Pressure-stabilizing bubble trap and perfusion system

Abstract

The invention discloses a pressure-stabilizing bubble trap and a perfusion system, and belongs to the field of organ transplantation, a liquid inlet joint, an air inlet joint and a liquid outlet joint are sequentially mounted on a main body in the height direction, an on-off valve controls on-off of the air inlet joint, and perfusion liquid flows into a cavity from the liquid inlet joint and flows out from the liquid outlet joint; a gas area is formed between the liquid level of the perfusate in the cavity and the liquid inlet connector, the gas inlet connector is communicated with the gas area, bubbles flowing in along with the perfusate are defoamed in the gas area, and the gas area reduces pressure fluctuation of the perfusate at the same time; when the on-off valve is opened, the gas inlet connector is communicated with the atmosphere, the flow resistance of the liquid outlet connector is larger than that of the gas inlet connector, the liquid level of the perfusate in the cavity rises, and when the liquid level of the perfusate rises to a preset position, the on-off valve is closed. The on-off of the gas inlet connector is controlled through the on-off valve, the volume of the gas area is adjusted, and the pressure stabilizing degree is changed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of organ transplantation, and particularly to a pressure-stabilizing bubble trap and a perfusion system. Background Art

[0002] When an organ is removed from the body, it will be separated from the internal environment of a human or an animal. If no measures are taken to provide it with an appropriate living environment, the organ will gradually fail and necrose. Continuous hypothermic machine perfusion (CHP) is to pump a perfusion fluid into the organ at a low flow rate and low pressure, so as to maintain the temperature of the perfusion fluid and the organ to be transplanted at a relatively low level, in order to supply the basic nutrients required for the metabolism of the organ at low temperature and remove the relevant wastes.

[0003] In an organ perfusion system, the presence of bubbles may lead to serious consequences, such as air embolism formation, which will damage the function and health of the organ. A bubble trap can effectively capture these bubbles to ensure the purity of the liquid.

[0004] The existing bubble trap of Precigenome company uses a hydrophobic PTFE membrane. When a fluid containing bubbles flows through this unit, when the pressure inside the system is higher than the external atmospheric pressure, the bubbles are forced through the membrane. The hydrophobicity of the membrane retains the aqueous solution inside the trap. Since the function of the membrane depends on its hydrophobicity, this trap is only applicable to aqueous solution systems and not applicable to blood-containing perfusion fluids. Another bubble trap of HARVARD APPARATUS company does not have the function of regulating the pressure fluctuation in the pipeline. If it is necessary to suck out the bubbles, the organ chamber cover needs to be opened, which is not conducive to the aseptic requirement of long-term perfusion. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a pressure-stabilizing bubble trap that is applicable to both aqueous solutions and blood-containing solutions and can regulate pressure fluctuations.

[0006] One of the purposes of the present invention is achieved by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0007] A pressure-stabilizing bubble trap, comprising a main body with a cavity inside. The pressure-stabilizing bubble trap further includes a liquid inlet joint, a gas inlet joint, a liquid outlet joint and a on-off valve. The liquid inlet joint, the gas inlet joint and the liquid outlet joint are sequentially installed on the main body along the height direction and communicate with the cavity of the main body. The on-off valve is installed on the gas inlet joint to control the on-off of the gas inlet joint. The perfusion liquid flows into the cavity from the liquid inlet joint and flows out from the liquid outlet joint. A gas region is formed between the liquid level of the perfusion liquid in the cavity and the liquid inlet joint. The gas inlet joint communicates with the gas region. The bubbles flowing in with the perfusion liquid are defoamed in the gas region, and the gas region simultaneously reduces the pressure fluctuation of the perfusion liquid. When the on-off valve is opened, the gas inlet joint communicates with the atmosphere. The flow resistance of the liquid outlet joint is greater than that of the gas inlet joint. The liquid level of the perfusion liquid in the cavity rises. When the liquid level of the perfusion liquid rises to a preset position, the on-off valve is closed.

[0008] Further, the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap further includes a liquid inlet pipe installed on the liquid inlet joint, and the end of the liquid inlet pipe is suspended in the cavity.

