artificial lung

Abstract

This artificial lung (1) comprises: a body part (10) which is connected to a blood inflow passage (61) and a blood outflow passage (62) and which is to be filled with blood; a heat exchange part (20) which is disposed inside the body part and through which a thermal fluid is passed so as to regulate the temperature of the blood; a gas exchange part (30) which is disposed inside the body part and through which gas is circulated so as to conduct gas exchange with blood; and a thermal fluid inlet-side chamber (40) that is disposed so as to cover at least a portion of the gas outflow passage and to be provided to an end of the body part on the side of the gas outflow passage (66) so as to be connected with the heat exchange part, and that creates a flow, of the thermal fluid, crossing the central axis of the body part in a side view.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an artificial lung. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In a hollow fiber membrane type artificial lung (hereinafter referred to as an artificial lung), oxygen flows inside the hollow fibers, blood flows outside the hollow fiber membrane, and gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is performed through the hollow fibers. 【0003】 In such an artificial lung, when the room temperature is lower than the temperature of the blood, the gas flowing through the inside of the artificial lung is heated and humidified by the blood, flows out from the end of the hollow fiber, and is cooled near the end at that time. Therefore, a so-called wet lung phenomenon in which water vapor in the gas condenses may occur. The water generated by condensation may partially block the hollow fibers, making it difficult for gas to flow and potentially preventing suitable gas exchange. 【0004】 In order to prevent this wet lung phenomenon, Patent Document 1 discloses an artificial lung device characterized by providing a blood heat exchanger at the gas outlet opening. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-170169 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0006】 However, in the artificial lung device of Patent Document 1, since the blood heat exchanger 3 is added outside the housing 5, there is a concern that the structure becomes complex and the pressure loss of the heat fluid increases, and there is also a concern that the entire device becomes large-sized. 【0007】 The present invention was made to solve the above problems and aims to provide an artificial lung that can prevent the occurrence of the wet lung phenomenon, further reduce the pressure loss of the thermal fluid, and allow for miniaturization of the device. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 An artificial lung that achieves the above objective comprises a main body filled with blood and communicating with a blood inflow passage and a blood outflow passage; a heat exchange section that adjusts the temperature of the blood by the flow of a thermal fluid; a gas exchange section that exchanges gas with the blood by the flow of gas; and a first thermal fluid chamber provided at the gas outflow passage end of the main body so as to communicate with the heat exchange section and so as to cover at least a part of the gas outflow passage, which creates a flow of the thermal fluid that crosses the central axis of the main body in a side view, with the heat exchange section and the gas exchange section housed in the main body. The gas outlet passage is configured to protrude from the first thermal fluid chamber, and the first thermal fluid chamber extends circumferentially outward from the main body. [Effects of the Invention] 【0009】 In the artificial lung configured as described above, a first thermal fluid side chamber is provided, which is positioned to cover at least a portion of the gas outlet passage. As a result, the thermal fluid flowing through the heat exchange section can heat the gas outlet passage. Therefore, the occurrence of the wet lung phenomenon can be prevented. Furthermore, the first thermal fluid chamber creates a flow of thermal fluid that crosses the central axis of the main body when viewed from the side, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the thermal fluid. In addition, since the heat exchange section and the gas exchange section are housed in the main body, the device can be miniaturized. Thus, it is possible to provide an artificial lung that can prevent the occurrence of the wet lung phenomenon, further reduce the pressure loss of the thermal fluid, and allow for a miniaturized device. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0010】 [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing an artificial lung according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an artificial lung according to this embodiment. [Figure 3]This figure corresponds to Figure 2 of the artificial lung in the comparative example. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the effects of the artificial lung according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure corresponds to Figure 2 of the modified artificial lung. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0011】 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that the following description does not limit the technical scope or the meaning of terms described in the claims. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual ratios. 【0012】 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the artificial lung 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the artificial lung 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 2 of an artificial lung 90 according to a comparative example. