Membrane module with inclined inflow

Abstract

The invention relates to a membrane module (1) for treating blood (B), comprising: at least one treatment space (3), an exchange membrane (5) with a plurality of semi-permeable hollow fibres (7) each extending in a longitudinal fibre direction (RF1, RF2) through the treatment space (3), a potting (21) in which first fibre ends (17) and second fibre ends (19) of the hollow fibres (7) of the exchange membrane (5) are fixed and which at least partially defines the treatment space (3), wherein at least a first hollow fibre subset (37) of the plurality of hollow fibres (7) is arranged in the treatment space (3) such that the longitudinal fibre direction (RF1, RF2) thereof is inclined to the main flow direction (RH). The invention further relates to a system (200) for treating blood (B), two methods (300, 400) for producing a membrane module (1), an assembly method, and a method (500) for extracorporeal treatment of blood (B).

Description

[0001] Eisenführ feeder

[0002] Munich, August 23, 2024

[0003] Our reference: HM 5442-02 WO FEG / KSC

[0004] Applicant / Owner: HBOX Therapies GmbH

[0005] Official file number: Subsequent registration to DE 102023 122602.9

[0006] HBOX Therapies GmbH

[0007] Pauweisstraße 17, 52074 Aachen, DE

[0008] Membrane module with oblique flow

[0009] The invention relates to a membrane module for the treatment of blood, comprising at least one treatment chamber which has at least one blood inlet and at least one blood outlet, which are connected to one another by the treatment chamber in a main flow direction, an exchange membrane with a plurality of semipermeable hollow

[0010] 5 fibers, each extending in a fiber longitudinal direction through the treatment chamber and designed to be permeated by a treatment medium in the fiber longitudinal direction from a first fiber end to an opposite second fiber end, and a potting in which the first fiber ends and second fiber ends of the hollow fibers of the exchange membrane are fixed and which at least partially defines the treatment chamber. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for producing a membrane module, a system for treating blood, an assembly method, and a method for extracorporeal treatment of blood.

[0011] The enrichment of fluids with gases and the temperature control of fluids in heat exchange membranes are well-known techniques for preparing fluids for subsequent processes or procedures. In medical technology, these principles are of great importance for the treatment of blood. For example, supplying the patient with oxygen is essential, particularly in cases of acute deterioration in respiratory function. In particularly severe cases, enrichment of the patient's bloodstream (oxygenation) is necessary. In extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a significant portion of the patient's blood is passed extracorporeally through a suitable device for oxygen enrichment. The withdrawal of large volumes of blood places a high strain on the organism and carries considerable risks.For example, the use of large doses of anticoagulants is necessary to prevent thrombosis in the patient or blockages of the ECMO device due to thrombus formation. ECMO is therefore generally used as a last resort in particularly severe cases of respiratory failure or during surgery. However, it can also be beneficial to enrich the patient's blood with oxygen in other cases, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, for the treatment of ischemia, or to support cancer treatment. Furthermore, the depletion of fluids and / or gases is often necessary. For example, to remove carbon dioxide from the blood of a patient being treated.

[0012] However, there are hardly any suitable devices on the market for supporting the oxygenation of patients' blood. As already mentioned, conventional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation devices are designed for high blood volume flows and are therefore not suitable for supporting treatment of conscious patients. Due to the high blood volume flows required, known devices, and in particular their membrane modules for treating blood, pose enormous health risks, particularly with regard to thrombosis, when used at lower flow rates.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a membrane module which allows an improved treatment of blood, in particular a patient-friendly treatment and / or efficient treatment of blood, in particular at comparatively small blood volume flows.

[0014] The present invention solves this problem in a first aspect by a membrane module according to claim 1.In particular, the invention solves the problem by a membrane module for treating blood, comprising: at least one treatment chamber having at least one blood inlet and at least one blood outlet, which are connected to one another through the treatment chamber in a main flow direction, an exchange membrane having a plurality of hollow fibers, each of which extends through the treatment chamber in a fiber longitudinal direction and is designed to be flowed through by a treatment medium in the fiber longitudinal direction from a first fiber end to an opposite second fiber end, a potting in which the first fiber ends and second fiber ends of the hollow fibers of the exchange membrane are fixed and which at least partially defines the treatment chamber, wherein at least a first hollow fiber subset of the plurality of hollow fibers is arranged in the treatment chamber such that its fiber longitudinal direction is oblique to the main flow direction.

[0015] Preferably, some of the hollow fibers, and particularly preferably all of them, are semipermeable. The exchange membrane can therefore comprise a plurality of semipermeable hollow fibers. In variants, however, some or all of the hollow fibers can also be completely gas-tight, for example, if the hollow fibers are intended for temperature-treated blood. In other variants, some or all of the hollow fibers can also be porous.

[0016] Fluid to be treated flowing through the treatment chamber, in particular blood, can be treated by the treatment medium flowing through the hollow fibers. Treatment can comprise a temperature treatment, in particular heat addition and / or removal, heating, cooling and / or temperature stabilization, and / or mass transfer, in particular gas exchange. Such gas exchange can in particular be oxygenation (enrichment with oxygen) and / or a reduction of the carbon dioxide content of the treated blood. The treatment chamber is preferably that section of the membrane module in which the blood to be treated comes into contact with the hollow fibers of the exchange membrane. It should be understood that the treatment chamber can also have free flow cross-sectional areas that allow blood to flow through.The hollow fibers of the exchange membrane are preferably spaced apart from one another, and the blood can flow close to the hollow fibers through the free flow cross-sectional areas thus formed. Furthermore, the treatment chamber can also have sections that do not have hollow fibers or are fiber-free. Preferably, however, the treatment chamber has hollow fibers at least in sections at each cross-section transverse to the main flow direction. There are also embodiments of the membrane module according to the invention in which no hollow fibers are provided. For example, a continuous membrane module and / or at least one flat membrane can be provided. In other variants of the invention described here, the membrane can also be omitted. Treatment can then take place, for example, via walls delimiting the treatment chamber, which for this purpose can be formed at least in sections from membrane material.It should be understood that, within the scope of the present disclosure, a treatment does not necessarily have a direct or indirect therapeutic effect on a patient if the treated blood is administered to the patient in a later step not encompassed by the invention. Treatment may include any form of action on blood or another fluid to be treated.

[0017] The hollow fibers preferably extend in a straight line through the treatment chamber. The hollow fibers can thus be tensioned, thus minimizing fiber deformation caused by the fluid flowing through the treatment chamber. The blood inlet and the blood outlet are connected to one another in the main flow direction. The main flow direction preferably runs essentially in a straight line, particularly preferably from the blood inlet to the blood outlet. The main flow direction is preferably defined along a straight line that connects the centroid of the blood inlet with the centroid of the blood outlet. The blood inlet and the blood outlet are preferably located opposite one another along the main flow direction. However, it can also be provided that the main flow direction runs at least partially along a curve.The main flow direction can also be curved and then preferably perpendicular to the free flow cross-section in every cross-section of the treatment chamber. The blood inlet and the blood outlet can be adjacent to one another, for example on the same side of the housing, and the main flow direction can be essentially U-shaped, for example. The main flow direction describes the flow of the medium to be treated, in particular blood, through the treatment chamber from a global perspective. It should be understood that local turbulence or secondary flows, which occur, for example, as a result of flow around individual hollow fibers, can nevertheless cause individual fluid particles of the medium to be treated to not follow the main flow direction. In preferred variants of the invention, the main flow direction can also be defined by the velocity averaged in each cross-section of the treatment chamber or its vector.

[0018] The hollow fibers of the exchange membrane are designed to have a treatment medium flow through them in their respective longitudinal fiber direction. The fluid to be treated, in particular blood, flowing through the treatment chamber comes into contact with the hollow fibers in the treatment chamber and is thus treated. The treatment medium is preferably a fluid. For example, the treatment medium can be tempered water, preferably for tempering (heating and / or cooling) the blood flowing through the treatment chamber. Preferably, the treatment medium is a gas or a gas mixture. Such a gas or gas mixture is also referred to as a sweep gas. Particularly preferably, the sweep gas is or comprises oxygen and / or an anesthetic gas. Additionally or supplementarily, the sweep gas can also comprise ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen (N2), xenon (Xe), argon (Ar), isoflurane (C3H2ClF5O) and / or mixtures thereof.The oxygen flowing through the hollow fibers can oxygenate the blood in the treatment chamber and / or reduce its carbon monoxide and / or carbon dioxide levels. Preferably, the treatment medium enters the fibers at the first end and exits the second end. However, the flow through the fibers can also occur in the opposite direction.

[0019] As an alternative or in addition to hollow fibers, solid fibers can also be provided. For example, heating fibers extending through the treatment chamber can be provided for treating the blood.

[0020] The potting preferably holds the respective first and second fiber ends of the hollow fibers of the exchange membrane or fixes them. The potting can, for example, be an adhesive bond between the fiber ends. The potting is preferably liquid-tight and / or gas-tight. The potting can also form one or more walls that at least partially define the treatment chamber. For example, the potting can define side walls of the treatment chamber, along which the blood to be treated flows, preferably in the main flow direction. It should be understood that the potting can have various potting sections that can be contiguous and / or at least partially separated from one another. For example, the potting can have two potting sections, each of these potting sections forming a wall that is separate from the other wall.The potting preferably comprises a potting material selected from the group: silicone, polyurethane, polyolefin, polyethylene, epoxy, cyanoacrylate; or mixtures thereof.

[0021] The invention described herein may also include embodiments that do not have potting, but in which the hollow fibers or other membrane elements are fixed in another way.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention described herein may also include embodiments in which the exchange membrane comprises at least one fiber mat with a plurality of fibers, in particular hollow fibers, connected by warp threads. In particularly preferred embodiments, the main flow direction runs substantially along, preferably parallel to, the warp threads. An oblique arrangement of the fiber longitudinal direction relative to the main flow direction need not be present in such variants. Preferably, a first hollow fiber subset of the plurality of semipermeable hollow fibers is arranged in the treatment chamber such thatthat their fiber longitudinal direction is oblique to the main flow direction. The first hollow fiber subset can also comprise all hollow fibers of the plurality of hollow fibers of the exchange membrane. Preferably, the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset are substantially parallel or unidirectional to one another. Hollow fibers arranged obliquely to the main flow direction are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the main flow direction. Hollow fibers running obliquely to the main flow direction (or their fiber longitudinal direction) enclose an acute or obtuse angle other than 90° with the main flow direction. The angle of incidence is the smaller of the angles included between the main flow direction and the fiber longitudinal direction. The hollow fibers of the first subset (their respective fiber longitudinal direction) enclose an angle of incidence with the main flow direction of greater than 0° to less than or equal to 90°, preferably greater than or equal to 5° to less than or equal to 90°.preferably greater than or equal to 10° to less than or equal to 90°, preferably greater than or equal to 15° to less than or equal to 90°, preferably greater than or equal to 15° to less than or equal to 85°, preferably greater than or equal to 15° to less than or equal to 80°, preferably greater than or equal to 12° to 75°, preferably greater than or equal to 15° to less than or equal to 75°, preferably greater than or equal to 20° to less than or equal to 75°, preferably greater than or equal to 20° to less than or equal to 70°, preferably greater than or equal to 25° to less than or equal to 70°, preferably greater than or equal to 25° to less than or equal to 65°, preferably greater than or equal to 30° to less than or equal to 65°, preferably greater than or equal to 30° to less than or equal to 60°, preferably greater than or equal to 35° to less than or equal to 60°, preferably greater than or equal to 35° to less than or equal to 55°, preferably greater than or equal to 40° to less than or equal to 55°,Preferably greater than or equal to 40° to less than or equal to 50°. The angle of incidence, when viewed from the direction of flow, is the smaller of the angles enclosed between the main flow direction and the fiber longitudinal direction. The angle of incidence is determined in the plane of the hollow fibers' orientation, which is also referred to herein as the fiber orientation plane. Hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset extend in this fiber orientation plane or parallel to it.

[0023] Preferably, the hollow fibers of the first subset can enclose a second angle of incidence with the main flow direction, which angle is determined in a plane perpendicular to the fiber direction plane. The second angle of attack preferably has a value in a range from greater than 0° to less than or equal to 90°, preferably greater than 5° to less than 90°, preferably greater than 10° to less than 90°, preferably greater than 15° to less than 90°, preferably greater than 15° to less than 85°, preferably greater than 15° to less than 80°, preferably greater than 12° to 75°, preferably greater than 15° to less than 75°, preferably greater than 20° to less than 75°, preferably greater than 20° to less than 70°, preferably greater than 25° to less than 70°, preferably greater than 25° to less than 65°, preferably greater than 30° to less than 65°, preferably greater than 30° to less than 60°, preferably greater than 35° to less than 60°, preferably greater than 35° to less than 55°, preferably greater than 40° to less than 55°, preferably greater than 40° to less than 50°, whereby the boundary values ​​should also be loadable.The first hollow fiber subset preferably comprises at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, preferably at least 20%, preferably at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 35%, preferably at least 40%, preferably at least 45%, preferably at least 50%, preferably at least 55%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 65%, particularly preferably 70%, preferably at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, of all hollow fibers of the exchange membrane. The first hollow fiber subset can also comprise all hollow fibers of the exchange membrane.

[0024] When viewed in the reference system of the membrane module, the main flow direction can have directional components in all three spatial directions. The main flow direction is preferably oriented such that the largest directional component of the main flow direction is parallel to a mat plane of fiber mats of the exchange membrane. Such a flow can also be referred to as flow in the mat plane. The invention described herein can also comprise variants without oblique flow to a first hollow fiber subset of the hollow fibers. The above-described flow in the mat plane is also preferred for such variants, in particular for at least one hollow fiber subset with a fiber longitudinal direction running transversely to the main flow direction. In preferred variants of the invention, the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset are arranged in the treatment chamber such that their fiber longitudinal direction is parallel and / or transverse to the main flow direction.

[0025] According to a first preferred development, the treatment chamber has a main cross-section that varies perpendicularly to the main flow direction. In this variant, the main cross-section of the treatment chamber therefore changes at least in sections when viewed along the main flow direction. For example, a first main cross-section can have a smaller area than a second main cross-section arranged downstream of it in the main flow direction. The main cross-section of the treatment chamber preferably comprises a free flow cross-section through which the medium to be treated flows in the main flow direction, and a fiber cross-section occupied by the hollow fibers of the exchange membrane. The main cross-section is therefore preferably the cross-sectional area of ​​the treatment chamber, with both the free flow cross-section and the fiber area being taken into account.The flow velocity of the blood through the treatment chamber is essentially determined by the free flow cross-section. The main cross-section (or the main cross-sectional area) is a key factor influencing the flow velocity. For example, by increasing the main cross-section while maintaining the absolute fiber cross-sectional area (or fiber cross-section) and the blood volume flow, the flow velocity of the blood in the treatment chamber can be reduced, as the free flow cross-section can generally be increased. Varying the main cross-section thus allows for optimal adjustment of the flow velocity in the treatment chamber. For example, by adjusting the flow velocity accordingly, the thrombogenicity of the blood being treated can be reduced. As a result, the amount of anticoagulant a patient needs to take can be minimized.Furthermore, a variable main cross-section can promote a homogeneous flow. For example, the occurrence of backflow zones and / or dead water zones, which can negatively impact the thrombogenicity of the blood to be treated, can be reduced. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0026] The treatment chamber is preferably rotationally asymmetric. In particular, the treatment chamber can be rotationally asymmetric or non-rotationally symmetric to a longitudinal axis of the membrane module and / or an axis of the membrane module running parallel to the main flow direction. This preferred development is analogously also preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below. When producing the potting, which can also be referred to as potting, a potting material, such as an adhesive, is usually used. Due to the capillary action of the hollow fibers, this potting material can migrate inside and out along the hollow fibers before it solidifies. This can impair the exchangeability of the hollow fibers. During potting, a force is therefore usually applied to the potting material to prevent this creep.For example, a mold used for potting can be spun in a centrifuge until the potting material solidifies. However, rotationally symmetrical treatment chambers can only be produced this way with considerable effort. The inventors have discovered that the production of the membrane module can be significantly simplified by providing a rotationally asymmetrical treatment chamber.