[0009] Further, the end of the liquid inlet pipe is a bevel.

[0010] Further, the main body includes a top module, a middle module and a bottom module. The liquid inlet joint and the gas inlet joint are connected to the top module. The bottom module is connected to the liquid outlet joint. The top module is fixedly connected to the middle module, and the middle module is fixedly connected to the bottom module.

[0011] Further, the middle module is made of a translucent material.

[0012] Further, the top module and the bottom module are made of medical stainless steel material or translucent polysulfone material.

[0013] Further, the main body further includes a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring. The first sealing ring is located between the top module and the middle module for sealing, and the second sealing ring is located between the middle module and the bottom module for sealing.

[0014] Further, both the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are star-shaped rings.

[0015] Further, the liquid inlet joint, the gas inlet joint and the liquid outlet joint are all Luer connectors.

[0016] The second object of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solution:

[0017] A perfusion system includes an organ chamber, a pump, an oxygenator, and any one of the above-mentioned pressure-stabilizing bubble traps. The pressure-stabilizing bubble trap is located between the organ chamber and the oxygenator. The pump extracts the perfusion fluid discharged from the organ chamber to the oxygenator for oxygenation, and after defoaming and pressure stabilization through the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap, it flows back to the organ chamber.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, a cavity is provided inside the main body of the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap of the present invention. The pressure-stabilizing bubble trap further includes a liquid inlet joint, a gas inlet joint, a liquid outlet joint, and a on-off valve. The liquid inlet joint, the gas inlet joint, and the liquid outlet joint are sequentially installed on the main body along the height direction and communicate with the cavity of the main body. The on-off valve is installed on the gas inlet joint to control the on-off of the gas inlet joint. The perfusion fluid flows into the cavity from the liquid inlet joint and flows out from the liquid outlet joint. A gas region is formed between the liquid level of the perfusion fluid in the cavity and the liquid inlet joint. The gas inlet joint communicates with the gas region. The bubbles flowing in with the perfusion fluid are defoamed in the gas region, and the gas region simultaneously reduces the pressure fluctuation of the perfusion fluid. When the on-off valve is opened, the gas inlet joint communicates with the atmosphere, the flow resistance of the liquid outlet joint is greater than that of the gas inlet joint, the liquid level of the perfusion fluid in the cavity rises, and when the liquid level of the perfusion fluid rises to a preset position, the on-off valve is closed. Through the above design, the gas region can not only defoam but also play a role in pressure stabilization. By controlling the on-off of the gas inlet joint through the on-off valve, the volume of the gas region is adjusted, and the degree of pressure stabilization is changed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the perfusion system of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap of the perfusion system;

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a perspective exploded view of the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap;

[0022] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a perspective view of the liquid inlet joint of the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap;

[0023] Figure 5 is Figure 2 a perspective cross-sectional view of the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap when the on-off valve is closed;

[0024] Figure 6 is Figure 2 a perspective cross-sectional view of the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap when the on-off valve is opened.

[0025] In the figure: 10, bracket; 20, organ chamber; 30, pump; 40, heating device; 50, oxygenator; 60, pressure stabilizing bubble trap; 61, main body; 610, top module; 611, first sealing ring; 612, middle module; 613, second sealing ring; 614, bottom module; 6140, positioning edge; 615, cavity; 616, perfusion liquid; 617, gas area; 62, liquid inlet joint; 620, body; 621, first connecting part; 622, screwing projection; 623, groove; 624, second connecting part; 63, gas inlet joint; 630, air duct; 64, on-off valve; 640, valve seat; 641, air inlet channel; 642, valve core; 643, communication hole; 65, liquid outlet joint; 650, liquid outlet flow channel; 66, liquid inlet pipe; 67, third sealing ring; 68, fourth sealing ring; 69, fifth sealing ring; 70, pressure sensor. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The terms used in the description of the present invention in this specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 , a perfusion system of the present invention includes a bracket 10, an organ chamber 20, a pump 30, a heating device 40, an oxygenator 50, a pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60, and a pressure sensor 70. The organ chamber 20, the pump 30, the heating device 40, the oxygenator 50, the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60, and the pressure sensor 70 are all fixed to the bracket 10. The organ chamber 20, the pump 30, the heating device 40, the oxygenator 50, the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60, and the pressure sensor 70 are connected in sequence to form a loop to realize the circulation of the perfusion liquid.

