Blood Removal from Extracorporeal Circuit via Dual Pump Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood treatment devices face challenges in efficiently removing blood from extracorporeal circuits after treatment sessions and detecting/eliminating air inclusions, which can lead to hygiene issues and increased disposal costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a blood pump and a second conveying device for introducing a substitute liquid into the extracorporeal blood circuit, allowing simultaneous displacement of blood from both arterial and venous line sections, and incorporating air detection and removal mechanisms to prevent air infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single pump is used to remove blood from the extracorporeal circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity of blood removal is insufficient and cannot simultaneously clear both arterial and venous line sections
Solution Approach 1:
The blood removal function is segmented into two independent pumps: a first pump connected to the arterial line section and a second pump connected to the venous line section. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation on both line sections, doubling the blood removal productivity while keeping each pump relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
Two separate pump systems are merged into a coordinated operation under a single control unit. The control unit synchronizes the operation of both pumps to simultaneously remove blood from arterial and venous line sections, achieving high productivity without excessive complexity through integrated control.
2Ease of manufacture
If the extracorporeal blood circuit is disposed of after use without cleaning, then the time and effort for blood removal are saved, but hygiene considerations are compromised and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Blood removal is performed as a preliminary action immediately after the blood treatment session ends, before the circuit is disposed of. The control unit automatically initiates the blood removal process, ensuring the circuit is cleared of blood while still connected to the patient, thereby maintaining hygiene without requiring additional disposal efforts.
3Reliability
If air detection and removal mechanisms are added to the device, then the reliability of preventing air infusion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air detectors are installed in both the arterial and venous line sections to provide continuous feedback on air presence. The control unit receives signals from these detectors and automatically responds by adjusting pump operations or activating air removal mechanisms, ensuring high reliability of air infusion prevention through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
Air detectors act as intermediary sensing elements between the blood circuit and the control system. They detect air inclusions and translate them into control signals that trigger appropriate responses, such as stopping pump operation or activating air removal, thereby preventing direct air infusion while maintaining system reliability.
4Productivity
If simultaneous blood removal from arterial and venous line sections is implemented, then the productivity of the process is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can simultaneously manage multiple pumps, air detectors, and blood flow regulation. It performs coordinated control of both arterial and venous pump operations, air detection responses, and blood flow monitoring in a single integrated system, achieving simultaneous blood removal without proportionally increasing control complexity.
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
Enables efficient and simultaneous removal of blood from both line sections, reducing the risk of air infusion and enhancing hygiene by ensuring complete blood displacement and air removal, thereby minimizing contamination and disposal costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one blood pump (13) for conveying blood within the conduit of the extracorporeal blood circuit (1000)
Implementation Method 2
a second conveying device (23) for introducing at least one substitute liquid (2400) into the extracorporeal blood circuit (1000) for conveying it within the line, by operating the second conveying device, a predetermined amount of substitute liquid is introduced into the interior of the line of the extracorporeal blood circuit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for removing blood from an extracorporeal blood circuit (1000) after the completion of a blood treatment session, in which blood is simultaneously removed from both an arterial section (1) and a venous section (3) of the extracorporeal blood circuit (1000). It further relates to a treatment device and a tubing system.