[0027] In a preferred variant, the treatment chamber essentially has the shape of an elliptical cylinder. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below. An elliptical cylinder has an elliptical base area and extends in the vertical direction. The elliptical base area comprises a small main axis and a large main axis. Preferably, the main flow direction runs essentially along the large main axis of the elliptical basic shape of the elliptical cylinder. Preferably, the main flow direction does not run in the vertical direction of the elliptical cylinder. The main flow direction can also extend along the small main axis. In variants, the elliptical base area can vary in the vertical direction, in which case the treatment chamber no longer needs to describe an elliptical cylinder.It should be understood that the shape of the treatment chamber may deviate from that of an elliptical cylinder in certain sections and yet still essentially have the shape of an elliptical cylinder. Thus, the treatment chamber may deviate from the shape of an elliptical cylinder, particularly in the area of ​​the blood inlet and / or the blood outlet, while the rest of the treatment chamber essentially has the shape of an elliptical cylinder. For example, the blood inlet may be arranged at one vertex of the basic elliptical shape, while the blood outlet is preferably arranged at an opposite vertex.

[0028] The treatment chamber preferably has substantially the shape of a general cylinder. This preferred development is analogously also preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below. A general cylinder has a closed base area that is displaced along a straight line in the vertical direction. The base area can, but does not have to, be a circle. Preferably, the base area of ​​the general cylinder is substantially defined by two circular segments. A circular segment is a partial area of ​​a circular area that is bounded by a circular arc and a chord and differs from a circular sector defined by a circular arc and two circular radii. Preferably, the chord of at least one of the circular segments does not run through the center of the base circle of this circular segment. Preferably, the chords of the circular segments defining the base area of ​​the treatment chamber are congruent.However, it can also be provided, for example, that the circular segments are spaced apart from one another, wherein the base area of ​​the general cylinder then preferably also comprises a surface section lying between the circular segments. The circular segments are preferably mirror-symmetrical to one another. The main flow direction is preferably transverse to the vertical direction of the general cylinder. The base area of ​​the general cylinder can also be defined such that the circular segments border a polygon, in particular a rectangle. It should be understood that the shape of the treatment chamber can also deviate locally from the shape of the general cylinder, in particular at the blood inlet and / or blood outlet.

[0029] The above-described configurations of the treatment chamber, in particular its rotationally asymmetrical shape, its shape essentially analogous to an elliptical cylinder, its shape essentially analogous to a general cylinder, and / or its main cross-section variable in the main flow direction, are also preferred regardless of the presence of a membrane, the configuration of fibers, and / or an alignment of the fiber longitudinal direction relative to the main flow direction. In variants, the invention described herein may also encompass embodiments that do not have fibers but whose treatment chamber is rotationally asymmetrical.Furthermore, the invention described herein may include embodiments for which a first hollow fiber subset of the plurality of hollow fibers is arranged in the treatment chamber such that its fiber longitudinal direction is transverse to the main flow direction (transverse flow of the fibers), wherein the treatment chamber has a main cross-section that varies perpendicular to the main flow direction in the main flow direction. The orientation of the fibers in the treatment chamber or relative to the main flow direction and the shape of the treatment chamber should therefore be independently loadable.

[0030] The potting preferably has a first potting section and a second potting section, wherein the first potting section preferably forms a first side wall of the treatment chamber and wherein the second potting section preferably forms a second side wall of the treatment chamber opposite the first side wall. Particularly preferably, the first side wall and / or the second side wall have a concave shape. When viewed from the treatment chamber, the side wall(s) are concave. This results in a convex shape of the treatment chamber, which preferably has bulges. This preferred development with a first potting section and a second potting section is analogously also preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0031] In one variant, the membrane module preferably has a cover for the treatment chamber, wherein the cover is particularly preferably at least partially transparent in sections. The cover is preferably substantially flat. A cover that is at least partially transparent allows a view into the membrane module. This means that the condition of the exchange membrane can be easily monitored visually. For example, blood clots that could lead to blockage of the treatment chamber can be easily detected. The cover preferably defines the treatment chamber at least in sections. The membrane module can also have a plurality of covers. For example, the treatment chamber can be defined by side walls formed by the potting and covers that run substantially transversely to the side walls. The cover can be formed by the potting orconnect the side walls formed by the potting sections and / or extend between these side walls. The cover preferably has one or more stiffening elements. An overpressure present in the membrane module during operation can lead to the membrane module curving or bulging convexly outwards. The stiffening elements can be provided to prevent this bulging. It is preferably provided that the cover is flat during regular use of the membrane module. Alternatively or in addition to stiffeners, the cover can be concave. A prescribed cover of the treatment chamber is also preferred analogously for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0032] The potting preferably has a third potting section which forms a third side wall of the treatment chamber, which is preferably oriented substantially transversely to the first side wall and / or the second side wall of the treatment chamber. No fiber ends need to be held in the third potting section. Preferably, the third side wall has a shape which is substantially identical to the first side wall and / or the second side wall, with the exception of its orientation to the treatment chamber. For example, the third side wall can also have a concave shape, wherein the concave indentation is particularly preferably identical (depth, extent transverse to the depth) to such an indentation in the first side wall and / or second side wall. Furthermore, the potting preferably has a fourth potting section which forms a fourth side wall of the treatment chamber. The fourth side wall is preferably opposite the third side wall.The fourth side wall can be designed analogously to the first side wall, second side wall and / or third side wall. Particularly preferably, the four side walls define the treatment space. The side walls can be designed symmetrically in pairs. However, all side walls can also have an essentially identical shape and only differ in their orientation to the treatment space. Particularly preferably, the four side walls define a treatment space that essentially has the shape of an American football (without the main seam of the football) or rugby ball, although the treatment space can deviate from the shape of the football, particularly at the tips. In other variants, all side walls can have their own shape.The above-described shape of the treatment chamber is preferred regardless of whether a membrane is present, what type of membrane is provided, or how hollow fibers of a membrane are oriented relative to the main flow direction. For example, a treatment chamber with four concave side walls is preferred both for membrane modules with a fiber longitudinal direction arranged transversely and / or parallel to the main flow direction and for a membrane module with a fiber longitudinal direction arranged obliquely to the main flow direction. The shape is also preferred for modules without a membrane running through the treatment chamber. Preferably, the first side wall, the second side wall, the third side wall, and / or the fourth side wall are curved in only one direction. This preferred development with a third potting section is analogously also preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0033] Preferably, the packing density of the hollow fibers varies in the main flow direction. The packing density is defined in each cross-section of the treatment chamber perpendicular to the main flow direction as the ratio of fiber cross-sectional area to main cross-sectional area, with the fiber cross-sectional area forming the dividend and the main cross-sectional area forming the divisor. The fiber cross-sectional area is considered here based on the outer diameter of the fibers, so that any free inner cross-sections of the fibers are included in the fiber cross-sectional area. The packing density of the hollow fibers influences the flow velocity of the medium to be treated in the treatment chamber. A variable packing density allows the flow velocity in the treatment chamber to be adjusted so that backflow areas, flow turbulence, and / or rapid changes in flow velocity can be reduced or prevented.This can reduce the risk of clotting and allow for more gentle blood treatment. The use of anticoagulants can be reduced, enabling a more gentle treatment of a patient overall and / or increasing the service life of the membrane module. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0034] According to a preferred development, the packing density increases along the main flow direction from the blood inlet toward a central section of the treatment chamber and / or decreases from the central section toward the blood outlet. The increase and / or decrease preferably occur continuously, but can also occur abruptly. For example, the packing density can be abruptly increased by locally providing additional fibers, an additional fiber bundle, and / or additional fiber mats (per main cross-section). This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0035] The membrane module preferably comprises at least a second hollow fiber subset of the plurality of hollow fibers. The hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset of the plurality of hollow fibers of the exchange membrane preferably have a different orientation than the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset. By providing hollow fibers of different orientations, the treatment capability in the membrane module can be improved. For example, blood flowing through the treatment chamber can be more evenly oxygenated. Production of the membrane module can also be facilitated. Thus, providing fibers of different orientations prevents the fibers from slipping into one another during stacking. Hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset and hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset that have different orientations have different fiber longitudinal directions.It should be understood that different hollow fibers of the plurality of hollow fibers, in particular different hollow fiber subsets, can also be permeated by different treatment media. This preferred development with a second hollow fiber subset is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, only hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset are arranged in an inlet region of the treatment chamber adjacent to the blood inlet, and / or only hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset are arranged in an outlet region upstream of the blood outlet. These regions can also be referred to as winglets. The outlet region is located upstream of the blood outlet in the main flow direction. When viewed along the main flow direction, the inlet region is preferably a region of the treatment chamber between the blood inlet and the first cross-section transverse to the main flow direction, in which fibers of the first hollow fiber subset and fibers of the second hollow fiber subset overlap.When viewed along the main flow direction, the outlet region is preferably a region of the treatment chamber between a last cross-section transverse to the main flow direction, in which fibers of the first hollow fiber subset and fibers of the second hollow fiber subset overlap, and the blood outlet. The inlet region preferably extends in a region of 50% or less, preferably 40% or less, preferably 30% or less, preferably 20% or less, of a total length of the treatment chamber measured along the main flow direction. The outlet region preferably extends in a region of 50% or less, preferably 40% or less, preferably 30% or less, preferably 20% or less, of the total length. The provision of only one hollow fiber subset in the outlet region and / or inlet region allows for uniform flow of the medium to be treated in the treatment chamber.For example, a flow of blood entering the treatment chamber does not immediately impact all of the hollow fibers of the exchange membrane, but only a first portion. The blood flow velocity can thus be adjusted step by step, reducing the risk of clotting. Particularly in combination with a main cross-section of the treatment chamber that is variable in the main flow direction, a particularly uniform flow pattern can be achieved. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below. In such variants, the inlet section and / or the outlet section preferably correspond to the secondary section.

[0037] Preferably, in an inlet section of the treatment chamber adjoining the blood inlet, the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset protrude at least partially beyond the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset and / or the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset protrude at least partially beyond the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset. Alternatively or additionally, in an outlet section of the treatment chamber upstream of the blood outlet, the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset protrude at least partially beyond the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset and / or the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset protrude at least partially beyond the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset. The hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset can protrude over the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset, in particular in the main flow direction and / or transversely to the main flow direction and / or obliquely to the main flow direction, and vice versa.For example, the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset can protrude beyond the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset in a first subsection of the inlet section adjacent to a first side wall, while the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset protrude beyond the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset in a second subsection of the inlet section adjacent to the opposite second side wall. It should be understood that the shape of the side wall is not essential for the embodiment described here. When viewed along the main flow direction, the inlet section is preferably a section of the treatment chamber between the blood inlet and the first cross-section transverse to the main flow direction, in which a maximum fiber density is first reached. The fiber density is always determined for an entire main cross-section considered transverse to the main flow direction.The inlet section thus extends, for example, from the blood inlet to the first cross-section in which the hollow fibers of the membrane fully overlap. The outlet section is defined analogously to the inlet section, but in the opposite direction of view, upstream of the main flow direction. The outlet section is thus defined as the section between the last cross-section in which the maximum fiber density is present and the blood outlet. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0038] The inlet section preferably extends in a range of 100% or less, preferably 50% or less, preferably 40% or less, preferably 30% or less, preferably 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, preferably 5% or less, of a total length of the treatment chamber measured along the main flow direction. The outlet section preferably extends in a range of 100% or less, preferably 50% or less, preferably 40% or less, preferably 30% or less, preferably 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, preferably 5% or less, of a total length of the treatment chamber measured along the main flow direction. This preferred development is analogously also preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal fiber direction of the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset forms a cross angle with the longitudinal fiber direction of the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset in a range from greater than 0° to less than 180°. The cross angle is preferably the angle between the hollow fibers of the first and second hollow fiber subsets that opens towards the blood inlet. The hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset and the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset then preferably do not run parallel. However, it can also be provided that the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset and the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset differ only in their flow direction.For example, the first fiber ends of the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset can be adjacent to the second ends of the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset, so that the treatment medium flows through the hollow fibers of the first and second hollow fiber subsets in opposite directions. This is also preferred regardless of the presence of a cross angle. Preferably, the main flow direction bisects the cross angle. This preferred development is analogously also preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below. Preferably, the hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset and the hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset overlap at least in sections such that they define diamonds free of hollow fibers, wherein a main component of the main flow direction preferably runs along a short semi-axis of the diamonds.The main flow direction can also run along a long semi-axis of the diamonds. Intersecting hollow fibers form diamond-shaped patterns when viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fibers, preferably in the vertical direction. There is a free space between the hollow fibers, which is referred to herein as free diamonds. The medium to be treated, in particular blood, can flow through this free space. Since the hollow fibers overlap, lateral flow through the diamonds is also possible. The flow through the diamonds is preferably essentially parallel to the surface direction. The diamonds are preferably arranged in the treatment space such that the main flow direction runs essentially along the short semi-axis of these diamonds. The hollow fibers of the first and second hollow fiber subsets can also overlap such that they define free parallelograms or oblique diamonds.The diamonds are preferably not square, i.e., they have two semiaxes of different lengths. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0040] In preferred embodiments, the exchange membrane comprises fiber mats of preferably unidirectional hollow fibers, wherein the fiber mats are preferably stacked on top of one another in a vertical direction transverse to the main flow direction. Spacers can preferably also be provided between two or more fiber mats, particularly preferably all fiber mats. The use of fiber mats facilitates the manufacture of the membrane module. Furthermore, the use of fiber mats of unidirectional hollow fibers can achieve a particularly uniform extension of the hollow fibers. The fiber mats have a mat surface. The length of the fiber mats is determined by the number of adjacent fibers. The width of the fiber mats is considered along the longitudinal fiber direction of the fibers. The width of the fiber mats can thus correspond to the fiber length of the unidirectional fibers.In the case of diagonally running fiber mats, the width of a fiber mat can also be less than the length of the individual fibers. Preferably, the mat area of ​​the fiber mats varies in the vertical direction. In particular, it is preferred that the mat area decreases outwards in the stacking direction, starting from a stack center of a stack of stacked fiber mats. The mat area can decrease in the stacking direction starting from the center in both directions or only in one direction. The cover of the treatment chamber can be bowl-shaped, wherein the decreasing fiber mats can particularly preferably extend into a concave indentation of the cover. Fiber mats of hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset and fiber mats of hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset are preferably stacked alternately in a vertical direction that is preferably transverse to the main flow direction.This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0041] The treatment chamber is preferably designed to accommodate blood under pressure, in particular blood with an absolute pressure of 3 bara or less. An absolute pressure of 3 bara corresponds approximately to a pressure level that exceeds atmospheric pressure (approximately 1 bar) by 2 bar. A pressure level in the treatment chamber that is above atmospheric pressure can significantly improve the treatment of blood. For example, oxygen enrichment of the blood can be improved with the same volume of the treatment chamber and / or with the same membrane area. However, the hollow fibers used and / or the potting material and / or the cover of the treatment chamber must be adapted to the increased pressure level to prevent damage and / or leaks. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0042] In preferred embodiments, a free flow cross-sectional area of ​​the treatment chamber varies along the main flow direction between the blood inlet and blood outlet by a maximum of 30%, preferably a maximum of 25%, preferably a maximum of 20%, preferably a maximum of 15%, preferably a maximum of 10%, preferably a maximum of 5% of the maximum free flow cross-sectional area. By limiting the variation in the free flow cross-sectional area, a variation in the flow velocity of the medium to be treated in the treatment chamber can also be limited. This can reduce the risk of coagulation of the blood flowing through the treatment chamber. Furthermore, stress on the hollow fibers can be reduced. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0043] Preferably, a variation of the treatment space is in a range of 5% to 200%, preferably 5% to 150%, preferably 5% to 125%, preferably 5% to 100%, preferably 5% to 90%, preferably 10% to 90%, preferably 15% to 90%, preferably 20% to 90%, preferably 20% to 85%, preferably 25% to 85%, preferably 30% to 85%, preferably 30% to 80%, preferably 35% to 80%, preferably 40% to 80%, preferably 40% to 75%, preferably 45% to 75%, preferably 45% to 70%, preferably 50% to 70%, particularly preferably 55% to 65%. The variation is defined as the maximum distance between two opposite side walls of the treatment chamber, a distance between the same side walls at the blood inlet, and a length of the treatment chamber measured in the main flow direction. The maximum distance between the opposite side walls and the distance between the side walls at the blood inlet are determined in the same spatial direction, preferably perpendicular to the vertical direction of the treatment chamber and / or perpendicular to the main flow direction.The variation is a quotient, with the length of the treatment chamber forming the divisor and the dividend being the difference between the maximum distance and the distance at the blood inlet. The variation can therefore be determined using the following formula:

[0044] Variation = (maximum distance - distance at blood inlet) / length of treatment room.

