Device for substance and / or heat exchange between two media

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for substance and / or heat exchange between a first and a second medium, in particular between blood and a gas or gas mixture, comprising an exchange chamber, in which substance-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibres (4) are arranged, the outer walls of which hollow fibres are sealed, with respect to one another and with respect to a wall region of the exchange chamber, at the end regions of the hollow fibres (4), which end regions are spaced apart in the fibre-extension direction, and around which hollow fibres the first medium can flow and through which hollow fibres the second medium can flow; wherein the exchange chamber is divided into at least two partial chambers (1, 2), each of which has a partial volume; wherein substance-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibres (4) are arranged in each partial chamber (1, 2) and at least one partial chamber (1, 2) is movable relative to at least one other partial chamber (1, 2); wherein, by means of the relative movement of adjacent partial chambers (1, 2), the adjacent partial volumes of the partial chambers (1, 2) can be connected to or separated from one another.

Description

[0001] Device for the exchange of mass and / or heat between two media

[0002] The invention relates to a device for the mass and / or heat exchange between a first and a second medium, comprising an exchange chamber in which mass-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibers are arranged, the outer walls of which are sealed at the end regions of the hollow fibers spaced apart in the fiber extension direction, with respect to one another and with respect to a wall region of the exchange chamber, and around which the first medium can flow and through which the second medium can flow.

[0003] Such a device is known, for example, from EP 0 183 250 B1 .

[0004] The first medium can be blood, for example, and the second medium can be a gas or a gas mixture, preferably containing oxygen. In this application, which is also preferred for the invention, the device forms a so-called oxygenator.

[0005] However, the invention is not limited to this application. It can also involve a mass transfer between other media, e.g., for the concentration or purification of substances in the media. For example, blood can also be deoxygenated. It is also possible to gas a fluid, e.g., water.

[0006] The exchange takes place in the exchange chamber, e.g., gas exchange and / or heat exchange between the two media. The exchange occurs through the walls of the hollow fibers, which are permeable to certain substances in the media. For example, in applications involving blood and gas / gas mixtures, they are permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide, particularly due to diffusion, but are not permeable to other blood components, e.g., blood plasma.

[0007] Such material-permeable hollow fibers are well known to those skilled in the art. Typical hollow fibers known from oxygenator applications are made of materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polymethylpentene (PMP), or silicone.

[0008] Heat-exchanging fibers are preferably understood to be those that allow energy transfer through the hollow fiber walls without additional substances, such as gas components, being transferred. Heat-exchanging fibers are therefore preferably not permeable to substances.

[0009] The hollow fibers are arranged, for example, as a winding of at least one hollow fiber mat in which hollow fibers are arranged next to one another, for example connected with warp threads, wherein the hollow fiber mat is wound around an axis, for example on a core carrying the hollow fibers.

[0010] The fibers can also be arranged loosely next to one another or as a splay or folded arrangement of at least one hollow fiber mat. These types of arrangement are common, for example, in oxygenator applications and are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0011] The sealed arrangement of the hollow fibers at their axial end regions below one another and opposite a wall of the exchange chamber, which is also referred to as potting in the field, results in the exchange chamber being divided into two flow regions by the hollow fiber walls, with only the first medium flowing in one flow region and only the second medium flowing in the second flow region, with the two media therefore not coming into direct contact with one another but being separated by the hollow fiber wall, with the mass transfer and / or heat transfer then being able to take place across the hollow fiber wall.

[0012] The entire device has fluid paths to supply the first medium to one flow area and the second medium to the other flow area. The fluid paths are accordingly separated.

[0013] A fluid path, in particular an inlet and an outlet for the first medium which contacts the hollow fiber outer walls, e.g. blood, can lead into the exchange chamber through an outer wall of the latter.

[0014] In order to guide the second medium, preferably a gas or gas mixture, through the fibers, the exchange chamber is surrounded in the flow direction of the second medium by two media spaces, in particular gas spaces, which adjoin the exchange chamber in a sealed manner and which are connected to the interior of the hollow fibers, in particular wherein the axially open ends, preferably by sealing / potting the hollow fibers with one another and with respect to at least one wall of the exchange chamber, open into the media spaces / gas spaces.

[0015] In such mass transfer devices, especially in the form of oxygenators, it is disadvantageous that the exchange area and the volume for the media in the device are constant and cannot be adapted to changing conditions in the application.

[0016] Changing application conditions would require replacing a previously used mass transfer device with one with a different volume or exchange area. However, this is not possible in all applications.

[0017] For example, in the case of extracorporeal oxygenation of premature babies, there is the problem that the development of the premature baby is accompanied by a rapid increase in blood volume, but an oxygenating mass exchange device cannot simply be replaced with a larger one, in particular in order not to endanger the supply of the premature baby.

[0018] Furthermore, people who are supported with an oxygenator are difficult to wean off using the known mass transfer devices.

