DE102013104419A1 - Method for producing a dialysis filter and a device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a filter device (2), in particular a dialysis filter, with a membrane from a semi-permeable hollow fiber bundle (6) arranged in an, in particular tubular, housing (4) for removing substances from a fluid, in particular toxins of blood, revealed. Hollow fiber bundle ends (8) are sealed and the housing (4) is closed before the hollow fiber bundle (6) is sealed with a potting compound at the housing ends. According to the invention, the hollow fiber bundle ends (8) are thermally sealed by flatly pressing a heated film (14) or disk made of temperature-resistant and thermally conductive material, and the housing (14) is closed with the same film (14) or disk, in particular thermally or cohesively .

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a filter device or a dialysis filter according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus for carrying out this method.

Generic filter devices are used in hemodialysis, hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration. The core of such filter devices is a microporous or semipermeable membrane, which makes it possible to withdraw certain substances from the blood and optionally to supply other substances. This membrane is formed by a plurality of microporous or semipermeable hollow fibers, which are introduced as a bundle in a substantially tubular filter housing and sealed with end caps. The filter housing has at its two opposite ends on the one hand a first inlet and a first outlet for a first fluid, for. B. blood flowing through the hollow fibers, and a second inlet and a second outlet for a second fluid, for. B. a dialysis fluid which flows outside of the hollow fibers. Via the semipermeable hollow fibers, substances between the first and second fluid, i. between the blood and the dialysis fluid, exchanged.

In order to fix the hollow fibers, but also to seal the two fluid circuits sealing, the hollow fiber bundle is each end shed with a potting compound. In order to prevent the casting compound from penetrating into the hollow fibers through which the first fluid or blood flows when casting the bundle ends and permanently closing them, the hollow-fiber bundle ends must be sealed or sealed before casting.

For this purpose, various methods are known from the prior art. According to a method, the bundle ends are cast in two stages, initially a small amount of potting compound fed to the hollow fiber ends and accepted that this potting accordingly penetrates into the hollow fibers, where it hardens and closes and thus prevents that upon delivery of another batch Potting material this does not penetrate deeper into the hollow fibers. By subsequently separating or cutting off the hollow fiber ends, the hollow fibers are opened again. However, this two-stage process is very time consuming, since the casting of the first casting material must first be awaited before casting the actual casting material.

It is also known to seal the fiber bundle ends with a laser, but this requires a very precise and therefore expensive control of the laser. In addition to laser beam sealing, another thermal sealing method is known in which the hollow fiber bundle ends are sealed by heat radiation. Such a method is for example in WO 2004/086554 A2 described. Since the fiber ends begin to melt due to the heat radiation and melt back, this requires an exact tracking of the heat radiator, which must prevent the heater does not come into contact with the fiber ends, as they would otherwise stick to this and adhere to this.

Another problem is that by means of heat radiation and convection influences, the sealing depth is not uniform. It can thus be observed that the radially outer ends of the hollow fiber bundle are melted back much less than the fiber ends in the central region. If the hollow fibers are aligned horizontally during sealing, in addition, different sealing depths can be observed in the vertical direction. In order to ensure with these larger tolerances that all fibers are sealed after sealing, up to 6 mm of fiber must be melted per side. In order to ensure again that all hollow fibers are reopened after casting by means of a corresponding cut, 8 mm per side must be cut off from the potted fiber ends, which increases the material input for both the hollow fibers and the potting material.

However, the sealing of the fiber ends is not the only problem. In order to prevent that in the subsequent potting of the bundle ends the potting material does not run out of the housing, the housing ends must be temporarily closed with a pouring cap. If only after the sealing of the fiber ends, a one-piece pouring cap is pressed onto the housing, it may be that just in the edge region fibers are bent, which can lead to protruding fibers. Against this background, two-part pouring caps are often used which have an annular portion or centering ring which can be secured to the housing end prior to retraction of the hollow fiber bundle centering and radially supporting the hollow fibers, and a closure member which closes the centering ring after sealing the fiber ends , exhibit. After casting, the two-part pouring cap is removed and replaced by the actual cap with the connecting piece for the first fluid circuit. Due to this multi-part not only increases the number of parts used, but also the number of process steps.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is a method to provide a filter device and apparatus therefor, which overcomes the problems described above in relation to the prior art, and in particular requires little cost and time and less waste.