[0045] The membrane module is preferably designed without a core. A core is a solid wall of the membrane module that forms the inner boundary of the treatment chamber and is usually surrounded by flow on multiple sides. Wound membrane modules, in particular, are manufactured by winding hollow fibers or hollow fiber mats around a core, which can also be hollow. A coreless design facilitates production and / or reduces the number of components of the membrane module. Furthermore, the flow through the membrane module can be improved. This can reduce costs and / or increase the reliability of the membrane module. For example, the number of components that come into contact with blood flowing through the treatment chamber can be reduced in a coreless design compared to variants with a core, thereby lowering the risk of coagulation.This preferred development with a coreless membrane module is also analogously preferred for the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0046] In a preferred variant, the membrane module is a direct flow module in which the blood inlet is opposite the blood outlet along a main axis, in particular the longitudinal axis, of the membrane module. The flow of the medium to be treated then preferably does not experience any significant change in direction as it flows through the treatment chamber. It should be understood that the blood inlet does not have to be exactly opposite the blood outlet in a direct flow module. Rather, the blood inlet and blood outlet can also be offset from one another transversely to the main axis. However, a direct flow module preferably has a blood inlet and a blood outlet that are arranged at least on different, in particular opposite, sides of the direct flow module. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0047] The membrane module preferably has a second treatment chamber which is connected to the first treatment chamber by a fiber-free connecting section, wherein the hollow fibers in the first treatment chamber are preferably different from the hollow fibers in the second treatment chamber. For example and preferably, the hollow fibers of the first treatment chamber can comprise a first number of fiber mats and the hollow fibers of the second treatment chamber can comprise a second number of fiber mats which are different from the fiber mats of the first number. A specific fiber mat is then preferably arranged only in the first treatment chamber or in the second treatment chamber, but not in both. The membrane module can preferably also have more than two treatment chambers which are connected to one another by fiber-free fluid line sections.Fiber-free fluid line sections or connecting sections are particularly suitable for distinguishing between different treatment chambers. However, it can also be provided, alternatively or additionally, that separate treatment chambers are formed from separate fiber bundles and / or fiber mats of hollow fibers of the exchange membrane or each have its own exchange membrane. This preferred development is also analogously preferred for a membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0048] Preferably, the exchange membrane has a main section and at least one secondary section, wherein a main packing density of the hollow fibers in the main section is constant and wherein a secondary packing density of the hollow fibers in the secondary section differs at least in sections from the main packing density.

[0049] In a second aspect, the invention achieves the object mentioned above with a membrane module for treating blood, comprising: at least one treatment chamber having at least one blood inlet and at least one blood outlet, which are connected to one another through the treatment chamber in a main flow direction, an exchange membrane having a plurality of hollow fibers, each of which extends through the treatment chamber in a fiber longitudinal direction and is designed to be flowed through by a treatment medium in the fiber longitudinal direction from a first fiber end to an opposite second fiber end, a potting in which the first fiber ends and second fiber ends of the hollow fibers of the exchange membrane are fixed and which at least partially defines the treatment chamber, characterized in that the exchange membrane has a main section and at least one secondary section,wherein a main packing density of the hollow fibers in the main section is constant, and wherein a secondary packing density of the hollow fibers in the secondary section differs at least partially from the main packing density. The secondary packing density of the hollow fibers in the secondary section can be constant or vary. Preferably, the secondary section has several regions of different secondary packing densities, wherein at least one of these secondary packing densities differs from the main packing density.

[0050] The main packing density and secondary packing density each describe the volume occupied by the fibers within the exchange membrane relative to the total volume of the membrane in this area. For hollow fibers, the fiber volume includes the internal cavity of the fibers plus the fiber wall volume occupied by the fiber walls. Preferably, only fibers that extend completely through the considered volume unit are taken into account for determining the packing density. The packing density is preferably determined in a central region of the main section or secondary section, which is located centrally between the respective edge regions. Preferably, a volume unit of 1 cm 3 This packing density provides an indication of how densely the fibers are packed in the module.

[0051] In a first preferred embodiment, the secondary section is arranged in an inlet section of the treatment chamber adjacent to the blood inlet and / or in an outlet section of the treatment chamber upstream of the blood outlet. Thus, for example, a first secondary section can adjoin the inlet section and a second secondary section can be upstream of the outlet section.

[0052] The secondary section preferably has at least two subsections. The subsections are preferably arranged on opposite sides of a main axis of the membrane module, which extends from the blood inlet to the blood outlet. The main axis can preferably be defined as explained above with reference to the first aspect of the invention. The main axis is preferably a central axis of the treatment chamber, which can in particular run through the centroid of the treatment chamber. The main axis is preferably substantially straight. The subsections of the secondary section can have identical or different secondary packing densities. In the context of the present disclosure, the secondary sections are also referred to as winglets. The subsections can overlap. However, the subsections are preferably non-overlapping. In preferred variants, the subsections are symmetrical to the main axis.

[0053] Preferably, the subsections extend away from the main axis. Subsections extending away from the main axis occupy a larger area and / or volume fraction of the treatment chamber in the viewing direction with increasing distance from the main axis. The viewing direction is perpendicular to the main axis. The viewing direction can be perpendicular to the height of the treatment chamber, which can be identical to the stacking direction of the fiber mats of the membrane module.

[0054] In preferred embodiments of the membrane module, the subsections are pyramid-shaped and / or prism-shaped. However, a side of the subsections facing away from the main axis can also be an uneven surface, for example, if the side walls of the treatment chamber defined by the potting are convex or concave. The pyramid-shaped and / or prism-shaped design of the subsections can improve the even distribution of the medium to be treated, in particular blood, across the main section.

[0055] Preferably, the main section has substantially the shape of a cuboid or a polyhedron with eight or more side faces. In particular, the polyhedral main section has four or six rectangular boundary surfaces. Preferably, at least two boundary surfaces of the polyhedral main section are convex. One or more side surfaces of the substantially cuboid-shaped main section can also be concave or convex. In other preferred variants, the main section has substantially the shape of a cylinder, polyhedron, cuboid, and / or ring cylinder. Preferably, at least one side surface, particularly preferably two opposite side surfaces, of the main section is convex and / or concave.

[0056] Preferably, the plurality of hollow fibers comprises at least a first hollow fiber subset with first hollow fibers and a second hollow fiber subset with second hollow fibers. Preferably, at least the first hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset are arranged in the treatment chamber such that their fiber longitudinal direction is oblique to the main flow direction. For definitions as well as details and advantages of an exchange membrane with at least a first hollow fiber subset whose fiber longitudinal direction is oblique to the main flow direction, reference is made in particular to the advantages, explanations, and preferred embodiments of the membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0057] Preferably, the first hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset have a smaller fiber diameter than the second hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset. Providing hollow fiber subsets with fibers whose fiber diameters differ from one another can result in particularly good mixing of the medium to be treated in the treatment chamber and / or a particularly uniform flow through the treatment chamber and, in particular, the exchange membrane.

[0058] In preferred developments of the membrane module, the first hollow fiber subset is formed from at least one fiber mat whose first fibers have a first fiber spacing from one another, and the second hollow fiber subset is formed from at least one second fiber mat whose second fibers have a second fiber spacing from one another, wherein the first fiber spacing is preferably smaller or larger than the second fiber spacing. A varying fiber spacing can also bring about a particularly homogeneous flow through the treatment chamber and in particular through the exchange membrane. It should be understood that the exchange membrane of the membrane module (according to the first aspect or the second aspect) does not have to be constructed from fiber mats. Preferably, the exchange membrane can also be constructed from a single fiber, from individual fibers, or from a combination of fiber mats, one and / or more individual fibers, and / or individual fibers.

[0059] Preferably, a first fiber type of the first hollow fibers differs from a second fiber type of the second hollow fibers. Fiber types include, in particular, semipermeable hollow fibers, porous hollow fibers, gas-tight hollow fibers, liquid-tight hollow fibers, and / or fluid-tight hollow fibers. The first hollow fibers are preferably semipermeable hollow fibers, and the second hollow fibers are preferably fluid-tight hollow fibers. Alternatively, the first hollow fibers are preferably fluid-tight hollow fibers, and the second hollow fibers are preferably semipermeable hollow fibers. In particular, the hollow fibers in the secondary section can be fluid-tight hollow fibers. In this way, temperature control of the medium to be treated, in particular blood, can preferably be achieved in the secondary section.

[0060] The blood inlet preferably has an inlet connection for connecting the membrane module to at least one blood supply line. The blood outlet preferably has an outlet connection for connecting the membrane module to a blood discharge line. The inlet connection can be a first hose connection and / or the outlet connection can be a second hose connection. The inlet connection is preferably substantially tubular and, in particular, has a circular flow cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet connection can also be substantially tubular, in particular circular.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, an inlet central axis of the inlet connection and an outlet central axis of the outlet connection are arranged at an angle to one another, preferably perpendicular to one another. Axes arranged at an angle to one another intersect at an angle other than 0° or 180° and are not parallel. However, it can also be provided that the inlet central axis of the inlet connection and the outlet central axis of the outlet connection are skew. In alternative embodiments, the inlet central axis of the inlet connection and the outlet central axis of the outlet connection are arranged parallel, preferably congruent, to one another. If the inlet central axis and / or the outlet central axis are curved, the respective tangent to the inlet central axis or outlet central axis is considered in the cross-section of the inlet connection or outlet connection that is closest to the exchange membrane.

[0062] The blood inlet preferably has a distributor section that is at least indirectly connected to the inlet connection. The distributor section is preferably designed to distribute blood received at the inlet connection to the exchange membrane. In particular, the distributor section is or comprises a cross-sectional widening.

[0063] The distributor section is preferably arrow-shaped at least in one plane in the main flow direction. The arrow shape extends along the main flow direction. A distributor section that is arrow-shaped in one plane is arrow-shaped at least in a projection into this plane. The first plane is preferably perpendicular to a vertical direction of the treatment chamber. The distributor section can also be arrow-shaped in a projection into a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. Preferably, however, the distributor section is designed such that an arrowhead of the arrow-shaped distributor section is a line. This is the case, for example, if the distributor section is arrow-shaped only in a projection into a first plane and is rectangular or semicircular in a projection of a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The arrow-shaped distributor section preferably has at least a first wing and a second wing.The vanes are preferably substantially cuboid-shaped. The vanes are preferably connected to one another at a connecting line. The connecting line preferably forms an arrowhead of the arrow-shaped distributor section. A vane angle between the first vane and the second vane of the arrow-shaped distributor section is preferably substantially identical to an inlet edge angle between inlet edges of the subsections of the secondary section. The inlet edges are the edges of the subsections located furthest upstream in the main flow direction.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the distributor section is cup-shaped in at least one plane in the main flow direction. In such embodiments, the plane can be formed analogously to the above statements regarding the arrow-shaped distributor section. A cup shape widens from a stem in at least the plane. The stem of the cup-shaped distributor section preferably faces the inlet connection.

[0065] The distributor section is preferably wedge-shaped in at least one plane in the main flow direction. A wedge shape preferably widens continuously. In such embodiments, the plane can be formed analogously to the above statements regarding the arrow-shaped distributor section. A wedge tip of the wedge-shaped distributor section is preferably directed away from the inlet connection.

[0066] The membrane module preferably has an inlet membrane that is at least partially arranged in the distributor section. The inlet membrane can fill the distributor section completely or only partially. Alternatively or additionally, the inlet membrane can also be at least partially arranged in the main section, the secondary section and / or the inlet section. The inlet membrane comprises a plurality of fibers. The fibers of the inlet membrane can be hollow fibers, but do not have to be. The fibers of the inlet membrane each extend through the distributor section in an inlet fiber longitudinal direction. The inlet fiber longitudinal direction can be different from at least one fiber longitudinal direction of hollow fibers of the exchange membrane. The inlet fiber longitudinal direction is preferably perpendicular to the main flow direction. The inlet membrane is preferably a heat exchange membrane.A heat exchange membrane is provided for controlling the temperature of the treatment medium, in particular blood. The heat exchange membrane can thus be designed, for example, to heat or cool blood flowing through the treatment chamber. The fibers of a heat exchange membrane are, in particular, fluid-tight hollow fibers. Preferably, a fiber material of the fibers of the inlet membrane is different from a fiber material of the fibers of the exchange membrane. Irrespective of this, the fibers of the inlet membrane are preferably plastic fibers or metal fibers.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the membrane module, the main flow direction at the inlet section is angular, in particular perpendicular, to the main flow direction on a membrane side of the distributor section facing the exchange membrane. The membrane side of the distributor section is the side of the distributor section furthest downstream in the main flow direction. The main flow direction can therefore be curved between the inlet section and the membrane side of the distributor section. This can improve the distribution of the medium to be treated, in particular blood, onto the exchange membrane and / or homogenize the flow of the medium to be treated. Alternatively or additionally, the main flow direction at the inlet connection can be perpendicular to the main flow direction at a transition between the blood inlet and the main section and / or the secondary section.

[0068] The blood outlet preferably has a collection section located at least indirectly upstream of the outlet connection or upstream of the outlet connection. The collection section is preferably designed to collect and transfer medium emerging from the exchange membrane (or subsequently treated) into the outlet connection.