[0019] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide mass transfer devices of the type mentioned above, in particular oxygenators, which make it possible to change the volume of at least one of the media participating in the exchange, in particular blood, and / or the exchange area during operation without replacing the entire device, i.e., without removing the device from use and replacing it with another one. In particular, the aim is to increase and / or decrease the volume of the media in the device and / or the exchange area.

[0020] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the exchange chamber is divided into at least two sub-chambers which have a respective sub-volume, wherein substance-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibers are arranged in each sub-chamber and at least one sub-chamber is movable relative to at least one other sub-chamber, wherein the adjacent sub-volumes of the sub-chambers can be connected to one another or separated from one another by the relative movement of adjacent sub-chambers.

[0021] In conjunction with the sub-volumes and the hollow fibers arranged in the sub-chambers, it follows that an increase in the usable total volume by connecting at least two sub-chambers also increases the usable exchange area, or if at least two sub-chambers are separated, a reduction in the usable total volume also reduces the usable exchange area. The sum of the sub-volumes of all sub-chambers forms the maximum possible total volume of the exchange chamber, with the minimum possible volume being determined by the volume of a sub-chamber through which flow is permitted.

[0022] According to the aforementioned generally sealed arrangement of the hollow fibers in the exchange chamber, in the embodiment according to the invention of the division of the exchange chamber into several sub-chambers, the outer walls of the hollow fibers of the respective sub-chamber are sealed at the end regions of the hollow fibers spaced apart in the fiber extension direction from one another and against a wall region of the respective sub-chamber, in particular, which corresponds to the potting mentioned at the beginning.

[0023] The seal can preferably be made by at least one potting agent, e.g. polyurethane or silicone, if necessary in conjunction with at least one further sealing element.

[0024] The invention thus reveals that by connecting or separating at least two sub-chambers of the exchange chamber, the usable volume and / or the usable exchange area of ​​the hollow fibers can be optionally increased or reduced, in particular during an ongoing application, e.g. oxygenation of a patient.

[0025] Thus, in the development of premature babies, the increase in blood flow can be responded to by increasing the used volume and / or the used exchange area of ​​the device by connecting a previously unused sub-chamber with at least one previously used sub-chamber.

[0026] To wean patients from artificial oxygenation, however, one procedure can be to separate at least one of at least two previously used subchambers, thus reducing the volume and / or the exchange area. According to the invention, the respective change is achieved by moving two subchambers, in particular adjacent subchambers, relative to each other in the device. Depending on the relative position of these subchambers, the two adjacent subchambers are connected to each other or separated from each other.

[0027] The invention can provide that the connection or separation of two sub-chambers and the associated increase in volume only affects the volume of one of the two media, e.g. only the blood volume, and / or the exchange surface contacting one of the two media, e.g. only the blood.

[0028] This means that the volume in the device occupied by the other medium, e.g. gas / gas mixture, or the exchange surface contacted by the other medium, e.g. gas / gas mixture, remains the same in both positions.

[0029] Thus, in the entire device, each sub-chamber can be simultaneously flowed through by one of the two media, regardless of the set position, or can be flowed through in the application, in particular the flow area of ​​all sub-chambers through the interior of the hollow fibers, preferably the flow area through which the gas / gas mixture flows in the oxygenator application.

[0030] In this preferred embodiment, the connectable and separable sub-volumes of the sub-chambers are therefore sub-volumes that can only be occupied by one of the two media. However, the invention can also provide for the sub-volumes of both media to be connectable and separable in the sub-chambers.

[0031] To achieve the relative movement of two adjacent subchambers to each other, the invention provides that at least one of at least two subchambers is movably mounted in the device. A preferred embodiment can provide for adjacent subchambers to form a side-by-side arrangement. In particular, adjacent subchambers can each be arranged completely adjacent to each other on both sides of a dividing plane.

[0032] In a side-by-side arrangement, the sub-chambers can all have parallel longitudinal extension directions, in particular which are at least substantially parallel to the extension directions of the hollow fibers.

[0033] Another preferred embodiment can provide that adjacent sub-chambers form a nested arrangement, in particular at least one inner sub-chamber is surrounded by at least one outer sub-chamber.

[0034] Regardless of the type of arrangement of the sub-chambers, it can preferably be provided that opposite wall regions of adjacent sub-chambers lie against one another in a sealed manner and each have wall passages which can be brought into a first position by the relative movement in which the wall passages at least partially overlap one another and can be brought into a second position in which the wall passages do not overlap one another.

[0035] In the overlapped position, a medium, e.g., blood, can thus pass between the subchambers through the wall passages that overlap at least partially, preferably completely. In the non-overlapping position, however, a wall passage in one of the subchambers is covered by a wall section of the adjacent subchamber, preventing media passage.

[0036] The sealed contact of the opposing wall areas of adjacent sub-chambers can be created, for example, by a technical zero gap between the wall areas, which allows movement between the wall areas but does not allow one of the media to penetrate the zero gap, or, for example, by at least one sealing element that acts between the wall areas and prevents the medium from penetrating the gap between the wall areas.

[0037] A technical zero gap can, for example, be designed so small that blood components, especially blood plasma, cannot penetrate the gap.

