Hydrophobic filter for filtering air flow or another air flow in medical applications

Abstract

A hydrophobic filter for filtering an air flow or another air flow in medical applications, the filter comprising: a housing comprising a bottom and a top and enclosing a filtration chamber; an inlet port disposed on the housing and forming an inlet opening; an outlet port disposed on the housing and forming an outlet opening; and a filter media comprising a hydrophobic structure extending from the top of the housing to the bottom of the housing and dividing the filter chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber wherein the outlet opening opens into the outlet chamber at a first location and the inlet opening opens into the inlet chamber directly at a second location, the second position is displaced relative to the first position toward the top of the housing and aligned with a portion of the hydrophobic structure separating the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. In this way, a hydrophobic filter is provided that remains available despite the possible occurrence of condensate in the inlet chamber.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with an application date of February 1, 2018 (entered the Chinese national phase on June 3, 2019), national application number 201880004790.7 (international application number PCT / EP2018 / 052532), and invention name “Hydrophobic filter for filtering an air flow or another air flow in medical applications”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of hydrophobic filters. Background Art

[0003] The invention relates to a hydrophobic filter for filtering an air flow or another air flow in medical applications according to the preamble to the main aspect of the application.

[0004] This hydrophobic filter includes: a shell that surrounds a filter chamber; an inlet port that is arranged on the shell and forms an inlet opening; an outlet port that is arranged on the shell and forms an outlet opening; and a porous filter medium that includes a hydrophobic structure, such as a hydrophobic membrane, which extends along an extension plane and divides the filter chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, wherein the inlet opening leads to the inlet chamber and the outlet opening leads to the outlet chamber.

[0005] Such a hydrophobic filter can be used, for example, in conjunction with an autologous blood transfusion system. Here, using a negative pressure pump, such as a vacuum pump, blood can be collected in a reservoir by generating a negative pressure in the reservoir by the pump and by sucking blood from the surgical site of the patient into the reservoir. In this context, a hydrophobic filter is used on a negative pressure line connecting the reservoir to the pump to filter the air flow flowing toward the pump, thereby avoiding the transport of liquid and debris toward the pump and preventing damage to the pump.

[0006] During operation, air is drawn through the filter, the air enters the filter chamber through the inlet port, passes through the hydrophobic structure, for example in the form of a membrane, and is discharged from the filter chamber toward the pump through the outlet port. The hydrophobic structure is designed to allow air or other gases to pass through, but prevents water or other aqueous solutions from passing through the structure. Thus, the air flow is filtered so that no liquid or debris can enter the pump.

[0007] During surgery, the autologous transfusion system may be used continuously for many hours. During prolonged operation, condensation may occur in the hydrophobic filter, resulting in condensate (and other liquids or particles, hereinafter simply referred to as condensate) being collected in the inlet chamber of the filter. If such condensate fills the inlet chamber to a considerable extent, the condensate may hinder the passage of air through the filter and may act like a plug, thereby preventing further use of the filter. If this occurs during surgery, the filter may need to be replaced, which is to be avoided. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a hydrophobic filter which remains usable despite possible condensation in the inlet chamber.

[0009] This object is achieved by a filter comprising the features of the main aspects of the application.

[0010] Thus, the outlet opening opens into the outlet chamber at a first position, viewed along the extension plane, and the inlet opening opens into the filter chamber at a second position, viewed along the extension plane, which is different from the first position.

[0011] In particular, the housing may include a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the second position is displaced toward the top portion relative to the first position.

[0012] When used, for example, on an autologous blood transfusion system, the filter is connected to the system, for example, in a defined position, with the bottom of the housing of the filter arranged at a lower position than the top. Since the inlet opening leads to the inlet chamber at a second position displaced toward the top relative to the first position, condensate can be collected in the inlet chamber below the inlet opening, so that the condensate does not block the air from flowing into the inlet chamber through the inlet port and into the outlet chamber through the filter medium including the hydrophobic structure, and therefore, the filter remains functional despite the condensate being collected in the inlet chamber.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first position may be aligned with a position where the axis of symmetry crosses the extension plane of the hydrophobic structure.When viewed along the extension plane, the second position is displaced relative to the first position, in particular displaced towards the top.

