Artificial lung

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an artificial lung having a novel structure that can stably oxygenate blood and ensure safety against mixing of air bubbles in the blood.　In the artificial lung 10, in a state of use, a gas inlet port 52 that introduces a supply gas into a gas flow path 66 inside a housing 12 is provided in an upper wall portion of the housing 12, a gas outlet port 50 that outputs a discharge gas from the gas flow path 66 is provided in a lower wall portion of the housing 12, a blood inlet port 28 that introduces the blood into a gas exchange region 56 inside the housing 12 is provided in a first side wall portion 22 of the housing 12, a blood outlet port 40 that outputs the blood from the gas exchange region 56 is provided in a second side wall portion 34 facing the first side wall portion 22 of the housing 12, the blood outlet port 40 is located in a middle portion of the second side wall portion 34 in a vertical direction, and the second side wall portion 34 is provided with a tapered outlet-side guide portion 38 that is converged toward the blood outlet port 40.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an artificial lung used for extracorporeal circulation in cardiac surgery under cardiac arrest and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an artificial lung used for oxygenating blood by performing gas exchange with blood in extracorporeal circulation. The artificial lung has a gas exchange membrane made of hollow fibers or the like disposed in a gas exchange region provided in a housing, and oxygen is supplied from a supply gas introduced inside the hollow fibers to the blood flowing outside the hollow fibers. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In some oxygenators, the gas inlet port for introducing the supply gas from the outside into the gas exchange region is formed in the upper wall of the housing to prevent water droplets from accumulating in the gas inlet port or in the lumen of the hollow fiber during condensation, and the supply gas is introduced downward from the upper end of the housing. In such oxygenators, blood is easily oxygenated on the upper side close to the gas inlet port, and is difficult to oxygenate on the lower side far from the gas inlet port.

[0004] However, if the blood outlet port is simply provided at the upper end of the housing to take out the upper blood, which is easily oxygenated, there is a risk that if air bubbles get mixed in with the blood, the air bubbles rising due to buoyancy will be sent out of the blood outlet port by the blood flow. Also, if only the upper blood is taken out from the blood outlet port, the lower blood, which is less easily oxygenated, may accumulate in the gas exchange area.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial lung of a novel structure that can stably oxygenate blood while ensuring safety against air bubbles being mixed into the blood. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The following describes preferred embodiments for understanding the present invention, but the embodiments described below are merely illustrative and may be combined with one another as appropriate, and the multiple components described in each embodiment may be recognized and used independently as far as possible, and may also be combined with any of the components described in another embodiment as appropriate. As a result, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various other embodiments may be realized.

[0007] In a first aspect, an artificial lung is provided with a housing having a gas exchange region therein, a gas exchange membrane contained in the gas exchange region of the housing to form a gas flow path, a gas inlet port for introducing a supply gas containing oxygen into the gas flow path, a gas outlet port for discharging an exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide from the gas flow path, a blood inlet port for introducing blood into the gas exchange region of the housing, and a blood outlet port for discharging blood from the gas exchange region of the housing, wherein, in a state of use, the gas inlet port is provided in an upper wall portion of the housing, the gas outlet port is provided in a lower wall portion of the housing, the blood inlet port is provided in a first side wall portion of the housing, and the blood outlet port is provided in a second side wall portion opposite the first side wall portion of the housing, the blood outlet port is located in the upper and lower middle portion of the second side wall portion of the housing, and the second side wall portion of the housing in which the blood outlet port is provided is provided with a tapered outlet side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port.

[0008] In an artificial lung constructed according to this embodiment, the blood outlet port is provided in the middle part of the upper or lower part of the housing, so that even if air gets mixed into the blood, the air will rise above the blood outlet port due to buoyancy and tend to remain within the housing, and will not easily be expelled to the outside through the blood outlet port.

[0009] A tapered outlet-side guide portion that converges toward the blood outlet port is provided, so that blood in a wider range flows into the blood outlet port and is led to the outside. Therefore, in the blood led from the blood outlet port to the outside, the oxygen partial pressure is equalized, etc.

[0010] For example, if the blood outlet port is located above the blood inlet port, as the blood that has entered from the blood inlet port flows toward the blood outlet port, a blood flow from bottom to top is likely to be formed. Therefore, the blood in the gas exchange region is easily agitated, and in the gas exchange region where oxygen is supplied from the upper gas port, the blood is more efficiently oxygenated. Further, if the blood inlet port is located below, when the priming liquid is introduced into the housing from the blood inlet port, air entrainment due to the head difference is less likely to occur.

[0011] Also, for example, if the blood inlet port is provided in the middle in the vertical direction like the blood outlet port, compared to the case where it is provided at the vertical end, a region extremely far from the blood inlet port in the housing is less likely to be formed. Therefore, even without setting a strong flow for the blood in the housing, the blood in the entire housing can be circulated.

[0012] The second aspect is the artificial lung described in the first aspect, wherein the gas exchange membrane is compressed between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion and fixed to the housing.

[0013] According to the artificial lung having the structure according to this aspect, for example, since the edge portion of the gas exchange membrane is accommodated in a compressed state with respect to the housing, it becomes difficult for blood to flow to the edge portion of the gas exchange region, and it is possible to prevent a short circuit of the blood through a portion where the gas exchange membrane does not exist in the gas exchange region. As a result, the blood efficiently flows through the portion where the gas exchange membrane exists in the gas exchange region, and the gas exchange efficiency is improved, etc.

[0014] A third aspect is the artificial lung described in the first or second aspect, wherein a temperature control region is provided inside the housing, and a temperature controller for adjusting the temperature of the blood is disposed in the temperature control region, and the temperature controller is compressed between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion and fixed to the housing.

[0015] According to the artificial lung having the structure according to this aspect, for example, since the edge portion of the temperature controller is accommodated in a compressed state with respect to the housing, it becomes difficult for the blood to flow to the edge portion of the temperature control region, and it is possible to prevent the short circuit of the blood through the portion where the temperature controller does not exist in the temperature control region. As a result, the blood efficiently flows through the portion where the temperature controller exists in the temperature control region, and the heat exchange efficiency and the like can be improved.

[0016] A fourth aspect is the artificial lung described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the blood inlet port is located at the lower part of the first side wall portion.

[0017] According to the artificial lung having the structure according to this aspect, since the blood outlet port is located above the blood inlet port, and the blood that has entered from the blood inlet port flows toward the blood outlet port, it is easy to form a flow of blood from the lower side to the upper side. Therefore, the blood in the gas exchange region is easily agitated, and the blood is more efficiently oxygenated in the gas exchange region where oxygen is supplied from the upper gas inlet port.

[0018] Furthermore, since the blood inlet port is located at the lower part of the first side wall portion, when the priming liquid is introduced into the housing from the blood inlet port, the drop is small and it is difficult to entrain air.

[0019] A fifth aspect is the artificial lung described in the fourth aspect, wherein inlet-side guide fins that extend upwardly from the opening of the blood inlet port project from the inner surface of the first side wall portion provided with the blood inlet port.

[0020] According to the artificial lung structured according to this aspect, the blood that enters from the blood inlet port located at the lower part is guided upward by the guide fins and is easily agitated. Thereby, stabilization of the oxygen partial pressure of the blood led out from the blood outlet port and the like are achieved.

