Device and method for water filtration using recycled medical filters

Abstract

A water filtration system uses previously used medical filters, such as dialysis filters, for water purification. After medical use the filters are cleaned and sterilized and mounted singly or in groups so as to receive input water under pressure. The system produces sterile filtered water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for water purification comprising:
 a) at least one medical hemodialysis filter having a plurality of capillary membranes each having an inside of the capillary and an outside of the capillary, and two flow paths separated by said capillary membranes, a first flow path on the inside of said capillary membranes and a second flow path on the outside of said capillary membranes;   b) a connection for a source of polluted water under pressure, operationally coupled to said first flow path inside of said capillary membrane;   c) a connection for a collection vessel operationally coupled to said second flow path outside of said capillary membrane, said collection vessel configured for collecting clean water.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said medical hemodialysis filters connected in parallel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said connection for a source of polluted water is operationally coupled to two openings in said medical hemodialysis filter—to a blood-in opening and to a blood-out opening. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising said source of polluted water and wherein said source of polluted water under pressure is operationally coupled to two openings in said medical hemodialysis filter—to a blood-in opening and to a blood-out opening. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising a mechanical apparatus for providing water pressure to input water delivered to the medical hemodialysis filter. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , and further comprising a device for raising said source of polluted water to a height so as to deliver input water under pressure to said first flow path of said medical hemodialysis filter. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising a mechanical apparatus for raising the collection vessel of water filtered by said apparatus to a height so as to deliver filtered water under pressure to said second flow path of said medical hemodialysis filter, thereby enabling said medical hemodialysis filter to be flushed. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises valves for reversing flow to backwash said at least one medical hemodialysis filter by providing clean water to said second flow path. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said source and said collection vessel are operationally coupled such that substantially all of said polluted water is collected as said clean water. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 d) at least one more medical hemodialysis filter, and wherein said at least one more medical hemodialysis filter is connected in parallel with said at least one medical hemodialysis filter, and wherein a first portion of said clean water passes through said at least one medical hemodialysis filter and a second portion of said clean water passes through said at least one more medical hemodialysis filter.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 e) at least one valve operable to isolate said at least one more medical hemodialysis filter from said at least one medical hemodialysis filter while said at least one medical hemodialysis filter is actively filtering water.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of said plurality of medical hemodialysis filters is organized in filter groups connected in parallel, each filter group comprising a plurality of medical hemodialysis filters connected in parallel to a common input connection and a common output connection operable to connect said filter group to said system and to disconnect it therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 e) a tube with a plurality of holes and wherein an end portion of said at least one medical hemodialysis filter is inserted into a first hole of said plurality of holes, and an end portion of said at least one more medical hemodialysis filter is inserted into a second hole of said plurality of holes, and   f) a self leveling adhesive administered into said tube such that said self leveling adhesive spreads around each said end portion.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one medical hemodialysis filter includes a cleaned and sterilized medical hemodialysis filter. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said medical hemodialysis filter is a medical hemodialysis filter previously used for blood filtering. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said medical hemodialysis filter is a discarded medical hemodialysis filter. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising said source of polluted water and wherein said source is configured for supplying said polluted water at a rate of at least 3 cubic meters per hour. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said two flow paths include a capillary path and a dialysate path. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising said source of polluted water and wherein said source is configured for supplying said polluted water under pressure at a pressure of at least 0.5 Bar.