Axial changes of blood and plasma flow, pressure, and cellular deposition in capillary plasma filters

The ability to separate plasma on-line from whole blood by membranes has generated interest in applying this process to source plasma collection and to the therapeutic treatment of various disease states. The availability of capillary membrane devices in particular has prompted investigations in these areas. The deposition of blood cellular elements has required the investigation of those parameters related to fluid and mass flux. Analytical solutions relating blood flow rate, filtration rate, and pressure and deposition with respect to axial distance have been obtained. Comparison of these solutions with preliminary experimental results have been made. Results indicate that the deposition parameter versus distance from the inlet is a very sensitive function of capillary membrane properties and operating conditions. Plasma fluxes are also highly dependent on blood, membrane, and filter properties and operating conditions.