WO2006057473A1

WO2006057473A1 - Filter module with multi-function parts for a blood purification and/or oxygenation using thereof and method for a blood purification and oxygenation and purification device comprising thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2006057473A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/003383
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byoung Goo Min; Kwang Ho Lee; Kyungsoo Lee; Jung Chan Lee; Ki Moo Lim; Hu Geun Yoon; Sangsu Ahn
Original assignee: Newheart Bio Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-11-23
Filing date: 2004-12-21
Publication date: 2006-06-01
Also published as: KR100721054B1; KR20060057176A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter module for blood purification and/or oxygenation, a blood purification and oxygenation method and a blood purification device using the same. The filter module in accordance with the present invention comprises a blood inlet 3 to which the blood is supplied from the human body and a blood outlet 4 from which the blood is supplied to the human body, a dialysis filter fiber 7 and an oxygenation filter fiber 10 formed in 'U' shape and detachable, and an activated charcoal for hemofiltration and blood perfusion. The filter module is so designed that hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, hemofiltration and removal of impurities are performed simultaneously, and the filters may easily be cleaned or replaced.

Description

FILTER MODULE WITH MULTI-FUNCTION PARTS FOR A BLOOD

PURIFICATION AND/OR OXYGENATION USING THEREOF AND METHOD

FOR A BLOOD PURIFICATION AND OXYGENATION AND PURIFICATION

DEVICE COMPRISING THEREOF

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a multi-function filter module for blood purification and/or oxygenation, a blood purification device having multi-function filter modules and a method for blood purification and/or oxygenation using the same. The filter modules are provided to perform hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, hemofiltration and blood perfusion simultaneously, and thereby enables a supply of clean blood to each region of the human body, convenient cleaning and easy replacement of the filter modules.

[Background Art]

Blood circulating through physical regions of the human body contain essential ingredients for the human body. Additionally, one of the important functions of the blood is to transport unnecessary ingredients, effete matters or poisons to the liver, the kidney or the lungs, in which the above impurities are removed to supply fresh and clean ingredients to each physical region of the human body. However, in the case of patients suffering from various diseases or accidents, purifying functions of the liver, the kidney or the lungs are declined and unessential ingredients in the blood are not purified effectively, and thereby the patients may lose the resistance to various diseases. A hemodialyzer and an artificial oxygenator (or an artificial lung) have been developed in order to support the function of the kidney or the lungs of the patients.

Among these devices, the hemodialyzer is generally used. The hemodialyzer draws the blood from a main vein, which transports the blood from physical regions to the heart, and transfers clean the blood to the main artery after dialysis. As shown in Fig. 1, referring to a hemodialyzer 100 disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0066704 entitled "Hemodiafiltration/Hemofiltration Cartridges", the blood drawn from the main vein flows into a blood inlet 102 and through the inside of a dialysis filter fiber 101. Diffusate flows into a diffusate inlet 103 and through the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 101. The blood before dialysis contains a lot of effete matters and poisons. The diffusate is formulated with various kinds of nutrients, water and salts. The blood and the diffusate flow through the porous dialysis filter fiber 101. High concentration of the effete matters and poisons in the blood before dialysis is diffused into the diffusate having low concentration, and thereby blood having low concentration of the effete matters and poisons is obtained. In this way, the blood diluted by the diffusion is supplied to the main artery of the human body, and the used diffusate is discarded after passing through the dialyzer.

Additionally, as shown in Fig. 2, referring to an artificial oxygenator (an artificial lung) 200 disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1989-7000367 entitled "Membrane Type Artificial Lung and Production thereof", in the same way as the aforementioned hemodialyzer 100 of Fig.l, the blood drawn from the main vein and supplied to a blood inlet 202 flows through one part of an oxygenation filter fiber 201. To the other part of the oxygenation filter fiber 201, oxygen gas supplied from an oxygen tank (not shown) flows into an oxygen inlet 203. As the result, fresh blood is supplied to the human body after the elimination of carbon dioxide from the blood.

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

As described above, the hemodialyzer 100 is generally utilized for a patient whose internal organ like the kidney is partially damaged. The artificial oxygenator 200 may be utilized for a victim of a traffic accident or a patient with an acute spasm as well as a patient whose lungs and/or bronchi are damaged. However, in the case of a patient with a dyspnea among the patients having a kidney trouble, the hemodialyzer 100 is applied and the artificial oxygenator 200 is applied additionally in the state that the hemodialyzer 100 is already used. Therefore, in some situations, it is difficult to apply both hemodialyzer 100 and artificial oxygenator 200 at the same time. Even though both devices may be applied at the same time, there is another difficulty to control both devices properly for a stream of the blood. Moreover, There is also a disadvantage in the environmental protection that recycling is not easy, because it is difficult to separate a filter fiber used in a conventional hemodialyzer 100 or artificial oxygenator 200 from a module and the filter fiber should be discarded as a disposable.

[Technical Solution]

An object of the present invention is to provide a filter module for blood purification and/or oxygenation, method for blood purification and/or oxygenation and a blood purification device using the same. The filter module internally comprises a blood inlet formed at a end position on the module to which blood is supplied from the human body; a blood outlet formed at the other end position on the module from which clean blood is supplied to the human body; a dialysis filter fiber for hemodialysis; an oxygenation filter fiber for oxygen gas supply; a filtration filter fiber for hemofiltration and an activated charcoal filter for impurities removal, wherein the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber are formed in "U" shape and detachable. The filter module is provided to perform hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, hemofiltration and blood perfusion simultaneously, and thereby enables a supply of clean blood to regions of the human body, convenient cleaning and easy replacement of the filter modules.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a blood purification device having a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation. The filter module internally comprises a blood inlet formed at an end position on the module to which the blood is supplied from the human body; a blood outlet formed at the other end position on the module from which clean blood is supplied to the human body; a dialysis filter fiber in "U" shape in which diffusate flows (from one side to the other side); an oxygenation filter fiber in "U" shape in which oxygen gas flows (from one side to the other side) .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for the blood purification and oxygenation using a blood purification and filtration module, comprising the steps of: feeding blood drawn from the human body into a filter module and then supplying again to the human body; supplying diffusate provided from a diffusate tank into a dialysis filter fiber in the filter module and then discharging to a waste diffusate tank; supplying oxygen gas provided from an oxygen tank into an oxygenation filter fiber in the filter module and then discharging to a waste oxygen gas tank.

[Advantageous Effects]

The filter module in accordance with present invention comprises: a dialysis filter fiber for hemodialysis, an oxygenation filter fiber for oxygen gas supply, a filtration filter fiber for hemofiltration, and an activated charcoal filter for blood perfusion removing impurities by activated charcoal, which may be assembled or disassembled. The blood is purified through hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, hemofiltration such as moisture control, and removal of impurities by using the filter module. Therefore, in the case of first-aid patient, clean and properly controlled blood may be supplied to regions of the human body by removing effete materials and poisons with dialysis and activated charcoal, supplying oxygen gas, controlling excessive ingredients such as water content through the filtration. Additionally, the filter module and its components may easily be cleaned or replaced. Particularly, in case of patient to whom several steps of the treatments should be applied, such as a patient of complicated disease, a patient with a damaged organ having a lot of impurities in the blood, and a patient taken a specific ingredient excessively, time for first-aid and treatment may be reduced by applying a filter module properly combined with a plurality of filters in one module, in accordance with the present invention.