[0021] A sixth aspect is the artificial lung described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the blood inlet port extends parallel to the gas exchange membrane, and the blood inlet port communicates with the gas exchange region through a tapered inlet-side guide portion provided on the first side wall portion, and the blood outlet port extends parallel to the gas exchange membrane, and the blood outlet port communicates with the gas exchange region through the outlet-side guide portion provided on the second side wall portion.

[0022] According to the artificial lung structured according to this aspect, the flow of blood from the blood inlet port toward the blood outlet port in a direction parallel to the gas exchange membrane is easily formed. Therefore, the blood easily flows uniformly throughout the gas exchange region, and in the blood led out from the inside of the housing, variations in oxygen partial pressure and the like are reduced, and blood with a predetermined oxygen partial pressure can be stably supplied to the patient.

[0023] A seventh aspect is the artificial lung described in any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein in a direction parallel to the gas exchange membrane, the blood inlet port is provided at one end portion of the first side wall portion, and the blood outlet port is provided at the other end portion of the second side wall portion.

[0024] According to the artificial lung structured according to this aspect, the blood introduced from the blood inlet port is dispersed over a wide range in a direction along the gas exchange membrane and introduced into the housing. Also, blood over a wide range in a direction along the gas exchange membrane is led out from the blood outlet port to the outside. Thereby, variations in oxygen partial pressure and the like in the blood led out from the inside of the housing are reduced, and blood with a predetermined oxygen partial pressure can be stably supplied to the patient.

[0025] The eighth aspect is the artificial lung according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein a temperature adjustment region for adjusting the temperature of blood is provided inside the housing, and a temperature control fluid inlet port for introducing a temperature control fluid into the temperature adjustment region is provided in the housing. A temperature control fluid outlet port for discharging the temperature control fluid from the temperature adjustment region is provided in the housing, and in the operating state, the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port are located above both the temperature control fluid inlet port and the temperature control fluid outlet port.

[0026] According to the artificial lung having the structure according to this aspect, even if the temperature control fluid leaks from the temperature control fluid inlet port or the temperature control fluid outlet port, it is possible to prevent the leaked temperature control fluid from coming into contact with the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port. Thereby, contamination of the blood flow path is prevented and the blood flow path is kept clean.

[0027] The ninth aspect is the artificial lung according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the housing has a flat shape having a short axis direction, and a temperature adjustment region for adjusting the temperature of blood provided inside the housing is arranged side by side with respect to the gas exchange region in the short axis direction of the housing.

[0028] According to the artificial lung having the structure according to this aspect, a large cross-sectional area in a direction orthogonal to the short axis direction of the housing is ensured for the temperature adjustment region and the gas exchange region. Therefore, temperature adjustment in the temperature adjustment region and gas exchange in the gas exchange region can be efficiently performed for the blood flowing in the short axis direction inside the housing.

[0029] The tenth aspect is the artificial lung according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein a plurality of heat transfer tubes are provided in a temperature adjustment region for adjusting the temperature of blood provided inside the housing, and corrugated stirring plates that undulate in the longitudinal direction are inserted into the inner cavities of these heat transfer tubes.

[0030] According to the artificial lung structured according to this aspect, the temperature control fluid flowing in the heat transfer tube generates turbulent flow by the stirring plate, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the blood and the temperature control fluid.

[0031] A tenth-first aspect is the artificial lung according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the housing includes a third side wall portion that extends in the longitudinal direction of the gas flow path, and fixes both end portions of the outer peripheral surface of the gas exchange membrane to the housing. And a second resin layer interposed between the third side wall portion and the gas exchange membrane.

[0032] According to the artificial lung structured according to this aspect, in the blood flow direction, both end portions of the outer peripheral surface of the gas exchange membrane are fixed to the housing by the first resin layer, and in the direction orthogonal to the blood flow direction, the gas exchange membrane and the housing. A second resin layer is interposed therebetween. By these, it is possible to prevent the blood from flowing along the inner surface of the housing so as to short-circuit between the gas exchange membrane and the housing, and the blood can efficiently flow through the internal region of the gas exchange membrane.

[0033] A twelfth aspect is the artificial lung according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the second resin layer is provided to extend in the longitudinal direction of the gas flow path in the gas exchange region.

[0034] According to the artificial lung structured according to this aspect, the second resin layer is provided to extend in the longitudinal direction of the gas flow path with a predetermined length, so that the flow of blood through between the gas exchange membrane and the housing is caused by the second resin layer. It is prevented in a wide range, and the short circuit of the blood passing between the gas exchange membrane and the housing can be effectively prevented by the second resin layer.

[0035] Moreover, a 13th aspect is an artificial lung, comprising a housing having a gas exchange region therein, a gas exchange membrane accommodated in the gas exchange region of the housing to form a gas flow path, a gas inlet port for introducing a supply gas containing oxygen into the gas flow path, a gas outlet port for discharging an exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide from the gas flow path, a blood inlet port for introducing blood into the gas exchange region of the housing, and a blood outlet port for discharging blood from the gas exchange region of the housing. In a use state, the gas inlet port is provided in an upper wall portion of the housing, the gas outlet port is provided in a lower wall portion of the housing, the blood inlet port is provided at an upper and lower central portion of a first side wall portion of the housing, and the blood outlet port is provided at an upper and lower central portion of a second side wall portion facing the first side wall portion of the housing. A tapered inlet-side guide portion converging toward the blood inlet port is provided on the first side wall portion of the housing where the blood inlet port is provided, and a tapered outlet-side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port is provided on the second side wall portion of the housing where the blood outlet port is provided. An inlet-side tube connected to the blood inlet port slopes upward toward the blood inlet port, and an outlet-side tube connected to the blood outlet port slopes upward toward the blood outlet port.

[0036] According to the artificial lung having the structure according to this aspect, due to the provision of the tapered inlet-side guide portion converging toward the blood inlet port, the blood introduced into the housing from the blood inlet port is likely to diffuse along the inlet-side guide portion into a wide range inside the housing. Thereby, the blood comes into contact with the gas exchange membrane in a wider range, and the efficiency of gas exchange is improved. Further, due to the provision of the tapered outlet-side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port, blood in a wider range flows into the blood outlet port and is discharged to the outside. Therefore, in the blood discharged from the blood outlet port to the outside, the uniformization of the oxygen partial pressure and the like are achieved.

[0037] Since both the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port are provided at the center in the vertical direction, it is difficult to create a region in the housing that is extremely far from the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port compared to the case where they are provided at the ends in the vertical direction. Therefore, even without setting a strong flow in the blood in the housing, the blood can be circulated throughout the housing.

[0038] Since the inlet-side tube connected to the blood inlet port slopes upward toward the blood inlet port and the outlet-side tube connected to the blood outlet port slopes upward toward the blood outlet port, the blood easily flows through the upper part of the housing. As a result, blood also sufficiently flows through the upper part of the housing where it is difficult for blood to be guided by the action of gravity, and by obtaining a large substantial contact area of the blood with the gas exchange membrane, the gas exchange efficiency can be improved. In particular, since the gas inlet port is provided in the upper wall portion of the housing and the upper part of the housing has a high blood gas exchange efficiency, by making it easy to guide the blood to the upper part of the housing, the improvement of the gas exchange efficiency is advantageously realized.

Advantages of the Invention

[0039] According to the present invention, in an artificial lung, the blood can be stably oxygenated, and safety can be ensured against the mixing of bubbles into the blood.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0042] In FIGS. 1 to 9, an artificial lung 10 as the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The artificial lung 10 includes a housing 12. In the following description, in principle, the vertical direction refers to the vertical direction in FIG. 3 which is the height direction of the housing 12, the front-rear direction refers to the left-right direction in FIG. 7 which is the thickness direction of the housing 12, and the left-right direction refers to the left-right direction in FIG. 3 which is the width direction of the housing 12.