[0069] The membrane module preferably has an outlet membrane that is at least partially arranged in the collection section. The outlet membrane can fill the collection section completely or only partially. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet membrane can also be at least partially arranged in the main section, the secondary section, and / or the outlet section. The outlet membrane comprises a plurality of fibers. The fibers of the outlet membrane can be hollow fibers, but do not have to be. The fibers of the outlet membrane each extend through the collection section in an outlet fiber longitudinal direction. The outlet fiber longitudinal direction can be different from at least one fiber longitudinal direction of hollow fibers of the exchange membrane. Preferably, the outlet fiber longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the main flow direction. Preferably, the outlet membrane is a heat exchange membrane. A heat exchange membrane is provided for tempering the treatment medium, in particular blood.The heat exchange membrane can therefore, for example, be designed to heat or cool blood flowing through the treatment chamber. The fibers of a heat exchange membrane are, in particular, fluid-tight hollow fibers. Preferably, one fiber material of the fibers of the outlet membrane is different from one fiber material of the fibers of the exchange membrane. Irrespective of this, the fibers of the outlet membrane are preferably plastic fibers or metal fibers.

[0070] In variants in which the membrane module comprises an inlet membrane and an outlet membrane, the inlet membrane and the outlet membrane can also be a combined membrane. Preferably, the fibers of the outlet membrane and the fibers of the inlet membrane have a common media connection. For example, the fibers of the outlet membrane and the inlet membrane can be supplied with hot water via the common media connection to heat the blood flowing through the treatment chamber.

[0071] The collecting section is preferably wedge-shaped, funnel-shaped, and / or inverted arrow-shaped in at least one plane in the main flow direction. A reversed arrow shape is an arrow shape directed toward the flow from the arrowhead. The above statements regarding the wedge-shaped, funnel-shaped, and / or arrow-shaped configuration of the distributor section also apply analogously to the collecting section.

[0072] Preferably, a fiber type (semi-permeable, fluid-permeable, gas-tight, fluid-tight) of hollow fibers of the plurality of hollow fibers in the main section differs at least partially from a fiber type of hollow fibers of the plurality of hollow fibers in the secondary section. Preferably, the secondary section is arranged upstream of the main section. Particularly in these cases, but also in the case of a secondary section arranged downstream of the main section or laterally to the main section, the hollow fibers in the secondary section are preferably fluid-tight and the hollow fibers in the main section are semi-permeable fibers. For example, the fluid-tight fibers in the secondary section can then be flowed through with heated and / or cooled treatment medium (e.g., water) to temper the medium to be treated.

[0073] In a third aspect, the invention achieves the object mentioned above with a system for treating blood, preferably comprising at least one pump for generating a blood flow, preferably a controller for controlling the pump, and preferably a membrane module, which is preferably designed according to the first aspect of the invention and / or according to the second aspect of the invention. The controller can preferably also be a closed-loop control. The pump can preferably be connected to a person's bloodstream via a first hose section and to a treatment chamber of the membrane module via a second hose section. In variants, the pump can be configured to act on a hose section connecting the treatment chamber to a person's bloodstream for pumping blood. This hose can also be only part of the connection between the treatment chamber and the bloodstream and / or be formed from multiple elements.The system is preferably designed to allow blood, which preferably has a pressure level above the surrounding atmospheric pressure, to flow through the treatment chamber. It should be understood that the connection of the first tube section to the bloodstream does not have to be direct. It can also be provided that the first tube section is connected to the bloodstream via a cannula. The cannula can preferably be a so-called single-lumen or a so-called multi-lumen, in particular double-lumen, cannula. Particularly preferably, the system has a second pump, wherein the treatment chamber is preferably arranged between the first pump and the second pump in a flow direction of the blood. The first pump can then be provided to increase the pressure in the treatment chamber, in particular to improve the treatment of the blood.The second pump, however, can be designed to reduce the blood pressure downstream of the treatment chamber to a pressure level suitable for returning the blood to the patient. The first pump can also be designed to set a predetermined volume flow. The second pump is then preferably designed to adjust the pressure in the treatment chamber. The first pump and / or the second pump are preferably peristaltic pumps, in particular roller pumps and / or rotary pumps.

[0074] In a fourth aspect, the invention achieves the object mentioned above with a method for producing a membrane module for the extracorporeal treatment of blood, in particular a membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention and / or according to the second aspect of the invention, preferably comprising the steps of: inserting fiber mats of hollow fibers, in particular unidirectional hollow fibers, into a mold; primary potting of a first fiber end portion of the hollow fibers with a potting material to form a first side wall of a treatment chamber of the membrane module, wherein the mold is preferably rotated at least temporarily about a first rotation axis during the primary potting; and / or secondary potting of a second fiber end portion of the hollow fibers, preferably opposite the first fiber end portion in a fiber longitudinal direction, to form a second side wall, preferably opposite the first side wall,wherein the mold is preferably rotated at least temporarily about a second axis of rotation during the secondary potting, which is preferably different from the first axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are preferably parallel, and / or wherein preferably the first axis of rotation and / or the second axis of rotation do not intersect the fiber mats, and / or wherein preferably the first axis of rotation and / or the second axis of rotation do not extend through the center of gravity of the fiber mats. Preferably, the method further comprises: connecting the first side wall and the second side wall by at least one cover to form a treatment space. Furthermore, after the primary potting and / or the secondary potting, fibers can be opened, for example and preferably by separating closed fiber ends and / or closed fiber end sections. It can also be providedthat the hollow fibers of at least one fiber mat are formed by a single meandering fiber, wherein this fiber can be separated into individual hollow fibers before or after the primary and / or secondary potting. Preferably, the first axis of rotation and / or the second axis of rotation extend transversely to the fiber longitudinal direction of the hollow fibers of the fiber mats. The axes of rotation are defined in a reference system of the mold. A rotation of the mold (in the global reference system) thus also causes a rotation of the reference system of the mold. When viewed globally (or in a global reference system), the first axis of rotation and the different second axis of rotation can also coincide, for example,when the mold is rotated about its own axis (in particular by 180°) after rotating about the first axis of rotation and before rotating about the second axis of rotation. The mold may, in particular, also be or comprise a housing of the membrane module or be or comprise a part of such a housing. The mold does not have to enclose the fiber mats on all sides. The mold may also be or comprise a holder or clamp for fibers and / or fiber ends.

[0075] Inserting hollow fiber mats into a mold preferably involves inserting a predetermined number of hollow fiber mats into a mold, or inserting hollow fiber mats into a mold until a predefined height is reached. In alternative variants, instead of inserting hollow fiber mats into a mold, hollow fibers can also be inserted into a mold. Furthermore, in variants, both hollow fiber mats and individual hollow fibers or hollow fiber bundles can be inserted into the mold.

[0076] In a first preferred embodiment of the aforementioned method, sides of a smallest rectangle that encloses the mold perpendicular to the axis of rotation are aligned at an angle to the direction of rotation when rotating about the first axis of rotation and / or when rotating about the second axis of rotation. The direction of rotation is the circumferential direction. The smallest rectangle is the smallest imaginary rectangle that can be placed around the mold when viewed along the first axis of rotation and / or second axis of rotation and that completely encloses the mold. In the case of a rectangular shape, the smallest rectangle corresponds to the basic rectangular shape. Alternatively or additionally, a longitudinal axis of the membrane module, which can in particular be a longitudinal axis of a treatment chamber to be formed in the membrane module, can form an angle with the circumferential direction around the first axis of rotation or the second axis of rotation during primary potting and / or secondary potting.enclose the second rotation axis, which is preferably greater than 0° and less than 90°. This makes it possible to create a treatment chamber that expands or contracts along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the main flow direction of a treatment chamber to be formed in the membrane module during primary potting and / or secondary potting forms an angle with the circumferential direction that is preferably greater than 0° and less than 90°. However, the main flow direction is preferably parallel to the circumferential direction during primary potting and / or secondary potting.

[0077] In a fifth aspect, the invention solves the problem mentioned above with a method for producing a membrane module for the extracorporeal treatment of blood, in particular a membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention and / or according to the second aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of: inserting fiber mats of hollow fibers, in particular unidirectional hollow fibers, into a mold; potting preferably opposite end sections of the hollow fibers to form at least one side wall of a treatment chamber of the membrane module, wherein the mold is rotated at least temporarily about a main axis of rotation during potting, wherein the potting is an incomplete circular potting. The main axis of rotation preferably extends centrally through the mold. Incomplete circular potting is a potting in which a side wall that is at least partially open in the circumferential direction is formed.In contrast, with complete circular potting, a rotationally symmetrical contour is formed. Preferably, the amount of potting material supplied during potting is limited. Thus, with incomplete circular potting, only exactly enough potting material can be supplied to prevent the side walls formed from closing around the circumference. However, this closing around the circumference can also be prevented, for example, by providing flow barriers. Preferably, during potting, only enough potting material is supplied to form at least two side walls, which are preferably separated from one another at least in sections in the circumferential direction. In a preferred embodiment, the main axis of rotation extends at least partially along a fiber longitudinal direction of the hollow fibers. However, the main axis of rotation can also be perpendicular to the fiber longitudinal direction.Preferably, the main axis of rotation extends along the main flow direction of a treatment chamber to be formed in the membrane module.

[0078] In the method according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the insertion of fiber mats of hollow fibers into a mold preferably involves inserting a predetermined number of fiber mats of hollow fibers into a mold or inserting fiber mats of hollow fibers into a mold until a predefined height is reached. In alternative variants, instead of inserting fiber mats of hollow fibers into a mold, hollow fibers can also be inserted into a mold. Furthermore, in variants, both fiber mats of hollow fibers and individual hollow fibers or hollow fiber bundles can be inserted into the mold.

[0079] In a particularly preferred development of the method according to the fourth aspect or the method according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the fiber mats are inserted crosswise into the mold. The fibers are therefore preferably inserted into the mold such that the respective longitudinal directions of hollow fibers of adjacent fiber mats are not parallel.

[0080] In the method according to the fourth and / or fifth aspect of the invention, the insertion of fiber mats is preferably preceded by a pre-assembly of fiber mats. During pre-assembly, two or more fiber mats of the same or different orientation are preferably joined together to form mat stacks. The joining can be carried out by fusing, pressing, and / or gluing. Particularly preferably, during pre-assembly, at least two fiber mats are stacked crosswise. In process variants that include pre-assembly, the insertion of fiber mats is or includes the insertion of pre-assembled mat stacks.

[0081] The methods according to the fourth and / or fifth aspect of the invention can also be provided for the simultaneous production of several membrane modules.

[0082] According to a sixth aspect, the invention solves the problem mentioned above by an assembly method comprising the steps of: providing a console comprising at least one pump, a membrane module holder, and preferably a controller; providing a disposable treatment module having a membrane module, in particular a membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention and / or according to the second aspect of the invention; inserting the membrane module into the membrane module holder; and functionally connecting the disposable treatment module to the pump for pumping fluid, in particular blood, through the membrane module. The functional connection ensures that the pump can pump fluid through the membrane module. For example, a tube of the disposable treatment module, which is fluidically connected to the membrane module, can be introduced into an active section of a peristaltic pump.The disposable treatment module is preferably provided for each patient to be treated and disposed of after use, while the console can be designed for multiple treatments. The disposable treatment module can also include active sections of the pump. In this case, the console can also have only one pump drive.

[0083] In a seventh aspect, the invention solves the problem mentioned above with a method for the extracorporeal treatment of blood, comprising the steps of: providing a blood stream; supplying the blood stream to the treatment chamber of a membrane module, in particular a membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention and / or according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the blood of the blood stream preferably has a pressure level above atmospheric pressure; flowing through hollow fibers, preferably semipermeable hollow fibers, running through the treatment chamber along a respective fiber longitudinal direction of the fibers with a treatment medium, in particular oxygen, wherein the blood stream flows through the treatment chamber along a main flow direction and comes into contact with the hollow fibers running through the treatment chamber in order to treat the blood of the blood stream, in particular to enrich it with oxygen;wherein at least a first hollow fiber subset of the plurality of semipermeable hollow fibers is arranged in the treatment chamber such that its fiber longitudinal direction is oblique to the main flow direction. Providing a blood flow preferably comprises providing a blood flow from blood products. The method is preferably not intended for implementation on the human body. The method can also be intended for implementation during dialysis, wherein the method is only performed in a supplementary manner, and the blood is removed from the patient during dialysis anyway.

[0084] It should be understood that the membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention, the membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention, the system according to the third aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the invention, the assembly method according to the sixth aspect of the invention, and the method for extracorporeal treatment of blood according to the seventh aspect of the invention may have the same and similar sub-aspects, as set out in particular in the dependent claims for the membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention and / or the dependent claims for the membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention. For the system, the manufacturing methods, the assembly method, and the method for extracorporeal treatment of blood, reference is therefore made in full to the above statements regarding the membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention and / or according to the second aspect of the invention.In particular, the membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention can preferably also have features that were described above in connection with the membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention. Analogously, the membrane module according to the first aspect of the invention can in particular also have features that were described above in connection with the membrane module according to the second aspect of the invention. A secondary section described in connection with the second aspect of the invention can preferably be or comprise an inlet section and / or outlet section described in connection with the first aspect of the invention. Likewise, an inlet section and / or an outlet section can comprise a secondary section.

[0085] Embodiments of the invention will now be described below with reference to the drawings. These are not necessarily intended to represent the embodiments to scale; rather, the drawings are schematic and / or slightly distorted where this is useful for explanation. With regard to additions to the teachings immediately apparent from the drawings, reference is made to the relevant prior art. It should be noted that numerous modifications and changes to the form and detail of an embodiment can be made without deviating from the general idea of ​​the invention. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential for the further development of the invention, both individually and in any combination.Furthermore, all combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the description, the drawings and / or the claims fall within the scope of the invention. The general idea of ​​the invention is not limited to the exact form or detail of the preferred embodiments shown and described below, or limited to an object that would be more limited than the object claimed in the claims. For specified dimensioning ranges, values ​​within the stated limits are also intended to be disclosed as limit values ​​and to be used and claimed as desired. For the sake of simplicity, the same reference numerals are used below for identical or similar parts or parts with identical or similar functions.

[0086] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the drawings, which show:

[0087] Fig. 1 a system for extracorporeal treatment of blood;

[0088] Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a membrane module for the treatment of

[0089] Blood according to a first embodiment;

[0090] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the membrane module according to the first embodiment;

[0091] Fig. 4 is a plan view analogous to Fig. 3 of a second embodiment of a membrane module;

[0092] Fig. 5a-5d show plan views analogous to Fig. 3 of further preferred embodiments of the membrane module;

[0093] Fig. 6 is a plan view of a membrane module with several treatment rooms;

[0094] Fig. 7 shows a manufacturing device which can be used in a method for producing a membrane module;

[0095] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first variant of a method for producing a membrane module;

[0096] Fig. 9 is a view analogous to Fig. 7, wherein a mold used in the process has a different orientation in the manufacturing device;

[0097] Fig. 10 is a side view of a manufacturing device; Fig. 11 is a schematic flow diagram for a method for extracorporeal treatment of blood;

[0098] Fig. 12a, 12b two views of a membrane module with transverse flow fibers;

[0099] Fig. 13a-13c three views of a fifth embodiment of a membrane module;

[0100] Fig. 14 shows the blood inlet of the membrane module according to the fifth embodiment in detail;

[0101] Fig. 15 shows a sixth embodiment of a membrane module;

[0102] Fig. 16a, 16b alternative embodiments of a distributor section of a blood inlet of a membrane module; and in

[0103] Fig. 17 a top view of a champagne glass-shaped membrane module.