[0038] In general, it can be provided that at least one sub-chamber is displaceable relative to at least one adjacent sub-chamber along a predetermined direction, e.g. a longitudinal direction of the sub-chamber(s) and / or that a sub-chamber is rotatable, in particular about a rotation axis.

[0039] In the aforementioned juxtaposition, for example, the sub-chambers can be displaced relative to one another. In the aforementioned nested arrangement, for example, the displaceability and / or rotation of one sub-chamber relative to another adjacent sub-chamber can be realized.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, adjacent subchambers, preferably all subchambers of the device, are arranged around a common axis. This common axis can, for example, be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the subchamber(s), in particular, coincide with the flow direction of one of the two media, e.g., the media flow direction / gas flow direction passing through the hollow fibers.

[0041] In this embodiment, at least one sub-chamber is displaceable relative to at least one adjacent sub-chamber along the common axis and / or rotatable about the common axis.

[0042] Preferably, each sub-chamber is formed by an outer wall surrounding the common axis and an inner wall surrounding the common axis at a radial distance therefrom, wherein the substance-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibers of the sub-chamber are arranged in the spaced region between the outer wall and the inner wall, which hollow fibers are sealed to one another and to the outer wall and the inner wall of the sub-chamber in axially spaced end regions.

[0043] Such a sealed arrangement can be achieved by bonding, in particular solely by bonding or a combination of bonding and an elastomeric sealing element. The bond itself can be formed by a liquid sealant applied and subsequently hardened, which forms an elastomer in the hardened state and acts either as a seal on its own or in conjunction with another elastomeric sealing element.

[0044] Further preferably, adjacent subchambers each have at least two, preferably exactly two, wall passages through which the subvolumes of the adjacent subchambers can be connected. In particular, "adjacent" is understood to mean that the wall regions of adjacent subchambers are adjacent to one another in the radial direction, thus preferably an inner wall of an outer subchamber and an outer wall of an inner subchamber are opposite one another.

[0045] By arranging the inner and outer walls of a subchamber, between which the hollow fibers are arranged, the respective subchamber can form a cylindrical arrangement. This arrangement can be hollow-cylindrical, particularly if another subchamber is located within this hollow-cylindrical arrangement.

[0046] The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the cylindrical, in particular hollow-cylindrical, arrangement of a sub-chamber can in principle be arbitrary, provided that the relative movement of the sub-chambers to one another is a displacement along the cylinder axis or the common axis. In the case of rotatability as a relative movement, the cross-sectional shape of the arrangement of a sub-chamber or its outer wall and inner wall is circular-cylindrical, in particular for all sub-chambers or at least for two adjacent sub-chambers. The invention can preferably provide that the at least one, preferably exactly one, wall passage of each sub-chamber, through which the first medium can flow into the sub-chamber, is arranged at a different axial height than the at least one, preferably exactly one, wall passage through which the first medium can flow out of the sub-chamber.This ensures that the respective flow-through sub-chamber can be flowed through in a direction of the axial complaints of the wall passages.

[0047] It is further preferably provided, particularly in conjunction with the aforementioned embodiment, that the at least one wall passage through which the first medium can flow into the sub-chamber and the at least one wall passage through which the first medium can flow out of the sub-chamber are arranged opposite one another around the common axis, preferably at an angular separation of 180 degrees. Thus, particularly in conjunction with the aforementioned embodiment, a diametrical flow through the sub-chamber is achieved.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the invention can further provide that mutually associated wall passages or their openings of adjacent subchambers pointing into the interior of a subchamber, through which the first medium can pass between the adjacent subchambers, are located at the same axial height, in particular extending over the same axial height range, preferably extending around the common axis over the same angular range. Wall passages are associated with one another in particular when they interact to permit or prevent a transfer of media between the adjacent subchambers.

[0049] Viewed in the axial direction, each wall passage or at least the mouth opening of each wall passage of a sub-chamber pointing into the interior of a sub-chamber can preferably be surrounded by sealing regions in which the walls of the adjacent sub-chambers facing one another bear against one another in a sealed manner.

[0050] For example, a sealing area is formed by a seal which is embedded in an annular groove on only one of the two facing walls.

[0051] It is preferably provided that the wall region of the outer wall and / or the inner wall facing the interior of a partial chamber has a plurality of projections in the circumferential direction around the common axis, in particular which are uniformly extended in the axial direction.

[0052] Such projections can ensure that medium flowing close to the edge of the wall is diverted radially inwards into the area of ​​the hollow fibers.

[0053] Preferably, the curvature / course of the wall area, viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the common axis, is different on both sides of a respective projection.

[0054] For all possible embodiments, the invention can preferably provide that the flow resistances for the first medium in adjacent subchambers, preferably in each subchamber, are the same, in particular up to an inaccuracy of plus / minus 30%, preferably plus / minus 20%, preferably plus / minus 10%, preferably plus / minus 5%. Furthermore, the partial volumes of adjacent subchambers, preferably each subchamber, can be the same, in particular up to an inaccuracy of plus / minus 30%, preferably plus / minus 20%, preferably plus / minus 10%, preferably plus / minus 5%.

