The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for
removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a
second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or
between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an
intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is
used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the
removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in
a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a
diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention
may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary
in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include
the removal of `small` molecules, `middle` molecules, macromolecules,
macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the
extractor fluid.