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the effect of the artificial lung 1 according to this embodiment. 【0013】 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the artificial lung 1 according to this embodiment includes a main body 10 into which blood is filled, a heat exchange unit 20 for adjusting the temperature of the blood, a gas exchange unit 30 for exchanging gas with the blood, a thermal fluid inlet chamber (corresponding to the first thermal fluid chamber) 40 provided at the end of the main body 10 on the gas outlet passage 66 side, and a thermal fluid outlet chamber (corresponding to the second thermal fluid chamber) 50 provided at the end of the main body 10 on the gas inlet passage 65 side. 【0014】 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 10 is fitted with a blood inlet passage 61 and a blood outlet passage 62, a thermal fluid inlet passage 63 and a thermal fluid outlet passage 64, and a gas inlet passage 65 and a gas outlet passage 66. 【0015】 The main body 10 has a flow path 11 that communicates with the blood inflow passage 61. The main body 10 also has a flow path 12 that communicates with the blood outflow passage 62. 【0016】 The main body part 10 is cylindrical as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is not limited thereto and may be square. 【0017】 As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchange part 20 is provided inside the main body part 10. In the heat exchange part 20, the temperature of the blood is adjusted by the heat fluid flowing through the inside. The heat exchange part 20 extends in a tubular shape. 【0018】 The heat exchange part 20 is housed in the main body part 10. 【0019】 As shown in FIG. 2, the gas exchange part 30 is provided adjacent to the heat exchange part 20 in the radial direction and extends in a tubular shape around the heat exchange part 20. 【0020】 The gas exchange part 30 is housed in the main body part 10. 【0021】 As shown in FIG. 2, a partition wall 70 is disposed between the heat exchange part 20 and the gas exchange part 30. The material constituting the partition wall 70 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a resin having biocompatibility. A hole 71 for the blood to move from the heat exchange part 20 to the gas exchange part 30 is formed in the partition wall 70. 【0022】 The blood introduced through the blood inflow path 61 fills the inside of the main body part 10, and after the temperature is adjusted in the heat exchange part 20, it moves to the gas exchange part 30 through the hole 71 of the partition wall 70, and gas exchange is performed in the gas exchange part 30 (see the arrows in FIG. 2). After gas exchange is performed in the gas exchange part 30, the blood flows out to the outside through the blood outflow path 62 (see the arrows in FIG. 2). 【0023】 Hereinafter, the configuration of the heat exchange part 20 will be described in detail. 【0024】 As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchange part 20 is composed of a bundle of a plurality of hollow resin tubes 21. The blood passes through the heat exchange part 20 through the gaps between the plurality of resin tubes 21. That is, the blood flows outside the resin tubes 21. 【0025】 The resin tube 21 extends in a substantially straight line along the axial direction (up and down direction in Figure 2) of the main body 10. The resin tube 21 communicates with the heat fluid inlet chamber 40 at one end (the lower end in Figure 2) and with the heat fluid outlet chamber 50 at the other end (the upper end in Figure 2). A urethane layer 22 is provided at one end of the resin tube 21 (the lower end in Figure 2). A urethane layer 23 is provided at the upper end of the resin tube 21 (the upper end in Figure 2). 【0026】 The thermal fluid is introduced from the thermal fluid inlet passage 63 and flows across the central axis (not shown) of the main body 10 in a side view. Specifically, in Figure 2, it first flows circumferentially inside the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40. After the thermal fluid fills the circumferentially, it flows in a ring shape inside the resin tube 21 toward the thermal fluid outlet passage 64 (upper side of Figure 2). After flowing inside the resin tube 21, the thermal fluid flows through the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 and is discharged to the outside through the thermal fluid outlet passage 64. 【0027】 The blood flowing around the outer circumference of the resin tube 21 exchanges heat with the thermal fluid flowing inside the resin tube 21. The thermal fluid is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be hot water adjusted to a predetermined temperature. 【0028】 Both ends of the resin tube 21 are positioned to be fixed by the urethane layers 22 and 23. 【0029】 Next, the configuration of the gas exchange unit 30 will be described in detail. 【0030】 As shown in Figure 2, the gas exchange section 30 is composed of bundles of multiple hollow fibers 31. Blood passes through the gas exchange section 30 through the gaps between the multiple hollow fibers 31. In other words, the blood flows around the outer circumference of the hollow fibers 31. 【0031】 The hollow fiber 31 extends in a substantially straight line along the axial direction (up and down direction in Figure 2) of the main body 10. The hollow fiber 31 communicates with the gas outlet passage 66 at one end (lower side in Figure 2) and with the gas inlet passage 65 at the other end (upper side in Figure 2). A urethane layer 32 is placed at one end of the hollow fiber 31 (lower end in Figure 2). A urethane layer 33 is placed at the other end of the hollow fiber 31 (upper end in Figure 2). 