Particle Transfer and Detection in a Microspheres Based Detoxification System

Extracorporeal blood purification by means of the adsorption system MDS is based on high specific microparticle adsorbent for toxin removal. A thin-wall hollow-fiber membrane filter separates the microparticle-plasma suspension from the bloodstream. For patient safety, it is necessary to have a means to detect membrane ruptures that could lead to a release of microparticles into the patient´s bloodstream. A non invasive optical detection system was developed to monitor the extracorporeal venous bloodstream for the presence of released microparticles. For detection, labeled microspheres are suspended with the adsorbent particles. In the case of a membrane rupture, the labeled particles would be released together with the microadsorbent. A detailed description for the system setup is introduced.