Blood Oxygenator Conditioning Module for Uniform Circular Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for extracorporeal blood conditioning, which utilize hollow fiber mats secured by potting material, suffer from inefficiencies and manufacturing challenges.
Innovation Solution
The devices incorporate a housing with a fluid inlet and outlet having linear and partially circumferential flow paths, and fiber assemblies with orthogonal arrangements, utilizing potting material to form a circular or cylindrical internal chamber for improved blood conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If potting material is used to secure fiber mats in a stack, then the fiber mats are held together, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the potting material into a mold with a cavity that matches the desired final shape. The fiber mats are stacked and positioned within this pre-prepared mold structure, allowing the potting material to be applied in a controlled manner that automatically achieves the correct geometry and placement, eliminating manual positioning errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mold as an intermediary tool between the fiber mats and the potting material. The mold cavity serves as a template that guides the potting material to assume the precise shape needed to secure the fiber mats, transferring the geometric information from the mold to the final assembled structure without requiring direct manual shaping
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional stacking methods are used for fiber mats, then assembly is simple, but fluid distribution uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the potting material in a mold cavity that is specifically designed to create the desired fluid flow channels and distribution patterns. This pre-formed structure ensures that when the potting material is applied to the fiber mat stack, it automatically provides uniform fluid distribution without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the potting material by forming it in a mold with specific cavity dimensions and shapes. This allows precise control over the potting material's final form, including the creation of optimized flow paths and distribution channels that ensure uniform fluid flow across all fiber mats in the stack
3Productivity
If complex flow path designs are implemented, then blood conditioning efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a flow path where the fluid naturally follows the contours of the mold cavity and potting material structure without requiring additional mechanical components, valves, or active control systems. The geometry itself guides the flow, allowing the device to achieve efficient blood conditioning through passive flow following the pre-designed path
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
Enhances blood conditioning efficiency by facilitating uniform fluid distribution and collection, while optimizing manufacturing processes through centrifugal dispersion of potting material.
Implementation Method 1
spinning the cartridge and fiber assembly precursor in the centrifuge to achieve a radial dispersion of the potting material throughout the fiber assembly precursor
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to devices and methods for extracorporeal conditioning of blood. Extracorporeal blood oxygenators and blood oxygenator components, such as conditioning modules, are described. An extracorporeal blood oxygenator includes a conditioning module having an external frame, an inlet cover, an outlet cover, and an internal chamber. A fiber assembly is disposed within the internal chamber and a potting material on the fiber assembly creates a circumferential seal that defines a passageway through the fiber assembly having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. A fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the passageway, has a lumen that extends along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the fiber assembly, and has an internal curvilinear surface adjacent the fiber assembly. A fluid outlet on the opposite side of the fiber assembly also has a lumen that extends along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the fiber assembly.