Microchannel Dialyzer Development

描述（由申请人提供）：我们的主要目标是有效设计一种基于微尺度流动特征的血液透析器，使便携式，长时间的家庭透析成为可能，并且不会对患者的活动施加不当的限制。我们的初步研究表明，微通道技术提供了增强的传质和减少透析液的使用。这些特性将使长期透析设备的交付更接近正常肾功能。我们的长期目标是开发一种适合长期便携式或家庭透析的血液透析器。本研究的目的是了解和控制流动分布的变化，并改善基于工程微尺度流动系统的透析装置的血液相容性。通过控制这些微型设备的关键方面，我们将继续制作和测试原型便携式透析系统。我们的具体目标如下：1)确定将导致设备内有效血流分布的设备制造标准；2)确定将导致有效血液相容性的血液接触表面修饰标准，最小的气泡保留，并且对设备内的传质没有不利影响。这里描述的工作是创新的，因为既没有在膜的血液和透析两侧应用工程微通道，也没有同时定向修改表面化学和微通道几何形状，以实现高效的血液透析，已报道到目前为止。确定了与有效血流分布和血液相容性相一致的定量标准后，我们将获得支持便携式透析系统原型制造和测试所需的剩余关键元素。因此，开发完全集成的便携式血液透析装置将成为可能，这项技术可以在未来几年提供给数百万预计需要定期透析治疗的人。拟议的研究将由俄勒冈州立大学微产品突破研究所的教职员工进行，该研究所是美国领先的研究机构，专注于利用微通道实现运输受限过程的小型化。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Our primary goal is the effective design of a hemodialyzer based on microscale flow features that will enable portable, long-duration home dialysis, and not impose undue restrictions on patient activity. Our preliminary studies show that microchannel technology offers enhanced mass transfer and reduced dialysate use. These attributes will enable the delivery of a device for long-duration dialysis that more closely approaches normal kidney function. Our long-term objective is to develop a hemodialyzer appropriate for long duration portable or at home dialysis. The objectives of the proposed research is to understand and control variations in flow distribution and improve hemocompatibility of dialysis devices based on engineered microscale flow systems. By controlling these critical aspects of microscale devices, we will proceed with the fabrication and testing of a prototype portable dialysis system. Our specific aims are as follows: 1) Identify criteria for device fabrication that will lead to effective blood flow distribution within the device and 2) Identify criteria for blood contact surface modification that will lead to effective hemocompatibility, minimal bubble retention and no adverse effect on mass transfer within the device The work described here is innovative, as neither the application of engineered microchannels on both the blood and dialysate sides of a membrane, nor the simultaneous, directed modification of surface chemistry and microchannel geometry to achieve highly efficient hemodialysis, has been reported to date. Having identified the quantitative criteria consistent with effective blood flow distribution and hemocompatibility, we will have secured the remaining critical elements needed to support the fabrication and testing of a prototype portable dialysis system. Development of fully integrated, portable hemodialysis units will thus be enabled and the technology can be made available to the millions of people expected to require regular dialysis therapy in the years to come. The proposed research will be conducted by faculty and staff at Oregon State University's Microproducts Breakthrough Institute, the leading research organization in the U.S. focused on the miniaturization of transport-limited processes using microchannels.