[0014] By having the inlet opening enter the inlet chamber at a position different from the position where the outlet opening opens into the outlet chamber (when viewed along the extension plane of the hydrophobic structure), the filter can be designed so that a large amount of condensate can be collected in the inlet chamber before blockage of the filtering operation occurs. In particular, the inlet chamber can be designed so that the available volume in the inlet chamber for collecting condensate is sufficient to accommodate the amount of condensate that can reasonably be expected during a long surgical duration.

[0015] On the other hand, the inlet chamber may be designed to form a collecting chamber suitable for collecting a large amount of condensate in the region of the bottom of the housing.

[0016] In a first embodiment, the inlet chamber may include a tapered structure that tapers in a direction pointing away from the hydrophobic structure, the tapered structure forming a collection chamber. The tapered structure may, for example, have a pyramidal shape or a conical shape (the cone axis is directed perpendicular to the extension plane of the hydrophobic structure), so that the inlet chamber includes a volume that is large enough to collect a large amount of condensate. The tapered structure serves to increase the volume of the inlet chamber so that the condensate can be collected at the bottom of the inlet chamber without blocking a large area of ​​the hydrophobic structure and thus without significantly affecting the filtering performance of the hydrophobic filter.

[0017] In one embodiment, the inlet chamber may include an inlet structure that adjoins the tapered structure at a side facing away from the hydrophobic structure. In this context, the inlet port is, for example, formed on the inlet structure and leads to the inlet chamber at a position substantially removed from the hydrophobic structure (in a direction perpendicular to the extension plane), wherein the inlet structure may be shaped such that air may advantageously flow into the inlet chamber to effectively pass through the hydrophobic structure, such as a membrane, towards the outlet port.

[0018] In one embodiment, the inlet structure may include a curved guide surface formed to guide air into the inlet chamber. A plane extends at an angle, such as 90°, relative to the guide surface, on which the inlet port is arranged. Air entering the inlet chamber through the inlet port thus impinges on the guide surface and is guided by the guide surface towards the hydrophobic structure, thereby causing a favorable flow towards the hydrophobic structure.

[0019] In another embodiment, the inlet chamber may widen towards the bottom to form a collection chamber near the bottom. For example, when viewed in a vertical cross-section (from bottom to top) perpendicular to the plane of extension of the hydrophobic structure, the inlet chamber may have a polygonal shape, with the rear wall of the housing (opposite to the structure) tapering towards the top so that the inlet chamber is significantly wider at the bottom of the housing than at the top of the housing. In this way, a large volume at the bottom of the housing is formed on the side of the inlet chamber, which volume is suitable for collecting a large amount of condensate.

[0020] In another embodiment, the collection chamber can be formed on the side of the inlet chamber so that it extends below the bottom edge of the hydrophobic structure. Condensate can thus be collected in the collection chamber below the hydrophobic structure so that the condensate does not block a large area of ​​the hydrophobic structure during operation of the filter and thus has no effect on the filtering performance.

[0021] On the other hand, a discharge port may be provided on the inlet chamber. The discharge port may in particular be formed in the region of the bottom of the housing so that condensate can be drawn out of the inlet chamber. By draining the condensate from the inlet chamber, the filtering performance can be maintained, since the condensate can be removed from the inlet chamber once a large amount of condensate has been collected in the inlet chamber.

[0022] On the other hand, the outlet opening can extend in the form of a channel along a horizontal direction guided perpendicular to the extension plane for guiding the air flow or another air flow away from the filter chamber along the horizontal direction. The air therefore leaves the filter chamber along the horizontal direction guided perpendicular to the extension plane, and therefore along the direction of the hydrophobic structure of the air, for example, in the form of a membrane. In this article, the inlet opening can be arranged to extend in the form of a channel along a vertical direction guided parallel to the extension plane and therefore transverse to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the air is guided into the inlet chamber in a direction different from the horizontal direction. This can be beneficial on the one hand to guide the air into the inlet chamber of the filter so that the liquid and particles carried by the air are collected at the bottom of the inlet chamber. This may also be beneficial for being able to appropriately lay a pipeline between the reservoir and the filter for collecting blood in the case of an autologous blood transfusion system.