[0055] This embodiment preferably ensures that, in the case of connected sub-chambers, the flow conditions in each of the connected sub-chambers are the same or at least similar, so that connected sub-chambers can be flowed through at least substantially equally.

[0056] A preferred development provides that the opening of a wall passage leading into the interior of a subchamber, in particular at least in the radially outermost subchamber, preferably only in the radially outermost subchamber, merges in the circumferential direction around the common axis, preferably in both opposite circumferential directions around the common axis, into a groove open to the interior of the subchamber, in particular the angular extent of which groove around the common axis is greater than the angular extent of the passage opening penetrating the entire wall thickness. Thus, the medium flowing into the subchamber through this wall passage can be well distributed in the circumferential direction around the hollow fibers.

[0057] In the radially outermost sub-chamber, such a wall passage can open into a connecting piece through which the medium, e.g. blood, can be fed into and / or discharged from the device.

[0058] Furthermore, it can be provided, in particular to optimise the flow guidance, that the wall passage, in particular its centre, which preferably forms an outlet for the first medium from the sub-chamber, preferably from the sub-chamber located radially furthest outwards, is axially offset in height relative to the mouth opening and / or the groove open to the interior of the sub-chamber, in particular is offset downwards in the intended use position.

[0059] The outer wall of the radially outermost sub-chamber of the device preferably forms the outer housing wall or at least part of the outer housing wall of the entire device. Preferably, their axial ends have connecting means, preferably threaded portions. These are suitable, for example, for connecting to wall portions of the device that define the gas spaces of the device through which the gas / gas mixture can be conducted to / from the interior of the hollow fibers, or for connecting to a connector piece in order to implement a heat exchanger function in one of several sub-chambers and to be able to introduce the fluid required for this purpose into the interior of the hollow fibers of this sub-chamber.

[0060] Further preferably, the invention can provide, in all possible embodiments, that one of the two walls of the inner wall and outer wall, which delimit a subchamber, is passed in a sealed manner in the axial direction through a gas space of the device and a wall region of the device which outwardly delimits the gas space, wherein a handle is attached or at least attachable to the passed-through region, with which handle the subchamber can be rotated about the common axis or displaced along the common axis. Such a handle can, for example, be positively attached or plugged into the passed-through wall.

[0061] Such a wall can be, for example, the inner wall of an innermost sub-chamber of an arrangement of sub-chambers.

[0062] This inner wall of the radially innermost sub-chamber can preferably form a core of the device, which is passed in a sealed manner in the axial direction through a wall region of the device which defines a gas space, wherein a handle is fastened or at least fastenable to the core passed through, e.g. by positively plugging in, with which handle the sub-chamber can be rotated about the common axis or can be displaced along the common axis.

[0063] All subchambers can be arranged around the core; in particular, the core is traversed by the common axis, preferably centrally. This inner wall or the core can be rotatably and / or displaceably located in a respective storage area of ​​both gas chambers or, generally, both media chambers, which serve to supply medium into the interior of the hollow fibers.

[0064] A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises precisely two sub-chambers. The inner sub-chamber is movable, preferably rotatable and / or axially displaceable, relative to the outer sub-chamber, in particular the one bounded by the outer housing wall.

[0065] A contact area of ​​an outer wall and / or inner wall of a subchamber, in which the wall contacts a potting compound, can preferably be coated with an adhesion-promoting agent or have a different structure than a contact area of ​​the wall in which the first medium is contacted. This different structure can be formed by a roughened area or by an area provided with grooves or recesses.

[0066] An area provided with grooves or recesses can be formed on a separate, preferably elastomeric component that is formed in an annularly recessed area, preferably at an axial end of an outer wall and / or inner wall of a sub-chamber. This component can form a hollow sleeve that has grooves or recesses on the surface area facing the interior of the sub-chamber, into which potting compound can penetrate during potting or has penetrated after potting. Grooves or recesses can extend 360 degrees around the common axis in the aforementioned surface area. Several grooves or recesses can be arranged axially next to one another.

[0067] In all possible embodiments, it can be provided that material-permeable hollow fibers are arranged in at least one of several sub-chambers and heat-exchanging hollow fibers are arranged in at least one of several sub-chambers. In this way, the formation of a heat exchanger function can be realized in at least one of several sub-chambers. This heat-exchanging sub-chamber can be subjected to a flow of a third medium, in particular one which flows through the inside of the hollow fibers. Different media, which are supplied to different sub-chambers in order to flow through the interior of the hollow fibers, can be guided through different fluid feeds, which are arranged at different radial positions to the common axis and each open into the interior of the hollow fibers of different sub-chambers.

[0068] As mentioned above, the device according to the invention preferably forms an oxygenator for enriching blood as the first medium with oxygen and / or for depleting blood as the first medium of carbon dioxide. The device has hollow fibers suitable for this function in at least a portion of all subchambers. The second medium is a gas or gas mixture that supplies oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide from the blood. A third medium can optionally be provided for heat exchange.