[0104] Fig. 1 shows a system 200 for the extracorporeal treatment of blood B. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 200 is connected to the bloodstream of a patient P via a cannula 202. Blood B from the patient P can be fed via the cannula 202 into an inlet hose 204 of the system 200. The inlet hose 204 is part of a disposable treatment module 206 of the system 200. In addition to the inlet hose 204, the disposable treatment module 206 further comprises a membrane module 1 and an outlet hose 208. The structure of the membrane module 1 will be described in more detail later. The outlet hose 208 leads out of the system 200 in Fig. 1. When using a single-lumen cannula 202, the drain tube 208 can be connected to another cannula (not shown in Fig. 1), by means of which the blood B is returned to the bloodstream of the patient P.When using a dual-lumen variant, the drain tube 208 can lead back to the cannula 202.

[0105] In addition to the disposable treatment module 206, the system further comprises a console 210, which in turn has a first pump 212, a second pump 214, and a controller 216, which are arranged in a housing 218. Furthermore, the console 210 comprises a membrane module holder 220, in which the membrane module 1 of the disposable treatment module 206 is held. The division of the system 200 into a disposable treatment module 206 and a console 210, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, allows for particularly simple handling and particularly economical use of the system 200. The disposable treatment module 206 can be replaced after each treatment or for each patient P, while the console 210 can be used multiple times. The cleaning effort for the membrane module 1 is eliminated, and hygiene risks are minimized.

[0106] The first pump 212 and the second pump 214 are designed to guide the blood B through the disposable treatment module 206 and in particular a treatment chamber 3 of the membrane module 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 200 is configured to pump the blood B through the membrane module 1 at a pressure level p1 above atmospheric pressure pa. Here, the first pump 212 serves to increase the pressure of the blood B to a pressure of approximately 3 bar. The second pump 214, arranged downstream of the membrane module 1, reduces the pressure of the blood B back to a pressure level suitable for the patient P. In the present embodiment, the pumps 212, 214 are designed as peristaltic pumps. The first pump 212 acts on the inlet hose 204 and the second pump 214 acts on the outlet hose 208.For example, the first pump 212 and / or the second pump 214 may be a roller pump or a peristaltic pump that changes a cross-section of the inlet tube 204 to pump the blood B.

[0107] The increased pressure level of the blood B allows improved treatment of the blood in the membrane module 1. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the blood B in the membrane module 1 is enriched with oxygen O2 and thus treated. For this purpose, the membrane module 1 has an exchange membrane 5 with a plurality of semi-permeable hollow fibers 7 that extend through the treatment chamber 3 through which the blood B of the patient P flows. The blood B therefore comes into contact with the hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5 in the treatment chamber 3. The hollow fibers 7, in turn, have oxygen O2 flowing through them, so that a gas exchange with the blood B in the treatment chamber 3 takes place via the semi-permeable wall of the hollow fibers 7. Oxygen 02 diffuses through the semipermeable hollow fibers 7 into the blood B and carbon dioxide CO2 and / or carbon monoxide CO present in the blood of the patient P enters from the blood B into the gas stream inside the hollow fibers 7.The oxygen O2 here forms a treatment medium M. In other variants, the treatment medium can also be another gas, a gas mixture and / or a liquid. For example, cold or warm water could flow through the hollow fibers 7 to temper the blood B of the patient P. The embodiment of the system 200 for the extracorporeal treatment of blood B shown in Fig. 1 has a treatment medium supply 222, which is connected here to an oxygen source (not shown). Oxygen O2 is fed into the hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5 through the treatment medium supply 222. The oxygen O2 flows through the hollow fibers 7 and exits the system 200 downstream through a treatment medium outlet 224. To regulate the flow of the treatment medium M, the console 210 has an actuating element 226, which is designed here as a throttle valve 228.Preferably, the actuating element 226 can also be arranged downstream of the membrane module 1, for example, to increase a gas pressure in the hollow fibers 7 of the membrane module 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the throttle valve 228 is controlled by the controller 216 of the system 200. For example, the throttle valve 228 can be an electronically controllable solenoid valve. In addition to the throttle valve 228, the controller 216 also controls the two pumps 212, 214 of the console 210. Preferably, the controller 216 also includes a control system, in particular pressure control and / or volume flow control, in which case at least one sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, can preferably be provided in the system 200.

[0108] Fig. 2 shows a first preferred embodiment of the membrane module 1. In this embodiment, the membrane module 1 comprises a first hose connection 9, which is connected to the inlet hose 204 (not shown in Fig. 2) of the disposable treatment module 206. A second hose connection 11 is connected to the drain hose 208 (also not shown in Fig. 2). The treatment chamber 3 of the membrane module 1 extends from a blood inlet 13 to a blood outlet 15. Hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5 extend through the treatment chamber 3 in their respective fiber longitudinal direction RF. During operation, blood B enters the treatment chamber 3 of the membrane module 1 through the first hose connection 9 and the blood inlet 13. The blood B then flows through the treatment chamber 3 in the main flow direction RH and leaves it at the blood outlet 15.The blood B is returned to the patient P via the second hose connection 11 and the drain hose 208. The blood B flowing through the treatment chamber 3 comes into contact with the hollow fibers 7 and is treated.

[0109] The main flow direction RH here runs straight from the blood inlet 13 to the blood outlet 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the blood inlet 13 is located opposite the blood outlet 15 along a main axis A of the membrane module 3. Here, the main axis A is congruent with the main flow direction RH. Such a membrane module 3 with the blood inlet 13 and blood outlet 15 opposite each other in the main flow direction RH is referred to herein as a direct flow module. The advantage of this design is that the blood B flows particularly evenly through the treatment chamber and can thus be treated particularly gently. Strong flow deflections, which can result in turbulence in the blood flow and dead water areas, are avoided.

[0110] In Fig. 2, only a few of a plurality of hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5 are shown by way of example. The hollow fibers 7 each extend in the fiber longitudinal direction RF1, RF2 from a first fiber end 17 to a second fiber end 19. The fiber ends 17, 19 are each held in a potting 21. The potting 21 here defines a first side wall 23 and a second side wall 25 of the treatment chamber 3 opposite the first side wall 23. The potting 21 is fluid-impermeable and prevents the blood B from flowing towards a medium inlet 27 and / or towards a medium outlet 29 of the membrane module 1. For supplying the treatment medium M, the medium inlet 27 is connected to the treatment medium supply 222. The medium outlet 29 of the membrane module 1 is connected to the treatment medium discharge 224 in order to lead the treatment medium M already used for treatment away from the membrane module 1.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 2, the potting 21 does not have to form the entire side walls 23, 25 of the treatment chamber 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the blood inlet 13 and the blood outlet 15 are formed from separate elements that can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding. However, it can also be provided that the potting 21 also defines the blood inlet 13 and / or the blood outlet 15.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the treatment chamber 3 essentially has the shape of a general cylinder, wherein a height H of the cylinder or a height direction H of the treatment chamber 3 is essentially transverse to the main flow direction RH. A base area of ​​the general cylinder is defined by two circular segments that lie adjacent to one another at their flat sides (congruent chords). However, at the ends or from the blood inlet 13 and the blood outlet 15, the shape of the treatment chamber deviates from the shape of the general cylinder. In the height direction H, the side walls 23, 25 of the treatment chamber 3 are not curved here. On opposite sides of the membrane module 1 in the height direction H, the treatment chamber 3 in the illustrated embodiment is delimited by a cover 31 each, wherein only the lower cover 31 is shown in Fig. 2 for illustrative reasons. Here, the covers 31 are essentially flat.However, in other variants, it can also be provided that one or both covers 31 are bowl-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the covers 31 define the lid of the cylinder. In other variants, however, the covers 31 can also be flattened portions of the treatment chamber 3, which do not have to be flat. The covers 31 connect the two side walls 23, 25 or close them off to define the treatment chamber 3. The illustrated embodiment of the treatment chamber 3 can thus be realized by means of a comparatively simple to manufacture potting 21. Furthermore, at least one of the covers 31 can be transparent. This allows a view into the treatment chamber 3 from the outside. Blood clots forming in the treatment chamber 3 can thus be detected particularly easily, and a method 500 for the extracorporeal treatment of blood B carried out using the system 200 can be monitored particularly easily.

[0113] Along the main flow direction RH, the treatment chamber 3 has a variable main cross-section QH. The main cross-section QH of the treatment chamber 3 is viewed transversely to the main flow direction RH (see also Fig. 3). The first side wall 23 and the second side wall 25 are symmetrical to the main axis A in the illustrated embodiment, but can also be asymmetrical to one another in other variants of the membrane module 1. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the first side wall 23 and the second side wall 25 are concave. The side walls 23, 25 thus form bulges of the treatment chamber 3, which has a convex basic shape when viewed along the height direction H.

[0114] The variable main cross-section QH is particularly illustrated by the top view shown in Fig. 3. The viewing direction of this top view is along the height direction H of the membrane module 1. The height direction H is therefore perpendicular to the image plane in Fig. 3. For simplification, only hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5 and the side walls 23, 25 formed by the potting 21 are shown in Fig. 3. Fiber lengths and fiber ends are also shown in a simplified manner. For example, fibers preferably do not end in the treatment chamber 3. The remaining parts of the membrane module 1 and in particular the remaining material of the potting 21 are not shown in Fig. 3. The top view according to Fig. 3 once again illustrates the elliptical basic shape of the treatment chamber 3. The main flow direction RH in Fig. 3 runs horizontally from the blood inlet 13 located at the left edge of the image to the blood outlet 15 located at the right edge of the image.

[0115] In the exemplary embodiment shown, and preferably, the main cross-section QH of the treatment chamber 3 increases when viewed in the main flow direction RH, starting from the blood inlet 13 towards a central cross-section QM. The increase is continuous here. Starting from the central cross-section QM arranged centrally in the treatment chamber 3, the main cross-section of the treatment chamber 3 then decreases continuously towards the blood outlet 15. By way of example, Fig. 3 shows a first main cross-section QH1, the central cross-section QM, which lies centrally between the blood inlet 13 and the blood outlet 15 along the main flow direction RH, and a second main cross-section QH2. Since the side walls 23, 25 of the treatment chamber 3 are at a constant distance from one another in the height direction H, the width of the cross-sections shown corresponds directly to their respective cross-sectional area.The central cross-section QM has the largest cross-sectional area because the side walls 23, 25 of the treatment chamber 3 are spaced apart the greatest there perpendicular to the main flow direction RH. In the illustrated embodiment, the treatment chamber 3 is symmetrical, preferably to the plane of the central cross-section QM. The first main cross-section QH1 is spaced apart from the central cross-section QM in the main flow direction RH by a greater distance than the second main cross-section QH2, so that its cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the second main cross-section QH2. It should be understood that the cross-sectional area of ​​the treatment chamber occupied by the hollow fibers 7 is part of the main cross-section QH. The area of ​​the main cross-section QH is therefore determined, in the illustrated embodiment, solely by the distance between the first side wall 23 and the second side wall 25 and the height of the treatment chamber 3 in the height direction H.Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms cross-section and cross-sectional area may be used synonymously in this description.

[0116] However, during actual flow through the treatment chamber 3 of the membrane module 1, the blood B flowing through it is partially blocked by the hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5, which extend through the treatment chamber 3. A free cross-sectional area of ​​the treatment chamber 3 transverse to the main flow direction RH is therefore at most equal to or smaller than the respective area of ​​the main cross-section QH at the position under consideration.

[0117] In the illustrated embodiment, the packing density of the hollow fibers 3 is constant, so that the free cross-sectional area of ​​the treatment chamber 3 is essentially directly proportional to the area of ​​the main cross-section QH. Preferably, the exchange membrane 5 comprises two or more fiber mats 33 stacked one above the other in the vertical direction H. In the illustrated embodiment, a fiber mat 33 comprises a plurality of unidirectional hollow fibers 7. The unidirectional hollow fibers 7 of a fiber mat are secured against slipping by warp threads 35. In the illustrated embodiment, and preferably, several fiber mats 33 are stacked one above the other in alternating orientations, preferably resulting in a diamond pattern when viewed in the vertical direction H. A first hollow fiber subset 37 of the hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5 comprises only hollow fibers 7 that are parallel to one another.A second hollow fiber subset 39 comprises further hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5, which have a different orientation than the hollow fibers 7 of the first subset 37. In a particularly simple and preferred embodiment, each fiber mat 33 comprises only hollow fibers 7 from one hollow fiber subset 37, 39. Thus, to achieve the diamond pattern shown in Fig. 3, otherwise identical fiber mats 33 can be stacked on top of one another in alternating orientations. Preferably, fiber mats 33 with hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and fiber mats 33 with hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 are stacked alternately on top of one another. In Fig. 3, the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 each run from top left to bottom right, while the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 each run from bottom left to top right.However, hollow fiber subsets 37, 39 with different orientations can also be achieved without the use of fiber mats 33. Furthermore, individual fiber mats 33 can already have hollow fibers 7 with different orientations.

[0118] In the illustrated embodiment, both the fiber longitudinal direction RF1 of the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and the fiber longitudinal direction RF2 of the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 are oblique to the main flow direction RH. Thus, the hollow fibers 7 in Fig. 3 are each subjected to a flow angle of approximately 70°, with the angle of incidence being the smaller of the angles enclosed between the main flow direction RH and the fiber longitudinal direction RF.

[0119] The at least partially oblique flow of blood B flowing through the treatment chamber 3 onto the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and the second hollow fiber subset 39 can improve the treatment of blood B. Compared to hollow fibers 7 that run transversely to the main flow direction RH through the treatment chamber 3, hollow fibers 7 running obliquely to the main flow direction RH through the treatment chamber 3 have a larger contact area with blood B. This can result in an improved exchange of molecules and / or energy between the hollow fibers 7 or the treatment medium M flowing therein and the blood B. In contrast to hollow fibers 7 that run parallel to the main flow direction RH, obliquely running hollow fibers 7 allow for a considerably simpler construction, since the blood inlet 13 and the blood outlet 15 can be kept free of hollow fibers 7.Furthermore, hollow fibers 7 oriented obliquely to the main flow direction RH can result in improved mixing of the blood B compared to parallel hollow fibers 7, whereby the treatment result can be improved.

[0120] The hollow fibers 7 of adjacent fiber mats 33 enclose free diamonds when viewed in the vertical direction H. These free diamonds 41 are asymmetrically formed in the illustrated embodiment. A short semi-axis of the diamonds 41 extends essentially parallel to the main flow direction RH. A long semi-axis of the diamonds 41 is perpendicular to the vertical direction H and perpendicular to the main flow direction RH. In the vertical direction H, diamonds 41 can also be offset from one another or not congruent.

[0121] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 intersect at a cross angle α when viewed in the height direction H. As shown in Fig. 3, the cross angle α is defined here between two intersecting hollow fibers 7 and opens towards the blood inlet 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown, only hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 are shown. In other preferred variants, however, the membrane module 1 can also have further hollow fiber subsets whose orientation can be identical or different to one another. For example, only the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 could be oriented obliquely to the main flow direction RH, while the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 37 are oriented transversely to the main flow direction RH.The orientation of the hollow fibers 7 is determined by their fiber longitudinal direction RF.

[0122] Fig. 4 illustrates a plan view of a second embodiment of a membrane module 1, wherein, analogous to Fig. 3, only the side walls 23, 25 and a plurality of hollow fibers 7 of the exchange membrane 5 are shown. In Fig. 3, two fiber mats 33 stacked one above the other are shown, wherein a fiber mat 33 with hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 is arranged here in the height direction H above a fiber mat 33 with hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39. To clarify the different fiber mats 33, the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 here cover the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39. The free diamonds 41 are therefore not shown in Fig. 4.