[Description of Drawings]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a hemodialyzer for hemodialysis according to the prior art.

Fig. 2 is a partially sectional view showing an artificial oxygenator (an artificial lung) for blood oxygenation according to the prior art.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to a first embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to a second embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to a third embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to a fourth embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to another embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to Example 2 of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a exploded perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to Example 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to an embodiment of Example 3 of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to another embodiment of Example 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to Example 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to an embodiment of Example 5 of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to another embodiment of Example 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation according to Example 6 of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is an operational diagram showing operation of a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing operation of a filter module for blood purification and oxygenation in accordance with the present invention.

[Mode for Invention]

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 15, a blood purification and/or oxygenation filter module 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a module mainframe 2, a blood inlet 3, a blood outlet 4, a dialysis filter fiber 7 and an oxygenation filter fiber 10.

The blood purification and/or oxygenation filter module 1 in accordance with the present invention includes a module mainframe 2 comprising: a blood inlet 3 formed at a position on the mainframe 2 to which the blood is supplied from the human body; a blood outlet 4 formed at another position on the mainframe 2 from which clean blood is supplied to the human body; a dialysis filter fiber 7 and/or the oxygenation filter fiber 10, wherein diffusate and/or oxygen gas flow (from one side to the other side) . The blood purification device having the filter module 1 with the above structure is provided to purify the blood by hemodialysis and/or blood oxygenation. The module mainframe 2 is preferably a cylindrical hollow pipe shape, however several types of hollow pipes having a quadrangular, rectangular or polygonal cross- section may be provided. The filter fiber, which purifies blood to a clean state, is located in the hollow space of module mainframe 2, acting as a main body of the filter module 1. In the module mainframe 2, one filter fiber having a flowing fluid may be installed, and further a plurality of filter fibers having a plurality of flowing fluids may be installed. It is possible to clean the blood by removing impurities with a plurality of filter modules arranged in a columnar array along the blood stream, however it is more desirable to clean the blood by removing impurities with the filter module 1 having one or more filter fibers by making one or more kinds of fluid flow therein respectively.

As described above, the filter module 1 in accordance with the present invention includes one or more filter fibers respectively having one or more flowing fluids in the module mainframe 2, and one or more fluid inlets and outlets formed on the circumferential surface or on both ends of the module mainframe 2. Here, said one or more fluids, filter fibers, fluid inlets, and fluid outlets correspond respectively to diffusates or oxygen gases, dialysis filter fibers or oxygenation filter fibers, diffusate inlets or oxygen gas inlets, and diffusate outlets or oxygen gas outlets.

In other words, the filter module 1 is designed for the blood to flow in/out by providing the module mainframe 2 as a body of the filter module 1, one or more filter fibers therein, the blood inlets 3 to supply the blood from the human body to the module mainframe 2, and the blood outlet 4 to transfuse the blood to the human body. Additionally, one or more fluid inlets and outlets are provided to make one or more kinds of fluid flow. Here, the blood inlets/outlets and the fluid inlets/outlets are designed to be located on the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2 or on both ends of the filter module 1.

As described above, a filter modules 1 for blood purification and/or oxygenation in accordance with the present invention is designed to make one or more fluids flow through the module mainframe 2, and especially to have two filter fibers including a first fluid filter fiber and a second fluid filter fiber. The first fluid filter fiber having a dialysis filter fiber for hemodialysis removes impurities from the blood and supplies essential ingredients to the human body by diffusion and dilution between the blood and diffusate supplied to the filter module 1. The second fluid filter fiber having an oxygenation filter fiber uses oxygen gas, and supplies fresh oxygen to the blood fed to the filter module 1.

On the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2 having the first and second fluid filter fibers internally, a blood inlet 3 drawing the blood from the human body is formed on an end position and a blood outlet 4 supplying fresh blood to the human body after removal of impurities is formed on the other end position. However it is desirable to locate the blood inlet 3 and the blood outlet 4 on a half circumferential surface of the pipe-type module mainframe 2 separately. It is possible to locate the blood inlet 3 and outlet 4 on the opposite half circumferential surfaces respectively. It is also possible to provide a plurality of blood inlets 3 and blood outlets 4 if necessary.

Besides the blood inlet 3 and the blood outlet 4, a first fluid inlet, first fluid outlet, second fluid inlet and second fluid outlet, respectively having first and second flowing fluids, may be formed on the other half circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2 having first and second fluid filter fibers. It is possible to provide a plurality of first fluid inlets, first fluid outlets, second fluid inlets and second fluid outlets if necessary. Particularly, a blood purification and/or oxygenation filter module 1 in accordance with the present invention is provided to remove impurities in the blood drawn from the human body through a dialysis and oxygenation process and supply clean blood to the human body by using the diffusate as a first fluid and oxygen gas as a second fluid, a dialysis filter fiber as the first fluid filter fiber and an oxygenation filter fiber as the second fluid filter fiber. A diffusate inlet, diffusate outlet, oxygen gas inlet and oxygen gas outlet correspond respectively to the first fluid inlet, the first fluid outlet, the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet. Here, the number and location of the diffusate inlet/outlet, the oxygen gas inlet/outlet may be selected properly according to the requirement. Diffusate and the blood containing impurities are supplied together to the dialysis filter fiber, wherein the hemodialysis is performed by diffusion and dilution between blood and diffusate. Fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood in the oxygenation filter fiber, so that clean blood with fresh oxygen may be supplied to the human body.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described in more detail referring to the Examples 1 to 6.

Example 1

Example 1 of a blood purification and/or oxygenation filter module in accordance with the present invention comprises a first fluid filter fiber and a second fluid filter fiber in a linear form of "-" shape, and a module mainframe 2 internally includes a dialysis filter fiber 7 as the first fluid filter fiber and an oxygenation filter fiber 10 as the second fluid filter fiber in a linear form of "-" shape. Additionally, a plurality of inlets and outlets 3,4,5,6,8 and 9 for fluids such as diffusate, oxygen gas or blood, are formed on both ends of the module mainframe 2.

As shown in Fig. 3, a first embodiment of Example 1 is so designed that diffusate, oxygen gas and blood flow respectively through the inside of a dialysis filter fiber 7, the inside of an oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10. In other words, a blood inlet 3 and blood outlet 4 are formed respectively on an end position and the other end position on the half circumferential surface of a cylindrical module mainframe 2. A diffusate inlet 5 and an oxygen gas inlet 8 are formed on one end of the module mainframe 2. A diffusate outlet 6 and an oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed on the other end of the module mainframe 2. Accordingly, the diffusate flows sequentially through the diffusate inlet 5, dialysis filter fiber 7, and diffusate outlet 6; and the oxygen gas flows sequentially through the oxygen gas inlet 8, oxygenation filter fiber 10, and oxygen gas outlet 9. The blood is drawn to the blood inlet 3 and passes through the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10, then flows through the blood outlet 4. In the first embodiment of Example 1, as shown in Fig. 3 the blood flows from the right to the left of the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate and the oxygen gas flow in the opposite direction from the left to the right. The purpose of flowing the diffusate and oxygen gas in the opposite direction to that of the blood flow is to enhance the dialysis and oxygenation effects. The dialysis is performed through the inside/outside and surface of dialysis filter fiber 7 by diffusion and dilution, and fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood through the inside/outside and surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10. Especially in the dialysis, the diffusate contains low concentration of ingredient that should be removed from blood, and, oppositely, high concentration of ingredient that should be supplied to the blood, so that impurities are removed from the blood and essential ingredients are supplied to the blood through an interface of the dialysis filter fiber 7 corresponding to the differences of the individual ingredients between the blood and diffusate. As described above, the first embodiment of Example 1 in accordance with the present invention is provided to remove impurities and supply essential ingredients and oxygen, from and to the blood flowing outside the filter fibers 7 and 10, by the diffusate flowing through the dialysis filter fiber 7 and the oxygen gas flowing through the oxygenation filter fiber 10. Particularly, this embodiment provides blood purification and/or oxygenation filter modules operating more efficiently by separating the dialysis region from the oxygenation region.