[0069] Embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to the figures.

[0070] Figure 1: shows a first embodiment of an inventive

[0071] Device with two axially displaceable sub-chambers

[0072] Figures 2: show a second embodiment of a device according to the invention with two partial chambers that can be displaced axially relative to one another, with a detailed enlargement

[0073] Figure 3: shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention with two partial chambers rotatable relative to each other about a common axis

[0074] Figure 4: shows a simplified representation of the design according to Figure 3 in separate representations of the individual elements

[0075] Figure 5: shows the outer wall of the radially outer part of the

[0076] Device according to Figures 3 and 4, which also forms part of the housing of the device Figure 6: shows the inner wall of the radially outer part chamber of the

[0077] Device according to Figures 3 and 4

[0078] Figure 7: shows several views of the outer wall of the radially inner sub-chamber of the device according to Figures 3 and 4

[0079] Figures 8: show core elements of the first and second embodiment of the devices according to the invention, the outer surfaces of which form the inner wall of the respective radially inner sub-chamber

[0080] Figure 9: shows a handle that can be connected to the respective core elements of Figure 8 for manually carrying out the relative movement of the sub-chambers

[0081] Figure 10: shows a sealing element with insert in conjunction with potting agent on the axial end areas of the outer wall of the outer sub-chamber

[0082] Figure 11 : shows a possible design of the inner surface of an outer wall of a partial chamber in axial cross section

[0083] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this embodiment, and also in the embodiments shown and described below, the entire exchange chamber of the device is divided into two sub-chambers 1 and 2. Sub-chamber 1 is located radially outward and sub-chamber 2 is located radially inward with respect to an axis 3, preferably corresponding to the longitudinal axis of sub-chambers 1, 2 and the entire device. Sub-chamber 2 is thus surrounded by sub-chamber 1. Both are coaxial with the central axis 3.

[0084] On the right side of Figure 1, the position of hollow fibers 4 in each of the two subchambers 1, 2 is indicated by a dashed line. The hollow fibers 4 are sealed at their axial end regions to each other and to the walls of the subchambers 1, 2. A suitable potting agent, possibly together with a sealing element, is accommodated in the axial end regions 1a of subchamber 1 and 2a of subchamber 2 provided for this purpose.

[0085] The potting agent 5a and, if applicable, a sealing element 5b are not visualized in the illustration of Figures 1 and 2 and are shown hatched in Figure 3. The potting agent 5a can therefore preferably also contact a wall of a sub-chamber indirectly via a sealing element 5b structured in the surface, here preferably at least the outer wall of the radially outer sub-chamber 1.

[0086] The outer wall 1b of the radially outer sub-chamber 1 simultaneously forms a wall of the entire housing of the device. The inner wall 1c of the radially outer sub-chamber 1 is designed as a hollow cylindrical element, in particular with a circular cross-section. The outer wall 2b of the radially inner sub-chamber 2 is designed in the same way. The inner wall 2c of the radially inner sub-chamber 2, however, forms a core element of the device, through which the axis 3 runs.

[0087] A medium, e.g., blood, can be guided through the wall passages 1d of the radially outer subchamber 1. The wall passages 1d are preferably spaced 180 degrees apart around the axis 3 and arranged in different axial positions, particularly before the start of the potting process. This achieves a diametrical flow through the subchamber 1, e.g., when the flow is directed exclusively through the subchamber.

[0088] The medium contacts the outer surface of the hollow fibers 4. A gas or gas mixture can be guided through the interior of the hollow fibers 4. For this purpose, the open axial ends of the hollow fibers extend axially into gas spaces 6 on both sides. Corresponding connections for the supply and discharge of gas or gas mixture are provided in the cover element 7 and the base 8 of the device, but are not shown. Cover element 7 and base 8 each adjoin the axial end region of the outer wall 1b of the outer sub-chamber 1 in a sealed manner. For example, these can each be connected via a thread.

[0089] The outer sub-chamber 1 has two further wall passages 1 e in the inner wall 1 c, which are arranged around the axis 3, preferably opposite each other, but in different axial positions, in particular in each case before the beginning of the axial end-side potting 5.

[0090] The inner sub-chamber 2 has a wall passage 2e associated with each wall passage 1e. If the wall passages 1e and 2e are arranged overlapping one another due to a relative positioning of the two sub-chambers 1, 2, the medium can flow between the sub-chambers 1, 2, but not if the wall passages 1e, 2e are not arranged overlapping one another. By a relative movement of both sub-chambers between two defined positions, which define a covered and a uncovered position of the wall passages 1e, 2e, the sub-volume and the exchange surface of the adjacent sub-chambers 1 and 2 can be either interconnected or separated from one another.

[0091] To enable relative movement between these positions, the inner wall 2c of the inner chamber 2, here the core element, is sealed by the upper gas chamber 5 and the lid 7, and extends outwardly and has a handle 9 accessible from the outside of the device for actuation. The core element or inner wall 2c is movably mounted in the lid 7 and the base 8 to allow switching between the two positions.