[0043] The housing 12 is generally in the shape of a hollow rectangular box. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer dimension T in the thickness direction of the housing 12 is smaller than the outer dimension H in the height direction and the outer dimension W in the width direction, and it has a flat shape with the thickness direction (front-rear direction) as the minor axis direction. The housing 12 can be formed entirely or partially of metal, but in this embodiment, it is formed of, for example, a hard synthetic resin.

[0044] The housing 12 includes a first wall member 14 and a second wall member 16 that constitute the peripheral wall portion, a bottom member 18 that constitutes the lower wall portion, and a lid member 20 that constitutes the upper wall portion.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first wall member 14 has a structure in which first connecting wall portions 24, 24 project from both left and right end portions of the first side wall portion 22 toward a second side wall portion 34 described later.

[0046] An inlet side guide portion 26 is provided at one end portion (the left side in FIG. 3) in the left - right direction of the first side wall portion 22. The inlet side guide portion 26 projects outward from the first side wall portion 22 and has a tapered shape in which both the inner surface and the outer surface contract toward the protruding tip. The protruding tip of the inlet side guide portion 26 is located at the lower portion of the first side wall portion 22. The inlet side guide portion 26 extends up to the upper portion of the first side wall portion 22, and the width in the left - right direction gradually increases upward from the protruding tip.

[0047] A blood inlet port 28 is provided at one end portion in the left - right direction of the first side wall portion 22. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 10, the blood inlet port 28 penetrates the protruding tip portion of the inlet side guide portion 26, and the inlet side guide portion 26 converges toward the blood inlet port 28. The blood inlet port 28 includes a cylindrical inlet pipe connection portion 30 that projects from the protruding tip portion of the inlet side guide portion 26 to one side in the left - right direction. The inlet pipe connection portion 30 extends linearly in the left - right direction, but may extend inclined, for example, in the vertical direction or the front - rear direction with respect to the left - right direction.

[0048] On the inner surface of the first side wall portion 22, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, inlet side guide fins 32 are provided. The inlet side guide fins 32 project from the inner surface of the first side wall portion 22 and extend upwardly inclined from near the opening of the blood inlet port 28 in a substantially diagonal direction of the first side wall portion 22. Three inlet side guide fins 32a, 32b, 32c are provided on the first side wall portion 22. The middle inlet side guide fin 32b extends in the diagonal direction of the first side wall portion 22, and the inlet side guide fins 32a, 32c extend inclined with respect to the inlet side guide fin 32b. Thereby, the distances between the inlet side guide fins 32a, 32c and the inlet side guide fin 32b increase as they are farther from the blood inlet port 28. The inlet side guide fins 32 gradually decrease in the protruding height from the inner surface of the first side wall portion 22 as they are farther from the blood inlet port 28. The inlet side guide fins 32 may extend linearly from near the blood inlet port 28, may extend in a curved shape with a continuously changing inclination angle, or may extend in a refracted shape with a stepwise changing inclination angle.

[0049] The first connecting wall portion 24 has a locking portion 33 that projects from the outer surface of the protruding tip portion. In the present embodiment, a convex portion that projects from the outer surface is provided over the entire upper and lower portions of the protruding tip portion of the first connecting wall portion 24, and the protruding tip surface of the convex portion and the outer surface of the first connecting wall portion 24 are continuously connected without a step by a tapered surface at the central portion in the vertical direction. The locking portion 33 is constituted by both end portions in the vertical direction of the convex portion that is off the tapered surface.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second wall member 16 has a structure in which second connecting wall portions 36, 36 project from both left and right end portions of a second side wall portion 34 that is disposed to face the first side wall portion 22 toward the first side wall portion 22.

[0051] The second side wall portion 34 is provided with an outlet side guide portion 38 at the end on the other side in the left - right direction (the left side in FIG. 4). The outlet side guide portion 38 protrudes outward from the second side wall portion 34 and has a tapered shape in which both the inner surface and the outer surface contract toward the protruding tip. The protruding tip of the outlet side guide portion 38 is located at the middle portion of the second side wall portion 34 in the vertical direction. The outlet side guide portion 38 does not reach the upper and lower portions of the second side wall portion 34 and is provided only in the middle portion in the vertical direction.

[0052] A blood outlet port 40 is provided at the end on the other side in the left - right direction in the second side wall portion 34. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the blood outlet port 40 penetrates the protruding tip portion of the outlet side guide portion 38, and the outlet side guide portion 38 converges toward the blood outlet port 40. The blood outlet port 40 is provided with a cylindrical outlet pipe connection portion 42 that protrudes to the other side in the left - right direction from the protruding tip portion of the outlet side guide portion 38. The outlet pipe connection portion 42 extends linearly in the left - right direction, but may extend obliquely in the vertical direction or the front - rear direction with respect to the left - right direction, for example.

[0053] The blood inlet port 28 is provided at the lower portion of the first side wall portion 22, and the blood outlet port 40 is provided at the central portion in the vertical direction of the second side wall portion 34. Thereby, the blood outlet port 40 is located above the blood inlet port 28. The blood inlet port 28 may be provided, for example, at the same height as the blood outlet port 40 in the vertical direction, or may be provided above the blood outlet port 40. The blood outlet port 40 may be provided in the middle portion in the vertical direction excluding the upper and lower ends, and may be provided in the middle portion deviated from the center in the vertical direction.

[0054] On the inner surface of the second side wall portion 34, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, outlet side guide fins 44 are provided. The outlet side guide fins 44 project from the inner surface of the second side wall portion 34 and extend in the left - right direction from near the opening of the blood outlet port 40 in the second side wall portion 34. Five outlet side guide fins 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e are provided on the second side wall portion 34. With respect to the upper - lower central outlet side guide fin 44c extending in the left - right direction, the outlet side guide fins 44a, 44b extend upwardly inclined from near the opening of the blood outlet port 40, and the outlet side guide fins 44d, 44e extend downwardly inclined from near the opening of the blood outlet port 40. The outlet side guide fins 44 have a substantially constant protruding height from the inner surface of the second side wall portion 34. The outlet side guide fins 44 may extend linearly from near the blood outlet port 40, may extend in a curved shape with a continuously changing inclination angle, or may extend in a refractive shape with a step - by - step changing inclination angle.

[0055] The second connecting wall portion 36 has locking claw portions 45 that project from the inner surface of the protruding tip portion. The locking claw portions 45 are provided at both upper and lower end portions of the second connecting wall portion 36 in the vertical direction respectively. The protruding dimension of the locking claw portion 45 from the second connecting wall portion 36 toward the inside is smaller toward the protruding tip side of the second connecting wall portion 36, and the protruding tip surface is a tapered surface.

