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Abstract

An artificial kidney comprises means for introducing a prepared solution into the peritoneal cavity to draw toxic metabolites therefrom into the fluid, the fluid exiting from the cavity as peritoneal fluid; and a dialysis or ultrafilter separator containing a selective membrane having a high permeability to low molecular weight toxic metabolites but a low permeability to high molecular weight protein. The peritoneal fluid is circulated through the separator on one side of the selective membrane in the above-described closed-loop peritoneal circuit, the fluid exiting from that side of the membrane being returned to the peritoneal cavity. The artificial kidney further includes a single-pass reconstitution circuit wherein tap water is introduced into the inlet of a hyperfilter impermeable to ions and to organic matter; and a concentrate including sugar and salts is introduced into the water exiting from the permeate outlet of the hyperfilter to form a water concentrate solution. The resulting water-concentrate solution is utilized for maintaining substantially constant the original concentration of sugar and salt in the peritoneal fluid as the waste metabolites, passing through the separator, are removed from the peritoneal fluid.

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First Claim