As shown in Fig. 4, a second embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention is so designed that blood flows through the inside of a dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10, and diffusate and oxygen gas flow through the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 respectively. Namely, a cylindrical module mainframe 2 includes a diffusate inlet 5 formed at one end position on a half circumferential surface corresponding to the dialysis filter fiber 7, a diffusate outlet 6 at the other end position on the half circumferential surface, an oxygen inlet 8 at one end position on the other half circumferential surface corresponding to the oxygenation filter fiber 10, an oxygen outlet 9 at the other end position on the other half circumferential surface, a blood inlet 3 formed on one end of the module mainframe 2, and a blood outlet 4 on the other end of the module mainframe 2. Additionally, a separator wall 2a is formed between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and the oxygenation filter fiber 10 inside the module mainframe 2, and thereby dialysis and oxygenation are performed separately.

The diffusate flows sequentially through the diffusate inlet 5, the outer surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7, and the diffusate outlet 6. The oxygen gas flows sequentially through the oxygen gas inlet 8, the outer surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the oxygen gas outlet 9. The blood is drawn to the blood inlet 3 and flows sequentially through the inner sides of the dialysis filter fiber 7 and the oxygenation filter fiber 10, then through the blood outlet 4. As shown in Fig. 4, in the second embodiment of Example 1 the blood flows from the left to the right of the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate and the oxygen gas flow in the opposite direction from the right to the left. The purpose of making the diffusate and the oxygen gas flow in the opposite direction to that of the blood flow is to enhance the dialysis and the oxygenation effects. The dialysis is performed through the inside/outside and the surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7 by diffusion and dilution, and fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood through the inside/outside and the surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10. A separator wall 2a is formed between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and the oxygenation filter fiber 10 inside the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate and oxygen gas flow separately and thereby dialysis and oxygenation are performed separately. Particularly, the second embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention may be applied more effectively to a patient of overhydration, because the blood passing through the dialysis filter fiber 7 with a small diameter forms a higher fluid pressure, and the overhydration may be eliminated more effectively. Additionally, the module mainframe 2 and the filter module 1 are designed in such a form that flows of the blood may be divided or joined among the blood inlet 3, the blood outlet 4, and the filter fibers 7 and 10.

As shown in Fig. 5, a third embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention is so designed that diffusate and blood flow respectively through the inside and outside of a dialysis filter fiber 7, and the blood and oxygen gas flow respectively through the inside and outside of an oxygenation filter fiber 10. A cylindrical module mainframe 2 includes a first blood inlet 3a formed at an end position on a half circumferential surface, a first blood outlet 4a formed at the other end position on the half circumferential surface, an oxygen inlet 8 formed at an end position on the other half circumferential surface, an oxygen outlet 9 formed at the other end position on the other half circumferential surface, a second blood inlet 3b and a diffusate outlet 6 formed on an end of the module mainframe 2, and a second blood outlet 4b and a diffusate inlet 5 formed on the other end of the module mainframe 2. Additionally, a separator wall 2a is formed between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 inside the module mainframe 2, so that blood and oxygen gas flow separately. The diffusate flows sequentially through the diffusate inlet 5, the inner surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7, and the diffusate outlet 6; and the oxygen gas flows sequentially through the oxygen gas inlet 8, the outer surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10, the oxygen gas outlet 9. A portion of the blood is drawn to the first blood inlet 3a and flows through the outer surface of dialysis filter fiber 7, and through the first blood outlet 4a. The other portion of the blood is drawn to the second blood inlet 3b and flows through the inner surface of oxygenation filter fiber 10, then through the blood outlet 4b. In the third embodiment of Example 1, as shown in Fig. 5 the blood drawn to both blood inlets flows from the left to the right of the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate and oxygen gas flow in the opposite direction from the right to the left. The purpose of making the diffusate and oxygen gas flow in the opposite direction to that of the blood flow is to enhance the dialysis and the oxygenation effects. The dialysis is performed through the inside/outside and surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7 by diffusion and dilution, and fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood through the inside/outside and surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10. Additionally, a separator wall 2a is formed between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the blood and oxygen gas flow separately so that dialysis and oxygenation are performed separately.

As shown in Fig. 6, a fourth embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention is so designed that blood and diffusate flow respectively through the inside and outside of a dialysis filter fiber 7, and oxygen gas and the blood flow respectively through the inside and outside of an oxygenation filter fiber 10. A cylindrical module mainframe 2 includes a first blood inlet 3a formed at an end position on a half circumferential surface, a first blood outlet 4a formed at the other end position on the half circumferential surface, a diffusate inlet 5 formed at an end position on the other half circumferential surface, a diffusate outlet 6 formed at the other end position on the other half circumferential surface, a second blood inlet 3b and oxygen gas outlet 9 formed on an end of the module mainframe 2, and a second blood outlet 4b and oxygen gas inlet 8 formed on the other end of the module mainframe 2. Additionally, a separator wall 2a is formed between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 in the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate and blood flow separately so that dialysis and oxygenation are performed separately. The diffusate flows sequentially through the diffusate inlet 5, the outer surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7, and the diffusate outlet 6; and oxygen gas flows sequentially through the oxygen gas inlet 8, the inner surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the oxygen gas outlet 9. A portion of the blood is drawn to the first blood inlet 3a and flows through the outer surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10, and through the first blood outlet 4a. The other portion of the blood is drawn to the second blood inlet 3b and flows through the inner surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7, then through the second blood outlet 4b. In the fourth embodiment of Example 1, as shown in Fig. 6 the blood drawn to both blood inlets flows from the left to the right of the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate and oxygen gas flow in the opposite direction from the right to the left. The purpose of making the diffusate and oxygen gas flow in the opposite direction to that of the blood flow is to enhance the dialysis and the oxygenation effects. The dialysis is performed through the inside/outside and surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7 by diffusion and dilution, and fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood through the inside/outside and surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10. Additionally, a separator wall 2a is formed between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 in the module mainframe 2, and the blood and diffusate flow separately so that dialysis and oxygenation are performed separately.

