Apparatus for plasma separation/exchange by double filtration

摘要

An apparatus for plasma separation'exchange by double-step-membrane filtration, namely separation of blood into plasma and a corpuscular fraction and separation of high-molecular-weight substances (e.g. gamma-globulin) in the plasma from low-molecular-weight substances (e.g. albumin), and addition of a substitute fluid, comprises a plasma reservoir (7) for receiving the plasma fraction from the first filter means (5) on its way to the second (11) and a level sensor (3) for monitoring the plasma level within the plasma reservoir (7), together with a pump (M2) controlled by the level sensor for adjusting the flow rate and hence maintaining a desired plasma level. The apparatus is used in treating blood, e.g. in patients with peripheral circulatory insufficiency due to arterioscleroses and of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.