[0056] Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the first wall member 14 and the second wall member 16 are formed into a square cylindrical shape by mechanically engaging, adhering, or welding the protruding tip portions of the first connecting wall portions 24, 24 and the protruding tip portions of the second connecting wall portions 36, 36 to each other, thereby constituting the peripheral wall portion of the housing 12. In the present embodiment, the locking claw portions 45, 45, 45, 45 provided at the protruding tip portions of the second connecting wall portions 36, 36 are locked to the locking portions 33, 33, 33, 33 provided at the protruding tip portions of the first connecting wall portions 24, 24, whereby the first wall member 14 and the second wall member 16 are fixed. The housing 12 is provided with a blood inlet port 28 and a blood outlet port 40 with respect to the front - rear side wall portions 22, 34.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom member 18 is generally in the shape of a square dish and is configured to fit into the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion of the housing 12 formed by the first wall member 14 and the second wall member 16. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bottom member 18 is provided with a temperature control fluid inlet port 46 and a temperature control fluid outlet port 48.

[0058] The temperature control fluid inlet port 46 is provided at the end portion of the bottom member 18 on the side of the first side wall portion 22 in the front-rear direction, and penetrates one vertical wall of the bottom member 18 in the left-right direction. The temperature control fluid inlet port 46 is cylindrical and extends outward in the left-right direction.

[0059] The temperature control fluid outlet port 48 is provided at the end portion of the bottom member 18 on the side of the first side wall portion 22 in the front-rear direction, and penetrates the other vertical wall of the bottom member 18 in the left-right direction. The temperature control fluid outlet port 48 is cylindrical and extends outward in the left-right direction in the opposite direction to the temperature control fluid inlet port 46.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 6, a gas outlet port 50 is provided at the bottom of the bottom member 18. The gas outlet port 50 is composed of four holes penetrating the bottom of the bottom member 18. The gas outlet port 50 is provided on the side of the second side wall portion 34 in the front-rear direction relative to the temperature control fluid inlet port 46 and the temperature control fluid outlet port 48.

[0061] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the lid member 20 is generally in the shape of an upside-down square dish and is configured to fit into the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion of the housing 12 formed by the first wall member 14 and the second wall member 16. The lid member 20 is provided with a gas inlet port 52. The gas inlet port 52 is provided so as to penetrate the lid member 20 in the vertical direction and extend upward, and extends outward in one direction in the left-right direction.

[0062] Then, a bottom member 18 is fitted to the lower end of a peripheral wall portion formed by the first wall member 14 and the second wall member 16, and a lid member 20 is fitted to the upper end, thereby forming a hollow box-shaped housing 12. The first wall member 14, the second wall member 16, the bottom member 18, and the lid member 20 are assembled to each other in a fluid-tight manner to prevent blood leakage. The first wall member 14, the second wall member 16, the bottom member 18, and the lid member 20 may be sealed with silicone, rubber, etc. and fitted non-adhesively, or may be fixed by means such as adhesion or heat welding.

[0063] The housing 12 includes a third side wall portion 53 extending in the flow path longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of a gas flow path 66 of a gas exchange membrane 62 described later. The third side wall portion 53 is constituted by a first connecting wall portion 24 of the first wall member 14 and a second connecting wall portion 36 of the second wall member 16. The third side wall portion 53 extends substantially orthogonally to the first and second side wall portions 22 and 34 and extends in the vertical direction which is the flow path longitudinal direction of the gas flow path 66 described later. Note that a pair of third side wall portions 53 facing each other are provided.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 9, a temperature adjustment region 54 and a gas exchange region 56 are provided inside the housing 12. The temperature adjustment region 54 and the gas exchange region 56 are provided side by side in the front-rear direction which is the short axis direction of the flat housing 12.

[0065] A temperature adjuster 60 constituted by a plurality of heat transfer tubes 58 is accommodated in the temperature adjustment region 54. The temperature adjuster 60 has a structure in which a plurality of heat transfer tubes 58 formed of a synthetic resin such as polyurethane extend parallel to each other. The tube axis direction in which the inner cavities of the heat transfer tubes 58 constituting the temperature adjuster 60 extend is the left-right direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the housing 12. The temperature adjuster 60 is positioned with respect to the housing 12, for example, by adhering an outer peripheral portion thereof to the housing 12.

[0066] The inner cavity of the heat transfer tube 58 that constitutes the temperature regulator 60 has its openings at both ends connected to the temperature control fluid inlet port 46 and the temperature control fluid outlet port 48. A temperature control fluid such as cold water or warm water is introduced from the temperature control fluid inlet port 46, flows through the inner cavity of the heat transfer tube 58, and then is led out to the outside from the temperature control fluid outlet port 48. The temperature control fluid led out from the temperature control fluid outlet port 48 is heated or cooled to an appropriate temperature by a heater or a radiator, etc., and then re-introduced from the temperature control fluid inlet port 46 into the temperature regulator 60.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 9, the temperature regulator 60 is fixed to the housing 12 in a state where its ends are compressed in the blood flow direction by the first wall member 14 and the second wall member 16, more specifically, by the first wall member 14 and the spacer 64. That is, in the temperature regulator 60 in the facing direction of the first and second side wall portions 22, 34, at least at the peripheral end portion (edge portion) located between the facing surfaces of the first side wall portion 22 and the spacer 64, the thickness dimension is smaller and it is in a compressed state after being fixed to the housing 12 than before being fixed to the housing 12. By being configured in this way, the outer surface of the temperature regulator 60 and the inner surface of the housing 12 are in close contact, reducing the gap between the temperature regulator 60 and the housing 12, and suppressing the flow of blood along the inner surface of the housing 12. As a result, it becomes easier for the blood to flow through the entire interior of the temperature regulator 60 composed of a plurality of heat transfer tubes 58, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved by increasing the contact area between the temperature regulator 60 and the blood. In particular, in this embodiment, the compression deformation rate due to the attachment of the temperature regulator 60 to the housing 12 is made larger not only at both upper and lower end portions but also at both end portions in the direction where the third side wall portions 53, 53 face each other, compared to the central portions in each direction, and a stronger fixing force, etc., is realized. In this embodiment, the temperature regulator 60 is not compressed at the inner peripheral portion outside the facing surfaces of the first side wall portion 22 and the spacer 64.

[0068] The gas exchange region 56 houses a gas exchange membrane 62. The gas exchange membrane 62 is a structure formed by laminating a plurality of gas-permeable hollow fiber membranes, and is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polymethylpentene. The axial direction of the hollow fibers constituting the hollow fiber membrane (the gas flow path 66 described later) extends in the vertical direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the housing 12. The gas exchange membrane 62 is positioned with respect to the housing 12, for example, by adhering the outer peripheral portion to the housing 12. A frame-shaped spacer 64 is disposed between the temperature regulator 60 and the gas exchange membrane 62, and the temperature regulator 60 and the gas exchange membrane 62 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction by the spacer 64.