As shown in Fig. 7, another embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention is designed to utilize diffusate as the fluid and a plurality of the fluid filter fibers in a linear form of "-" shape, where one part of the dialysis filter fiber is formed of low flux fiber 7a and the other part of dialysis filter fiber is formed of high flux fiber 7b. Additionally, as described in the above embodiments, a blood purification filter module 1 comprises: a module mainframe 2 in a hollow pipe shape, a blood inlet 3 and blood outlet 4 formed on a circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2 flowing the blood in and out, a plurality of dialysis filter fibers internally flowing diffusate through the inside of module mainframe 2, a diffusate inlet and diffusate outlet formed on both ends of the module mainframe 2, wherein a plurality of the dialysis filter fibers are in a linear form of "-" shape, where one part of the dialysis filter fiber is formed of low flux fiber 7a and the other part of dialysis filter fiber is formed of high flux fiber 7b. Here, the low flux fiber 7a is provided to have a smaller pore size than that of the high flux fiber 7b, so that the high flux fiber 7b has a higher removal rate for medium molecular weight particles as well as low molecular weight particles, compared to that of the low flux fiber 7a. Accordingly, optimal dialysis may be carried out according to the situation of each patient, through the control of the diffusate and blood to be dialyzed by low flux fiber or high flux fiber. Even in the case that various components have to be removed from the blood, a single device may be utilized for the dialysis to shorten the dialyzing time and to enhance the dialyzing effect, differently from a conventional device in which different types of low flux fiber 7a or high flux fiber 7b is used repeatedly according to the situation of the patient.

Yet another embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention is designed to comprise diffusate as the fluid and a plurality of the fluid filter fibers in a curved form of "U" shape, where one part of the dialysis filter fiber is formed of low flux fiber and the other part of dialysis filter fiber is formed of high flux fiber. Additionally, as described in the above embodiments, the blood purification filter module comprises: a module mainframe in a hollow pipe shape, a blood inlet and blood outlet at a position on the module mainframe flowing the blood in/out, a pair of dialysis filter fibers internally flowing diffusate through the inside of the module mainframe, a diffusate inlet and diffusate outlet formed on both ends of the filter module mainframe, and a pair of the dialysis filter fiber in a curved form of "U" shape, where one part of the dialysis filter fiber is formed of low flux fiber and the other part of dialysis filter fiber is formed of high flux fiber. Here, the low flux fiber is provided to have a smaller pore size than that of the high flux fiber, so that the high flux fiber has a higher removal rate for medium molecular weight particles as well as low molecular weight particles, compared to that of the low flux fiber. Accordingly, an optimal dialysis may be carried out according to the situation of each patient, through the control of the diffusate and blood to be dialyzed by low flux fiber or the high flux fiber. Even in the case that various components have to be removed from the blood, a single device may be utilized for the dialysis to shorten the dialyzing time and to enhance the dialyzing effect, differently from a conventional device in which different type of the low flux fiber or high flux fiber is used repeatedly according to the situation of patient.

Still another embodiment of Example 1 of the present invention is designed to utilize diffusate and oxygen gas as the fluids and a plurality of the fluid filter fibers in a linear form of "-" shape, where a section of the filter fiber is dialysis or oxygen filter fiber made of low or high flux fiber and the other section of the filter fiber is filtration filter fiber or activated charcoal filter. Additionally, as described in the above embodiments, the blood purification filter module comprises: a module mainframe in a hollow pipe shape, a blood inlet and blood outlet on a circumferential surface of the module mainframe flowing the blood in/out, dialysis filter fibers or oxygenation filter fibers in a linear form of "-" shape internally and respectively flowing diffusate or oxygen gas through the inside of a section of the module mainframe, a filtration filter fiber or activated charcoal filter inside the other section of the module mainframe, a diffusate inlet and diffusate outlet or an oxygen gas inlet and oxygen gas outlet formed on the circumferential surface or on both ends of the filter module mainframe, wherein the dialysis filter fiber comprises a low flux fiber or a high flux fiber. Here, the blood is optimally dialyzed by low flux fiber or high flux fiber in the section, and unnecessary components in the blood, such as overhydration, may also be removed by a filtration filter fiber in the other section. Additionally poisons, which should be removed from the blood, may be absorbed and removed by porous parts of the activated charcoal.

As described above, in Example 1 in accordance with the present invention, a dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 are formed in a linear shape of "-"shape in the module mainframe 2. Diffusate and oxygen gas flowing inside or outside the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 may have the same direction as that of the blood flow, however it is desirable to flow the diffusate and oxygen gas in the opposite direction to the that of the blood flow.

Example 2

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a blood purification and oxygenation filter module 1 in accordance with Example 2 of the present invention comprises a first fluid filter fiber and a second fluid filter fiber formed in "U" shape. A cylindrical module mainframe 2 internally includes a dialysis filter fiber 7 as the first fluid filter fiber and an oxygenation filter fiber 10 as the second fluid filter fiber in "U" shape. Additionally, like Example 1, a plurality of fluid inlets and outlets are formed on the circumferential surface and both ends of the module mainframe 2 for the fluid such as first fluid, second fluid, and blood. The module mainframe 2 is designed to be separated into a first filter module 12 and a second filter module 13, so that the first fluid filter fiber and the second fluid filter fiber formed in "U" shape may easily be assembled or disassembled. Additionally, connecting parts 11 and 11' are formed for easier connection between the first filter module 12 and the second filter module 13 having connecting parts facing each other. The module mainframe 2 includes: the first filter module 12 having a dialysis filter fiber 7 and the connecting part 11 formed on one section of the module mainframe 2;and the second filter module 13 having an oxygenation filter fiber 10 and the connecting part 11' formed on the other section of the module mainframe 2. Therefore, the connecting part 11 and the connecting part 11' may easily be assembled and disassemble. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, Example 2 of the present invention is so designed that diffusate flows through the inside of the dialysis filter fiber 7, and the oxygen gas flows through the inside of the oxygenation filter fiber 10. Blood flows through the outside of the dialysis filter fibers 7 and the oxygenation filter fiber 10. A cylindrical module mainframe 2 for blood purification and blood oxygenation includes a blood inlet 3 formed at an end position on the circumferential surface of a first filter module 12, a blood outlet 4 formed at an end position on the circumferential surface of a second filter module 13, a diffusate inlet 5 and diffusate outlet 6 formed on one end of the first filter module 12, and an oxygen gas inlet 8 and an oxygen gas outlet 9 formed on one end of the second filter module 13. In other words, the diffusate flows sequentially through the diffusate inlet 5, the inner surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7, and the diffusate outlet 6; and the oxygen gas flows sequentially through the oxygen gas inlet 8, the inner surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the oxygen gas outlet 9. The blood is drawn to the blood inlet 3 and flows through the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10, then flows through the blood outlet 4. As shown in Fig. 8, the blood flows from the left to the right in the module mainframe 2, and thereby oxygenation is performed after dialysis. However it is also acceptable that the dialysis is performed after the oxygenation adversely by changing the locations of the blood inlet 3 and the blood outlet 4. The dialysis is performed through the inside/outside and the surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7 by diffusion and dilution, and fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood through the inside/outside and the surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10. The connecting parts 11 and 11' are formed respectively on one end of the first filter module 12 and second filter module 13 in the module mainframe 2, so that the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 may easily be assembled and disassembled. The dialysis filter fiber 7 in "U" shape is coupled tightly with the diffusate inlet 5 and the diffusate outlet 6 in the first filter module 12, and the oxygenation filter fiber 10 in "U" shape is coupled tightly with the oxygen gas inlet 8 and oxygen gas outlet 9 in the second filter module 13. Here, the outside lengths of the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 are designed to be shorter than those of the first filter module 12 and the second filter module 13, so that the first filter module 12 and second filter module 13 may be assembled easily with the connecting parts 11 and 11' . As shown in Fig. 9, the first filter module 12 and second filter module 13 are assembled and disassembled by the connecting parts 11 and 11' maintaining a tight coupling when assembled, and easier replacement and cleaning of the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 is possible when disassembled. The first filter module 12, the second filter module 13, the dialysis filter fiber 7 and the oxygenation filter fiberlO inside the filter modules are designed for easier assembly and disassembly.

