Vortex-enhanced filtration devices

Abstract

Preferred aspects of the present invention relate to a device for filtration comprising at least one rotor configured to create Taylor vortices on at least one side of a filtration membrane, thereby providing substantially enhanced mass or heat transfer across the membrane.

1 . A system for hemodialysis, comprising: 
 an extraction tube for drawing blood from a patient;    a return tube for returning blood to the patient;    a hemodialysis device for extracting waste by-products from blood, including: 
 a housing having a housing wall;  
 a first rotor having a first wall comprising a dialysis membrane and defining a first interior, wherein said first rotor is disposed within said housing and is adapted to rotate therein, such that a first gap exists between the dialysis membrane and the housing wall;  
 a first inlet port in the housing wall for conducing the blood into the first gap and a first outlet port in the housing wall for conducting dialyzed blood out of the first gap;  
 a second inlet port in the housing for conducting dialysis fluid into the first interior and a second outlet port in the housing for conducing dialysate out of the first interior; and  
 a first rotational drive means for rotating the first rotor within said housing at a speed sufficient to create Taylor vorticity in the first gap;  
   a separator for extracting plasma water; and    a junction at which the plasma water is integrated with the blood.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the junction connects to the extraction tube.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the junction connects to the return tube.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator comprises: 
 a separator housing having a separator housing wall;    a first separator rotor having a first separator wall comprising a separation membrane and defining a first separator interior, wherein said first separator rotor is disposed within said separator housing and is adapted to rotate therein, such that a first separator gap exists between the separation membrane and the separator housing wall;    a first separator inlet port in the separator housing wall for conducing a first fluid into the first separator gap and a first separator outlet port in the separator housing wall for conducting the first fluid out of the first separator gap;    a second separator outlet port in the separator housing for conducing the plasma water out of the first separator interior; and    a first separator rotational drive means for rotating the first separator rotor within said separator housing at a speed sufficient to create Taylor vorticity in the first separator gap.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first fluid is dialysate.