[0092] Preferably, the sub-chambers 1, 2, or their walls, have the same axial lengths.

[0093] The above description of Figure 1 relates to structural details that are preferably present in all embodiments of the invention shown and / or not shown, in particular regardless of the type of relative movement of the adjacent sub-chambers to one another. These details preferably also apply to the embodiments of the following figures, in particular in conjunction with embodiments described in addition to these figures.

[0094] In the embodiment of Figure 1, it is provided that the inner sub-chamber 2 is axially displaceable relative to the outer sub-chamber 1 parallel to the axis 3, in particular without being rotatable about the axis 3. Figure 1 specifically shows an axially displaced position of the inner sub-chamber 2 relative to the outer sub-chamber 1, which can be seen in particular from the fact that the axial ends of the sub-chambers are located at different axial positions.

[0095] In Figure 1, the wall passages 1e and 2e of the subchambers 1, 2 are located at different axial positions, thus not overlapping each other, preventing media transfer through the two subchambers. In this position, only the partial volume and the exchange surface of subchamber 1 are effective.

[0096] If, however, the partial chamber 2 is moved axially downwards, e.g. by actuating the handle 9, the wall passages 1 e, 2e overlap each other and the partial volume and the exchange surface of the partial chambers 1 , 2 are connected together.

[0097] For actuation, it can be provided in the embodiment of Figure 1 that a rotary wheel forms the handle 9, which is mounted on the cover 7 in an axially fixed manner and has a threaded connection to the outer part of the core element or the inner wall 2c, so that the axial displacement of the partial chamber 2 takes place by rotation.

[0098] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment with axial relative displacement of the sub-chambers 1 and 2. Unlike Figure 1, the handle 9 is designed as a grip that is axially displaced. Two locking positions are realized, corresponding to the covered and uncovered positions of the wall passages 1e and 2e. For this purpose, the core element or the inner wall 2c has locking recesses 2f in a locking area, into which a preferably spring-loaded locking element 10, which can be realized, for example, in or on the cover 7, can engage to define the locking positions.

[0099] In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, the inner wall 2c or the core element is mounted axially displaceably in the cover 7 and the base.

[0100] Compared to Figures 1 and 2, the embodiment of Figure 3, in particular with otherwise identical features, shows a relative mobility of the sub-chambers 1, 2 by rotating the sub-chambers 1, 2 relative to each other about the common axis 3. In this case, the inner wall 2c of the inner sub-chamber 2, or the core element, is rotatably mounted in the cover 7 and the base 8.

[0101] The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis 3 of the inner wall 1c of the outer sub-chamber 1 and the outer wall 2c of the inner sub-chamber 2 is circular in this case. In axially movable designs, however, this cross-sectional shape can be hollow cylindrical with any other geometry.

[0102] Figure 4 shows a simplified view of this embodiment of Figure 3 with the elements separated from one another, without depicting the hollow fibers. In the selected illustration, the wall passages 1e, 2e of the subchambers 1, 2 are in an overlapped position and can be brought into an uncovered position by rotating them relative to one another.

[0103] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the outer wall 1b of the radially outer sub-chamber 1 and Figure 6 shows the corresponding inner wall 1c.

[0104] It is important to note that in both figures, the opening of the wall passage 1d or 1e leading into the interior of the sub-chamber 1 merges in the circumferential direction around the common axis 3, preferably in both opposite circumferential directions around the common axis 3, into a groove 1f open to the interior of the sub-chamber. Its angular extension around the common axis 3 is preferably greater than the angular extension of the passage opening penetrating the entire wall thickness, or than the opening on the opposite side of the wall passage.

[0105] Figure 7 shows the outer wall 2b of the inner sub-chamber 2 with the wall passages 2e, which are assigned to the wall passages 1e in order to functionally interact with them.

[0106] To achieve axial tightness between the inner wall 1c and the outer wall 2b of both sub-chambers, two axially spaced grooves are provided on one of the facing surfaces of both walls. These grooves axially surround the wall passage, here the wall passage 2e, and in which sealing rings are embedded. The opposing surfaces of the inner wall 1c and outer wall 2b thus abut each other in a sealed manner via these sealing rings. Figure 7 shows the seal in the variant that can be rotated about the axis.

[0107] In the axially movable variant, preferably three axially spaced grooves with respective sealing rings are provided, with the wall passage located in an axial gap between two sealing rings. In the overlapped arrangement of the wall passages, both wall passages are located between the same axial gap, and in the uncovered position, the wall passages are located in different axial gaps. Figure 2A shows the position of the sealing rings / grooves for the axially movable variant.

[0108] Figure 8A shows the inner wall 2c or the core element for the axially displaceable variant of Figure 2, and Figure 8B shows the rotatable variant. Due to the polygonal lower axial end, the core element of Figure 8A is not rotatable, but axially displaceable. In an axial region between the upper potting and the fastening region of the handle, the core element has the previously described locking region with the annular locking recesses 2f. This can be omitted in the rotatable variant of Figure 8B. In both movement variants, an annular groove for receiving a sealing ring can be provided axially below the fastening region for the handle.