[0023] The housing can be formed, for example, by two separate housing components, which are connected to each other, for example by welding, and which hold the hydrophobic structure between the two separate housing components. The inlet port can, for example, be arranged on the first housing component, wherein the outlet port is arranged on the second housing component. The hydrophobic structure, for example in the form of a membrane, can be clamped between a first clamping portion of the first housing component and a second clamping portion of the second housing component, so that the structure is held between the housing components by clamping. The respective clamping portions of the first housing component and the second housing component extend circumferentially along the respective circumferential edges of the first housing component and the second housing component, so that the hydrophobic structure is held between the housing components along the circumference of the hydrophobic structure.

[0024] In addition to clamping, the hydrophobic structure may be welded to the first housing component and / or the second housing component.

[0025] In another aspect, the first housing member may include a first support structure formed by a plurality of ridges. The ridges may, for example, extend transversely to the plane of extension of the hydrophobic structure and may protrude from the rear wall of the first housing member toward the hydrophobic structure.

[0026] Likewise, the second housing component may comprise a second support structure formed by a plurality of ridges, which extend, for example, transversely to the plane of extension of the hydrophobic structure and protrude from a rear wall of the second housing component towards the hydrophobic structure.

[0027] Each support structure is adapted to support the hydrophobic structure against excessive deformation, thereby preventing tearing of the structure.

[0028] Specifically, when a reverse suction force toward the inlet port is generated on the hydrophobic structure, the first support structure of the first housing member supports the hydrophobic structure. When such a suction force is generated, the hydrophobic structure can abut against the first support structure, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the hydrophobic structure.

[0029] The second support structure of the second housing member in turn is used to prevent excessive deformation of the hydrophobic structure toward the outlet opening during normal operation of the filter. Specifically, in the presence of suction toward the outlet port, the hydrophobic structure can abut against the second support structure, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the hydrophobic structure toward the outlet opening.

[0030] On the other hand, in addition to or as an alternative to the second supporting structure, at least one supporting member may extend across the outlet opening. The at least one supporting member may, for example, have the form of a beam extending across the outlet opening (the outlet opening being formed by a channel for guiding air out of the outlet chamber) parallel to the extension plane of the hydrophobic structure. For example, in one embodiment, a plurality of supporting members in the form of beams may extend across the outlet opening and may intersect with each other so as to form a cross structure across the outlet opening. In this way, excessive deformation of the hydrophobic structure at the location of the outlet opening can be prevented, and the hydrophobic structure is supported by one or more supporting members at the location of the outlet opening. Additional support for the hydrophobic structure at the location of the outlet opening is provided by at least one supporting member, thereby reducing the risk of tearing of the hydrophobic structure at the location of the outlet opening.

[0031] Providing at least one supporting member extending across the outlet opening may represent an inventive concept that may be used alone.

[0032] Specifically, a hydrophobic filter for filtering an air flow or another air flow in a medical application may include: a housing that surrounds a filter chamber; an inlet port that is arranged on the housing and forms an inlet opening; an outlet port that is arranged on the housing and forms an outlet opening; and a hydrophobic structure that extends along an extension plane and separates the filter chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, wherein the inlet opening leads to the inlet chamber and the outlet opening leads to the outlet chamber. In this context, the filter includes at least one support member that extends across the outlet opening.

[0033] The above-mentioned filter may be appropriately combined with part or all of the features described above.

[0034] In one embodiment, the outlet opening can be tapered in the direction toward the hydrophobic structure. Typically, the shell member forming the shell of the filter can be formed into a rigid component by a suitable plastic material using a molding technique, such as an injection molding technique. In this article, in order to be able to manufacture at least one supporting member at a position where the outlet opening of the second shell member leads to the outlet chamber, the outlet opening (the outlet opening forms a channel to guide the flow away from the outlet chamber) can be arranged to include a cone, so that during the manufacture of the second shell member, the molding tool can be removed from the second shell member in the direction of the following side away from the second shell member, and the hydrophobic structure will be arranged at this side when assembling the filter. This allows at least one supporting member across the outlet opening to be formed by injection molding when manufacturing the second shell member. The reverse cone enables the injection molding of the second shell member to include at least one supporting member formed across the outlet opening.