【0032】 Gas is introduced through the gas inlet passage 65 and flows inside the hollow fiber 31. Tiny pores are formed in the peripheral wall of the hollow fiber 31 that communicate with the interior. When blood comes into contact with the hollow fiber 31, oxygen contained in the gas flowing inside the hollow fiber 31 is taken into the blood through these tiny pores. At the same time, carbon dioxide in the blood is taken into the hollow fiber 31, and gas exchange takes place. After flowing inside the hollow fiber 31, the gas is discharged to the outside through the gas outlet passage 66. 【0033】 Both ends of the hollow fiber 31 are positioned to be fixed by the urethane layers 32 and 33. 【0034】 After the blood has been properly temperature-controlled and gas-exchanged in the heat exchange section 20 and the gas exchange section 30, it flows out to the outside through the blood outflow passage 62. 【0035】 Next, the configuration of the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 will be described in detail. 【0036】 As shown in Figure 2, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 is provided at the end of the main body 10 on the gas outlet passage 66 side, so as to be in communication with the heat exchange section 20. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 is positioned to cover a portion of the gas outlet passage 66. 【0037】 The thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 is configured in a ring shape in Figure 2. The thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 is fixed to the main body 10. The method of fixing the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 to the main body 10 is not particularly limited. A thermal fluid inlet passage 63 is formed in the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40. 【0038】 As shown in Figure 2, the thermal fluid inlet passage 63 is not located in the region on the axial extension of the heat exchange section 20 from the thermal fluid inlet end of the heat exchange section 20. With this configuration, as will be described later, it is possible to suitably create a thermal fluid flow that crosses the central axis of the main body 10. 【0039】 Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 extends circumferentially outward from the main body 10 and is positioned to cover the urethane layer 32 located on the gas outlet passage 66 side of the gas exchange section 30. The thermal fluid inlet chamber can cover the urethane layer directly or indirectly, and in Figure 2, it is positioned to cover it via the wall surface of the main body. 【0040】 With the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 configured in this way, it is positioned to cover a portion of the gas outlet passage 66 and the urethane layer 32. As a result, the thermal fluid flowing in through the thermal fluid inlet passage 63 heats the gas outlet passage 66 and the urethane layer 32. Therefore, the wet lung phenomenon occurring near the gas outlet passage 66 and the urethane layer 32 can be effectively prevented. 【0041】 In the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40, a gas outlet passage 66 is configured to protrude from a hole 45 formed at the bottom of Figure 2. The hole 45 and the gas outlet passage 66 of the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 are sealed with an adhesive (not shown), thereby creating a liquid-tight and airtight seal inside the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40. 【0042】 The thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 creates a thermal fluid flow that traverses the central axis of the main body 10 when viewed from the side (see arrow A in Figure 4). 【0043】 Next, the configuration of the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 will be described in detail. 【0044】 As shown in Figure 2, the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 is provided at the end of the main body 10 on the gas inlet passage 65 side, in communication with the heat exchange section 20. The thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 is positioned to cover the gas inlet passage 65 into which the gas flows. 【0045】 The thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 is configured in a ring shape in Figure 2. The thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 is fixed to the main body 10. The method of fixing the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 to the main body 10 is not particularly limited. A thermal fluid outflow passage 64 is formed in the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50. 【0046】 As shown in Figure 2, the thermal fluid outlet passage 64 is not located in the region on the axial extension of the heat exchange section 20 from the thermal fluid outlet end of the heat exchange section 20. With this configuration, as will be described later, it is possible to suitably create a thermal fluid flow that crosses the central axis of the main body 10. 【0047】 The thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 creates a thermal fluid flow that crosses the central axis of the main body 10 when viewed from the side (see arrow C in Figure 4). 