Blood Filter Outlet Port Structure for Stable Flow Under Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blood treatment filters using flexible containers face issues with reduced filtering flow rates due to the dual forces of positive and negative pressures causing the filter element to be in close contact with the outlet-side container, impeding blood flow.

Innovation Solution

The filter element is compressed to form a gap region with an overlapping outlet port, featuring a valley portion and protruding portion with an opening that communicates with the gap, ensuring continuous blood flow despite pressure variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flexible container is used for the leukocyte removal filter, then steam sterilization becomes possible and flexibility is improved, but the filter element comes into close contact with the outlet-side container during filtration, impeding blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam sterilization capabilityVSAvoidfiltering flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet port is divided into two distinct portions: a upper portion that communicates with the filtration chamber and a lower portion that extends toward the outlet-side container. This segmentation allows the upper portion to maintain communication with the filter element while the lower portion remains positioned away from the container, preventing flow impedance even when the filter element contacts the container during filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the outlet port is positioned close to the filter element, then blood flow path is shortened, but the opening becomes blocked when the filter element contacts the outlet-side container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow path lengthVSAvoidflow path openness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet port is designed to extend in the vertical dimension (downward toward the outlet-side container) while maintaining its communication function in the horizontal dimension. The upper portion provides the primary blood flow path, while the lower portion extends downward but is positioned to avoid contact with the filter element, creating a three-dimensional configuration that resolves the blocking issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration prevents reduction in filtering flow rate by maintaining a stable blood passage even under positive and negative pressures, enhancing the efficiency of blood filtration.

Implementation Method 1

a filter element (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3117844B2Blood treatment filter
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 MACO PHARMA SA
  • EP3117844B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3117844B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3117844B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A blood treatment filter comprising a filter element, an inlet-side flexible container and an outlet-side flexible container, an inlet port, and a tubular outlet port, further comprises: an outlet-side frame sheet disposed between the filter element and the outlet-side flexible container; a first seal portion provided by sealing at least the filter element and the outlet-side frame sheet in a belt-shaped manner; and an annular second seal portion provided to surround the first seal portion, wherein on an outlet side of the filter element, a valley portion is formed at the first seal portion, the outlet port includes a protruding portion that protrudes to an inside of the container, and the protruding portion is provided with an opening at least a part of which overlaps with the first seal portion and which can communicate with a gap region formed by the valley portion.