[0035] A hydrophobic filter as described above may for example be used in an autologous blood transfusion system for collecting blood from a surgical site of a patient for processing the blood for re-infusion. However, a hydrophobic filter may also be used in another medical application in which air or another gas flow shall be filtered.

[0036] In one embodiment, the filter medium may include a sheet-like porous fabric or any other porous structure in the form of a membrane, made, for example, of a single layer or a stack of multiple layers of the same material or different materials. The hydrophobic structure may be made of any suitable material known in the art. The hydrophobic filter fabric may be made, for example, of PTFE material, wherein, however, other materials are also conceivable.

[0037] In the context of this article, hydrophobicity should be understood as the tendency of the filter medium to adsorb a small amount of water or no water. Hydrophilic filter media show affinity for water and are easy to adsorb water, while hydrophobic filter materials have an opposite response to water interactions compared to hydrophilic materials. Hydrophobic materials have no or almost no tendency to adsorb water, and water tends to bead on the surface of hydrophobic materials (i.e., form discrete droplets). Hydrophobic materials generally have low surface tension values ​​and lack active groups for forming "hydrogen bonds" with water in the surface chemistry of hydrophobic materials. Therefore, water or other aqueous solutions cannot usually pass through the hydrophobic structure of the filter medium, so that water or other aqueous solutions and debris particles, etc. are blocked by the filter, thereby filtering air flow or another airflow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The basic concept of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In this context:

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an autologous blood transfusion system is shown;

[0040] Figure 2 A view showing a first embodiment of a hydrophobic filter;

[0041] Figure 3 Another view showing an embodiment of a hydrophobic filter;

[0042] Figure 4 showing a cross-sectional view of a housing member of a hydrophobic filter;

[0043] Figure 5 A view in a first housing member showing a hydrophobic filter;

[0044] Figure 6 A view in a second housing member showing a hydrophobic filter;

[0045] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a molding tool for forming a second housing member of a hydrophobic filter;

[0046] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a hydrophobic filter;

[0047] Fig. 9 Shown according to Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a filter;

[0048] Fig.10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a hydrophobic filter;

[0049] Fig.11 A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a hydrophobic filter;

[0050] Fig.12 A schematic diagram showing yet another embodiment of a hydrophobic filter;

[0051] Fig.13 A hydrophobic filter as known in the art is shown; and

[0052] Fig.14 Shown according to Fig.13 Cross-sectional view of the filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Figure 1 Shown is a schematic diagram of an autologous blood transfusion system 5 configured to draw blood L from a reservoir 2 to process the blood for re-infusion into a patient, such as during surgery.

[0054] exist Figure 1In an embodiment of the present invention, blood L can be drawn from a surgical site of a patient into a reservoir 2, for example, via a line 200. The blood L collected in the reservoir 2 can be continuously drawn into a separation and washing chamber 51 via a line 50, where unwanted components are removed from the blood L to obtain a compressed concentration of red blood cells for reinfusion into the patient via a line 52. The blood transfusion can be performed continuously, so that blood L can be continuously collected from the patient and the blood L can be continuously processed for reinfusion of the processed blood components into the patient.

[0055] The line 200 is connected to an inlet 20 arranged on the housing 22 of the reservoir 2. The liquid flow F is drawn into the reservoir 2 by generating a negative pressure in the housing 22 of the reservoir 2, the negative pressure being generated by the air flow A or another air flow (hereinafter collectively referred to as the air flow) being drawn out of the housing 22 through the line 210 connected to the port 21 of the housing 22. The air flow A is caused by a negative pressure pump 3, for example, configured as a vacuum pump, which draws air out of the housing 22 through the line 210, through the filter 1 connected to the line 210, and through the line 30 extending between the filter 1 and the pump 3.