This object is achieved with regard to the method by the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method for producing a filter device, in particular a dialysis filter, is provided. This filter device has a membrane in a, in particular tubular, housing made of a semipermeable or microporous fiber bundle for removing substances from a fluid, in particular from toxins from blood. The hollow fiber bundle ends are sealed and the housing is closed before the hollow fiber bundle is sealed at the housing ends sealing with a potting compound. According to the invention the hollow fiber bundle ends are thermally sealed by surface pressing or contacting one or on a heated film or disc of temperature-resistant and thermally conductive material.

While according to the prior art described above, the fibers were sealed non-contact with a concentrated heat source via heat radiation or convection, according to the invention they are obtained by thermal conduction, i. fused or sealed by direct contact between a heated foil or disc. The film or disk is not the source of heat and is intended to remain at the fiber ends, as sticking of the fiber ends to the heat source, which is needed for further sealing operations, is undesirable. The adhesion of the heat source or otherwise heated film at the fiber ends, however, is not a problem because the outermost part of the sealed fiber ends (with the adhering film or disc) is separated anyway after casting. The film or disk is merely a heat transfer medium for transferring the heat energy from the heat source into direct contact with the fiber ends.

The direct contact of the heated film with all fiber ends ensures that all fiber ends are sealed. Since the heated film simultaneously defines the sealing plane and due to the heat conduction takes place at all points of the same heat input into the fiber ends, the sealing depth is very homogeneous. Against this background can be worked with a much lower tolerance, so that a lower fiber supernatant, for example, only 3 mm instead of 6 mm, sufficient. Due to the much better predictable depth of sealing also much less fiber material and potting material must be cut after casting to reopen the hollow fibers.

Due to the heat input via heat conduction can be worked with lower temperatures. Furthermore, the air supply is reduced by the film adhering to the fiber ends and thus prevents the burning of the fiber ends. It also reduces the resulting sealing offgases. In addition, fiber-leak-relevant processes and the scrap quantity are reduced, which in turn reduces the overall manufacturing costs.

Finally, the delivery or tracking of the film or disc or the filter housing is much easier, since no predetermined distance between the heat source and the fiber ends must be complied with.

According to one aspect of the invention, the heated foil or disc used for sealing can be used at the same time for closing the housing. The heated film or disk is preferably bonded or welded to the open housing front side.

The essential advantage of this embodiment is the fact that sealed in a single operation, the hollow fiber bundle ends and the housing is sealed in preparation for the subsequent Vergießvorgangs so that the manufacturing process of the filter device can be significantly shortened. It also requires no tool change. Furthermore, the heated foil or disc used fulfills two functions, firstly the sealing of the hollow fiber ends and secondly the closing of the housing.

The method according to the invention can be used in particular when using a centering ring for centering the hollow-fiber bundle ends, as described above. It is irrelevant whether the centering ring is integrally formed on the housing or is releasably connected thereto, since the heated film or disc can be pressed against the end face of the centering ring and welded thereto. By centering the hollow fiber bundle ends, it is ensured that, in particular, the fibers do not protrude in the edge region and, under certain circumstances, do not come into contact with the film or disk.

According to another or additional aspect, the hollow fiber bundle ends protrude out of the centering ring. It has been shown that Fiber protrusions of 3 mm are sufficient to ensure that all fiber ends are securely sealed. The protruding hollow fiber bundle ends are melted back with the heated foil or disc before the foil or disc comes into abutment with the face of the centering ring. This ensures that all hollow fiber ends are already fused when the foil or disc terminates the housing via the centering ring. In this process, the housing with the hollow fiber bundle ends and / or the heated film or disc can be delivered and moved towards each other steadily. The feed and the temperature of the film or disc are controlled accordingly.

According to one aspect, the hollow fiber bundle ends on both sides of the filter device can be sealed simultaneously with a corresponding foil or disc and the two opposite housing openings or centering rings can be closed with the respective foil or disc.