Example 3

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, Example 3 in accordance with the present invention includes a fluid filter fiber in ^λVU" shape in a section of a module mainframe 2 and a filtration filter fiber or activated charcoal filter in the other section of the module mainframe 2. A dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 as a fluid filter fiber in "U" shape is included in one section of the cylindrical module mainframe 2, and a filtration filter module 15 having a filtration filter 14 or a activated charcoal module 21 having a activated charcoal filter 20 are included in the other section. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module comprises: a module mainframe 2 in a hollow pipe shape, a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed on a circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, a dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 respectively flowing diffusate or oxygen gas through an inner section of the module mainframe 2, a filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20 in the other section of module mainframe 2, a diffusate inlet 5/outlet 6 or an oxygen gas inlet 8 /outlet 9 formed on one end of the module mainframe 2. The dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 are designed in "U" shape and hemofiltration is performed together with a hemodialysis or a blood oxygenation.

As described in Example 1, a plurality of fluid inlets/outlets 3,4,5,6,8 and 9 for the blood and fluids such as diffusate and oxygen gas are provided on the circumferential surface and both ends of the module main frame 2. The first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, and the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21 of the module mainframe 2 are designed detachably so that the fluid filter fiber in "U" shape, filtration filter fiber 14, or activated charcoal filter 20 may easily be assembled or disassembled. Accordingly, the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, and the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21 are designed to be easily assembled facing each other, by the connecting parts 11,16 and 22. The module mainframe 2 includes the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21 respectively having a connecting part 16 or 22, which is assembled and disassembled with the connecting part 11 on one end of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, so that the connecting part 11 and connecting parts 16 and 22 are easily assembled or disassembled. The dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 in "U" shape is provided in a section of the module mainframe 2, and the filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20 is provided in the other section of the module mainframe 2, and thereby a hemofiltration or a blood perfusion by the activated charcoal is performed together with a hemodialysis or a blood oxygenation.

In Example 3 of the present invention, the diffusate flows through the inside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 in the case that the dialysis filter fiber 7 is equipped in the first filter module 12 in a section of the module mainframe 2. The oxygen gas flows through the inside of the oxygenation filter fiber 10 in the case that the oxygenation filter fiber 10 is equipped in the second filter module 13. Here, the blood flows through the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 of the first filter module 12 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 of the second filter module 13, after then through the outside of the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21. The blood inlet 3 is formed at an end position on the circumferential surface of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13 of the filter module 2, and the blood outlet 4 is formed at an end position on the circumferential surface of the filtration filter module 15 or the activated charcoal module 21. The diffusate inlet 5 and diffusate outlet 6 are formed on one end of the first or second filter module 12 or 13 in the case of dialysis, and oxygen gas inlet 8 and oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed in the case of blood oxygenation. The diffusate flows sequentially through the diffusate inlet 5, the inside of the dialysis filter fiber 7, and the diffusate outlet 6; and the oxygen gas flows sequentially through the oxygen gas inlet 8, the inside of the oxygenation filter fiber 10 , and the oxygen gas outlet 9. The blood is drawn to the blood inlet 3 and flows through the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10, the filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20, and then the blood outlet 4. As shown in Fig. 10, the blood flows in the direction from the left to the right of the module mainframe 2 and dialysis is followed by hemofiltration through the filtration filter fiber 14. As shown in Fig 10, the blood flows from the left from the right of the module mainframe 2 and thereby the dialysis is followed by the blood perfusion removing impurities by the activated charcoal filter 20. However it may also be acceptable that the dialysis is performed after the blood filtration or perfusion adversely by changing the locations of blood inlet 3 and blood outlet 4. The dialysis is performed through the inside/outside and the surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7 by diffusion and dilution due to concentration difference of components in the blood and diffusate. Fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood through the inside/outside and surface of oxygenation filter fiber 10. Excessive components or impurities in the blood is removed in the inside/outside and surface of the filtration filter fiber 14 or the activated charcoal filter 20.

The connecting parts 11,16 and 22 are formed respectively on one end of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, and the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21, so that the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20 may easily be assembled and disassembled. The dialysis filter fiber 7 is tightly coupled with the diffusate inlet 5 and diffusate outlet 6. The oxygenation filter fiber 10 is tightly coupled with the oxygen gas inlet 8 and oxygen gas outlet 9. The dialysis and oxygenation filter fibers 7 and 10 are formed in "U" shape in the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13. The filtration filter 14 is installed in the filtration filter module 15 and the activated charcoal filter 20 is installed in the activated charcoal module 21. Especially, although various types of filtration filter may be utilized for the filtration filter fiber 14, a linear shape of "-" is generally used. The filtration is performed by passing the blood through the inside of a fine filter. Though various types of activated charcoal filter may be utilized for the activated charcoal filter 20, stacked or compressed porous activated charcoal is used to have a high removal rate of impurities. Here, the outside lengths of the "U" shaped dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 and the filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20 are designed to be shorter than those of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13 and the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21, so that the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13 and filtration filter module 15 or the activated charcoal module 21 may be easily assembled with the connecting parts 11,16 and 22. As described in Example 2, the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, and the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21 are assembled and disassembled by the connecting parts 11,16 and 22 maintaining a tight coupling when assembled, and providing easier replacing and cleaning of the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20 when disassembled. The dialysis filter fiber 7, the oxygenation filter fiber 10, the filtration filter fiber 14 and the activated carbon filter 20 in the first filter module 12, the second filter module 13, the filtration filter module 15 and the activated charcoal module 21 are designed for easier assembly and disassembly.

Example 4

As shown in Fig. 12, Example 4 in accordance with the present invention provides a fluid filter fiber in "U" shape in a section of a module mainframe 2, and a filtration filter fiber 14 and an activated charcoal filter 20 in the other section of the module mainframe 2. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module comprises: a module mainframe 2 in a hollow pipe shape, a blood inlet 3 and blood outlet 4 formed on the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, a dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 respectively flowing diffusate or oxygen gas through the inside of a section of the module mainframe 2, a filtration filter fiber 14 and an activated charcoal filter 20 inside the other section of the module mainframe 2, a diffusate inlet 5 /outlet 6 or oxygen gas inlet 8 /outlet 9 formed on one end of the module mainframe 2. The dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 are designed in "U" shape, and blood perfusion by activated charcoal and hemofiltration are performed together with hemodialysis or blood oxygenation.