[0109] For both variants, this embodiment preferably provides for the potting region 2g, which comes into contact with the potting agent, to be structured. Here, the structuring is formed by at least two axially spaced annular recesses on the surface of the inner wall 2c or the core element facing the interior of the subchamber.

[0110] Figure 9 shows a handle, e.g., for the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3. This can be positively attached to the fastening area of ​​the inner walls 2c or the respective core element. For example, the handle has an axially extending recess that deviates from the circular cross-section, here, for example, a polygonal one, for the positive reception of a correspondingly designed fastening area on the inner wall 2c.

[0111] Figure 10 shows two views of a sealing element 5b that can be used together with potting compound to seal the hollow fibers 4 against each other and against the wall of the sub-chamber. The annular sealing element 5b shown here contacts the surface of the outer wall of the inner sub-chamber 1 with its radially outer surface and the potting compound with its structured radially inner surface. Here, the structuring is formed by at least two axially spaced annular recesses on the surface of the sealing element facing the interior of the sub-chamber. The outer wall of the sub-chamber 1 can have an area with an enlarged inner diameter at the axial end to accommodate the sealing element.

[0112] Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the internal shape of the outer wall of sub-chamber 1 or sub-chamber 2. It is essential that the outer wall surface facing the interior of sub-chamber 1 or 2 has several projections 1g / 2g. These ensure that no peripheral flow occurs that bypasses the hollow fibers inside. The projections always direct the medium radially inward toward the hollow fibers. Similar projections can also be provided on the interior-facing surface of the inner wall of sub-chambers 1 and 2.

[0113] The cross-sectional shape of the outer wall 1b, 2b shown remains constant in the axial direction. The curvature / course of the wall area, viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the common axis 3, preferably continues to differ on both sides of a respective projection 1g, 2g.

[0114] The devices shown can be used, for example, as oxygenators in which the effective exchange surface and the effective volume can be changed during treatment of a patient by relative movement of the two sub-chambers 1 and 2 to each other, in particular in order to switch the sub-chambers 1, 2 between two defined positions.

[0115] The project leading to this application has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 863087.