According to one aspect of the invention, the foil or disc may be brought into a plane perpendicular to the hollow fiber bundle longitudinal axis before being sealed in order to be subsequently delivered axially. If a non-self-stable film is used, it may be stretched before and possibly during sealing. Both measures ensure that the fiber ends are sealed in a defined plane.

In one embodiment, the film or disc is continuously heated or held at temperature during sealing and / or welding. This will ensure that the film or sheet will always maintain the desired temperature for the sealing or welding operation. According to the invention thus the heat source can be delivered to the fiber ends with the interposition of the film or disc and removed after successful sealing and closing of the housing.

According to another or additional aspect of the invention, the melting temperature of the film or disk material is higher than the melting temperatures of the centering ring material and the hollow fiber material. Thus, the film or disk may be heated to a temperature above the melting temperatures of the centering ring material and the hollow fiber material and below the melting temperature of the film or disk material, thus ensuring that the hollow fiber bundle ends are melted and sealed and the film or disk can be connected cohesively with the centering ring. In general, the filter housing or the centering made of polycarbonate or polypropylene and the hollow fibers of polysulfone, so that the material of the film or disc should be chosen so that it can be heated to at least 200 ° C and withstands this temperature. Aluminum has proved to be a suitable material, since this not only satisfies the thermal requirements, but is also available at low cost and represents an excellent conductor of heat. Of course, other heat resistant and thermally conductive film and disc materials may be used.

According to the method of the invention, after casting the end portions of the hollow fiber bundle and reopening the hollow fibers, the centering ring formed integrally with the housing can be separated from the housing and hollow fiber bundle together with the sealed hollow fiber bundle ends and the film or sheet adhered thereto. By injecting a thin-walled projection on the housing, which serves as a centering ring and is cut off after casting, the manufacturing process can be further simplified and shortened. In the event that a separate, releasably connected to the housing centering ring is used, this can be separated after the casting of the end portions of the hollow fiber bundle and reopening of the hollow fibers of the housing and connected to the sealed hollow fiber bundle ends foil or disc, and then the sealed hollow fiber ends are cut off from the hollow fiber bundle.

To ensure that the housing is sealed, a leak test can be carried out before pouring the fiber ends with a vacuum, to determine if necessary a leak on or in the film or disc and possibly to weld the film or disc again with the housing.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a device for producing a filter device, in particular for carrying out the method described above, wherein this device comprises a foil or disc of heat-resistant and thermally conductive material, an energy source for heating the foil or disc and a positioning device for feeding and pressing the foil or disc in a plane perpendicular to the hollow fiber longitudinal axis at the hollow fiber bundle ends and optionally then has on the housing or centering ring. The device according to the invention makes it possible to seal the hollow-fiber bundle ends and to close the filter housing in one operation, so that the preparatory measures for casting the hollow-fiber bundle ends are not only substantially simplified, but can also be shortened. Incidentally, the device according to the invention has all already for Process described advantages over the prior art.

In the event that a non-intrinsically stable or pressure-deformable film is used, it is advantageous if the film is tensioned before or during the sealing of the fiber ends by means of a tensioning device.

According to another or additional aspect of the invention, an deliverable heating punch may function as both an energy source and a positioning device. This can then be pressed flat with the interposition of the film or disc to the hollow fiber bundle ends, so that the heat energy is transmitted from the heating punch on the thermally conductive foil or disc to the fiber ends and these are thereby fused or sealed. Alternatively, in the case where a metallic material is used for the foil or disc, the foil or disc can also be heated by means of induction or an electromagnetic energy source and pressed together with the latter against the fiber ends.

According to a development, the device according to the invention can also have a cutting device in order to cut off or separate the sealed hollow fiber bundle ends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis after casting of the fiber bundle ends, optionally together with a part of a centering ring formed integrally on the filter housing.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the following description of the figures.