[0069] The lumen of the hollow fibers constituting the gas exchange membrane 62 is a gas flow path 66, and the openings at both ends are connected to the gas inlet port 52 and the gas outlet port 50. The supply gas containing oxygen introduced from the gas inlet port 52 into the gas exchange region 56 flows through the gas flow path 66 of the gas exchange membrane 62, and gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs between the supply gas and the blood in contact with the gas exchange membrane 62. Then, the exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide is led out to the outside from the gas outlet port 50. In this way, the gas flow path 66 through which oxygen and carbon dioxide flow is formed by the gas exchange membrane 62 formed of hollow fiber membranes. Since the gas outlet port 50 is formed by penetrating the bottom member 18 of the housing 12 in the vertical direction, even if condensation occurs in the gas flow path 66, for example, water droplets are quickly discharged to the outside from the gas outlet port 50, preventing blockage of the gas flow path 66 due to water droplets.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, the gas exchange membrane 62 is fixed to the housing 12 in a state where its ends are compressed in the blood flow direction by the first wall member 14 and the second wall member 16, more specifically, by the second wall member 16 and the spacer 64. That is, the gas exchange membrane 62 in the facing direction of the first and second side wall portions 22 and 34 has a smaller thickness dimension and is in a compressed state after being fixed to the housing 12 than before being fixed to the housing 12, at least at the peripheral edge (edge portion) located between the facing surfaces of at least the second side wall portion 34 and the spacer 64. With such a configuration, the outer surface of the gas exchange membrane 62 is in close contact with the inner surface of the housing 12, reducing the gap between the gas exchange membrane 62 and the housing 12 and suppressing the blood flow along the inner surface of the housing 12. As a result, the blood can easily flow through the entire interior of the laminated structure in the gas exchange membrane 62, and the gas exchange efficiency can be improved by increasing the contact area between the gas exchange membrane 62 and the blood. In particular, in the present embodiment, the compression deformation rate due to the attachment of the gas exchange membrane 62 to the housing 12 is made larger not only at both upper and lower ends in the vertical direction but also at both ends in the direction where the third side wall portions 53, 53 face each other, compared to the central portions in each direction, realizing a stronger fixing force and the like. In the present embodiment, the gas exchange membrane 62 is not compressed at the inner peripheral portion outside the facing surfaces of the second side wall portion 34 and the spacer 64.

[0071] A first resin layer made of a synthetic resin material such as urethane is provided between both upper and lower ends of the gas exchange membrane 62 in the vertical direction and the housing 12. Although such a first resin layer is hidden by the gas exchange membrane 62 and the second resin layer 68 to be described later in FIG. 9, the first resin layer is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surfaces of both upper and lower ends of the gas exchange membrane 62 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the first resin layer is formed in a filled state between the housing 12 and the gas exchange membrane 62. Thereby, both ends of the gas exchange membrane 62 in the tube axis direction (vertical direction) of the hollow fibers constituting the gas exchange membrane 62 are fixed to the housing 12 (the second side wall portion 34, the spacer 64, the third side wall portion 53) by the first resin layer filled over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0072] A second resin layer 68 is interposed between the inner surface of each third side wall portion 53 of the housing 12 and the outer surface of the gas exchange membrane 62 arranged along the inner surface. Preferably, the second resin layer 68 is provided in a filled state between each third side wall portion 53 and the gas exchange membrane 62. The gas exchange membrane 62 is preferably fixed to the housing 12 by the filled second resin layer 68. Note that the upper and lower end portions of the second resin layer 68 may be constituted by the first resin layer, or the portion of the first resin layer located on the inner surface of the third side wall portion 53 may be constituted by the second resin layer 68.

[0073] The temperature regulator 60 and the gas exchange membrane 62 may have different structures and materials. For example, a combination of a temperature regulator 60 made of a metal heat transfer tube 58 and a gas exchange membrane 62 made of synthetic resin hollow fibers can also be adopted. In the present embodiment, both the temperature regulator 60 and the gas exchange membrane 62 are formed of synthetic resin and have substantially the same structure. Note that in FIG. 9, for ease of viewing, the diameter dimensions of the heat transfer tube 58 and the hollow fibers are exaggerated.

[0074] Blood is introduced into both the temperature regulation region 54 and the gas exchange region 56. That is, a blood inlet port 28 communicates with the temperature regulation region 54 and the gas exchange region 56 via an inlet side guide portion 26, and a blood outlet port 40 communicates with them via an outlet side guide portion 38. Then, blood is introduced into the housing 12 from the blood inlet port 28, passes through the temperature regulation region 54 and the gas exchange region 56 in order, and is then led out to the outside from the blood outlet port 40. Blood flows outside the heat transfer tube 58 of the temperature regulator 60 in the temperature regulation region 54, and indirect heat exchange is performed with the temperature regulation fluid through the heat transfer tube 58. Thereby, the blood is heated or cooled to an appropriate temperature. The temperature-regulated blood flows outside the hollow fibers of the gas exchange membrane 62 in the gas exchange region 56, and receives oxygen from the supply gas introduced into the gas flow path 66, which is the lumen of the hollow fibers, and is oxygenated. Note that blood receives oxygen from the gas flow path 66 and discharges carbon dioxide into the gas flow path 66.

[0075] The blood inlet port 28 extends in the left - right direction substantially parallel to the front surface of the gas exchange membrane 62. The blood introduced from the blood inlet port 28 is likely to be dispersed in a wide range in the left - right direction with respect to the gas exchange membrane 62. Therefore, the blood comes into contact with the gas exchange membrane 62 over a wide range, and the gas exchange efficiency is improved. Also, the blood inlet port 28 extends substantially parallel to the temperature regulator 60. The blood introduced from the blood inlet port 28 is likely to be dispersed in a wide range in the left - right direction with respect to the temperature regulator 60. Therefore, the blood comes into contact with the temperature regulator 60 over a wide range, and the temperature regulation of the blood is efficiently performed.

[0076] The blood introduced from the blood inlet port 28 is guided by the inlet - side guide part 26 so as to spread in a diagonal direction from the lower part of one end side in the left - right direction to the upper part of the other end side in the left - right direction of the temperature regulation region 54. Therefore, the blood flows over a wide range in the temperature regulation region 54 and the gas exchange region 56, and the heat exchange and gas exchange of the blood are efficiently realized.

[0077] Since the inlet - side guide fins 32 are provided on the first side wall part 22 where the blood inlet port 28 opens, the blood introduced from the blood inlet port 28 into the temperature regulation region 54 is also guided by the inlet - side guide fins 32 toward the upper part of the other end side in the left - right direction. Therefore, the heat exchange between the blood and the temperature - regulating fluid and the gas exchange between the blood and the supply gas are respectively improved in efficiency.

[0078] Moreover, since the three inlet - side guide fins 32a, 32b, 32c extend obliquely so as to separate from each other as they are away from the blood inlet port 28, the blood is guided to a wider range of the temperature regulation region 54, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved.

[0079] Furthermore, the protruding height of the inlet-side guide fins 32 gradually decreases as it moves away from the blood inlet port 28. As a result, the blood guided by the inlet-side guide fins 32 gradually deviates from the guidance by the inlet-side guide fins 32 and diffuses as it moves away from the blood inlet port 28. Consequently, the blood introduced from the blood inlet port 28 efficiently diffuses and flows into a wide range of the temperature adjustment region 54.

[0080] In this way, the blood inlet port 28 is provided at the lower part of the temperature adjustment region 54, and the blood introduced from the blood inlet port 28 is guided to the upper part of the temperature adjustment region 54 by the inlet-side guide portion 26 and the inlet-side guide fins 32. Therefore, by introducing blood from the blood inlet port 28 into the temperature adjustment region 54, a blood flow is easily formed so that the blood spreads widely within the temperature adjustment region 54.

[0081] Also, since the blood inlet port 28 is located at the lower part of the temperature adjustment region 54, when filling the temperature adjustment region 54 and the gas exchange region 56 with a priming liquid such as physiological saline, the dropping height when the priming liquid enters the temperature adjustment region 54 from the blood inlet port 28 becomes smaller. Therefore, it is difficult for air to be entrained due to dropping, and it is difficult for air to remain in the flowing parts of the blood in the temperature adjustment region 54 and the gas exchange region 56, preventing air bubbles from mixing into the blood.