[0123] In contrast to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3, in the second embodiment a larger part of the treatment chamber 3 is not completely interspersed with hollow fibers 7. In the first embodiment, this is only provided in order to keep the blood inlet 13 and the blood outlet 15 free of hollow fibers 7. An inlet section 43 adjacent downstream of the blood inlet 13 and an outlet section 45 upstream of the blood outlet 15 in the main flow direction RH are partially free of hollow fibers 7 here. As a result, a packing density of the hollow fibers 7 changes at least in sections along the main flow direction RH. When considering a full main cross-section QH transverse to the main flow direction RH, the packing density is a measure of the ratio of fiber cross-sectional area to the respective area of ​​the main cross-section QH.A high packing density usually represents a main cross-section QH which is interspersed with a relatively large number of hollow fibers 7, while a low packing density represents a few hollow fibers 7.

[0124] In the second exemplary embodiment, the packing density of the hollow fibers 7, which varies in the main flow direction RH, is achieved in that the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 partially protrude beyond the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 and the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 partially protrude beyond the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37. In Fig. 4, the fiber mat 33 with hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 protrudes in a first subsection of the inlet section 43, which lies above the main axis A, while the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 protrude in a second subsection of the inlet section 43 (below the main axis A). Compared to the central cross-section QM, the treatment chamber 3 is interspersed with only half as many hollow fibers 7 in the area of ​​these projections.A packing density that varies in the main flow direction RH can be achieved by using simple fiber mats 33 with unidirectional hollow fibers 7. Furthermore, a packing density that varies transversely to the main flow direction can be particularly advantageous. This allows the flow resistance near the side walls 23, 25 to be lower, allowing the blood B to be distributed more effectively in the treatment chamber 3, even into the peripheral areas.

[0125] Figures 5a to 5d show further embodiments of the membrane module 1 in plan views analogous to Figures 3 and 4. In Fig. 5a, the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 are not arranged obliquely to the main flow direction RH, but transversely thereto. In Fig. 5b, the treatment chamber 3 is not symmetrical to a center plane E, which is transverse to the main flow direction RH and bisects the treatment chamber 3. In this fourth embodiment, the treatment chamber 3 widens in a tulip shape or similar to the shape of a champagne glass, so that the blood outlet 15 has a significantly larger area than the blood inlet 13. However, the treatment chamber 3 could also be funnel-shaped. In Fig. 5c, hollow fibers 7 of a third hollow fiber subset are also provided, which are essentially transverse to the main flow direction RH. From Fig. 5c it is further evident that the hollow fibers 7 of the hollow fiber subsets 37, 39 can have different fiber spacings.Thus, hollow fibers 7 of a first fiber mat 33 can have a first fiber spacing from one another, while hollow fibers 7 of a second fiber mat 33 can have a different fiber spacing from one another transversely to the fiber longitudinal direction. Preferably, the hollow fibers 7 of several fiber mats 33, particularly preferably all fiber mats 33, each have identical fiber spacing. In Fig. 5d, the treatment chamber 3 has a cross-sectional jump and therefore expands abruptly or discontinuously in the main flow direction RH. In other variants, the fiber spacing between adjacent hollow fibers 7 of a fiber mat 33 can also vary. For example, and preferably, the fiber spacing between adjacent hollow fibers 7 of a fiber mat 33 in a central region can be smaller or larger than a fiber spacing at the blood inlet 13 and / or at the blood outlet 15.

[0126] Fig. 6 shows a membrane module 1 with multiple treatment chambers 3, 47. The treatment chambers 3, 47 are each essentially identical to the treatment chamber 3 of the first exemplary embodiment. Membrane modules 1 with more than two treatment chambers 3, 47 are also preferred. The second treatment chamber 47 additionally provided here is connected to the first treatment chamber 3 by a fiber-free fluid line section 49, which is also referred to as a fiber-free connecting section 49. The fluid line section 49 is not penetrated by hollow fibers 7 and can, for example, be formed by a hose. Adjacent treatment chambers 3, 47 can, however, also be separated, for example, by a partition plate, in which case the treatment chambers 3, 47 can then be connected in particular by a window in the partition plate. The hollow fibers 7 can extend through both treatment chambers 3, 47.Preferably, however, each treatment chamber 3, 47 has its own exchange membrane 5 with a mutually independent plurality of hollow fibers 7. For example, a gas exchange can be carried out in the first treatment chamber 3, while the second treatment chamber 47 is provided for heating the blood B by means of warm water passed through the hollow fibers 7 of this treatment chamber 47. Likewise, the blood B can, for example, be enriched with oxygen O2 in the first treatment chamber 3, while in the second treatment chamber 47, carbon dioxide CO2 is primarily removed from the blood B. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the main flow direction RH is directed vertically upward in the first treatment chamber 3 and vertically downward in the second treatment chamber 47. Fig. 7 schematically shows a device 250 for producing a membrane module 1. This production device 250 essentially comprises a centrifuge arrangement 252 which includes a rotary plate 254.The rotary plate 254 can be rotated about a main rotation axis AD by means of a drive (not shown). A holder (not shown in detail) is provided on the rotary plate 254, to which a mold 256 for producing the membrane module 1 can be attached. The mold 256 preferably forms a housing of the finished membrane module 1. Furthermore, the device 250 comprises a material feed 258, which is shown only schematically here. The material feed 258 serves to feed potting material 260 to the mold 256.

[0127] The sequence of a first method 300 for producing a membrane module 1 according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 8 and is explained below by way of example with reference to the device 250 shown in Fig. 7. In addition to blocks 302, 304, 306 illustrating the method steps, Fig. 8 also shows reduced representations of the device 250.

[0128] In a first step 302 of the method 300, fiber mats 33 of hollow fibers 7 are inserted into the mold 256. As explained above with reference to Fig. 3, in this exemplary embodiment, fiber mats 33 of unidirectional hollow fibers 7 of a first hollow fiber subset 37 and fiber mats 33 of unidirectional hollow fibers 7 of a second hollow fiber subset 39 are stacked alternately in the height direction H (in Fig. 7 perpendicular to the image plane).

[0129] After closing the mold 256, in a second step 304 of the method 300, a first fiber end section of each of the hollow fibers 7 arranged in the mold 256 is potted with the potting material 260. In variants, however, the potting can also take place with the mold open. The potting of the first fiber end sections is referred to herein as primary potting 304. To prevent the initially still flowable potting material 260 from flowing along the fiber longitudinal direction RF of the hollow fibers 7 due to capillary action, the mold 256 is rotated at least temporarily about a first axis of rotation AR1 during the primary potting 304. This first axis of rotation AR1 is defined by its relative position to the mold 256 or in a reference system of the mold. From a global perspective, the first axis of rotation AR1 and the main axis of rotation AD are identical.With respect to the mold 256 containing the hollow fibers 7, the first rotation axis AR1 is arranged off-center, in the case shown even outside the mold 256. The rotation of the mold 256 on the turntable 254 causes a centrifugal force on the potting material 260, which counteracts the flow of the potting material 260 along the fiber longitudinal direction RF. The potting material 260 is preferably fed to the mold 256 during rotation and solidifies there. The potting material 250 can be an adhesive, for example. In the present exemplary embodiment, the mold 256 is spun until the potting material 260 has largely solidified and can no longer flow along the hollow fibers 7 by capillary action. However, it should be understood that rotation does not necessarily have to continue until the potting material 260 has completely solidified.During primary potting 304, the potting material 260 forms a first side wall 23 of the treatment chamber 3 on a radially outer side of the mold 256.

[0130] Subsequently, in the exemplary embodiment of the method 300 described here, the mold 256 is rotated by 180° and remounted on the turntable 254. As a result, the position of the main axis of rotation AD also changes when viewed in the reference system of the mold 256. During a subsequent secondary potting 306, which takes place essentially analogously to the primary potting 304, a second side wall 25 of the treatment chamber 3 is formed, wherein second fiber end sections of the hollow fibers 7 opposite their respective first fiber end section are potted. In this case, the mold 256 is rotated again about the main axis of rotation AD, which then forms a second axis of rotation AR2 that is different from the first axis of rotation AR1. When viewed from the reference system of the mold 256, a second axis of rotation AR2 of the secondary potting 306 differs from the first axis of rotation AR1 used in the primary potting 304.This is due to the rotation of the shape 256 between the primary potting 304 and the secondary potting 258. When viewed in the reference system of the shape 256, the first rotation axis AR1 and the second rotation axis AR2 lie on different sides of the shape 256.

[0131] After the primary potting 304 and / or the secondary potting 306, closed fiber ends 17, 19 of the hollow fibers 7 are preferably opened, particularly preferably by cutting or separating closed ends.

[0132] A first potting section 24 of the potting 21 forms the first side wall 23, and a second potting section 26 of the potting 21 forms the second side wall 25. Even though multiple potting of fiber end sections is conceivable and preferred, the primary potting 304 and the secondary potting 306 here refer to the potting of different fiber end sections. Multiple potting of the first fiber end sections would then possibly be referred to as first primary potting 304 and second primary potting 304. The terms primary potting 304 and secondary potting 306 are chosen here to clarify chronologically successive steps, but do not imply any order of priority. Thus, the secondary potting 306 can also be performed before the primary potting 304. During the secondary potting 306, the mold 256 is also rotated about the main axis of rotation AD of the device 250.

[0133] The rotation axes AR1 and AR2 lying outside the mold 256 cause a gentle concave curvature of the side walls 23, 25 of the treatment chamber 3 formed by the solidified potting material 260. The shape of the side walls 23, 25 is essentially determined by the distance of the mold 256 from the main axis of rotation AD and the orientation of the mold 256 on the turntable 254. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a longitudinal side 262 of the mold 256 is oriented essentially parallel to the circumferential direction RU of the rotational movement during both the primary potting 304 and the secondary potting 306. This results in a symmetrical shape of the treatment chamber 3. In this variant, the treatment chamber 3 is symmetrical both to the longitudinal axis or main flow direction RH and to its center next to plane E transverse to the main flow direction RH.Preferably, the main flow direction RH of a treatment chamber 3 to be produced can be oriented in the circumferential direction RU of the rotary movement during the primary potting 304 and / or during the secondary potting 306.

[0134] In other variants, however, a different orientation of the shape 256 or the main flow direction RH can also be selected. Fig. 9 shows, by way of example, an outwardly rotated shape 256 with the longitudinal side 262 of the shape 256 oriented at an angle to the circumferential direction RU or with the main flow direction RH of the treatment chamber 3 to be produced oriented at an angle to the circumferential direction RU. Fig. 5b illustrates the resulting treatment chamber 3, which reduces in the main flow direction RH (with reversed flow, the main cross section QH of the treatment chamber 3 expands accordingly) when the primary potting 304 and the secondary potting 306 with the main flow direction RH oriented at an angle to the circumferential direction RU.

[0135] Fig. 10 illustrates a second variant of a method 400 for producing a membrane module 1. With this method 400, in particular, a treatment chamber 3 can be produced, which preferably has at least partially the shape of an elongated spheroid, an elliptical cylinder, a circular cylinder, or a general cylinder whose base area is defined at least in sections by circular segments. - M -

[0136] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment of the method 300, the mold 256 provided with the hollow fibers 7 is mounted upright on the turntable 254. The fiber longitudinal direction RF of the hollow fibers 7 arranged in the mold 256 runs at least partially along the main axis of rotation AD. However, the main axis of rotation AD can preferably also be perpendicular to the fiber longitudinal direction RF of the hollow fibers 7. The main flow direction RH of the treatment chamber 3 to be produced is congruent with the main axis of rotation AD in the variant shown. In the second variant of the method 400, all side walls of the treatment chamber 3 can be produced by only one potting step 402. If a sufficient amount of potting material 260 is supplied, the treatment chamber 3 then essentially has the shape of an elongated spheroid of revolution or a general cylinder, the base area of ​​which is defined at least in sections by circular segments.If, however, only a limited amount of potting material 260 is supplied, side walls 23, 25 of the treatment chamber 3 that are not closed or separated in the circumferential direction can be produced. The potting 402 is then an incomplete circular potting. In the preferred variant shown, potting material 260 is supplied to the mold 256 on two opposite sides by means of the material feed 258. Due to the rotation of the mold 258 about the main axis of rotation AD, the potting material 260 is partially distributed in the circumferential direction and thus forms two essentially symmetrical side walls 23, 25 of the treatment chamber 3 upon solidification. The amount of potting material 260 is selected in this case such that the side walls 23, 25 are separated from one another. The potting material 260 is preferably introduced into the mold 256 by centrifugal force. Alternatively or additionally, the potting material 260 can also be introduced into the mold 256 under pressure.

[0137] In both methods 300, 400, the treatment chamber 3 can be closed after the potting 304, 306, 402 or beforehand by arranging one or more covers 31.

[0138] Fig. 11 schematically illustrates the sequence of a preferred method 500 for the extracorporeal treatment of blood B. In a first step of this treatment method 500, a blood stream is provided (providing 502 in Fig. 11). The providing 502 can, for example, be a providing of a stream of blood B from a blood bank. In a second step 504, the blood stream is fed to a treatment chamber 3 of a membrane module 1, which can, for example, be a membrane module 1 according to one of the exemplary embodiments described above. The blood B then flows through the treatment chamber 3 of the membrane module. In the variant of the method 500 shown here, the blood B of the blood stream has a pressure level above atmospheric pressure when fed 504 to the treatment chamber 3.Simultaneously with the supply 504 of blood B, a treatment medium M, which here is oxygen O2, flows through hollow fibers 7 extending through the treatment chamber 3 along their fiber longitudinal direction RF (flow 506 in Fig. 11). The flow of blood B flows through the treatment chamber 3 along the main flow direction RH from the blood inlet 13 to the blood outlet 15 and comes into contact with the hollow fibers 7 in the treatment chamber 3. In this process, the blood B is treated, wherein the treatment in the described case is an enrichment of the blood B with oxygen O2 and a reduction of carbon monoxide CO and / or carbon dioxide CO2 from the blood B. At least a first hollow fiber subset 37 of the hollow fibers 7 extending through the treatment chamber has a fiber longitudinal direction RF that is oblique to the main flow direction RH of the blood B in the treatment chamber 3.This allows the contact between blood B and hollow fibers 7 to be optimized with regard to gas exchange, energy exchange, and / or coagulation risk. Following the flow 506, provision 508 can be made in a usable form, particularly in blood units. Alternatively, after the flow 506, delivery 510 of the blood B to a patient P can also be provided.

[0139] 12a and 12b show a variant of a membrane module 1 according to the invention without oblique flow of the hollow fibers 7. In Fig. 12a, the first side wall 23 of the treatment chamber 3 formed by the first potting section 24 and the second side wall 25 of the treatment chamber 3 formed by the second potting section 26 are not shown. A third side wall 51 running transversely to the first side wall 23 and the second side wall 25 is shown transparent. The exchange membrane 5 of the exemplary embodiment shown here comprises fiber mats 33 that are stacked in the main flow direction RH. Here, fiber mats 33 of hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and fiber mats 33 of hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 are stacked alternately.The first fiber longitudinal direction RF1 of the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and the second fiber longitudinal direction RF2 of the hollow fibers 7 of the second hollow fiber subset 39 run transversely to the main flow direction RH. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12, the hollow fibers 7 are therefore not subjected to an oblique flow, but rather transversely.

[0140] A fourth side wall 53 of the treatment chamber 3 has a shape analogous to the third side wall 51 and is arranged mirror-symmetrically opposite it. Here, the third side wall 51 and the fourth side wall 53 are formed separately from the potting 21. However, in other variants, it can also be provided that the potting 21 has third and fourth potting sections for forming the third side wall 51 and / or the fourth side wall 53. The third side wall 51 and the fourth side wall 53 are wedge-shaped. A tip of the wedge shape extends towards the center of the treatment chamber 3. For a membrane module 1 with hollow fibers 7 subjected to transverse flow, the wedge shape of the side walls 51, 53 is particularly advantageous, even if wedge-shaped side walls 51, 53 are generally preferred.The wedge-shaped side walls 51, 53 allow a particularly efficient use of the fiber mats 33, since free spaces of an X-shape interspersed with hollow fibers 7, which is formed by stacking hollow fibers 7 of different orientation, can be filled by the third side wall 51 of the fourth side wall 53.