Claims

Patent claims Device for the mass and / or heat exchange between a first and a second medium, in particular between blood and a gas or gas mixture, with an exchange chamber in which mass-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibers (4) are arranged, the outer walls of which are sealed to one another and to a wall region of the exchange chamber at the end regions of the hollow fibers (4) spaced apart in the fiber extension direction, and which can be flowed around by the first medium and through by the second medium, characterized in that the exchange chamber is divided into at least two sub-chambers (1, 2), which have a respective sub-volume, wherein in each sub-chamber (1, 2) mass-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibers (4) are arranged and at least one sub-chamber (1, 2) is movable relative to at least one other sub-chamber (1, 2), wherein by the relative movement of adjacent sub-chambers (1,2) the adjacent sub-volumes of the sub-chambers (1, 2) can be connected to one another or separated from one another. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that adjacent sub-chambers (1, 2) a. form a side-by-side arrangement, in particular adjacent sub-chambers (1, 2) are each arranged completely next to one another on both sides of a dividing plane, or b. form a nested arrangement, in particular at least one inner sub-chamber (2) is surrounded by at least one outer sub-chamber (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that opposing wall regions (1c, 2b) of adjacent sub-chambers (1, 2) bear against one another in a sealed manner and each have wall passages (1e, 2e) which can be brought into a first position by the relative movement, in which the wall passages (1e, 2e) at least partially overlap one another, and into a second position in which the wall passages (1e, 2e) do not overlap one another. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent sub-chambers (1, 2), preferably all sub-chambers (1, 2), are arranged around a common axis (3), and at least one sub-chamber (1, 2) is displaceable relative to at least one adjacent sub-chamber (1, 2) along the common axis (3) and / or rotatable about the common axis (3).Device according to claim 4, characterized in that each sub-chamber (1, 2) is formed by an outer wall (1b, 2b) surrounding the common axis (3) and an inner wall (1c, 2c) radially spaced therefrom surrounding the common axis (3), wherein in the space between the outer wall (1b, 2b) and the inner wall (1c, 2c) the substance-permeable and / or heat-exchanging hollow fibers (4) of the sub-chamber (1, 2) are arranged, which are sealed in axially spaced end regions (5) with one another and with the outer wall (1b, 2b) and the inner wall (1c, 2c) of the sub-chamber (1, 2). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent partial chambers (1, 2) each have at least two, preferably exactly two wall passages (1e, 2e) through which the partial volumes of the adjacent partial chambers (1, 2) can be connected.Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one, preferably exactly one wall passage (1 e, 2e) of each partial chamber (1 , 2), through which the first medium can flow into the partial chamber (1 , 2), is arranged at a different axial height than the. at least one, preferably exactly one, wall passage (1e, 2e) through which the first medium can flow out of the sub-chamber (1, 2). Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the at least one wall passage (1e, 2e) through which the first medium can flow into the sub-chamber (1, 2) and the at least one wall passage (1e, 2e) through which the first medium can flow out of the sub-chamber (1, 2) are arranged opposite one another around the common axis (3), preferably at an angular distance of 180 degrees.Device according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, characterized in that mutually associated wall passages (1 e, 2e) or their mouth openings of adjacent sub-chambers (1 , 2) pointing into the interior of a sub-chamber, through which the first medium can pass between the adjacent sub-chambers (1 , 2), are located at the same axial height, in particular are extended over the same axial height range, preferably are extended around the common axis (3) over the same angular range.Device according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, viewed in the axial direction, each wall passage (1 e, 2e) or at least the mouth opening of each wall passage (1 e, 2e) of a sub-chamber (1 , 2) pointing into the interior of a sub-chamber (1 , 2) is surrounded by sealing regions in which the mutually facing walls (1 c, 2b) of the adjacent sub-chambers (1 , 2) bear against one another in a sealed manner, preferably wherein a sealing region is formed by a respective seal which is let into an annular groove on only one of the two mutually facing walls (1 c, 2b).Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall region of the outer wall (1 b, 2b) and / or inner wall (1 c, 2c) facing towards the interior of a partial chamber (1, 2) has a plurality of projections (1 g, 2 g) in the circumferential direction around the common axis (3), in particular which are uniformly extended in the axial direction, preferably wherein the curvature / course of the. Wall region viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the common axis (3) is different on both sides of a respective projection (1g, 2g). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow resistances for the first medium in adjacent sub-chambers (1, 2), preferably in each sub-chamber (1, 2), are the same, in particular up to an inaccuracy of plus / minus 30%, preferably plus / minus 20%, preferably plus / minus 10%, preferably plus / minus 5%. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sub-volumes of adjacent sub-chambers (1, 2), preferably each sub-chamber (1, 2), are the same, in particular up to an inaccuracy of plus / minus 30%, preferably plus / minus 20%, preferably plus / minus 10%, preferably plus / minus 5%.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mouth opening of a wall passage (1 e, 2 e) opening into the interior of a partial chamber (1 , 2), in particular at least in the radially outermost partial chamber (1 ), preferably only in the radially outermost partial chamber (1 ) in the circumferential direction around the common axis (3), preferably in both opposite circumferential directions around the common axis (3), merges into a groove (1 f) open towards the interior of the partial chamber, in particular the angular extent of which groove around the common axis (3) is greater than the angular extent of the passage opening penetrating the entire wall thickness.Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the wall passage (1 e, 2e), in particular its center, preferably which forms an outlet for the first medium from the partial chamber (1 , 2), preferably from the radially outermost partial chamber (1 ), is axially offset in height relative to the mouth opening and / or the groove (1 f) open to the interior of the partial chamber, in particular is offset downwards in the intended use position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (1b) of the radially outermost partial chamber (1) forms the outer housing wall or at least part of the outer housing wall of the entire device, preferably the axial ends of which have connecting means, preferably threaded areas, for connection to wall areas (7, 8) of the device which delimit the gas spaces (6) of the device, through which the gas / gas mixture can be conducted to / from the interior of the hollow fibers (4).Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the two walls of the inner wall (2c) and outer wall (2c), which delimit a sub-chamber (2), is passed in a sealed manner in the axial direction through a gas space (6) of the device and a wall region (7) of the device which outwardly delimits the gas space (6), wherein a handle (9) is fastened or at least fastenable to the passed-through region, with which handle the sub-chamber (2) can be rotated about the common axis (3) or displaced along the common axis (3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises exactly two sub-chambers (1, 2).Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wall (2c) of the radially innermost sub-chamber (2) forms a core (2c) of the device, which is passed in the axial direction through a wall region of the device which defines a gas space (6) in a sealed manner, wherein a handle (9) is fastened or at least fastenable to the passed-through core, with which handle the sub-chamber (2) can be rotated about the common axis (3) or displaced along the common axis (3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact region of an outer wall (1b, 2b) and / or inner wall (1c, 2c) of a sub-chamber (1, 2), in which the wall contacts a potting compound (5a), is coated with an adhesion-promoting agent or is structured differently than a contact region of the wall in which the first Medium is contacted, in particular wherein the other structuring is formed by a roughened region or by a region provided with grooves or recesses, or an annular, preferably elastomeric sealing element (5b) is located on an axial end region of an outer wall (1b, 2b) and / or inner wall (1c, 2c) of a sub-chamber (1, 2), preferably in a notch, which is structured on its side contacting the potting compound (5a), in particular having grooves running around it in the circumferential direction. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that substance-permeable hollow fibers (4) are arranged in at least one of a plurality of sub-chambers (1, 2), and heat-exchanging hollow fibers are arranged in at least one of a plurality of sub-chambers (1, 2), in particular for forming a heat exchanger function.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it forms an oxygenator for enriching blood as the first medium with oxygen and / or for depleting blood as the first medium of carbon dioxide, in particular comprising hollow fibers (4) suitable for this function in at least a partial number of all sub-chambers (1, 2).

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