[0029] The organ chamber 20 is used to store organs, and the pump 30 is used to extract the perfusion liquid in the organ chamber 20 to provide power for the flow of the perfusion liquid. Specifically, in this embodiment, the pump 30 is a peristaltic pump.

[0030] The heating device 40 is used to increase the temperature of the perfusion fluid so that the temperature of the perfusion fluid is close to the body temperature. In this embodiment, in order to make the perfusion fluid evenly heated, the heating device 40 uses water bath heating.

[0031] The oxygenator 50 oxygenates the perfusion fluid to increase the oxygen concentration of the perfusion fluid.

[0032] The pressure sensor 70 is used to measure the loop pressure.

[0033] Please continue to refer to Figures 2 to 3 , the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60 includes a main body 61, a liquid inlet joint 62, a gas inlet joint 63, an on-off valve 64, a liquid outlet joint 65, a liquid inlet pipe 66, a third sealing ring 67, a fourth sealing ring 68, and a fifth sealing ring 69. The overall structure of the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60 is made of high-temperature resistant materials. After all components of the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60 are disassembled, the internal flow channels of each component are very easy to come into contact with external liquids or gases. Therefore, after each component is sterilized at high temperature and high pressure, it can be effectively sterilized to remove the substance residues on the inner wall and flow channels.

[0034] The main body 61 is a split structure formed by several parts being hermetically connected. Specifically, the main body 61 includes a top module 610, a first sealing ring 611, a middle module 612, a second sealing ring 163, and a bottom module 614. Grooves are provided on both the top module 610 and the bottom module 614. The first sealing ring 611 is sleeved in the groove of the top module 610 to achieve the seal between the top module 610 and the middle module 612. The second sealing ring 163 is sleeved in the groove of the bottom module 614 to achieve the seal between the middle module 612 and the bottom module 614. Specifically, the first sealing ring 611 and the second sealing ring 163 are star-shaped sealing rings. In this embodiment, the first sealing ring 611 and the second sealing ring 163 are QR star-shaped rings made of silica gel. The QR star-shaped rings take into account the relative movement between the top module 610, the middle module 612, and the bottom module 614 during installation or cleaning, and at the same time ensure the gas and liquid seals in the working state. The middle module 612 is made of a translucent material to facilitate observing the liquid level height of the perfusion fluid in the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60. When the liquid level reaches the appropriate height, the on-off valve 64 connected to the gas inlet joint 63 is closed. In this embodiment, the middle module 612 is processed from polysulfone material.

[0035] Positioning edges 6140 are provided on both sides of the bottom module 614 for quick positioning when the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60 is installed on the bracket 10, facilitating the quick disassembly and assembly of the pressure stabilizing bubble trap 60.

[0036] The main body 61 is a hollow structure as a whole, with a cavity 615 formed inside. After the perfusion liquid 616 enters the cavity 615, a liquid level will be formed. A gas region 617 is formed between the top of the liquid level and the inner wall of the top module 610. The gas region 617 can defoam and stabilize the pressure, and by adjusting the volume of the gas region 617, the amplitude of pressure stabilization can be adjusted.

[0037] The liquid inlet connector 62, the gas inlet connector 63 and the liquid outlet connector 65 are all made of 316 medical stainless steel. The internal flow channels are polished to reduce the roughness of the flow channels. When the perfusion liquid 616 contains red blood cells, the connectors have biocompatibility and reduce hemolysis. The liquid inlet connector 62, the gas inlet connector 63 and the liquid outlet connector 65 have the same structure. The liquid inlet connector 62, the gas inlet connector 63 and the liquid outlet connector 65 are all luer connectors.