[0082] The blood that has diffused and been introduced into a wide range of the temperature adjustment region 54 also flows in a wide range in the gas exchange region 56. Therefore, oxygen is efficiently supplied from the supply gas of the gas exchange membrane 62 to the blood, and the carbon dioxide held by the blood is efficiently transferred into the gas exchange membrane 62.

[0083] In the gas exchange region 56, the oxygenated blood is guided to the blood outlet port 40 by the outlet-side guide portion 38. Therefore, the blood located at a position away from the blood outlet port 40 is also easily led out from the blood outlet port 40. As a result, the blood in the gas exchange region 56 is led out from the blood outlet port 40 in a mixed state, and the degree of oxygenation of the blood led out from the blood outlet port 40, in other words, the oxygen partial pressure, becomes stable. In the gas exchange region 56, the oxygen partial pressure is likely to be uneven between the upper part near the gas inlet port 52 and the lower part far from the gas inlet port 52. However, since the upper blood and the lower blood are mixed in the outlet-side guide portion 38, the oxygen partial pressure of the blood led out from the blood outlet port 40 becomes stable.

[0084] The blood outlet port 40 is provided substantially parallel to the blood inlet port 28 and on the opposite side in the left-right direction from the blood inlet port 28. Therefore, the flow of the blood introduced from the blood inlet port 28 and led out from the blood outlet port 40 is smoothly formed. Further, since the inlet pipe connection portion 30 and the outlet pipe connection portion 42 extend in the left-right direction, the protrusion of the inlet pipe connection portion 30 and the outlet pipe connection portion 42 in the front-rear direction is suppressed, and the size of the artificial lung 10 in the front-rear direction is reduced. Moreover, since the tubes connected to the inlet pipe connection portion 30 and the outlet pipe connection portion 42 also extend in the left-right direction, the space required in the front-rear direction in the usage state is reduced.

[0085] Since the outlet-side guide fins 44 are provided on the second side wall portion 34 where the blood outlet port 40 opens, the blood in the gas exchange region 56 is guided to the outlet-side guide portion 38 from a wide range within the gas exchange region 56 by the outlet-side guide fins 44. Therefore, the degree of oxygenation of the blood led out from the blood outlet port 40 becomes stable.

[0086] Moreover, since the five outlet-side guide fins 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, and 44e extend radially and obliquely so as to move away from each other as they move away from the blood outlet port 40, blood is guided from a wider range of the gas exchange region 56 to the outlet-side guide portion 38. Therefore, the degree of oxygenation of the blood led out from the blood outlet port 40 is stabilized.

[0087] Furthermore, the protruding height of the outlet-side guide fins 44 from the second side wall portion 34 is made substantially constant. As a result, the blood guided by the outlet-side guide fins 44 is guided to the outlet-side guide portion 38 without being diffused and is agitated in the outlet-side guide portion 38. Therefore, the oxygen partial pressure in the blood led out from the blood outlet port 40 can be stabilized.

[0088] In this way, the blood outlet port 40 is provided at the upper and lower middle portion of the gas exchange region 56, and the blood in the upper and lower both side portions of the gas exchange region 56 is guided to the blood outlet port 40 by the outlet-side guide portion 38 and the outlet-side guide fins 44. Moreover, since the blood guided from a wide range within the gas exchange region 56 is agitated in the outlet-side guide portion 38 before being led out from the blood outlet port 40, variations in the oxygenation of the blood led out from the blood outlet port 40 are unlikely to occur. In the housing 12 including the inlet-side guide portion 26 and the outlet-side guide portion 38, the agitation of the blood is controlled to such an extent that damage to blood cells does not become a problem by adjusting the shape of the outlet-side guide portion 38, the blood flow rate, and the like.

[0089] Since the blood outlet port 40 opens not at the upper end but at the middle in the vertical direction of the gas exchange region 56, even if bubbles accidentally mix into the blood, the bubbles will float above the opening of the blood outlet port 40 and it is difficult for them to enter the blood outlet port 40.

[0090] In addition, in the state of use of the artificial lung 10, both the blood inlet port 28 and the blood outlet port 40 are located above both the temperature control fluid inlet port 46 and the temperature control fluid outlet port 48. Therefore, even if the temperature control fluid leaks from the temperature control fluid inlet port 46 or the temperature control fluid outlet port 48, it is difficult for the temperature control fluid to touch the blood inlet port 28 and the blood outlet port 40. Accordingly, the blood inlet port 28 and the blood outlet port 40 are kept clean without being contaminated by the temperature control fluid.

[0091] A second resin layer 68 is filled between each third side wall portion 53 of the housing 12 and the gas exchange membrane 62. If there is a gap between the outer surface of the gas exchange membrane 62 and the inner surface of the housing 12 (third side wall portion 53), blood easily flows along the inner surface of the housing 12 through the gap, and as a result, a phenomenon (short path) in which it becomes difficult for blood to flow through the entire inside of the laminated structure in the gas exchange membrane 62 is likely to occur. Therefore, by filling the second resin layer 68 between the third side wall portion 53 and the gas exchange membrane 62, a short path can be prevented. Further, since the second resin layer 68 extends in the flow path length direction of the gas flow path 66 in the gas exchange region 56, the effect of preventing a short path is more exerted. More preferably, the second resin layer 68 is continuously provided over the entire length of the gas exchange membrane 62 in the flow path length direction of the gas flow path 66.

[0092] FIG. 14 shows an artificial lung 70 as a second embodiment of the present invention. The artificial lung 70 includes a housing 72. In the following description, members and parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0093] The housing 72 has a substantially rectangular box shape with a hollow interior. Inside the housing 72, a temperature control region 54 and a gas exchange region 56 are provided side by side in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 14). The temperature control region 54 houses a temperature controller 60 composed of a number of heat transfer tubes 58 extending in the vertical direction (up-down direction in FIG. 14). The gas exchange region 56 houses a gas exchange membrane 62 composed of a number of hollow fibers extending in the vertical direction.

[0094] On the upper wall portion of the housing 72, a gas inlet port 52 and a temperature control fluid inlet port 46 that penetrate vertically and protrude upward are provided. On the lower wall portion of the housing 72, a gas outlet port 50 that penetrates vertically and a temperature control fluid outlet port 48 that penetrates vertically and protrudes downward are provided.

[0095] Both upper and lower ends of the gas exchange membrane 62 in the vertical direction are fixed to the housing 72 by the first resin layer 73. That is, the first resin layer 73 is filled and provided between the gas exchange membrane 62 and the upper wall portion (lid member 20) of the housing 72, and between the gas exchange membrane 62 and the lower wall portion (bottom member 18) of the housing 72, respectively. Thus, similar to the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces of both upper and lower ends of the gas exchange membrane 62 are fixed to the housing 72, and a decrease in gas exchange efficiency due to a blood short circuit is avoided. Note that, as shown in FIG. 14, since the first resin layer 73 is provided at both upper and lower ends of the gas exchange membrane 62 in the vertical direction, smooth blood flow is realized at the central portion in the vertical direction of the gas exchange membrane 62 from which the first resin layer 73 has been removed.

[0096] Although hidden by the gas exchange membrane 62 and the first resin layer 73 in FIG. 14, a second resin layer is interposed between the inner surface of the third side wall portion 53 of the housing 72 and the outer surface of the gas exchange membrane 62, preferably in a filled state covering the entire surface, similar to the first embodiment. Thereby, the space between the outer surface of the gas exchange membrane 62 and the inner surface of the third side wall portion 53 is in a fixed state without a gap, and a decrease in gas exchange efficiency due to a blood short circuit along the inner surface of the third side wall portion 53 is avoided.