Brief description of the drawings

1A and 1B show a perspective view and a side view of one end of a filter device with a hollow fiber bundle before the seal;

2A and 2 B show in a perspective view and in a side view, a method step according to the invention for sealing the hollow fiber bundle ends;

3 shows a sealed after sealing the hollow fiber bundle ends filter housing opening;

4 shows a filter device inserted in a centrifuge prior to casting in the centrifuge; and

5 shows a filter device after casting and with centering ring removed.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

1A and 1B show an end portion of a filter device 2 or a dialysis filter having a tubular housing open on both sides 4 in which a bundle 6 of a variety of microporous or semipermeable hollow fibers 6 is included, the fiber ends 8th about 3 cm from a centering ring 10 project, which before pulling the hollow fibers 6 at the end of the case 4 was releasably secured. The centering ring 10 serves to center the hollow fiber bundle ends 8th for the subsequent sealing and potting steps described below.

The housing 4 consists of polycarbonate and the centering ring 10 polyethylene, while the hollow fibers are polysulfone. The centering ring 10 is removed after the sealing and potting steps and replaced by an end cap, not shown. This end cap has a port through which blood is supplied, which after flowing through the hollow fibers 6 on the opposite side flows through a corresponding outlet. Via a radially arranged connection 12 as he is in the 2A is shown, the dialysis fluid flows, which on the opposite side via a correspondingly provided connection 12 is fed and outside the hollow fibers 6 at these, usually against the flow direction of the blood, flows. About the micropores, which are in the hollow fibers 6 are formed, substances contained in the blood are released to the dialysis fluid. The connections 12 are located between the potted portions of the hollow fiber bundle 6 so that the introduced casting material seals the two above-described fluid circuits of blood and dialysis fluid from each other.

The 2A and 2 B show the sealing process according to the invention, in which the hollow fiber bundle ends 8th with the interposition of an aluminum foil 14 by a heating stamp 16 to be sealed. The hollow fibers 6 consist of polysulfone, which plastically deforms in the temperature range of 160 to 180 ° C. If the heating stamp 16 is preheated or heated to a temperature of about 200 to 400 ° C, the fiber ends 8th , which only with the interposition of the thermally conductive aluminum foil 14 at the heating stamp 16 be pressed or pressed, melted. First, the protruding hollow fiber bundle ends 8th melted so that at the appropriate pressure of the hollow fiber bundle ends 8th against the aluminum foil 14 and the heating stamp 16 the fibers are melted back so far until the aluminum foil 14 in contact with the face 11 of the centering ring 10 comes. There the melting point of the centering ring 10 also below 200 ° C, is the end face 11 of the centering ring 10 over the heated aluminum foil 14 also melted, causing the aluminum foil 14 with the face 11 of the centering ring 10 welded or materially connected.

The heating stamp 16 and the case 4 with the hollow fibers 6 are only moved so far towards each other until the aluminum foil 14 the centering ring 10 sealing closes. Through the flat surface of the heating stamp 16 and the aluminum foil interposed therebetween 14 become the hollow fiber ends 8th uniformly heated and melted, allowing a uniform and homogeneous sealing of the hollow fiber ends 8th is reached. The heating stamp 16 can be heated in different ways, eg. B. by induction, by a resistive element, by a burner or other heat sources.

After the sealing process and the closing of the centering ring 10 is the case 4 sealed at its axial end, as in the 3 is shown. The same process is performed simultaneously or subsequently at the other end of the filter device 2 made accordingly. From the 2 and 3 is well recognizable that the diameter of the heating punch 16 as well as the diameter of the aluminum foil 14 preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the end face 11 of the centering ring 10 should be. The heating stamp 16 or the contact surface of the aluminum foil 14 should have a smooth and level surface to achieve a suitably level seal. To prevent the aluminum foil 14 is not slipped or mounted off-center, this can be held and positioned by a corresponding (not shown) positioning or fixing. After sealing and sealing z. B. with a vacuum leak test to determine whether the housing 4 is actually tightly closed.

Subsequently, the sealed housing 4 be inserted into a centrifuge and clamped, as in the 4 is shown and shed in it. The potting compound is, as indicated by an arrow, in each case via the connection 12 fed and due to the centrifugal force to the outside of the film 14 closed end portions of the housing 4 spun so that the potting compound at the respective Hohlfaserendabschnitten 8th extending axially outside the connections 12 are cured. The casting compound used is usually polyurethane (PUR).