【0048】 Here, for example, as shown in Figure 3, if the thermal fluid inlet chamber 93 does not cover the gas outlet passage 66 and the thermal fluid outlet chamber 94 does not cover the gas inlet passage 65, the spatial area of ​​the thermal fluid inlet chamber 93 and the thermal fluid outlet chamber 94 becomes narrower compared to the artificial lung 1 according to this embodiment. As a result, in the first path A and the second path B through which the thermal fluid flows, the flow resistance of the second path B is greater than that of the first path A, so the thermal fluid preferentially flows through the first path A. Therefore, in the case of the artificial lung 90 according to the comparative example, the efficiency of heat exchange in the heat exchange section 20 is reduced. Furthermore, because the fluid resistance of the entire thermal fluid flow path is large, the flow rate of the thermal fluid decreases, and the efficiency of heat exchange is reduced. 【0049】 In contrast, according to the artificial lung 1 of this embodiment, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 covers the gas outlet passage 66, and the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 covers the gas inlet passage 65. Therefore, compared to the second path B shown in Figure 4, the flow resistance in the first path A and the third path C is smaller, and the thermal fluid flows evenly in a ring shape through the second path B. As a result, the efficiency of heat exchange in the heat exchange section 20 is improved. Furthermore, because the flow resistance of the entire thermal fluid flow path is small, the flow rate of the thermal fluid increases, and the efficiency of heat exchange is improved. 【0050】 As described above, the artificial lung 1 according to this embodiment includes a main body 10 that is filled with blood and communicates with a blood inlet passage 61 and a blood outlet passage 62, a heat exchange section 20 that adjusts the temperature of the blood by the flow of a thermal fluid, a gas exchange section 30 that exchanges gas with the blood by the flow of gas, and a thermal fluid inlet side chamber 40 that is provided at the end of the main body 10 on the gas outlet passage 66 side, communicating with the heat exchange section 20 and positioned to cover a part of the gas outlet passage 66, and which creates a flow of thermal fluid that crosses the central axis of the main body 10 in a side view. The heat exchange section 20 and the gas exchange section 30 are housed in the main body 10. With the artificial lung 1 configured in this way, since the thermal fluid inlet side chamber 40 is provided to cover the gas outlet passage 66, the gas outlet passage 66 can be heated by the thermal fluid flowing through the heat exchange section 20. Therefore, the occurrence of the wet lung phenomenon that occurs in the gas outlet passage 66 can be prevented. Furthermore, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 creates a thermal fluid flow that traverses the central axis of the main body 10 in a side view, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the thermal fluid. Also, since the heat exchange section 20 and the gas exchange section 30 are housed in the main body 10, the device can be miniaturized. Thus, it is possible to provide an artificial lung 1 that can prevent the occurrence of the wet lung phenomenon, further reduce the pressure loss of the thermal fluid, and allow for a miniaturized device. 【0051】 Furthermore, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 has a thermal fluid inlet passage 63, and the thermal fluid inlet passage 63 is not located in the region on the axial extension of the heat exchange section 20 from the thermal fluid inlet end of the heat exchange section 20. With the artificial lung 1 configured in this way, a suitable flow of thermal fluid traversing the central axis of the main body 10 can be created in the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40. 【0052】 Furthermore, the artificial lung 1 has a heat fluid outlet chamber 50 located at the end of the main body 10 on the gas inlet passage 65 side, which is in communication with the heat exchange section 20 and is positioned to cover the gas inlet passage 65. This chamber creates a flow of thermal fluid that, in a side view, crosses the central axis of the main body 10. With the artificial lung 1 configured in this way, the flow resistance of the thermal fluid can be reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange in the heat exchange section 20. 【0053】 Furthermore, the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 has a thermal fluid outflow passage 64, and the thermal fluid outflow passage 64 is not located in the region on the axial extension of the heat exchange section 20 from the thermal fluid outflow end of the heat exchange section 20. With the artificial lung 1 configured in this way, a suitable flow of thermal fluid traversing the central axis of the main body 10 can be created in the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50. 【0054】 Furthermore, the main body 10 has a roughly cylindrical shape. With the artificial lung 1 configured in this way, the pressure loss of the thermal fluid can be reduced. 【0055】 Furthermore, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 extends radially outward from the main body 10 and is positioned to cover the urethane layer 32 located on the gas outlet passage 66 side of the gas exchange section 30. With the artificial lung 1 configured in this way, the urethane layer 32 can be heated by the thermal fluid, thereby more effectively preventing the wet lung phenomenon that occurs near the urethane layer 32. 【0056】 Furthermore, the heat exchange section 20 and the gas exchange section 30 are arranged adjacent to each other along the radial direction. With the artificial lung 1 configured in this way, heat exchange and gas exchange can be performed efficiently, and the size of the artificial lung 1 can be reduced. 