[0038] Please continue to refer to Figure 4 , taking the liquid inlet connector 62 as an example, to illustrate the structure of the connector. The liquid inlet connector 62 includes a body 620, a first connection part 621 and a second connection part 624. The first connection part 621 and the second connection part 624 are respectively located at both ends of the body 620, and the body 620, the first connection part 621 and the second connection part 624 are integrally formed. The first connection part 621 is used to connect with an external pipeline, and the second connection part 624 is used to connect with the main body 61. A screwing protrusion 622 is provided on the first connection part 621, which is a female luer head structure, facilitating connection with a 1 / 8 medical pipeline with a male luer head and ensuring airtightness. A groove 623 is provided on the body 620, and the groove 623 is used to install a third sealing ring 67 to ensure the airtightness between the liquid inlet connector 62 and the top module 610. The outer part of the bottom flow channel of the second connection part 624 is an M5 external thread structure, which is connected to the M5 internal thread of the middle module 612. The internal flow channel of the liquid inlet connector 62 is formed for the inlet of the perfusion liquid 616.

[0039] Please continue to refer to Figure 5 , the liquid inlet connector 62 and the gas inlet connector 63 are connected to the top module 610, the liquid outlet connector 65 is connected to the bottom module 614, and the liquid inlet connector 62, the gas inlet connector 63 and the liquid outlet connector 65 are arranged in sequence along the height direction. The gas inlet connector 63 is provided with an air channel 630, and the air channel 630 is communicated with the gas region 617. The liquid outlet connector 65 is provided with a liquid outlet flow channel 650, and the liquid outlet flow channel 650 is communicated with the bottom of the cavity 615.

[0040] The on-off valve 64 is used to control the on-off of the air inlet joint 63. The on-off valve 64 includes a valve seat 640 and a valve core 642. The valve seat 640 is provided with an air inlet passage 641, and the valve core 642 is provided with a communication hole 643. The valve core 642 is rotatably installed on the valve seat 640. When the valve core 642 rotates to a position where the air inlet passage 641 and the communication hole 643 are on the same straight line, the air inlet joint 63 is opened, and external gas can enter the cavity 615. When the valve core 642 rotates to a position where the air inlet passage 641 and the communication hole 643 form an angle, the air inlet joint 63 is closed.

[0041] The liquid inlet pipe 66 is fixed to the liquid inlet joint 62, and the end of the liquid inlet pipe 66 is inclined and suspended in the cavity 615. Specifically, the liquid inlet pipe 66 is a Teflon pipe. The inner wall of the Teflon pipe is smooth and also has biocompatibility, which reduces hemolysis. The end of the Teflon pipe forms a 45° angle, and the tip formed with the outer wall is blunt. In this way, the blood flows out of the Teflon pipe and directly drops into the liquid surface in the cavity 615 without sticking to the wall. At the same time, the bluntness of the pipe tip also reduces the risk of mechanical damage to red blood cells.

[0042] The third sealing ring 67, the fourth sealing ring 68, and the fifth sealing ring 69 are O-rings.

[0043] When using the perfusion system, the pump 30 extracts the perfusion fluid 616 from the organ chamber 20 to the oxygenator 50. The perfusion fluid 616 oxygenated by the oxygenator 50 may be mixed with small air bubbles. The small air bubbles move in the liquid inlet pipe 66 along with the perfusion fluid 616 and finally drop into the cavity 615. The small air bubbles are trapped in the gas region 617 above the cavity 615, achieving the purpose of eliminating air bubbles. In order to reduce costs, the pump 30 uses a peristaltic pump instead of a centrifugal blood pump. Therefore, the periodic squeezing of the pipeline by the peristaltic pump causes periodic fluctuations in the pipeline pressure. When perfusing the artery of the organ, the periodic fluctuations are required. However, when perfusing the vein of the organ, the vein usually requires a constant pressure to conform to the real physiological state. When the perfusion fluid 616 with pressure fluctuations enters the cavity 615, the gas region 617 above the cavity 615 acts as a "buffer zone" between the top perfusion fluid 616 and the bottom perfusion fluid 616, greatly isolating the pressure conduction in the pipeline caused by the peristaltic pump. Due to the higher compressibility of air than liquid, the pressure fluctuations in the liquid inlet joint 62 are filtered in the gas region 617 above the cavity 165, making the pressure fluctuations at the outlet of the air bubble trap smaller and closer to a constant pressure.