[0056] The pump 3 is used to draw air from the housing 22. In order to prevent liquid or debris from being drawn toward the pump 3 together with the air flow A, the filter 1 is configured as a hydrophobic filter having a filter medium including a hydrophobic structure in the form of a hydrophobic membrane 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as: hydrophobic membrane), which separates a filter chamber 130 into an inlet chamber 133 and an outlet chamber 134. An inlet port 10 is arranged on the housing 13 of the filter 1 and leads to the inlet chamber 133, while an outlet port 11 arranged on the housing 13 leaves from the outlet chamber 134. A pipeline 210 is fluidly connected to the inlet port 10, while a pipeline 30 extending toward the pump 3 is fluidly connected to the outlet port 11.

[0057] During operation, air flow A is continuously drawn through the filter 1. Here, condensate C may be present within the inlet chamber 133 due to condensation occurring in the inlet chamber 133 and due to liquid and debris being drawn toward the filter via line 210 together with the air flow A. However, due to the hydrophobicity of the membrane 12, liquid and debris cannot pass through the membrane 12 but remain in the inlet chamber 133. Only air is drawn through the membrane 12 and is thus filtered, so that no liquid or debris can flow toward the pump 3.

[0058] like Fig.13 and Fig.14 As shown in FIG. , a conventional filter 1 may have a circular shape ( Fig.13), the inlet port 10 and the outlet port 11 are aligned with each other at a central position relative to the extension plane E, along which the hydrophobic membrane 12 extends. If condensate C accumulates in the inlet chamber 133 and eventually reaches the position where the inlet port 10 opens into the inlet chamber 133, the condensate C may hinder the flow of air through the membrane 12 and may act as a plug, thereby preventing effective filtering operation. This may cause problems during surgery, especially when the surgery lasts for a long time (e.g., multiple hours) and the autologous blood transfusion system is used continuously during the surgery.

[0059] Therefore, it is desirable to prevent the condensate C from hindering the filtering operation and blocking a large portion of the hydrophobic membrane 12, which may otherwise have an effect on the filtering performance.

[0060] exist Figures 2 to 6 In the embodiment of the hydrophobic filter 1 shown, the housing 13 of the filter 1 is formed by two housing members 14, 15, which are connected to each other along a connection structure 140, 150 extending circumferentially around each housing member 14, 15. The housing members 14, 15 can be fixed to each other, for example, by gluing or welding. On the radial inner side of the connection structure 140, 115, each housing member 14, 15 includes a clamping portion 141, 151 extending circumferentially around the housing member 14, 15, and the clamping portion 141, 151 is configured to receive the hydrophobic membrane 12 between the clamping portions 141, 151, so that the hydrophobic membrane 12 is held between the housing members 14, 15 in a clamping manner when the housing members 14, 15 are assembled to form the filter 1. In the assembled state, the hydrophobic membrane 12 separates the filter chamber 130 located inside the housing 13 into an inlet chamber 133 and an outlet chamber 134.

[0061] The inlet port 10 is arranged on the inlet structure 144 adjacent to the tapered structure 143 of the housing member 14. The inlet port 10 forms an inlet opening 100 in the form of a channel leading to the inlet chamber 133, so that the air flow A can enter the inlet chamber 133 through the inlet port 10 and can flow toward the hydrophobic membrane 12. Figure 2 As can be seen, the tapered structure 143 has a pyramidal shape that tapers in a direction away from the hydrophobic membrane 12. The inlet structure 144 adjacent to the tapered structure 143 includes a guide surface 144A having a curved shape, and the inlet port 10 is arranged on a plane 144B arranged at an angle of about 90° relative to the guide surface 144A, so that the inlet opening 100 is arranged along a vertical direction V parallel to the extension plane E of the hydrophobic membrane 12 (see Figure 4 ) extends, therefore, the air flow A is guided into the inlet chamber 133 through the inlet opening 100 along the vertical direction V and is guided toward the hydrophobic membrane 12 through the curved guide surface 144A.

