Diffusion device
The present disclosure relates to a diffusion device, such as a blood oxygenator or gas exchanger, and a process for its production. The diffusion device is used in the removal of carbon dioxide from blood.
1 . A diffusion device comprising
a tubular housing;
a plurality of semi-permeable hollow fiber membranes arranged within the housing on a cylindrical core, the cylindrical core extending along a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing;
end walls comprised of a polyurethane resin separating a flow space formed by a plurality of lumens of the hollow fiber membranes from a flow space on the outside of the hollow fiber membranes, the end walls adhering to an inner wall of the tubular housing; and
end caps sealing a first mouth and a second mouth of the housing,
characterized in that the cylindrical core has features which improve the adhesion of the end walls to the cylindrical core, namely, that the outer surface of the cylindrical core features a plurality of elongated noses which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical core and are located on the outer surface of the cylindrical core in a section of the cylindrical core where the end wall contacts the cylindrical core,
wherein at least one circumferential ridge connecting the elongated noses is provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical core.
2 . The diffusion device of claim 1 , wherein the noses are evenly distributed over the circumference of the cylindrical core and the length of the noses in longitudinal direction is less than the thickness of the end wall.
3 . The diffusion device of claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of the noses is dovetail-shaped.
4 . The diffusion device of claim 1 , wherein at least two circumferential ridges connecting the noses are provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical core.
5 . The diffusion device of claim 2 , wherein the cross-section of the noses is dovetail-shaped.
6 . The diffusion device claim 2 , wherein at least one circumferential ridge connecting the noses is provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical core.
7 . The diffusion device claim 3 , wherein at least one circumferential ridge connecting the noses is provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical core.