【0057】 Although the artificial lung according to the present invention has been described above through embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments and modifications, and can be modified as appropriate based on the claims. 【0058】 For example, in the embodiment described above, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 40 is configured to extend circumferentially outward from the main body 10 and is positioned to cover the urethane layer 32 located on the gas outlet passage 66 side of the gas exchange section 30. However, in the modified artificial lung 2, the thermal fluid inlet chamber 140 may be configured to have the same outer diameter as the main body 10, as shown in Figure 5. In this case, since it is not necessary to seal the inside of the thermal fluid inlet chamber 140 with the adhesive described above, the inside of the thermal fluid inlet chamber 140 can be more preferably sealed in a liquid-tight and airtight manner. Furthermore, the size of the artificial lung 2 can be made more compact compared to the artificial lung 1 according to the embodiment described above. 【0059】 Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 is positioned to cover the gas inlet passage 65, but the thermal fluid outlet chamber 50 may be positioned so as not to cover the gas inlet passage 65 (see thermal fluid outlet chamber 94 in Figure 3). 【0060】 Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the heat exchange section 20 and the gas exchange section 30 were arranged adjacent to each other along the radial direction, but the heat exchange section and the gas exchange section do not necessarily have to be arranged adjacent to each other along the radial direction. 【0061】 This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-201764, filed on December 4, 2020, the disclosures of which are cited in their entirety by reference. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0062】 1, 2 Artificial lung, 10 Main body, 20 heat exchange section, 30 Gas exchange section, 22, 23, 32, 33 Urethane layer, 40, 140 Thermal fluid inlet chamber (first thermal fluid chamber), 50. Thermal fluid outlet side chamber (second thermal fluid chamber), 61 Blood inflow tract, 62 blood outflow tract, 63 Thermal fluid inlet channel, 64 Thermal fluid outlet, 65 Gas inlet, 66. Gas outlet.

Claims

[Claim 1] A main body that is filled with blood and is connected to the blood inflow and blood outflow passages, A heat exchange unit that adjusts the temperature of the blood by the flow of a thermal fluid, A gas exchange unit that performs gas exchange with the blood by circulating gas, The main body portion includes a first thermal fluid chamber provided at the end on the gas outlet side, which is in communication with the heat exchange portion and is positioned to cover at least a portion of the gas outlet, creating a flow of thermal fluid that, in a side view, traverses the central axis of the main body portion. The heat exchange section and the gas exchange section are housed in the main body. The gas outlet passage is configured to protrude from the first thermal fluid chamber, and the first thermal fluid chamber extends circumferentially outward from the main body portion of the artificial lung. [Claim 2] The first thermal fluid chamber has holes formed in it. The gas outlet passage is configured to protrude from the hole, The artificial lung according to claim 1, wherein the space between the hole and the gas outlet is sealed with an adhesive, thereby sealing the first thermal fluid chamber in a liquid-tight and airtight manner. [Claim 3] The artificial lung according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first thermal fluid chamber is configured in a ring shape. [Claim 4] The first thermal fluid chamber has a thermal fluid inlet passage for the thermal fluid, The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat fluid inflow passage is not located in the region on the axial extension line of the heat exchange section from the heat fluid inflow end of the heat exchange section. [Claim 5] The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second thermal fluid chamber provided at the end of the main body on the gas inlet side, communicating with the heat exchange section and positioned to cover at least a portion of the gas inlet, which creates a flow of thermal fluid that, in a side view, crosses the central axis of the main body. [Claim 6] The second thermal fluid chamber has a thermal fluid outflow passage for the thermal fluid, The artificial lung according to claim 5, wherein the heat fluid outlet passage is not located in the region on the axial extension line of the heat exchange section from the heat fluid outlet end of the heat exchange section. [Claim 7] The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main body is substantially cylindrical. [Claim 8] The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first thermal fluid chamber extends radially outward from the main body and is arranged to cover the urethane layer located on the gas outlet side of the gas exchange section. [Claim 9] The artificial lung according to claim 5, wherein the first thermal fluid chamber and / or the second thermal fluid chamber have the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the main body. [Claim 10] The artificial lung according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heat exchange section and the gas exchange section are arranged adjacent to each other along the radial direction.

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