[0141] Fig. 12b additionally shows the first side wall 23 and the second side wall 25, which are formed by the potting 21. A dashed line 55 illustrates the concave shape of the side walls 23, 25. The fiber ends 17, 19 are omitted from Fig. 12b for the sake of simplicity. In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 12, the treatment chamber 3 also has a main cross-section QH that is variable in the main flow direction RH. In the view shown in Fig. 12b, the first side wall 23 and the second side wall 25 define a treatment chamber 3 whose shape, in one plane, resembles an American football. However, it can also be provided that the third side wall 51 and the fourth side wall 53 have a shape analogous to the first side wall 23 and second side wall 25. In such variants, the treatment chamber 3 then essentially has the shape of an American football.

[0142] It should be understood that the shape of the treatment chamber 3 described with reference to Fig. 12 is also preferred for variants of the membrane module 1 according to the invention in which the fiber longitudinal direction RF of at least one hollow fiber subset 37, 39 is oblique to the main flow direction RH. Such treatment chambers 3 are also preferred for variants without hollow fibers 7 or without an exchange membrane 5.

[0143] 13a to 13c show a fifth embodiment of a membrane module 1 according to the invention, wherein Fig. 13a is an isometric view of the membrane module 1, Fig. 13b is a plan view of the membrane module 1 (along the height H of the membrane module 1), and wherein Fig. 13c shows a side view of the membrane module 1. For illustration, Fig. 13a shows hollow fibers 7 of a first hollow fiber subset 37 and a second hollow fiber subset 39 on a surface of the membrane module 1. Although the fibers are only shown on one surface in Fig. 13, it should be understood that hollow fibers 7 can be provided over the entire height of the membrane module 1. Fig. 13 only shows the treatment chamber 3, it should be understood that walls are of course provided to delimit it, which walls are formed, for example, at least partially by the potting 21. In Fig. 13c no hollow fibers 7 are shown.

[0144] In the membrane module 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 are also arranged in the treatment chamber 3 such that their fiber longitudinal direction RF1 is oblique to the main flow direction RH, which here runs parallel to the main axis A. However, it can also be provided that the fiber longitudinal direction RF1, RF2 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and / or the second hollow fiber subset 39 are parallel or transverse to the main flow direction RH.

[0145] The exchange membrane 5 arranged in the treatment chamber 3 comprises a main section 57 and two secondary sections 59. A first secondary section 59a is arranged upstream of the main section 57 with respect to the main flow direction RH. A second secondary section 59b is arranged downstream of the main section 57 with respect to the main flow direction RH. In the main section 57, a main packing density of the hollow fibers 7, which indicates the number of hollow fibers 7 per unit volume of the main section 57, is essentially constant, although minor manufacturing-related fluctuations may occur. Hollow fibers 7 are arranged in the secondary sections 59 with a secondary packing density. The secondary packing density 7 of the secondary sections 59 is lower than the main packing density in the main section 57 and therefore differs from the main packing density. The secondary packing density 7 can vary within the secondary sections 59a, 59b or be constant.In addition, the secondary packing densities 7a, 7b of the subsections 59a, 59b can be different from one another or identical. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 13a-13c, the fiber spacing of the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and the second hollow fiber subset 39 is constant, so that the secondary packing density of the membrane module 1 is also constant. However, it should be understood that a constant secondary packing density can also be achieved in other ways. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the secondary packing density, which is lower than the main packing density of the main section 57, is achieved in that the hollow fibers 7 of the first hollow fiber subset 37 and the second hollow fiber subset 39 each protrude sectionally, namely in the secondary sections 59, beyond the hollow fibers 7 of the other hollow fiber subset 37, 39. A varying packing density can also be achieved in other ways.For example, hollow fibers 7 oriented transversely to the main flow direction RH could be arranged in the secondary section 59, while hollow fibers 7 also oriented transversely to the main flow direction RH are arranged in the main cross section, but have a smaller fiber spacing from one another.

[0146] The secondary sections 59 can contribute to homogenizing the flow of blood B, which is indicated by an arrow in Fig. 13b. In particular, the first secondary section 59a, located upstream of the main section 57, can contribute to a uniform distribution of inflowing blood B to the main section 57. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the secondary section 59a, as shown in Fig. 13a and Fig. 13b, has two subsections 61 that widen away from the main axis A. However, it should be understood that non-widening subsections 61 can also be advantageous and are preferred.

[0147] The first secondary section 59a is arranged in an inlet section 43 of the treatment chamber 3, which adjoins the blood inlet 13 of the membrane module 1. The second secondary section 59b is provided in an outlet section 45 arranged upstream of the blood outlet 15 (or upstream of it).

[0148] As shown in particular in Fig. 13b, the subsections 61 are symmetrical to one another, whereby the symmetry can also be present for the fiber longitudinal directions RF1, RF2 of the hollow fibers 7 arranged therein, but does not have to be. Here, both subsections 61 expand away from the main axis A. In the present case, the extension of the subsections 61 along the main axis A (in Fig. 13b, the width from left to right) increases with increasing distance from the main axis A (in Fig. 13b, upwards or downwards).

[0149] From Fig. 13c, it can be seen that the extension of the subsections 61 in the height direction is constant in the exemplary embodiment considered. Therefore, in the fifth exemplary embodiment, the subsections 61 are essentially prism-shaped, or rather, they expand in a prism-shaped manner starting from the main axis A. The main section 57, on the other hand, has an essentially polygonal base area and a constant height H. The main section 57 can therefore preferably be a polyhedron. The base area of ​​the main section 57 is essentially hexagonal here, with two opposite side walls of the main section 57 being convex.

[0150] In the fifth exemplary embodiment of the membrane module 1, the blood inlet 13 comprises an inlet connection 63. The inlet connection 63 is designed to connect the membrane module 1 to a blood supply line. Here, the inlet connection 63 is cylindrical and comprises an inlet central axis AE that is congruent with the main axis A. The blood outlet 15 has an outlet connection 67, which is provided for connecting the membrane module 1 to a blood discharge line. The outlet connection is also cylindrical in the exemplary embodiment shown. The outlet connection 67 comprises an outlet central axis AA that is congruent with the main axis A. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 13b, the outlet central axis AA and the inlet central axis AE are therefore parallel. However, the inlet connection 63 and / or the outlet connection 65 can also be non-cylindrical, in particular conical.Particularly preferably, a cross-section of the inlet port 63 can taper and / or widen at least in sections in the flow direction (through the inlet port 63 toward the exchange membrane 5). Alternatively or additionally, a cross-section of the outlet port 65 can taper and / or widen at least in sections in the flow direction (through the outlet port 65 or out of the membrane module 1).

[0151] In Fig. 13c, the blood inlet 13 and the blood outlet 15, or the inlet connection 63 and outlet connection 65, are arranged vertically centrally on the treatment chamber 3. In the fifth exemplary embodiment, the inlet connection 63 and the outlet connection 65 are also arranged centrally on the treatment chamber 3 in a lateral direction transverse to the main flow direction RH (cf. Fig. 13b). Preferably, however, the inlet connection 63 can also be arranged vertically and / or laterally off-center or offset from a central axis of the treatment chamber 3. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet connection 65 can also be arranged vertically and / or laterally off-center or offset from a central axis of the treatment chamber 3.

[0152] A distributor section 65 of the blood inlet 13 is connected to the inlet connection 63 in the main flow direction RH. The distributor section 65 is therefore arranged downstream of the inlet connection 63. The distributor section 65 is provided for distributing the blood B flowing in at the blood inlet 13 to the exchange membrane 5. In the present exemplary embodiment, the distributor section 65 is arrow-shaped, specifically in the image plane of Fig. 13b. The plane in which the distributor section 65 is arrow-shaped is therefore perpendicular to the vertical direction and parallel to the inlet central axis AE or to the main flow direction RH in the blood inlet 13. From the side view according to Fig. 13c, it can be seen that the arrow shape of the distributor section 65 extends uniformly over the height H of the membrane module 1. Fig. 14 shows the blood inlet 13 in detail.In this preferred embodiment, the arrow-shaped distributor section 65 comprises a first wing 69 and a second wing 71. The wings 69, 71 are essentially cuboid-shaped and extend from an arrowhead 73 of the distributor section 65, which is linear here, to the side (transverse to the main axis A) and to the rear or upstream.

[0153] A collecting section 75 is arranged upstream of the outlet connection 67 of the blood outlet in the main flow direction RH (see Fig. 13b). The collecting section 75 is essentially funnel-shaped in the image plane of Fig. 13b. The collecting section 75 is also funnel-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the image plane of Fig. 13b (see Fig. 13c). The collecting section 75 serves to collect blood B escaping from the exchange membrane 5 in the main flow direction and guides it into the outlet connection 67. The funnel shape of the collecting section 75 can prevent backflow and thus reduce the risk of thrombosis.

[0154] Fig. 15 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a membrane module 1, which differs from the membrane module 1 according to the fifth embodiment essentially in the relative arrangement of the inlet connection 63. The inlet central axis AE is arranged essentially perpendicular to the main axis A through the treatment chamber 3. The blood outlet 15 and the arrangement of the outlet central axis AA are essentially identical to the preceding fifth embodiment. In other variants, the inlet central axis AE and the outlet central axis AA, and thus also the respective blood flow B in the blood inlet 13 and at the blood outlet 15, can also be skewed relative to one another.

[0155] In the sixth exemplary embodiment, a connecting segment 66 is provided which connects the inlet connection 63 to the distributor section 65. The connecting segment 66 can also be assigned to the distributor section 65. In the sixth exemplary embodiment, the distributor section 65 is arrow-shaped, essentially analogous to the fifth exemplary embodiment. However, according to the modified arrangement of the inlet connection 63, it is supplied with blood B from an upper side which is transverse to the height of the exchange membrane 5. Blood B flows transversely from the inlet connection 63 into the arrow-shaped distributor section 65, which here is formed only from the wings 69, 71. However, it could also be provided, for example, that the distributor section 65 is identical to the distributor section from Figures 13a to 13c and that the connecting segment 66 represents a bend which connects the vertical inlet connection 63 to the distributor section 65.Furthermore, the arrow-shaped distributor section 65 is not constant in the vertical direction (transverse to the direction of the arrow, or from top to bottom in Fig. 15). In the exemplary embodiment, the distributor section 65 preferably tapers away from the inlet connection 63. However, it can also be provided that the distributor section 65 is constant in the vertical direction if the flow to the distributor section 65 is from the side.

[0156] 16a and 16b schematically illustrate further preferred embodiments of the blood inlet 13. In Fig. 16a, the distributor section 65 is essentially wedge-shaped in the image plane. Transverse to this first plane, the distributor section 65 can also be wedge-shaped. Alternatively, the wedge-shaped distributor section can also extend constantly over the height H of the membrane module 1 or have a different shape. The inlet connection 63 can be aligned parallel to the outlet connection, analogous to Fig. 13a to Fig. 13c, or the flow can approach the distributor section 65 laterally, in particular from above, analogous to Fig. 15. In Fig. 16b, however, the distributor section 65 is cup-shaped. A stem 77 of the cup-shaped distributor section 65 faces the inlet connection 63. Starting from the stem 77, the distributor section 65 widens along the main axis A and / or along the main flow direction RH. The cup shape can be in several levels orin the projection in several planes or only in one plane.

[0157] Fig. 17 illustrates, essentially analogous to Fig. 5b, that cross-sections of the treatment chamber 3 at the blood inlet 13 and at the blood outlet 15 do not have to be identical. For example, and preferably, the treatment chamber 3, when projected into at least one plane, can essentially have the shape of a champagne glass or a tulip. Such a treatment chamber has at least two opposing convex side walls 23, 25. The side walls 23, 25 are arranged such that the treatment chamber 3 tapers or widens in the main flow direction RH (towards the blood outlet 15). Preferably, the treatment chamber 3 tapers in the main flow direction RH. The acceleration of the blood flow through the treatment chamber 3 that can be achieved in this way counteracts the formation of "dead water zones" with only a very low flow velocity and can thus prevent blood clotting. The design of the treatment chamber 3 is preferred for all of the exemplary embodiments described above.It should be understood that the blood inlet 13 and the blood outlet 15 are only indicated in Fig. 17.

[0158] 1 membrane module

[0159] 3 treatment rooms

[0160] 5 Replacement membrane

[0161] 7 hollow fibers

[0162] 9 first hose connection

[0163] 11 second hose connection

[0164] 13 Blood inlet

[0165] 15 Blood outlet

[0166] 17 first fiber end

[0167] 19 second fiber end

[0168] 21 Taunting

[0169] 23 first side wall

[0170] 24 first potting section

[0171] 25 second side wall

[0172] 26 second potting section

[0173] 27 Medium inlet

[0174] 29 Medium outlet

[0175] 31 Cover

[0176] 33 fiber mat

[0177] 35 warp threads

[0178] 37 first hollow fiber subset

[0179] 39 second hollow fiber subset

[0180] 41 free diamonds

[0181] 43 Inlet section

[0182] 45 Outlet section

[0183] 47 second treatment room

[0184] 49 Fluid line section

[0185] 51 third side wall

[0186] 53 fourth side wall

[0187] 55 dashed line

[0188] 57 Main section

[0189] 59 Secondary section

[0190] 61 Subsection of the Secondary Section

[0191] 63 Inlet connection

[0192] 65 Distribution section 66 Connection segment

[0193] 67 Outlet connection

[0194] 69 first wing

[0195] 71 second wing

[0196] 73 Arrowhead

[0197] 75 collection section

[0198] 77 tribe

[0199] 200 Blood Treatment System

[0200] 202 Cannula

[0201] 204 inlet hose

[0202] 206 disposable treatment module

[0203] 208 drain hose

[0204] 210 Console

[0205] 212 first pump

[0206] 214 second pump

[0207] 216 Control

[0208] 218 housings

[0209] 220 membrane module holder

[0210] 222 Treatment medium supply

[0211] 224 Treatment medium discharge

[0212] 226 Actuator

[0213] 228 throttle valve

[0214] 250 manufacturing device

[0215] 252 Centrifuge arrangement

[0216] 254 turntables

[0217] 256 Shape

[0218] 258 Material feed

[0219] 260 Potting material

[0220] 262 Long side of the mold

[0221] 300 first method for producing a membrane module

[0222] 302 Inserting fiber mats

[0223] 304 primary taunting

[0224] 306 secondary taunting

[0225] 400 second method for producing a membrane module

[0226] 402 Mocking

[0227] 500 procedures for extracorporeal treatment of blood

[0228] 502 Providing a blood flow 504 Supplying the blood flow to the treatment room

[0229] 506 Flow through hollow fibers

[0230] 508 Providing blood

[0231] 510 Supplying blood

[0232] A main axis

[0233] AA Outlet central axis

[0234] AD main axis of rotation

[0235] AE intake central axis

[0236] B Blood

[0237] CO carbon monoxide

[0238] CO2 carbon dioxide

[0239] E Center plane

[0240] H height, height direction

[0241] M Treatment medium

[0242] 02 Oxygen

[0243] P Patient

[0244] QH, QH1 , QH2 main cross section

[0245] QM center cross-section

[0246] RF, RF1 , RF2 fiber longitudinal direction

[0247] RH main flow direction

[0248] RU circumferential direction a cross angle

Claims

1 . Membrane module (1) for the treatment of blood (B), comprising: at least one treatment chamber (3) having at least one blood inlet (13) and at least one blood outlet (15) which are connected to one another through the treatment chamber (3) in a main flow direction (RH); an exchange membrane (5) with a plurality of hollow fibers (7), each of which extends in a fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) through the treatment chamber (3) and is designed to be flowed through by a treatment medium (M) in the fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) from a first fiber end (17) to an opposite second fiber end (19); a potting (21) in which the first fiber ends (17) and second fiber ends (19) of the hollow fibers (7) of the exchange membrane (5) are fixed and which at least partially defines the treatment chamber (3); characterized in that at least a first hollow fiber subset (37) of the plurality of hollow fibers (7) is arranged in the treatment chamber (3) is arranged,that their fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) is oblique to the main flow direction (RH).