[0062] The outlet port 11 located on the housing member 15 is arranged at a central position relative to the hydrophobic membrane 12, and the outlet port 11 forms an outlet opening 100 in the form of a channel extending along a horizontal direction H perpendicular to the extension plane E. Figure 1 As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , air having passed through the hydrophobic membrane 12 is guided out of the outlet chamber 134 through the outlet opening 110 , along the horizontal direction H, towards the pump 3 connected to the outlet port 11 via the line 30 .

[0063] like Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, the inlet opening 100 enters the inlet chamber 133 at a position displaced towards the top 132 of the filter 1 relative to the outlet opening 110. Here, it should be noted that the filter 1 is to be arranged in a defined position on the autologous blood transfusion system 5, so that the hydrophobic membrane 12 is arranged vertically and the bottom 131 of the housing 13 rests at a lower position relative to the top 132 of the housing 13.

[0064] Since the inlet opening 100 extends along the vertical direction V, the air is guided into the inlet chamber 133 in an advantageous manner, so that the condensate C is collected at the bottom 131 in the inlet chamber 133. Due to the tapered structure 133, the collection chamber 135 is formed in the inlet chamber 133 in the region of the bottom 131 to have a considerable volume, so that a large amount of condensate C can be collected in the inlet chamber 133 without the condensate C blocking an excess portion of the hydrophobic membrane 12 and without the condensate C accumulating to reach the inlet opening 100. Therefore, despite the accumulation of the condensate C in the inlet chamber 133, the filter 1 can maintain functionality during long-term use during surgery.

[0065] Furthermore, since the inlet opening 100 extends along the vertical direction V, the pipeline 210 can be laid close to the filter 1 along the vertical direction V, so that the pipeline 210 can extend towards the filter 1 in a space-saving manner.

[0066] Furthermore, since the inlet port 10 does not protrude significantly from the housing 13 of the filter 1 , the filter 1 can be packed tightly in a package.

[0067] As from Figure 2 and Figure 3 Combination Figure 5 and Figure 6It can be seen that support structures 142, 152 are arranged on both the housing member 14 forming the inlet side of the filter 1 and the housing member 15 forming the outlet side of the filter 1, each support structure 142, 152 being formed by a plurality of ridges extending transversely relative to the extension plane E of the hydrophobic membrane 12. Specifically, the ridges 142A, 152A are arranged to form a staggered square arrangement structure, wherein adjacent ridges 142A, 152A are spaced apart from each other by gaps 142B, 152B, so that air can flow parallel to the extension plane E through the gaps 142B, 152B separating the ridges 142A, 152A.

[0068] The support structures 142, 152 serve to support the hydrophobic membrane 12 against excessive deformation. During normal operation, the hydrophobic membrane 12 is subjected to suction towards the outlet opening 110, and the support structure 152 located on the housing member 15 forms a support for the hydrophobic membrane 12. In the event of a reverse pressure causing a suction towards the inlet opening 100, the hydrophobic membrane 12 can in turn abut against the support structure 142 of the housing member 14, so that excessive deformation (which could otherwise lead to tearing of the hydrophobic membrane 12) is prevented in each case.

[0069] As from Figure 2 and Figure 6 It can be seen that the support member 153 in the form of a beam extends across the outlet opening 110 and forms a cross structure located in front of the outlet opening 110. The support member 153 extends parallel to the extension plane E and provides support for the membrane 12 at the location of the outlet opening 110, thereby preventing the hydrophobic membrane 12 from being drawn into the outlet opening 12, so that the risk of tearing of the membrane 12 at the location of the outlet opening 110 is significantly reduced.

[0070] Due to the support structures 142, 152 and further due to the cross support members 153 located at the location of the outlet opening 110, additional measures for reinforcing the hydrophobic membrane 12 may not be necessary. In particular, a reinforcing layer on the hydrophobic membrane 12 for reinforcing the hydrophobic membrane 12 may not be necessary, making the hydrophobic membrane 12 cheaper.