[0044] When it is necessary to adjust the amplitude of the controlled pressure fluctuation, by rotating the valve core 642 of the on-off valve 64 to connect the communication hole 643 with the air passage 630, the air inlet joint 63 is directly connected to the atmosphere. Therefore, the flow resistance at the liquid outlet joint 65 is greater than that at the air inlet joint 63. At this time, the flow rate of the perfusion liquid 616 flowing out from the liquid outlet joint 65 decreases, and it is observed that the liquid level of the perfusion liquid 616 in the cavity 615 gradually rises to the safe height, and the volume of the gas region 617 decreases. When it is necessary to further reduce the pressure fluctuation, by connecting the syringe to the other end of the on-off valve 64 and slowly injecting the air in the syringe, the liquid level can be lowered, the volume of the gas region 617 increases, and the pressure fluctuation is reduced.

[0045] The above embodiments only represent several implementation manners of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can be made. These are all equivalent modifications and evolutions of the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention, and all of these belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A voltage-stabilizing bubble trap, comprising a main body, wherein a cavity is provided inside the main body, and it is characterized in that: The pressure-stabilizing bubble trap further includes a liquid inlet connector, a gas inlet connector, a liquid outlet connector, and a on-off valve. The liquid inlet connector, the gas inlet connector, and the liquid outlet connector are sequentially installed on the main body in the height direction and communicate with the cavity of the main body. The on-off valve is installed on the gas inlet connector to control the on-off of the gas inlet connector. The perfusion liquid flows into the cavity from the liquid inlet connector and flows out from the liquid outlet connector. A gas region is formed between the liquid level of the perfusion liquid in the cavity and the liquid inlet connector. The gas inlet connector communicates with the gas region. Bubbles flowing in with the perfusion liquid are defoamed in the gas region, and the gas region simultaneously reduces the pressure fluctuation of the perfusion liquid. When the on-off valve is opened, the gas inlet connector communicates with the atmosphere. The flow resistance of the liquid outlet connector is greater than that of the gas inlet connector. The liquid level of the perfusion liquid in the cavity rises. When the liquid level of the perfusion liquid rises to a preset position, the on-off valve is closed.

2. The voltage-stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure-stabilizing bubble trap further includes a liquid inlet pipe, and the liquid inlet pipe is installed on the liquid inlet connector. The end of the liquid inlet pipe is suspended in the cavity.

3. The voltage-stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 2, characterized in that: The end of the liquid inlet pipe is a bevel.

4. The voltage-stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 1, wherein: The main body includes a top module, a middle module, and a bottom module. The liquid inlet connector and the gas inlet connector are connected to the top module. The bottom module is connected to the liquid outlet connector. The top module is fixedly connected to the middle module, and the middle module is fixedly connected to the bottom module.

5. The voltage-stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 4, characterized in that: The middle module is made of a translucent material.

6. The voltage-stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 4, characterized in that: The top module and the bottom module are made of medical stainless steel material or translucent polysulfone material.

7. The pressure stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 4, wherein: The main body further includes a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring. The first sealing ring is located between the top module and the middle module for sealing. The second sealing ring is located between the middle module and the bottom module for sealing.

8. The pressure-stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 7, characterized in that: Both the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are star-shaped rings.

9. The voltage-stabilizing bubble trap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid inlet connector, the gas inlet connector, and the liquid outlet connector are all Luer connectors.

10. A perfusion system, comprising an organ chamber, a pump, and an oxygenator, characterized in that: The perfusion system further includes the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap according to any one of claims 1-9. The pressure-stabilizing bubble trap is located between the organ chamber and the oxygenator. After the pump extracts the perfusion liquid discharged from the organ chamber to the oxygenator for oxygenation, it flows back to the organ chamber after defoaming and pressure stabilization through the pressure-stabilizing bubble trap.

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