Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 14.18
Vasa recta parallels the loop of Henle for reabsorption into the bloodstream.
FIGURE 14.19
(a) Changes in osmolarity. (b) Countercurrent system.
radial artery for blood flow into a dialyzer cartridge embedded in a dialysis machine. The
resulting clean blood is then returned through the cephalic vein into the body. This is
shown Figure 14.20a, with a plastic shunt between the artery and the vein to protect the ves-
sels from continual puncture during chronic dialysis shown in Figure 14.20b.
Within the dialysis cartridge are thousands of cellulose capillary tubes, each with pores.
Blood flows inside these capillary tubes, and a concentration-driven diffusion occurs across
the pores, which are large enough for transport of water, ions, and the metabolic wastes but
too small for blood cells, proteins, or other vital blood components. Inside the cartridge is a
