Biocompatible Purification Membranes With Tunable Porosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood purification technologies require dialysate filters, dialysis fluid, replacement fluid, anticoagulation, and blood pumps, and lack a fully integrated, implantable device capable of continuous operation without these components, and no technology exists to create membranes with tunable micro or nano porosity and physiologic thickness for biologic tissue scaffolds.
Innovation Solution
Development of biocompatible membranes with tunable thickness and pore size for an integrated adaptive biologic blood purification (IABBP) device, which can be connected to the patient's vascular system for continuous or intermittent treatments, using a scaffold repopulated with cells to function without extrinsic fluids or mechanical pumps, and can be implanted or used extracorporeally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional hemodialysis systems are used, then blood purification function is achieved, but the system requires multiple components (dialysate filters, dialysis fluid, replacement fluid, anticoagulation, blood pumps) and cannot be fully integrated or implantable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (filtration membrane, dialysate distribution system, blood flow channels, and support structure) into a single integrated hemodialysis device. The membrane acts as both the filtration barrier and the structural framework that supports the dialysate channels and blood flow pathways, eliminating the need for separate filter housings and fluid distribution systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fiber membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the semipermeable barrier for solute and water transport, provides the structural framework for the device, and forms the basis for both blood flow and dialysate flow channels. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
2Manufacturing precision
If biocompatible membranes with tunable porosity are developed, then membrane performance for blood purification is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls membrane porosity and pore size by adjusting parameters during the phase inversion process, including the concentration of the polymer solution, the composition of the coagulation bath, and the drying conditions. By changing these parameters, membranes with different pore sizes and porosity levels can be produced to match specific clinical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite membrane structures combining different polymer materials or layers with varying properties. The hollow fiber membrane may incorporate hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, or combine multiple polymers to achieve both the desired porosity and the necessary mechanical strength and biocompatibility.
3Productivity
If the membrane thickness is reduced to improve filtration efficiency, then toxin removal capability increases, but membrane mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous hollow fiber membranes with controlled pore structures that provide high surface area to volume ratios. The porosity allows efficient toxin removal while the three-dimensional pore network and fiber wall structure maintain mechanical integrity even at reduced thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hollow fiber configuration where the membrane is formed as a thin-walled tube with internal support structures. The hollow core provides structural rigidity while the thin wall enables efficient filtration. Multiple fibers are bundled together to create the complete dialysis device, with each fiber contributing to both strength and filtration capacity.
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 IABBP device effectively removes toxins and excess water from the patient's circulation, mimicking kidney and liver functions, and can be used continuously or intermittently, with the potential for implantation, utilizing biocompatible membranes with tunable porosity and thickness to support cellular functions.
Implementation Method 1
biocompatible membranes with tunable micro or nano porosity and physiologic thickness to enable such function in a biologic tissue scaffold
Implementation Method 2
using a scaffold repopulated with cells to function without extrinsic fluids or mechanical pumps
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for blood and other biological fluid purification using a membrane with cell containing vascular channel systems and filtration channel systems. Also disclosed are methods of making the apparatus as well as methods of making membranes.