Dialysis Device

Abstract

A dialysis device, and a method of dialyzing a sample, are provided. The dialysis device includes a body having a first and a second major side, a first and a second retaining ring disposed on the first and second major sides, and a first and second dialysis membrane disposed, and held between the first and second major sides and the first and second retaining rings. The dialysis device is configured to receive a sample to enable dialysis of the sample across the membranes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dialysis device comprising
 a body at least partially defining an inner volume and having an access opening in fluid communication with the inner volume, the body defining first and second peripheral edges on generally opposite sides thereof;   a first and a second retaining ring disposed about each of the first and second peripheral edges, respectively;   a first dialysis membrane positioned between the first peripheral edge and the first retaining ring; and   a second dialysis membrane positioned between the second peripheral edges and the second retaining ring, wherein the dialysis device is configured to receive a sample in the inner volume to enable dialysis of the sample across the first and second membranes, where the body and each retaining ring have a height dimension in a direction perpendicular to at least one of the membranes, and where a combined height dimension of both retaining rings is less than the height dimension of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The dialysis device of  claim 1  wherein the first peripheral edge defines a first major opening of the body and the second peripheral edge defines second major opening of the body, and wherein the first dialysis membrane entirely covers the first major opening and the second peripheral edge entirely covers the second major opening. 
     
     
         3 . The dialysis device of  claim 1  further comprising a first gasket positioned between the first retaining ring and the first peripheral edge, and a second gasket positioned between the second retaining ring and the second peripheral edge. 
     
     
         4 . The dialysis device of  claim 3  wherein the body is substantially rigid and has a width extending in a lateral direction thereof across a peripheral edge, and wherein each gasket has a width extending in the lateral direction that is at least about 25% of the width of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The dialysis device of  claim 3  wherein the first dialysis membrane is positioned between the first gasket and the first peripheral edge, and the second dialysis membrane is positioned between the second gasket and the second peripheral edge. 
     
     
         6 . The dialysis device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the body and one of the retaining rings has an inserting member configured to fit into a recess, or to overhang an outer edge, of the other of the body or the one of the retaining rings. 
     
     
         7 . The dialysis device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the retaining rings has an inserting member configured to fit into a corresponding recess, or to overhang an outer edge, of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The dialysis device of  claim 7  wherein the inserting member is spaced away from the outer edge of the associated retaining ring. 
     
     
         9 . The dialysis device of  claim 7  wherein the inserting member is positioned at the outer edge of the associated retaining ring. 
     
     
         10 . The dialysis device of  claim 7  wherein the body has a recess that closely receives the inserting member therein, and where the inserting member is welded to the recess. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The dialysis device of  claim 10  wherein the retaining ring is coupled to the body at a position spaced away from the inserting member. 
     
     
         13 . The dialysis device of  claim 10  wherein the recess is spaced away from the outer edge of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The dialysis device of  claim 10  wherein the recess is positioned at the outer edge of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The dialysis device of  claim 10  wherein a lateral surface of the recess is shaped to direct molten materials away from the outer edge of the body when the inserting member is welded to the recess. 
     
     
         16 . The dialysis device of  claim 7  wherein the inserting member extends around generally an entire peripheral edge of the associated retaining ring. 
     
     
         17 . The dialysis device of  claim 1  wherein the device is configured such that a sample positioned within the inner volume is fluidly isolated from any surrounding fluid except by dialysis through the membranes, and wherein each membrane is a semi-permeable dialysis membrane. 
     
     
         18 . The dialysis device of  claim 1  further comprising gripping nubs positioned adjacent to at least one membrane between one of said retaining rings and said body for securing the at least one membrane in place. 
     
     
         19 . A dialysis device comprising
 a body at least partially defining an inner volume, the body defining first and second openings on generally opposite sides thereof;   a first retaining ring extending about the first opening and coupled to the body;   a second retaining ring extending about the second opening and coupled to the body, where the first and second retaining rings are spaced apart and not directly coupled together;   a first dialysis membrane extending over the first opening and positioned between the body and the first retaining ring; and   a second dialysis membrane extending over the second opening and positioned between the body and the second retaining ring, wherein the dialysis device is configured to receive a sample therein to enable dialysis of the sample across the first and second membranes.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A dialysis device comprising
 a body at least partially defining an inner volume and having a peripheral edges on one side thereof;   a retaining ring extending about the peripheral edge; and   a dialysis membrane positioned between the peripheral edge and the retaining ring, where the body and the retaining ring each have a height dimension in a direction perpendicular to the membrane, where the height dimension of the retaining ring is less than the height dimension of the body and wherein the dialysis device is configured to receive a sample in the inner volume to enable dialysis of the sample across the membrane.   
     
     
         22 . The dialysis device of  claim 19  where each retaining ring is directly coupled to the body.