As described in Example 1, a plurality of fluid inlets/outlets 3,4,5,6,8 and 9 for the blood and fluids, such as diffusate and oxygen gas, are provided on the circumferential surface or both ends of the module main frame 2. The first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal module 21 of the module mainframe 2 are designed to be detachable from the module mainframe 2, so that the fluid filter fibers and filtration filter fiber 14 or the activated charcoal filter 20 may easily be assembled or disassembled. Accordingly, the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal module 21 are designed to be easily assembled facing each other by connecting parts 11,16,16' and 22. The dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 in "U" shape is provided in a section of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, and the filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20 is provided inside the other section of the module mainframe 2, and thereby hemofiltration and blood perfusion by the activated charcoal are performed together with a hemodialysis or a blood oxygenation

In Example 4 of the present invention, the diffusate or oxygen gas flows respectively through the inside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 installed respectively in the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13. Here, the blood flows through the outside of the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter 10 respectively in the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, after then through filtration filter fiber 14 in the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal filter 20 of the activated charcoal module 21. The blood inlet 3 is formed at an end position on the circumferential surface of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13 of the module mainframe 2, and the blood outlet 4 is formed at the other end position on the circumferential surface. The diffusate inlet 5 and the diffusate outlet 6 are formed on one end of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13 in the case of dialysis, and alternatively, the oxygen gas inlet 8 and oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed in the case of blood oxygenation. The diffusate flows sequentially through the diffusate inlet 5, the inside of the dialysis filter fiber 7, and the diffusate outlet 6. The oxygen gas flows through the oxygen gas inlet 8, the inside of the oxygenation filter fiber 10, and the oxygen gas outlet 9. The blood is drawn to the blood inlet 3 and flows through the outside of dialysis filter fiber 7 or the oxygenation filter fiber 10, and through the filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal filter 20 and then the blood outlet 4. As shown in Fig. 12, the blood flows in the direction from the left to the right of the module mainframe 2, and thereby the hemodialysis or blood oxygenation is followed by the hemofiltration and blood perfusion removing impurities by the activated charcoal. However it may also be acceptable if the dialysis and oxygenation is performed after the hemofiltration or blood perfusion adversely by changing the locations of the blood inlet 3 and blood outlet 4. The dialysis is performed through the inside/outside and the surface of the dialysis filter fiber 7 by diffusion and dilution due to concentration difference of components in the blood and diffusate, and fresh oxygen is supplied to the blood through the inside/outside and the surface of the oxygenation filter fiber 10. Excessive components and impurities in the blood are removed through the inside/outside and the surface of filtration filter fiber 14 and activated charcoal filter 20. As described above, the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 is coupled with the filtration filter fiber 14, then further coupled with the activated charcoal filter 20. However, it may also be acceptable to assemble in the sequence of the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10, activated charcoal filter 20, and filtration filter fiber 14.

The connecting parts 11, 16, 16' and 22 are formed respectively on one end of the first filter module 12 or the second filter module 13, and the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21 of the module mainframe 2, so that the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10, filtration filter fiber 14 and activated charcoal filter 20 may easily be assembled and disassembled. The dialysis filter fiber 7 is tightly coupled with the diffusate inlet 5 and diffusate outlet 6. The oxygenation filter fiber 10 is tightly coupled with the oxygen gas inlet 8 and oxygen gas outlet 9. The dialysis and oxygenation filter fibers are formed in "U" shape inside the first filter module 12 or second filter module. The filtration filter fiber 14 is installed in the filtration filter module 15, and the activated charcoal filter 20 is installed in the activated charcoal module 21. Especially, various types of filtration filter fiber may be utilized for the filtration filter fiber 14. However the linear type of "-" shape is generally used. The hemofiltration is performed by passing the blood through the inside of a fine filter. Although various types of activated charcoal filter may be utilized for the activated charcoal filter 20, stacked or compressed porous activated charcoal is used to have a high removal rate of impurities. Here, the outside lengths of the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10, the filtration filter fiber 14 and activated charcoal filter 20 are designed to be shorter than those of the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal module 21, so that the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal module 21 may easily be assembled with the connecting parts 11, 16, 16' and 22. As described in Example 2, the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal module 21 are assembled and disassembled by the connecting parts 11, 16, 16' and 22 maintaining tight coupling when assembled, and providing easier replacing and cleaning of the dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10, the filtration filter fiber 14 and activated charcoal filter 20 when disassembled. The dialysis filter fiber 7 or oxygenation filter fiber 10 respectively in the first filter module 12 or second filter module 13, and the filtration filter fiber 14 in the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal filter 20 in the activated charcoal module 21 are designed for easier assembly and disassembly.

Example 5

As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, in Example 5 a module mainframe 2 of a filter module 1 in accordance with the present invention includes a first filter module 12 and second filter module 13 assembled or disassembled by the connecting parts 11 and 11' , and further includes a third filter module between the first filter module 12 and second filter module 13 for easier assembly and disassembly. Especially, a blood purification and oxygenation filter module is provided by utilizing a filtration filter module 15 having a filtration filter fiber 14 or activated charcoal module 21 having an activated charcoal filter 20 as the third filter module. Additionally, connecting parts 16 and 22 are formed on one end of the filtration filter module 15 and activated charcoal -module 21 respectively and connected to the connecting part 11 of the first filter module 12. Connecting parts 16' or 22' is formed on the other end of the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21 respectively, and connected to a connecting part 11' of the second filter module 13. Once the first filter module 12, the filtration filter module 15 or activated charcoal module 21 and the second filter module 13 are assembled together, then a tight coupling state is maintained. As described above, the filtration filter fiber 14 for hemofiltration or the activated charcoal filter 20 for blood perfusion by the activated charcoal is inserted between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10. The blood treated through the dialysis and oxygenation is treated further through the blood filtration or perfusion by the activated charcoal. Therefore impurities are removed more efficiently, and clean blood is supplied to the human body. As described in Example 2 of the present invention, the first filter module 12, second filter module 13, filtration filter module 15, and activated charcoal module 21 are provided to be easily disassembled by the connecting parts 11 and 11', the connecting parts 16 and 16', and the connecting parts 22 and 22' . Therefore it is also easy to clean or replace the dialysis filter fiber 7, oxygenation filter fiber 10, filtration filter fiber 14, and activated charcoal filter 20.

Examples 6

As shown in Fig. 15, in Example 6 a module mainframe 2 of a filter module 1 for a blood purification and oxygenation filter module in accordance with the present invention includes a filtration filter module 15 having a filtration filter fiber 14 and an activated charcoal module 21 having an activated charcoal filter 20 between a first filter module 12 and a second filter module 13 assembled or disassembled by connecting parts 11 and 11' . A connecting part 16 is formed on one end of the filtration filter module 15 and connected to a connecting part 11 of the first filter module 12, and a connecting part 22 is formed on one end of the activated charcoal module 21 and connected to a connecting part 16' on the other end of the filtration filter module 15. The connecting part 11' is formed on one end of the second filter module 13 and connected to a connecting part 22' on the other end of the activated charcoal module 21. Once the first filter module 12, the filtration filter module 15, the activated charcoal module 21, and second filter module 13 are assembled together, then a tight coupling state is maintained. As described above, the filtration filter 14 for hemofiltration or the activated charcoal filter 20 for blood perfusion is inserted between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10. The blood treated through the dialysis and oxygenation is treated further through the filtration or perfusion by the activated charcoal, and clean blood after removal of impurities is supplied to the human body. Impurities are removed more efficiently and clean blood is supplied to the human body through the treatment of the filtration filter fiber 14 and the activated charcoal fiber 20 in sequence between the dialysis filter fiber 7 and the oxygenation filter fiber 10. As described in the above examples of the present invention, the first filter module 12, second filter module 13, filtration filter module 15, and activated charcoal module 21 are provided to be easily disassembled by the connecting parts 11 and 11' , the connecting parts 16 and 16', and the connecting parts 22 and 22' . Therefore it is also easy to clean or replace the dialysis filter fiber 7, oxygenation filter fiber 10, filtration filter fiber 14 and activated charcoal filter 20.