[0071] The housing members 14, 15 are advantageously formed as rigid plastic parts, for example by injection molding. In this context, in order to allow the support member 153 to be formed at the location where the outlet opening 110 opens into the outlet chamber 134, the outlet opening 110 (in the form of a channel) may taper toward the hydrophobic membrane 12. For example, the outlet opening 110 may have a narrow end 110B and a wider end 110A (see Figure 7). This allows the shell member 15 to be formed using a forming tool 4, which comprises: a recess 40 for forming the shell member 15; and a pin 41 for forming an outlet opening 110 located in the outlet port 11. Due to the tapered shape of the outlet opening 110, the pin 41 can be removed from the outlet opening 110 formed in the shell member 15 in the pulling direction P, so that the support member 153 can be formed together with other parts of the shell member 15 in a single forming step using the forming tool 4.

[0072] As from Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, the filter 1 has a square shape when viewed along the extension plane E of the hydrophobic membrane 12. This additionally results in the inlet chamber 133 having a considerable volume close to the bottom 131 of the housing 13, so that a large amount of condensate C can be collected in the inlet chamber 133 without hindering the filtering process.

[0073] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In another embodiment shown in , the inlet port 10 is positioned close to the top 132 of the filter 1 so that the condensate C can accumulate in the inlet chamber 133 without reaching the position where the inlet port 10 opens into the inlet chamber 133 .

[0074] exist Fig.10 In the modified embodiment shown, the volume of the inlet chamber 133 located in the region of the bottom 131 of the housing 13 is increased to form a collecting chamber 135 in the region of the bottom 131. To this end, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the extension plane E of the hydrophobic membrane 12, the inlet chamber 133 widens toward the bottom 131, and the inlet chamber 133 has a width as shown from Fig.10 Due to the wide chamber volume provided in the inlet chamber 133 close to the bottom 131 , the condensate C can accumulate in the inlet chamber 133 without blocking a large part of the hydrophobic membrane 12 .

[0075] exist Fig.11 In another embodiment shown in , a collection chamber 135 may be formed on the inlet chamber 133, the collection chamber 135 extending below the lower bottom edge of the hydrophobic membrane 12. Therefore, the condensate C may accumulate in the collection chamber 135 without even reaching the hydrophobic membrane 12, so that the condensate C does not block the hydrophobic membrane 12 at all and thus does not affect the filtering performance. The collection chamber 135 may have any desired shape and may be designed so that a certain amount of condensate C that can be reasonably expected in the long-term use of the filter 1 can be reliably collected in the collection chamber 135.

[0076] exist Fig.12In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , an additional discharge port 16 is formed on the inlet chamber 133 near the bottom 131 of the housing 13. Through the discharge port 16, the condensate C (discharge flow D) can be discharged, so that the condensate C can be prevented from accumulating in the inlet chamber 133 in large quantities.

[0077] The concept of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be implemented in completely different embodiments and in completely different ways.

[0078] Filters as described herein may be used on autologous blood transfusion systems, but may also be used in other medical applications, such as in ventilators for filtering gas flows.

[0079] The filter may be used with a vacuum pump or any other type of pump that creates negative pressure so that air flow is drawn through the filter.

[0080] The hydrophobic structure may be made of any suitable material and is configured to prevent liquid flow through the hydrophobic structure but to allow gas flow, particularly air flow, to pass therethrough.

[0081] The hydrophobic structure can extend in the filter in a sheet-like manner along a flat extension plane. However, it is also conceivable that the extension plane is curved in space.

[0082] Reference numerals list

[0083] 1 Filter

[0084] 10 Entry Port

[0085] 100 Entrance opening

[0086] 11 Exit Port

[0087] 110 Exit opening

[0088] 110A, 110B end

[0089] 12 Hydrophobic membrane

[0090] 13 Housing

[0091] 130 Filter Chamber

[0092] 131 bottom

[0093] 132 Top

[0094] 133 Entrance Room

[0095] 134 Exit Room

[0096] 135 Collection Room

[0097] 14 Shell components

[0098] 140 Connection structure

[0099] 141 Clamping part

[0100] 142 Support structure

[0101] 142A Ridge

[0102] 142B Gap

[0103] 143 Tapered Structure

[0104] 144 Entrance Structure

[0105] 144A Guide surface

[0106] 144B Plane

[0107] 15 Shell components

[0108] 150 Connection structure

[0109] 151 Clamping part

[0110] 152 Support structure

[0111] 152A Ridge

[0112] 152B Gap

[0113] 153 Supporting member (cross structure)