[0097] A tapered inlet-side guide portion 26 is provided with respect to the first side wall portion 22 that constitutes one of the front-rear direction wall portions of the peripheral wall portion of the housing 72, and a blood inlet port 28 is provided at the apex portion of the inlet-side guide portion 26. The blood inlet port 28 is provided so as to penetrate the first side wall portion 22 and includes a cylindrical inlet pipe connection portion 30 that protrudes from the first side wall portion 22. The blood inlet port 28 is provided at the central portion in the vertical direction of the first side wall portion 22.

[0098] A tapered outlet-side guide portion 38 is provided with respect to a second side wall portion 34 that constitutes the other wall portion in the front-rear direction in the peripheral wall of the housing 72, and a blood outlet port 40 is provided at the apex portion of the outlet-side guide portion 38. The blood outlet port 40 is provided so as to penetrate the second side wall portion 34 and includes a cylindrical outlet pipe connection portion 42 that protrudes from the second side wall portion 34. The blood outlet port 40 is provided at the central portion in the vertical direction in the second side wall portion 34.

[0099] An inlet-side tube 74 is connected to the blood inlet port 28. The inlet-side tube 74 slopes upward toward the blood inlet port 28. The inlet-side tube 74 is curved so as to gradually approach horizontally toward the blood inlet port 28. An outlet-side tube 76 is connected to the blood outlet port 40. The outlet-side tube 76 slopes upward toward the blood outlet port 40. The outlet-side tube 76 is curved so as to gradually approach horizontally toward the blood outlet port 40.

[0100] Then, blood is introduced from the inlet-side tube 74 into the housing 72 through the blood inlet port 28, and is led out from the housing 72 to the outlet-side tube 76 through the blood outlet port 40. The blood is temperature-controlled and oxygenated in a temperature control region and a gas exchange region (not shown) in the housing 72.

[0101] Since the inlet-side tube 74 slopes upward toward the blood inlet port 28, it is easier for blood to flow obliquely upward from the blood inlet port 28 into the housing 72. As a result, blood sufficiently flows in the upper part of the housing 72 where it is difficult for blood to flow due to the action of gravity, and temperature control and oxygenation by gas exchange are realized in a wide range in the housing 72.

[0102] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the inlet-side tube 74 is inclined upward in a curved shape (curvature radius ri) that bulges upward, in the pipe line from the inlet-side tube 74 to the blood inlet port 28, the flow velocity is higher on the outer peripheral side of the curve where the flow path length is longer than on the inner peripheral side of the curve. As a result, the flow velocity of the blood flowing into the housing 72 from the blood inlet port 28 is faster above than below. Also by this, blood can flow sufficiently in the upper part of the housing 72, and oxygenation by substantially uniform gas exchange can be realized in the housing 72.

[0103] Moreover, since the inner peripheral surface of the tip opening of the blood inlet port 28 is a tapered guide surface, the flow velocity distribution developed in the inlet-side tube 74 can maintain a substantially laminar flow state in the tube and can act more efficiently on the blood inlet port 28 and thus on the housing 72.

[0104] Furthermore, the blood outlet port 40 and the outlet-side tube 76 also have the same structure as the above-described blood inlet port 28 and inlet-side tube 74. That is, the outlet-side tube 76 is inclined downward in a curved shape (curvature radius ro) that bulges upward, and the inner peripheral surface of the tip opening of the blood outlet port 40 is a tapered guide surface. Therefore, a relatively larger blood flow velocity above than below in the housing 72 can also be actively realized by the blood discharge-side flow path.

[0105] Also, since the flow velocity tends to increase in the upper part of the housing 72 near the gas inlet port 52, oxygenation is promptly achieved in the upper part where the gas exchange efficiency is relatively high, and sufficient oxygenation is achieved by a gentle flow in the lower part where the gas exchange efficiency is relatively low.

[0106] Since the inlet-side tube 74 and the outlet-side tube 76 are in a curved shape, it is easy to connect to the inlet pipe connection portion 30 of the blood inlet port 28 and the outlet pipe connection portion 42 of the blood outlet port 40 that project in the front-rear direction, and blood can be made to flow obliquely upward into the housing 72.

[0107] As described above in detail, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the specific descriptions thereof. For example, the structure of the housing 12 is not necessarily limited to a structure combining a peripheral wall, a lower wall, and an upper wall that are independent of each other. Specifically, the peripheral wall and the lower wall may be integrally formed, and the lower wall may have a two-part structure similar to the peripheral wall. Further, for example, the inlet-side guide portion 26 and the outlet-side guide portion 38 on the peripheral wall can also be made into separate parts respectively.

[0108] The housing is not necessarily limited to a flat shape. For example, it may have a shape without a minor axis direction such as a hollow cube. Further, the housing is not limited to a hollow rectangular box shape, and may be, for example, a hollow disc shape. In the housing, the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion facing each other are side walls located on both sides in the blood flow direction in the housing, and since a heat transfer tube or the like is accommodated and arranged in the housing, they do not necessarily face each other directly. Also, the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion do not necessarily need to be parallel to each other, nor do they need to have a symmetrical shape with respect to each other.

[0109] In the temperature regulator 60, a heat transfer tube 80 having a structure as shown in FIG. 15 can also be employed. The heat transfer tube 80 has a structure in which a stirring plate 82 is inserted into the inner cavity. The stirring plate 82 is an elongated plate material and has a corrugated plate shape in which a plurality of waveforms are continuously provided in the longitudinal direction. The stirring plate 82 is inserted into the inner cavity of the heat transfer tube 80. Then, the temperature-regulating fluid flowing through the inner cavity of the heat transfer tube 80 generates a turbulent flow by the stirring plate 82, and the temperature in the heat transfer tube 80 is averaged by stirring the temperature-regulating fluid. Thereby, more efficient heat exchange can be realized. The heat transfer tube 80 and the stirring plate 82 having the structure shown in FIG. 15 are preferably made of a synthetic resin such as polyurethane, nylon, PET, or a metal such as stainless steel.

[0110] The wavy shape of the stirring plate is not limited to only the shape where the curved waveforms are continuous. For example, it may be a shape that forms corners at multiple locations and bends in a zigzag manner, or it may be a shape where multiple groove-shaped cross-sections are continuous. In short, the stirring plate is, for example, configured to generate a turbulent flow in the temperature control fluid by having unevenness on its surface that intersects the flow direction of the temperature control fluid flowing through the heat transfer tube.

[0111] For example, a temperature detection port for inserting a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of blood, a sampling port for taking out blood, etc. can also be additionally provided on the housing 12, blood inlet port 28, blood outlet port 40, etc.