As described above, the present invention provides a blood purification device, which makes the blood clean by hemodialysis, blood oxgenation, hemofiltration and blood perfusion. The blood purification device comprises a module mainframe 2, a first filter module 12, a second filter module 13, a filtration module 15 and an activated charcoal module 21, respectively having a dialysis filter fiber 7, an oxygenation filter fiber 10, a filtration filter fiber 14 and an activated charcoal filter 20. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the blood purification device performing hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, hemofiltration, and blood perfusion includes a blood pump, a blood controller, a diffusate controller, an oxygen gas controller, a filter module 1, and a main controller C, and other subsidiary means for purification and control of blood.

Referring to a filter module 1 having a blood inlet 3 and blood outlet 4 on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical module main frame 2 in Example 2 of the present invention, more detailed description for the operation of the blood purification device will be followed.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 16, the blood containing a lot of effete matters and poisons created in regions of the human body is drawn from the main vein, and stored temporarily in a blood tank. Subsequently, the blood is supplied to the blood inlet 3 of the filter module 1 after passing through the blood pump and blood controller Cl. Either pulse pump or non-pulse pump may be used for the blood pump, however the pulse pump is more preferable. Clean blood flowing out from the blood outlet 4 is supplied to the main artery after passing through the blood controller Cl again. Here, the blood controller Cl controls various blood conditions such as pulse, concentration of each ingredient and pressure of the blood, so that the blood condition is similar to that in the human body.

While the blood passes the filter module 1, the diffusate passes together and formulates the blood properly to have the essential ingredients and suitable condition for the human body. The diffusate from the diffusate tank is supplied to the diffusate inlet 5 through the diffusate controller C2. Waste diffusate passed through the dialysis filter fiber 7 is discharged through the diffusate outlet 6, and stored temporarily in the waste diffusate tank, from which the waste diffusate will be discarded. Like the diffusate, oxygen gas from the oxygen gas tank is supplied to the oxygen gas inlet 8 through the oxygen gas controller C3 and passes through the oxygenation filter fiber 10 and discharged through the oxygen gas outlet 9, and stored temporarily in the waste oxygen gas tank, from which the waste oxygen gas will be discarded. The dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10 have been described to have "U" shape in Example 2 of the blood purification and oxygenation filter modules. In the other embodiments comprising the dialysis filter fiber 7 and oxygenation filter fiber 10, the same methods as Example 2 for blood purification and oxygenation utilizing the blood purification and oxygenation filter module 1 is used. As describes above, the filter module 1 provides a dialysis in one section and an oxygenation in the other section for the blood flowing in one direction. The main controller C controls the blood controller Cl, diffusate controller C2 and oxygen gas controller C3, so that the dialysis and oxygenation may be performed efficiently in the filter module 1. Additionally, the main controller C controls the blood controller Cl to maintain a proper pulse, concentration and pressure of the blood before supplying cleanly dialyzed and oxygenated blood to the human body.

The steps of blood purification and oxygenation method in accordance with the present invention are described as follows. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the blood purification and oxygenation method utilizing the blood purification and oxygenation filter module 1 comprises the steps of: (Sl) feeding blood initially drawn from the human body into the filter module 1, and then supplying again to the human body; (S2) supplying diffusate provided from a diffusate tank into a dialysis filter fiber 7 in the filter module 1, and then discharging to a waste diffusate tank; (S3) supplying oxygen gas provided from an oxygen gas tank into an oxygenation filter fiber 10 in the filter module 1, and then discharging to a waste oxygen gas tank. The step of the blood feeding Sl further includes a blood feeding calibration step SIl for the blood supply to the filter module 1. In the calibration step SIl, the blood controlled in a proper state is supplied to the filter module 1 by the control of the main controller C and the blood controller Cl according to a signal from a sensor, which detects the state of blood flow and the filter module 1. Additionally, the step of the diffusate supply S2 further includes a diffusate supply calibration step S21 for the diffusate supply to the dialysis filter fiber 7. In the calibration step S21 the diffusate controlled in a proper state is supplied to the dialysis filter fiber 7 in the filter module 1 by the control of the main controller C and the diffusate controller C2 according to a signal from the sensor in the filter module 1. Similarly, the step of oxygen gas supply S3 further includes an oxygen gas supply calibration step S31 for the oxygen gas supply to the oxygenation filter fiber 10. In the calibration step S31 the oxygen gas controlled in a proper state is supplied to the oxygenation filter fiber 10 in the filter module 1 by the control of the main controller C and the oxygen gas controller C3 according to a signal from the sensor in the filter module 1. After the above process, the blood treated in a proper and clean state can be supplied to the human body. The filter module 1 includes the dialysis filter fiber 7, oxygenation filter fiber 10, and additionally the filtration filter 14 and activated charcoal filter 20, which removes impurities and poisons in the blood, so that clean blood with essential ingredients may be supplied to the human body.

A blood purification and oxygenation method and operation of utilizing blood purification and oxygenation filter module 1 in accordance with the present invention has been described, referring to Example 2. However, it may also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention, and further to modified embodiments in accordance with the examples of the present invention.

Furthermore, the present invention is provided to supply a blood purification and oxygenation device, which purifies and oxygenate the blood according to the purification and oxygenation method, as described above.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. So, this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set fourth herein or accompanying drawings.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

1. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module including a module mainframe 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 at a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising: a plurality of filter fibers flowing a plurality of fluids through the inside of the module mainframe 2; and a plurality of fluid inlets and outlets formed on the circumferential surface or both ends of the module mainframe 2.

2. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluids are diffusate and oxygen gas.

3. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 2, wherein the plurality of filter fibers are a dialysis filter fiber and an oxygenation filter fiber, and the plurality of fluid inlets are a diffusate inlet and an oxygen gas inlet, and the plurality of fluid outlets are a diffusate outlet and an oxygen gas outlet.

4. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 3, wherein the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber are formed in a linear form of "-" shape.

5. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim A₁ wherein the blood inlet 3 and the blood outlet 4 are formed respectively at an end position and the other end position on the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate inlet 5 and the oxygen gas inlet 8 are formed on an end of the module mainframe 2, and the diffusate outlet 6 and the oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed on the other end of the module mainframe 2.

6. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 4, wherein the diffusate inlet 5 and diffusate outlet 6 are formed respectively at an end position and the other end position on one side of the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, the oxygen gas inlet 8 and the oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed respectively at an end position and the other end position on the other side of the circumferential surface of the module main frame 2, and the blood inlet 3 and the blood outlet 4 are formed respectively on one end and the other end of the module mainframe 2.

7. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 6, wherein the module mainframe 2 comprises a separator wall formed between the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber.

8. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 4, wherein a first blood inlet 3a and a first blood outlet 4a are formed respectively at an end position and the other end position on one side of the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, a oxygen gas inlet 8 and a oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed respectively at an end position and the other end position on the other side of the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, a second blood inlet 3b and the diffusate outlet 6 are formed on the an end of the module mainframe 2, and a second blood outlet 4b and the diffusate inlet 5 are formed on the other end of the module mainframe 2.

9. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 8, wherein the module mainframe 2 comprises a separator wall formed between the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber.

10. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 4, wherein the first blood inlet 3a and the first blood outlet 4a are formed respectively at an end position and the other end position on one side of the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, the diffusate inlet 5 and the diffusate outlet 6 are formed respectively at an end position and the other end position on the other side of the circumferential surface of the module mainframe 2, the second blood inlet 3b and the oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed on an end of the module mainframe 2, the second blood outlet 4b and the oxygen gas inlet 8 are formed on the other end of the module main frame 2.

11. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 10, wherein the module mainframe 2 comprises a separator wall formed between the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber.

12. A blood purification filter module including a module mainframe 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed on a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising : a plurality of dialysis filter fibers flowing a diffusate into the module mainframe 2, and a diffusate inlet and a diffusate outlet formed on circumferential surface or on both ends of the module mainframe 2, wherein the plurality of dialysis filter fibers are formed in a linear form of "-" shape having a low flux fiber on one part and a high flux fiber on the other part.

13. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module including a module main frame 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed at a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising: a dialysis filter fiber or an oxygenation filter fiber formed in a linear form of "-" shape on one section in the module mainframe 2 and flowing a diffusate or an oxygen gas into the module mainframe 2 respectively; a filtration filter on the other section in the module mainframe 2; and a diffusate inlet and a diffusate outlet or an oxygen gas inlet and an oxygen gas outlet formed on the circumferential surface or on both ends of the module mainframe 2; wherein the dialysis filter fiber is a low flux fiber or a high flux fiber.

14. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module including a module main frame 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed at a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising: a dialysis filter fiber or an oxygenation filter fiber formed in a linear form of "-" shape formed on one section in the module mainframe 2 and flowing a diffusate or an oxygen gas into the module mainframe 2 respectively; an activated charcoal filter formed on the other section in the module mainframe 2; and a diffusate inlet and a diffusate outlet or an oxygen gas inlet and an oxygen gas outlet formed on the circumferential surface or on both ends of the module mainframe 2; wherein the dialysis filter fiber is a low flux fiber or a high flux fiber.

15. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 3, wherein the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber are formed in a curved form of "U" shape .

16. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 15, wherein the module mainframe 2 includes a first filter module 12 having a dialysis filter fiber and a connecting part 11 at a sectional end, and a second filter module 13 having an oxygenation filter module and a connecting part 11' at a sectional end, with the two connecting parts 11 and 11' coupled each other.

17. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 16, wherein a blood inlet 3 is formed at an end position on the circumferential surface of the first filter module 12 and a blood outlet 4 is formed at an end position on the circumferential surface of the second filter module 13, a deffusate inlet 5 and a diffusate outlet 6 are formed on an outside end of the first filter module 12, an oxygen gas inlet 8 and an oxygen gas outlet 9 are formed on an outside end of the second filter module 2.

18. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 17, wherein a filtration filter module 15 having an easily attachable and detachable filtration filter fiber 14 is additionally included between the first filter module 12 and the second filter module 13.

19. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 17, wherein an activated charcoal module 20 having an easily attachable and detachable activated charcoal filter is additionally included between the first filter module 12 and the second filter module 13.

20. The blood purification and oxygenation filter module of claim 17, wherein a filtration filter module 15 having an easily attachable and detachable filtration filter fiber 14, and an activated charcoal module 20 having an easily attachable and detachable activated charcoal filter are additionally included between the first filter module 12 and the second filter module 13.

21. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module including a module mainframe 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed at a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising: a dialysis filter fiber or an oxygenation filter fiber formed on one section in the module mainframe 2 and flowing diffusate or oxygen gas into the module mainframe 2 respectively; a filtration filter formed on the other section in the module mainframe 2; a diffusate inlet/outlet or an oxygen gas inlet /outlet formed on an end of the module mainframe 2; wherein the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber are formed in a curved form of "U" shape for hemodialysis or blood oxygenation and hemofiltration.

22. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module including a module mainframe 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed at a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising: a dialysis filter fiber or an oxygenation filter fiber formed on one section in the module mainframe 2 and flowing diffusate or oxygen gas into the module mainframe 2 respectively; an activated charcoal filter formed on the other section in the module mainframe 2; and a diffusate inlet/outlet or an oxygen gas inlet/ outlet formed on an end of the module mainframe 2/ wherein the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber are formed in a curved form of "U" shape for hemodialysis or blood oxygenation and blood perfusion by activated charcoal.

23. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module including a module main frame 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed at a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising : a dialysis filter fiber or an oxygenation filter fiber formed on one section in the module mainframe 2 and flowing diffusate or oxygen gas into the module mainframe respectively; a filtration filter and an activated charcoal filter formed on the other section in the module mainframe 2; and a diffusate inlet/outlet or an oxygen gas inlet/outlet formed on one end of the module mainframe 2;wherein the dialysis filter fiber and the oxygenation filter fiber are formed in a curved form of "U" shape for hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, hemofiltration and blood perfusion by activated charcoal .

24. A blood purification device including one of the filter modules of claims 1 to 23.

25. A blood purification and oxygenation method using a blood purification and filtration module, comprising the steps of: feeding blood drawn from the human body into the filter module 1 and then supplying again to the human body; supplying diffusate provided from a diffusate tank into a dialysis filter fiber 7 of the filter module 1 and then discharging to a waste diffusate tank; and supplying oxygen gas provided from an oxygen into an oxygenation filter fiber 10 of the filter module 1 and then discharging to a waste oxygen gas tank.

26. A blood purification and oxygenation method using a blood purification and filtration module of claim 25, wherein the dialysis filter fiber 7 and the oxygenation filter fiber 10 are formed in a curved form of "U" shape.

27. A blood purification and oxygenation method using a blood purification and filtration module of claim 26, wherein the step of diffusate supply further includes a diffusate supply calibration step, so that the diffusate is controlled in a proper state by a main controller C and a diffusate controller C3 according to the signal detected by a sensor of the filter module 1 and is supplied to the dialysis filter fiber 7 in the filter module 1.

28. A blood purification and oxygenation method using a blood purification and filtration module of claim 27, wherein the step of oxygen gas supply further includes an oxygen gas supply calibration step, so that the oxygen gas is controlled in a proper state by a main controller C and a oxygen gas controller C4 according to the signal detected by a sensor of the filter module 1 and is supplied to the oxygenation filter fiber 7 in the filter module 1.

29. A blood purification and oxygenation method using a blood purification and filtration module of claims 25 to 28, wherein the step of blood feeding further includes a blood feeding calibration step, so that the blood is controlled in a proper state by a main controller C and a blood controller Cl according to the condition of blood flowing into the filter module 1 and the signal detected by a sensor of the filter module 1 and is supplied into the filter module 1 and the human body.

30. A blood purification and oxygenation filter module including a module main frame 2 in a hollow pipe shape and a blood inlet 3 and a blood outlet 4 formed at a position on the module mainframe 2, the module comprising : a couple of dialysis filter fibers flowing diffusate to both ends of the module mainframe 2; a diffusate inlet and a diffusate outlet formed on the both ends of the module mainframe 2; wherein the couple of the dialysis filter fibers are formed in curved form of ^ΛU" shape and one dialysis filter fiber is a low flux fiber and the other dialysis filter fiber is a high flux filter fiber.