[0114] 16 Discharge port

[0115] 2 Storage

[0116] 20 Entrance

[0117] 200 pipeline

[0118] 21 Vacuum port

[0119] 210 pipeline

[0120] 22 Housing

[0121] 3 Suction pump (vacuum pump)

[0122] 30 pipeline

[0123] 4 Forming tools

[0124] 40 recess

[0125] 41 Pins

[0126] 5 Autologous blood transfusion system

[0127] 50 pipeline

[0128] 51 Separation and washing room

[0129] 52 pipeline

[0130] A air flow or another air flow

[0131] C Condensate

[0132] D Discharge flow

[0133] E Extension plane

[0134] F Liquid Flow

[0135] L Liquid

[0136] H Horizontal direction

[0137] V vertical direction

Claims

1. A hydrophobic filter for filtering a stream of air or another gas stream in a medical application, the filter comprising: a housing including a bottom and a top and enclosing the filter chamber; an inlet port disposed on the housing and forming an inlet opening; an outlet port disposed on the housing and forming an outlet opening; as well as A filter medium comprising a hydrophobic structure extending from the top of the housing to the bottom of the housing and dividing the filter chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, wherein the outlet opening leads to the outlet chamber at a first position, and the inlet opening leads directly to the inlet chamber at a second position, the second position being displaced toward the top of the housing relative to the first position and aligned with a portion of the hydrophobic structure dividing the inlet chamber from the outlet chamber.

2. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein: The inlet chamber forms a collection chamber for collecting condensate at the bottom of the housing.

3. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 2, wherein: The inlet chamber widens toward the bottom of the housing to form the collection chamber near the bottom of the housing.

4. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 3, wherein: The collection chamber is displaced toward a bottom of the housing relative to the first position.

5. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 3, wherein: The inlet port is associated with a wall of the housing extending generally parallel to a plane defined by the hydrophobic structure, and A portion of the collection chamber is positioned between the bottom of the housing and the wall.

6. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 3, wherein: The inlet port is associated with a wall of the housing extending generally parallel to a plane defined by the hydrophobic structure, and A portion of the collection chamber extends beyond the wall in a direction away from the hydrophobic structure.

7. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 3, wherein: the inlet port being associated with a wall of the housing extending generally parallel to a plane defined by the hydrophobic structure, A portion of the bottom of the housing extends generally perpendicular to the wall, and A portion of the collection chamber is defined by a second wall extending angularly from the wall to a portion of the bottom of the housing.

8. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein: The inlet chamber includes a drain port for draining condensate from the inlet chamber.

9. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 8, wherein: The inlet chamber forms a collection chamber for collecting condensate at the bottom of the housing, and The exhaust port is associated with the collection chamber.

10. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 8, wherein: The discharge port is displaced toward a bottom of the housing relative to the first position.

11. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein: The outlet opening extends in a horizontal direction for directing the air flow or another air flow out of the filter chamber in the horizontal direction, and The inlet opening extends along the horizontal direction for guiding the air flow or another air flow into the filter chamber along the horizontal direction.

12. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein: The outlet port is disposed at a central location relative to the hydrophobic structure.

13. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein: The outlet port and the outlet opening are generally parallel to the inlet port and the inlet opening.

14. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein: The filtration chamber has a generally square or generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration parallel to a plane defined by the hydrophobic structure.

15. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein The inlet opening is located directly adjacent to the top of the housing.

16. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes: a first housing member, the inlet port is formed on the first housing member; and a second housing member, the outlet port is formed on the second housing member, The first housing member includes a first clamping portion, and the second housing member includes a second clamping portion, and The hydrophobic structure is clamped between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion.

17. The hydrophobic filter according to claim 16, wherein: The first housing member includes a first support structure formed of a plurality of ridges for supporting the hydrophobic structure against deformation toward the inlet opening, and The second housing member includes a second support structure formed from a plurality of ridges for supporting the hydrophobic structure against deformation toward the outlet opening.

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