After curing of the potting compound, the hollow fiber bundle ends are potted with polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is only in the spaces between the hollow fibers 6 spreads, as the hollow fiber ends 8th sealed or closed. After removal from the centrifuge can first of centering 10 from the case 4 be removed as in the 5 is shown. In doing so, the aluminum foil must 14 , which both on the front surface 11 of the centering ring 10 adheres as well as at the hollow fiber bundle ends 8th be demolished or cut open accordingly. So through the hollow fiber 6 a fluid or blood can flow, the only closed for the casting hollow fibers 6 be opened again. This happens because the outermost layer of the sealed fiber ends 8th with aluminum foil adhering to it 14 is cut off. The cut must be set so that it is deeper than the sealing depth of the fiber ends 8th lies. Due to the homogeneous sealing by means of the flat-pressed aluminum foil 14 For example, the seal depth is only 1 to 1.5 mm, so only a relatively thin layer needs to be cut off the PUR block. Are the hollow fiber bundle ends 8th opened again, can the initially mentioned end caps on the two open housing ends 4 put on and sealed tightly. The filter device 2 or the dialysis filter is thus ready for use.

• – Einbringen eines Faserbündels aus semi-permeablen Hohlfasern in ein rohrförmiges Gehäuse, so dass diese beidseitig aus einer am jeweiligen Gehäuseende vorgesehenen offenen Gießkappe bzw. Zentrierring herausragen;
• – Anbringen / Positionieren / Spannen einer Folie aus temperaturbeständigen und wärmeleitfähigen Material auf einem Heizelement
• – Erhitzen der Folie / Scheibe und Zustellen der Folie / Scheibe, ggf. zusammen mit dem Heizelement, bis Folie / Scheibe mit den Faserbündelenden in flächige Anlage kommt. Alternativ kann die Folie / Scheibe in flächige Anlage mit den Faserbundelenden gebracht werden und erst anschließend erhitzt werden
• – Flächiges Andrücken der Folie / Scheibe an den Faserbündelenden und Versiegeln der Faserbündelenden
• – Weiteres Zustellen der Folie / Scheibe, bis Folie / Scheibe mit der Stirnringfläche des offenen Zentrierrings in flächige Anlage kommt
• – Flächiges Andrücken der Folie / Scheibe an Stirnkante der Gießkappe und Verschweißen des offenen Zentrierrings mit der Folie / Scheibe
• – Vergießen der Faserbündelenden mit Vergussmasse (PUR)
• – Entfernen des Zentrierrings
• – Abschneiden eines Endstücks von den vergossenen Faserbündelenden zum Wiederöffnen der Hohlfasern
• – Anbringen der Endkappen an den beiden Gehäuseenden.

The entire manufacturing process of the filter device 2 has the following listed method steps, wherein only the steps that seal the hollow fiber bundles end 8th and closing the housing 4 or the centering ring arranged thereon 10 relate to be regarded as essential to the invention.

• - Introducing a fiber bundle of semi-permeable hollow fibers in a tubular housing, so that they protrude on both sides of a provided at the respective housing end open pouring cap or centering ring;
• - Mounting / positioning / tensioning a film of temperature-resistant and thermally conductive material on a heating element
• - Heating the film / disc and feeding the film / disc, possibly together with the heating element, until the film / disc comes with the fiber bundle ends in planar contact. Alternatively, the film / disc can be brought into planar contact with the fiber bundle ends and only then heated
• - Surface pressing of the film / disc at the fiber bundle ends and sealing the fiber bundle ends
• - Further delivery of the film / disc until the film / disc comes into planar contact with the end face of the open centering ring
• - Surface pressing of the film / disc on the front edge of the pouring cap and welding the open centering ring with the film / disc
• - Potting the fiber bundle ends with potting compound (PUR)
• - Remove the centering ring
• Cutting off an end piece from the molded fiber bundle ends to reopen the hollow fibers
• - Attach the end caps to the two housing ends.

The embodiment detailed above can be modified as follows.

Instead of aluminum, other temperature-resistant and thermally conductive materials can be used, provided that their melting point is above that of the hollow fiber material and the housing or Zentrierringmaterials.

