Abstract:
Mass transfer diffusion devices, such as artificial kidneys and membrane oxygenators, are provided having a membrane support which comprises a supporting layer made from photoinsolubilized plastic. The supporting layer defines a plurality of projections of uniform height to support the membrane and to define fluid flow channels of uniform depth between the projections. The membrane support is fabricated by overlaying a photoinsolubilizable plastic layer with a master transparency having transparent and opaque areas disposed in a predetermined arrangement, passing light or other radiation through the transparency to insolubilize appropriate portions of the plastic layer, and then washing away the remaining soluble portions of the plastic layer.