Compact Blood Pump Oxygenator with Hydrogel Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated blood pump oxygenators face issues with non-uniform blood flow and laminar boundary flow zones, leading to hyper- and hypo-perfusion, and there is a need for a more compact and efficient design that minimizes these drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
A compact integrated blood pump oxygenator design featuring a centrifugal pump with an impeller and annular array of hollow fiber membranes, utilizing a hydrogel impeller packing material and a rollover impeller outlet for radial outward cross flow, and a magnetic drive for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional integrated pump-oxygenators are used, then gas exchange function is provided, but non-uniform blood flow and laminar boundary flow zones occur causing hyper- and hypo-perfusion
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow fiber membranes are rotated at controlled speeds to disrupt laminar boundary flow zones and create more uniform blood flow distribution across the fiber membranes, eliminating hyper- and hypo-perfusion conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation of hollow fiber membranes introduces mechanical motion that disrupts stagnant boundary layers and enhances mixing, reducing the harmful effects of laminar flow zones on blood oxygenation uniformity
2Device complexity
If hollow fiber membranes are displaced circumferentially around the impeller, then integration of pump and oxygenator is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing and oxygenator housing are merged into a single integrated structure with the impeller centrally positioned and hollow fiber membranes arranged circumferentially around it, combining two functions into one device
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing structure serves multiple functions: supporting the impeller, containing the hollow fiber membranes, providing fluid pathways, and enabling both pumping and oxygenation functions within a single component assembly
3Volume of moving object
If compact design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow fiber membranes are nested circumferentially around the central impeller, with the impeller housed within the pump housing which is integrated with the oxygenator housing, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes device volume while maintaining functional integrity
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 design achieves efficient and uniform blood flow across the membranes, reducing boundary layer effects and enhancing the operational efficiency and compactness of the oxygenator, while minimizing trauma to the blood.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic drive for efficient operation
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal pump with an impeller and annular array of hollow fiber membranes, utilizing a hydrogel impeller packing material and a rollover impeller outlet for radial outward cross flow
Implementation Method 3
annular array of hollow fiber membranes configured for gas transfer
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated blood pump oxygenator comprises an impeller housing supporting an impeller with an annular hydrogel impeller packing material adjacent the bearings and around the shaft of the impeller. The oxygenator including a rollover outlet in the form of an annular chamber extending around a center pump housing member; and further including an annular chamber within an annular array of hollow fiber membranes in fluid communication with the annular chamber extending from the impeller around the center pump housing; wherein the annular chamber provides substantially perpendicular radial outward cross flow across the membranes.