Integrated Bio-Artificial Liver System with Multi-Mode Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial liver systems have limited functionality, primarily focused on toxin removal, which is insufficient for managing the complex needs of patients with severe liver failure, leading to increased costs, physical burden, and psychological stress for patients, as well as operational challenges for technicians.
Innovation Solution
A combined bio-artificial liver support system is developed, comprising interconnected branch tubes with multiple functions, including plasma separation, non-biological and biological purification, and temperature regulation, facilitated by a three-way device that allows for switching between different modes and adjusting integrated functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate machines are used to handle different purification functions, then each machine can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases, patient physical burden increases, and operational difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple purification functions (non-biological purification with plasma perfusion device and bilirubin adsorber, biological purification with hepatocyte culture cartridge assembly) into a single integrated artificial liver support system. This merging of functions eliminates the need for multiple separate machines, reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive purification capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial liver support system is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both non-biological purification components (plasma perfusion device, bilirubin adsorber) and biological purification components (hepatocyte culture cartridge assembly) within one device. This universal design allows the system to handle various purification requirements simultaneously, reducing the number of devices needed.
2Reliability
If multiple separate machines are used for different purification functions, then comprehensive purification can be achieved, but patient physical burden and psychological pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple purification functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces the number of machines the patient must interact with and accommodate. This consolidation decreases the physical burden on patients while maintaining comprehensive purification capabilities through the integrated design of multiple functional modules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate machines are used, then comprehensive blood handling can be provided, but operational difficulty and learning cost for technicians increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal artificial liver support system that provides comprehensive blood handling capabilities through multiple functional modules (plasma separation, non-biological purification, biological purification) integrated into one device. This multi-functional design simplifies operation for technicians by eliminating the need to manage and switch between multiple separate machines, while still providing adaptable blood handling for various patient needs.
4Device complexity
If a single integrated system is used, then system complexity is reduced and operational ease is improved, but the ability to handle comprehensive patient needs may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the artificial liver support system into distinct functional modules: plasma separation function, non-biological purification function (with plasma perfusion device and bilirubin adsorber), and biological purification function (with hepatocyte culture cartridge assembly). This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system integration, thereby achieving both simplified operation and comprehensive functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a three-way device with flow restricting members and coupling members that enable dynamic switching between different functional modes (plasma separation mode, non-biological purification mode, biological purification mode, and combined modes). This dynamic configurability allows the integrated system to adapt to various patient needs while maintaining a single unified device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively addresses the limitations of existing artificial liver systems by providing comprehensive blood handling capabilities, reducing the need for multiple machines, lowering costs and physical burden, and enhancing operational efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a first plasma separator provided with a blood inlet, a plasma outlet, and a blood cell outlet
Implementation Method 2
a non-biological purification branch tube comprising at least a plasma perfusion device and a bilirubin adsorber
Implementation Method 3
a biological purification branch tube comprising at least a hepatocyte culture cartridge assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A combined bio-artificial liver support system, includes branch tubes that are connected in sequence: a blood input branch tube, an upstream tail end of which is set as a blood input end, a first plasma separation branch tube comprising at least a first plasma separator, a non-biological purification branch tube comprising at least a plasma perfusion device and a bilirubin adsorber, a biological purification branch tube comprising at least a hepatocyte culture cartridge assembly, and a plasma return branch tube, a downstream tail end of which is set as a blood output end.