2. Membrane module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the treatment chamber (3) has a main cross-section (QH, QH1, QH2) which is variable in the main flow direction (RH) perpendicular to the main flow direction (RH).

3. Membrane module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment chamber (3) is rotationally asymmetrical.

4. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the potting (21) has a first potting section (24) and a second potting section (26), wherein the first potting section (24) forms a first side wall (23) of the treatment chamber (3) and wherein the second potting section (26) forms a second side wall (25) of the treatment chamber (3) opposite the first side wall (23), wherein the first side wall (23) and / or the second side wall (25) has a concave shape.

5. Membrane module (1) according to claim 4, further comprising at least one cover (31) of the treatment chamber (3), wherein the cover (31) is at least partially transparent at least in sections, and wherein the cover (31) is preferably substantially planar.

6. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a packing density of the hollow fibers (7) varies in the main flow direction (RH), wherein the packing density preferably increases along the main flow direction (RH) from the blood inlet (13) towards a central section of the treatment chamber (3) and / or decreases from the central section towards the blood outlet (15).

7. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein hollow fibers (7) of a second hollow fiber subset (39) of the plurality of hollow fibers (7) of the exchange membrane (5) have a different orientation than hollow fibers (7) of the first hollow fiber subset (37).

8. Membrane module (1) according to claim 7, wherein only hollow fibers (7) of the first hollow fiber subset (37) are arranged in an inlet region of the treatment chamber (3) adjoining the blood inlet (13) and / or wherein only hollow fibers (7) of the second hollow fiber subset (39) are arranged in an outlet region upstream of the blood outlet (15).

9. Membrane module (1) according to claim 7, wherein in an inlet section (43) of the treatment chamber (3) adjoining the blood inlet (13), the hollow fibers (7) of the first hollow fiber subset (37) at least partially protrude beyond the hollow fibers (7) of the second hollow fiber subset (39) and / or wherein the hollow fibers (7) of the second hollow fiber subset (39) at least partially protrude beyond the hollow fibers (7) of the first hollow fiber subset (37), and / or wherein in an outlet section (45) of the treatment chamber (3) upstream of the blood outlet (15), the hollow fibers (7) of the first hollow fiber subset (37) at least partially protrude beyond the hollow fibers (7) of the second hollow fiber subset (39) and / or wherein the hollow fibers (7) of the second hollow fiber subset (39) at least partially protrude beyond the hollow fibers (7) of the first hollow fiber subset (37).

10. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) of the hollow fibers (7) of the first hollow fiber subset (37) encloses a cross angle (α) in a range from greater than 0° to less than 180° with the fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) of the hollow fibers (7) of the second hollow fiber subset (39), wherein the main flow direction (RH) preferably halves the cross angle (α).

11. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the exchange membrane (5) comprises fiber mats (33) of unidirectional hollow fibers (7), wherein the fiber mats (33) are stacked on top of one another in a height direction (H) transverse to the main flow direction (RH), wherein a mat area of the fiber mats (33) preferably varies in the height direction (H), in particular decreases towards the outside.

12. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the treatment chamber (3) is designed to receive blood (B) under pressure, in particular blood (B) with an absolute pressure (pa) of 3 bara or less.

13. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the membrane module (1) is designed to be coreless.

14. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the membrane module (1) is a direct flow module in which the blood inlet (13) is opposite the blood outlet (15) along a main axis (A), in particular a longitudinal axis, of the membrane module (1).

15. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the membrane module (1) has a second treatment chamber (47) which is connected to the first treatment chamber (3), wherein the hollow fibers (7) in the first treatment chamber (3) are preferably different from the hollow fibers (7) in the second treatment chamber (3).

16. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the exchange membrane (5) has a main section (57) and at least one secondary section (59), wherein a main packing density of the hollow fibers (7) in the main section (57) is constant and wherein a secondary packing density of the hollow fibers (7) in the secondary section (59) differs at least in sections from the main packing density.

17. Membrane module (1) for the treatment of blood (B), comprising: at least one treatment chamber (3) having at least one blood inlet (13) and at least one blood outlet (15) that are connected to one another through the treatment chamber (3) in a main flow direction (RH); an exchange membrane (5) with a plurality of hollow fibers (7), each of which extends in a fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) through the treatment chamber (3) and is designed to be flowed through by a treatment medium (M) in the fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) from a first fiber end (17) to an opposite second fiber end (19); a potting (21) in which the first fiber ends (17) and second fiber ends (19) of the hollow fibers (7) of the exchange membrane (5) are fixed and which at least partially defines the treatment chamber (3); characterized in that the exchange membrane (5) has a main section (57) and at least one secondary section (59),wherein a main packing density of the hollow fibers (7) in the main section (57) is constant and wherein a secondary packing density of the hollow fibers (7) in the secondary section (59) differs at least in sections from the main packing density.

18. Membrane module (1) according to claim 17, wherein the secondary section (59) is arranged in an inlet section (43) of the treatment chamber (3) adjoining the blood inlet (13) and / or wherein the secondary section (59) is arranged in an outlet section (45) of the treatment chamber (3) upstream of the blood outlet (15).

19. Membrane module (1) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the secondary section (59) has at least two subsections (61) arranged on opposite sides of a main axis (A) of the membrane module (1) extending from the blood inlet (13) to the blood outlet (15).

20. Membrane module (1) according to claim 19, wherein the subsections (61) are symmetrical to the main axis (A).

21. Membrane module (1) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the subsections (61) widen away from the main axis (A).

22. Membrane module (1) according to claim 21, wherein the subsections (61) widen in a pyramidal and / or prism-shaped manner.

23. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the main section (57) has substantially the shape of a cylinder, ring cylinder, polyhedron and / or cuboid, wherein at least one side surface, particularly preferably two opposite side surfaces, of the main section are convex and / or concave.

24. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the plurality of hollow fibers (7) comprises at least a first hollow fiber subset (37) with first hollow fibers and a second hollow fiber subset (39) with second hollow fibers.

25. Membrane module (1) according to claim 24, wherein at least the first hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset (37) are arranged in the treatment chamber (3) such that their fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) is oblique to the main flow direction (RH).

26. Membrane module (1) according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the first hollow fibers of the first hollow fiber subset (37) have a smaller fiber diameter than the second hollow fibers of the second hollow fiber subset (39).

27. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the first hollow fiber subset (37) is formed from at least one fiber mat whose first fibers have a first fiber spacing from one another, and wherein the second hollow fiber subset (39) is formed from at least one second fiber mat whose second fibers have a second fiber spacing from one another, wherein the first fiber spacing is preferably smaller or larger than the second fiber spacing.

28. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 24 to 27, wherein a first fiber type of the first fibers differs from a second fiber type of the second hollow fibers, wherein the first fibers are preferably semipermeable hollow fibers and the second fibers are preferably fluid-tight fibers or wherein the first fibers are preferably fluid-tight fibers and the second fibers are preferably semipermeable hollow fibers.

29. Membrane module (1) according to one of the preceding claims 16 to 28, wherein the blood inlet (13) has an inlet connection (63) for connecting the membrane module to at least one blood supply line, wherein the blood outlet (15) has an outlet connection (67) for connecting the membrane module (1) to a blood discharge line.

30. Membrane module (1) according to claim 29, wherein an inlet central axis (AE) of the inlet connection (63) and an outlet central axis (AA) of the outlet connection (67) are arranged at an angle to one another, preferably perpendicular to one another.

31. Membrane module (1) according to claim 29, wherein an inlet central axis (AE) of the inlet connection (63) and an outlet central axis (AA) of the outlet connection (67) are arranged parallel, preferably congruent, to one another.

32. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the blood inlet (13) has a distributor section (65) at least indirectly adjoining the inlet connection (63) for distributing blood received at the inlet connection (63) to the exchange membrane (5).

33. Membrane module (1) according to claim 32, wherein the distributor section (65) is arrow-shaped at least in one plane in the main flow direction (RH).

34. Membrane module (1) according to claim 33, wherein the arrow-shaped distributor section (65) has at least a first wing (69) and a second wing (71), wherein the wings are substantially cuboid-shaped, wherein the wings (69, 71) are preferably connected to one another at a connecting line, and wherein the connecting line preferably forms an arrowhead (73) of the arrow-shaped distributor section (65).

35. Membrane module (1) according to claim 32, wherein the distributor section (65) is cup-shaped in the main flow direction (RH) at least in one plane, wherein a stem (77) of the cup-shaped distributor section (65) faces the inlet connection (63).

36. Membrane module (1) according to claim 32, wherein the distributor section (65) is wedge-shaped in the main flow direction (RH) at least in one plane, wherein a wedge tip of the wedge-shaped distributor section (65) faces away from the inlet connection (63).

37. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the membrane module (1) comprises an inlet membrane which is at least partially arranged in the distributor section (65), wherein the inlet membrane has a plurality of fibers which each extend in an inlet fiber longitudinal direction through the distributor section (65), wherein the inlet fiber longitudinal direction is preferably perpendicular to the main flow direction (RH), and / or wherein the inlet membrane is preferably a heat exchange membrane.

38. Membrane module (1) according to one of the preceding claims 32 to 37, wherein the main flow direction (RH) at the inlet section (63) is angled, in particular perpendicular, to the main flow direction on a membrane side of the distributor section (65) facing the exchange membrane (5), and / or wherein the main flow direction (RH) at the inlet connection (63) is perpendicular to the main flow direction (RH) at a transition between the blood inlet (13) and the main section (57) and / or the secondary section (59).

39. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the blood outlet (15) has a collecting section (75) arranged at least indirectly upstream of the outlet connection (67).

40. Membrane module (1) according to claim 39, wherein the membrane module (1) comprises an outlet membrane which is at least partially arranged in the collecting section (75), wherein the outlet membrane has a plurality of fibers which each extend in an outlet fiber longitudinal direction through the collecting section (75), wherein the outlet fiber longitudinal direction is preferably perpendicular to the main flow direction (RH), and / or wherein the outlet membrane is preferably a heat exchange membrane.

41. Membrane module (1) according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the collecting section (75) is wedge-shaped, funnel-shaped and / or inverted arrow-shaped in at least one plane in the main flow direction (RH).

42. Membrane module (1) according to one of claims 16 to 41, wherein a fiber type of hollow fibers (7) of the plurality of hollow fibers (7) in the main section (57) differs at least partially from a fiber type of hollow fibers (7) of the plurality of hollow fibers (7) in the secondary section (59).

43. A system (200) for treating blood (B), comprising at least one pump (212, 214) for generating a flow of blood (B), a controller (216) for controlling the pump (212, 214); and a membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 42 or 48, wherein the pump (212, 214) is connectable to the blood circulation of a patient (P) via a first hose section and is connectable to a treatment chamber (3) of the membrane module (1) via a second hose section, wherein the system (200) preferably allows blood (B) having a pressure level above the ambient atmospheric pressure to flow through the treatment chamber (3).

44. Method (300) for producing a membrane module (1) for the extracorporeal treatment of blood (B), in particular a membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 42 or 48, comprising the steps: Inserting fiber mats (33) of hollow fibers (7), in particular unidirectional hollow fibers (7), into a mold (256); primary potting (304) of a first fiber end section of the hollow fibers (7) with a potting material (260) to form a first side wall (23) of a treatment chamber (3) of the membrane module (1), wherein the mold (256) is rotated at least temporarily about a first axis of rotation (AR1) during the primary potting (304); secondary potting (306) of a second fiber end section of the hollow fibers (7) opposite the first fiber end section in a fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) to form a second side wall (25) opposite the first side wall (23), wherein the mold (256) is rotated at least temporarily about a second axis of rotation (AR2) different from the first axis of rotation (AR2) during the secondary potting (306);wherein the first axis of rotation (AR1) and the second axis of rotation (AR2) are preferably parallel, and / or wherein preferably the first axis of rotation (AR1) and / or the second axis of rotation (AR2) do not intersect the fiber mats (33); 45. Method (400) for producing a membrane module (1) for the extracorporeal treatment of blood (B), in particular a membrane module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 42 or 48, comprising the steps: Inserting fiber mats (33) of hollow fibers (7), in particular unidirectional hollow fibers (7), into a mold (256); Potting (402) of opposite end sections of the hollow fibers (7) to form side walls (23, 25) of a treatment chamber (3) of the membrane module (1), wherein the mold (256) is rotated at least temporarily about a main axis of rotation (AD) during the potting (402), wherein the potting (402) is an incomplete circular potting.

46. Assembly method comprising the steps: Providing a console (210) comprising at least one pump (212,214), a controller (216) and a membrane module holder (220); Providing a disposable treatment module (206) comprising a membrane module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 42 or 48; Inserting the membrane module (1) into the membrane module holder (220); and functionally connecting the disposable treatment module (206) to the pump (212, 214) for conveying fluid, in particular blood (B), through the membrane module (1).

47. Method (500) for extracorporeally treating blood (B), comprising the steps: Providing (502) a blood flow; Supplying the blood stream to the treatment chamber (3) of a membrane module (1), in particular a membrane module (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 42 or 48, wherein the blood (B) of the blood stream preferably has a pressure level above atmospheric pressure, flowing through hollow fibers (7) running through the treatment chamber (3) along a respective fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) of the fibers (7) with a treatment medium (M), in particular oxygen (O2), wherein the blood stream flows through the treatment chamber (3) along a main flow direction (RH) and comes into contact with the hollow fibers (7) running through the treatment chamber (3) in order to treat the blood (B) of the blood stream, in particular to enrich it with oxygen (O2); characterized in that at least a first hollow fiber subset (37) of the plurality of semipermeable hollow fibers (7) is arranged in the treatment chamber (3) such that their fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) is oblique to the main flow direction (RH).

48. Membrane module (1) for the treatment of blood (B), comprising: at least one treatment chamber (3) having at least one blood inlet (13) and at least one blood outlet (15) that are connected to one another through the treatment chamber (3) in a main flow direction (RH); an exchange membrane (5) with a plurality of hollow fibers (7), each of which extends in a fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) through the treatment chamber (3) and is designed to be flowed through by a treatment medium (M) in the fiber longitudinal direction (RF1, RF2) from a first fiber end (17) to an opposite second fiber end (19); a potting (21) in which the first fiber ends (17) and second fiber ends (19) of the hollow fibers (7) of the exchange membrane (5) are fixed and which at least partially defines the treatment chamber (3), characterized inthat the treatment chamber (3) has a main cross-section (QH, QH1, QH2) which is variable in the main flow direction (RH) perpendicular to the main flow direction (RH), wherein the treatment chamber (3) preferably has, in at least one plane, substantially the shape of an American football.

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