PARABIOTIC DIALYSIS APPARATUS

摘要

Parabiotic dialysis apparatus which may be safely used with humans is disclosed. Three chambers are fluidically interconnected yet separated by two membranes to enable safe and efficient transfer of substances between the blood of two organisms. One chamber is arranged to be connected into the blood circulation system of a normal human. A second chamber is arranged to be connected into the blood circulation system of a diseased human. A third chamber is arranged to hold physiological fluid. The chambers are arranged with the third chamber between the first and second chambers, and the membranes are arranged with one membrane forming the fluid boundary between the first chamber and the third chamber and the second membrane forming the fluid boundary between the second chamber and the third chamber to thus provide a fluid path from the first chamber to the second chamber which fluid path can transfer substances to and from the first and second chambers across the membranes and third chamber due to diffusion. The third chamber further allows a continual monitoring for membrane failure, and provides sufficient time to enable system operation to be stopped before a transfer of undesirable substances between the humans could occur due to such membrane failure. Apparatus for performing such continual monitoring is described.