Instead of a film, a thin disk or a wafer having higher strength or inherent stability than a film may be used.

The opposite bundle ends can be sealed successively or simultaneously. The same applies to the closing of the housing openings.

If the housing with the bundle ends is placed vertically on the heating stamp with the interposition of the film, the weight of the housing and the hollow fiber bundle may be sufficient to achieve the necessary contact pressure for sealing and remelting between the heating punch and fiber ends. In this case, the active delivery can be omitted.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2004/086554 A2 [0005]

Claims (10)

Method for producing a filter device ( 2 ), in particular a dialysis filter, with a in a, in particular tubular, housing ( 4 ) arranged membrane of a semi-permeable hollow fiber bundle ( 6 ) for removing substances from a fluid, in particular from toxins from blood, wherein hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) are sealed before the hollow fiber bundle ( 6 ) is sealed at the housing ends sealing with a potting compound, characterized in that the hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) by two-dimensional pressing on or by means of an energy source ( 16 ) heated foil ( 14 ) or disc of temperature-resistant and thermally conductive material are thermally sealed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that with the same film ( 14 ) or disc the housing ( 4 ), in particular thermally or cohesively, is closed before the hollow fiber bundle ( 4 ) is sealed at the housing ends sealed with a potting compound. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing ( 4 ) at its axial ends in each case a centering ring ( 10 ) for centering the hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ), which is integrally formed on the housing ( 4 ) is formed or is detachably connected thereto and after casting at least partially separated or removed, characterized in that the housing ( 4 ) is closed, in which the heated film ( 14 ) or disc and an end face ( 11 ) of the centering ring ( 10 ) are pressed together and welded together. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) from the centering ring ( 10 ), in particular by 2 to 4 mm, preferably by 3 mm, protrude and the protruding hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) when sealing with the film ( 14 ) or disc until the film ( 14 ) or disc comes into abutment with the end face of the centering ring, wherein the housing with the hollow fiber bundle ends and the heated film or disc are thereby moved toward each other steadily. A method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the melting temperature of the film or disc material is higher than the melting temperatures of the Zentrierringmaterials and the hollow fiber material; and the foil ( 14 ) or disc is heated to a temperature, in particular to at least 200 ° C, which is above the melting temperatures of the centering ring material and the hollow fiber material and below the melting temperature of the foil or disc material. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that after the casting of the end portions of the hollow fiber bundle ( 6 ) and reopening the hollow fibers ( 6 ) integral with the housing ( 4 ) formed centering ring together with the sealed hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) and the film ( 14 ) or disc from the housing ( 4 ) and hollow fiber bundles ( 6 ) are separated; or after the casting of the end portions of the hollow fiber bundle ( 6 ) and reopening the hollow fibers ( 6 ) the releasably connected to the housing centering ring ( 10 ) of the housing and with the sealed hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) connected film ( 14 ) or disc is separated and then the sealed hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) of the hollow fiber bundle ( 6 ) are separated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film ( 14 ) or disc is brought before sealing in a plane perpendicular to the hollow fiber bundle longitudinal axis and / or tensioned and / or with the film ( 14 ) or disc closed housing ( 4 ) is subjected to a leak test before casting with potting compound with vacuum. Device for producing a filter device ( 2 ) with one in a housing ( 4 ) arranged membrane of a semi-permeable hollow fiber bundle ( 6 ), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: a film ( 14 ) or disc of heat-resistant and thermally conductive material; an energy source ( 4 ) for heating the film ( 14 ) or disc; and a positioning device for feeding and pressing the film ( 14 ) or disc in a direction perpendicular to the hollow fiber bundle longitudinal axis plane at the hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) and then on the housing ( 4 ). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the energy source and the positioning device by an undeliverable heating punch ( 16 ) are formed, on which the film ( 14 ) is arranged and the heat energy from the heating stamp ( 16 ) over the film ( 14 ) in direct contact with the hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) is transmitted. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, further characterized by: tensioning means for tensioning the film ( 14 ) before and / or during sealing; and or a cutting device for separating the sealed hollow fiber bundle ends ( 8th ) and / or at least part of the centering ring.

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