[0112] The orientation of the artificial lung 10 described in the above embodiment is the orientation in the usage state. For example, it is also possible to perform priming before use in a different orientation. Therefore, outside the usage state of performing extracorporeal circulation on a patient, the positions of each port 28, 40, 46, 48, 50, 52, etc. are not particularly limited.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0113] 10 Artificial lung 12 Housing 14 First wall member 16 Second wall member 18 Bottom member 20 Lid member 22 First side wall portion 24 First connecting wall portion 26 Inlet side guiding portion 28 Blood inlet port 30 Inlet pipeline connection portion 32 Inlet side guide fin 33 Locking portion 34 Second side wall portion 36 Second connecting wall portion 38 Outlet side guiding portion 40 Blood outlet port 42 Outlet pipeline connection portion 44 Outlet side guide fin 45 Locking claw portion 46 Temperature control fluid inlet port 48 Temperature control fluid outlet port 50 Gas outlet port 52 Gas inlet port 53 Third side wall part 54 Temperature control region 56 Gas exchange region 58 Heat transfer tube 60 Temperature regulator 62 Gas exchange membrane 64 Spacer 66 Gas flow path 68 Second resin layer 70 Artificial lung 72 Housing 73 First resin layer 74 Inlet side tube 76 Outlet side tube 80 Heat transfer tube 82 Stirring plate

Claims

1. a housing having a gas exchange area therein; a gas exchange membrane that is accommodated in the gas exchange region of the housing and forms a gas flow path; a gas inlet port for introducing a feed gas comprising oxygen into the gas flow path; a gas outlet port for discharging exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide from the gas flow path; a blood inlet port for introducing blood into the gas exchange region of the housing; a blood outlet port for conducting blood from the gas exchange region of the housing; In use, The gas inlet port is provided in a top wall of the housing; the gas outlet port is provided in a lower wall of the housing; the blood inlet port is provided in a first side wall of the housing, and the blood outlet port is provided in a second side wall of the housing opposite the first side wall, the blood outlet port is located at a vertically intermediate portion of the second side wall of the housing; the second side wall portion of the housing in which the blood outlet port is provided is provided with a tapered outlet side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port; The oxygenator has an outlet side guide fin protruding from the inner surface of the second side wall portion, the outlet side guide fin extending toward the opening of the blood outlet port and guiding blood toward the opening of the blood outlet port.

2. a housing having a gas exchange area therein; a gas exchange membrane that is accommodated in the gas exchange region of the housing and forms a gas flow path; a gas inlet port for introducing a feed gas comprising oxygen into the gas flow path; a gas outlet port for discharging exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide from the gas flow path; a blood inlet port for introducing blood into the gas exchange region of the housing; a blood outlet port for conducting blood from the gas exchange region of the housing; In use, The gas inlet port is provided in a top wall of the housing; the gas outlet port is provided in a lower wall of the housing; the blood inlet port is provided in a lower portion of a first side wall of the housing, and the blood outlet port is provided in a second side wall of the housing opposite the first side wall, the blood outlet port is located at a vertically intermediate portion of the second side wall of the housing; the second side wall portion of the housing in which the blood outlet port is provided is provided with a tapered outlet side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port; The blood inlet port extends parallel to the front surface of the gas exchange membrane, and the blood inlet port is connected to the gas exchange region via a tapered inlet side guide portion provided in the first side wall portion.

3. a housing having a gas exchange area therein; a gas exchange membrane that is accommodated in the gas exchange region of the housing and forms a gas flow path; a gas inlet port for introducing a feed gas comprising oxygen into the gas flow path; a gas outlet port for discharging exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide from the gas flow path; a blood inlet port for introducing blood into the gas exchange region of the housing; a blood outlet port for conducting blood from the gas exchange region of the housing; In use, The gas inlet port is provided in a top wall of the housing; the gas outlet port is provided in a lower wall of the housing; the blood inlet port is provided in a lower portion of a first side wall of the housing, and the blood outlet port is provided in a second side wall of the housing opposite the first side wall, the blood outlet port is located at a vertically intermediate portion of the second side wall of the housing; the second side wall portion of the housing in which the blood outlet port is provided is provided with a tapered outlet side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port; The blood outlet port extends parallel to the rear surface of the gas exchange membrane, and the blood outlet port is connected to the gas exchange region via the outlet side guide portion provided in the second side wall portion.

4. 4. The artificial lung according to claim 3, wherein the blood inlet port extends parallel to the front surface of the gas exchange membrane, and the blood inlet port is connected to the gas exchange region via a tapered inlet side guide portion provided in the first side wall portion.

5. a housing having a gas exchange area therein; a gas exchange membrane that is accommodated in the gas exchange region of the housing and forms a gas flow path; a gas inlet port for introducing a feed gas comprising oxygen into the gas flow path; a gas outlet port for discharging exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide from the gas flow path; a blood inlet port for introducing blood into the gas exchange region of the housing; a blood outlet port for conducting blood from the gas exchange region of the housing; In use, The gas inlet port is provided in a top wall of the housing; the gas outlet port is provided in a lower wall of the housing; the blood inlet port is provided in a lower portion of a first side wall of the housing, and the blood outlet port is provided in a second side wall of the housing opposite the first side wall, the blood outlet port is located at a vertically intermediate portion of the second side wall of the housing; the second side wall portion of the housing in which the blood outlet port is provided is provided with a tapered outlet side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port; An artificial lung, wherein the blood inlet port is provided at one horizontal end of the first side wall portion, and the blood outlet port is provided at the other horizontal end of the second side wall portion, in a direction parallel to the front surface of the gas exchange membrane.

6. a housing having a gas exchange area therein; a gas exchange membrane that is accommodated in the gas exchange region of the housing and forms a gas flow path; a gas inlet port for introducing a feed gas comprising oxygen into the gas flow path; a gas outlet port for discharging exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide from the gas flow path; a blood inlet port for introducing blood into the gas exchange region of the housing; a blood outlet port for conducting blood from the gas exchange region of the housing; In use, The gas inlet port is provided in a top wall of the housing; the gas outlet port is provided in a lower wall of the housing; the blood inlet port is provided in a first side wall of the housing, and the blood outlet port is provided in a second side wall of the housing opposite the first side wall, the blood outlet port is located at a vertically intermediate portion of the second side wall of the housing; the second side wall portion of the housing in which the blood outlet port is provided is provided with a tapered outlet side guide portion converging toward the blood outlet port; the blood inlet port is located in a lower portion of the first sidewall; The oxygenator has an inlet guide fin protruding from the inner surface of the first side wall portion on which the blood inlet port is provided, the inlet guide fin extending upward from the opening of the blood inlet port.

7. 7. The artificial lung according to claim 1, wherein the gas exchange membrane is compressed between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion and fixed to the housing.

8. A temperature control region is provided inside the housing, and a temperature controller for adjusting the temperature of blood is disposed in the temperature control region. The temperature controller is compressed between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion and fixed to the housing. The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Inside the housing, a temperature control region for adjusting the temperature of blood is provided. A temperature control fluid inlet port for introducing a temperature control fluid into the temperature control region is provided in the housing, and a temperature control fluid outlet port for discharging the temperature control fluid from the temperature control region is provided in the housing. In a use state, the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port are located above both the temperature control fluid inlet port and the temperature control fluid outlet port. The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The housing has a flat shape having a minor axis direction, and a temperature control region for adjusting the temperature of blood provided inside the housing is arranged side by side with respect to the gas exchange region in the minor axis direction of the housing. The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A plurality of heat transfer tubes are provided in a temperature control region for adjusting the temperature of blood provided inside the housing, and corrugated stirring plates that undulate in the length direction are inserted into the inner cavities of these heat transfer tubes. The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The housing includes a third side wall portion that extends in the length direction of the gas flow path, and includes a first resin layer that fixes both end portions of the outer peripheral surface of the gas exchange membrane to the housing, and a second resin layer interposed between the third side wall portion and the gas exchange membrane. The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The second resin layer is provided to extend in the length direction of the gas flow path in the gas exchange region. The artificial lung according to claim 12.

Images