Blood Processing Unit Radial Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood perfusion systems for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery lack efficient designs for blood flow and gas exchange, which can lead to suboptimal oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal, affecting the quality of blood processing during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A blood processing apparatus featuring a heat exchanger and gas exchanger integrated in a concentric configuration with radial and longitudinal flow components, utilizing hollow fibers for efficient heat and gas transfer, and rib structures to direct blood flow radially and spirally, enhancing oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional blood perfusion systems are used, then basic blood circulation is maintained, but gas exchange efficiency is insufficient leading to suboptimal oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested concentric configuration where the gas exchanger is positioned within the heat exchanger, which is itself within the blood processing apparatus housing. This nested arrangement allows multiple exchange functions to occupy the same spatial volume, increasing gas exchange efficiency without proportionally increasing device footprint. The hollow fibers of the gas exchanger are arranged concentrically around the heat exchanger core, creating multiple flow paths that enhance both heat and gas transfer simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radial flow components by directing blood flow from the inner surface to the outer surface of concentric cylindrical shells, adding a radial dimension to the traditional axial flow paths. The blood flow trajectory transitions from linear/axial to spiral/radial patterns, increasing the effective contact area between blood and exchange surfaces. This dimensional transformation enhances mass and heat transfer coefficients, thereby improving gas exchange efficiency and oxygenation quality.
2Productivity
If simple flow paths are used, then device complexity is reduced, but blood flow dynamics are insufficient for optimal gas exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates dynamic blood flow patterns by combining axial and radial flow components, resulting in spiral flow trajectories. The blood flow is designed to transition between different flow regimes (laminar to turbulent) as it moves through the concentric shells, optimizing contact time and contact area. This dynamic flow characterization enhances mass transfer coefficients and gas exchange efficiency without requiring complex mechanical components, as the flow complexity is achieved through geometric design rather than additional actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved surfaces and concentric cylindrical geometries throughout the blood processing apparatus. The hollow fibers are arranged in concentric circles, the shells are cylindrical, and the flow paths follow curved spiral trajectories. This curvature-based design increases the surface area for exchange while maintaining compact dimensions. The curved flow paths enhance mixing and reduce flow stagnation zones, improving gas exchange efficiency through geometric optimization rather than complex mechanical means.
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 apparatus improves blood flow dynamics and gas exchange efficiency, ensuring effective oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal, thereby enhancing the quality of blood processing in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an outer surface configured to impart a radial blood flow component
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger core including an outer surface configured to impart a radial blood flow component and a core aperture in fluid communication with the blood inlet
Implementation Method 3
Heat exchanger hollow fibers are disposed about the heat exchanger core such that a heat exchanger fluid may flow through the heat exchanger hollow fibers and blood passing from the core aperture may flow across the heat exchanger hollow fibers
Implementation Method 4
blood passing from the core aperture may flow across the heat exchanger hollow fibers
Implementation Method 5
Gas exchanger hollow fibers are disposed about the cylindrical shell such that gases may flow through the gas exchange hollow fibers and blood passing from the annular shell aperture may flow across the gas exchanger hollow fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A blood processing apparatus may include a heat exchanger and a gas exchanger. At least one of the heat exchanger and the gas exchanger may be configured to impart a radial component to blow flow through the heat exchanger and/or gas exchanger. The heat exchanger may be configured to cause blood flow to follow a spiral flow path.