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES USING UREA PERMSELECTIVE DIFFUSION THROUGH CHARGED MEMBRANES

Abstract:

A urea separation apparatus is described herein. In an embodiment, the urea separation apparatus includes a blood compartment that is a part of an extracorporeal circuit fluidly connected to a patient and configured to receive blood of the patient. The apparatus also includes a waste membrane enclosing the blood compartment that is configured to filter waste from the blood. The apparatus further includes a dialysis fluid compartment located on an opposite side of the waste membrane from the blood compartment. The dialysis fluid compartment includes dialysis fluid that absorbs the waste from the waste membrane. The apparatus moreover includes a charged membrane enclosing the dialysis fluid compartment. The charged membrane is configured to filter at least a portion of the waste from the dialysis fluid. Additionally, the apparatus includes a urea compartment that circulates secondary fluid for absorbing the portion of the waste from the charged membrane.