Integrated Blood Treatment Module With Hydrophobic Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional extracorporeal blood treatment circuits are time-consuming to assemble and not suitable for long-lasting treatments due to their design, which includes a blood-air interface that leads to clotting and increased extracorporeal volume, limiting their use in intensive care settings.
Innovation Solution
An integrated blood treatment module with a compact design featuring a degassing device that operates without an air-blood interface, reducing the need for manual adjustments and minimizing extracorporeal volume, allowing for efficient and long-lasting treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional bubble trap with blood-air interface is used, then gas bubbles can escape by gravity, but blood clotting occurs and extracorporeal volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful air-blood interface from the system by introducing a hydrophobic membrane that allows gas to pass through while preventing blood contact with air. The membrane separates the gas removal function from the blood pathway, eliminating clotting while maintaining bubble trapping efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic membrane acts as an intermediary between the blood and the air environment. It selectively allows gas bubbles to pass through while blocking blood cells and proteins, serving as a mediator that enables gas removal without direct blood-air contact that would cause clotting.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional bubble trap design is used, then assembly is relatively simple, but assembly time is time-consuming and adjustments are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bubble trap function with the filter housing by integrating the hydrophobic membrane into the existing filter structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate bubble trap assembly and reduces the number of components requiring manual assembly and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic membrane automatically performs gas removal without requiring manual adjustment of liquid levels or air-blood interfaces. The membrane's inherent properties provide self-regulating gas permeability, eliminating the need for operator intervention during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional extracorporeal circuits are used, then standard treatment can be performed, but they are not suitable for long-lasting treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable integrated filter module containing the hydrophobic membrane, which prevents clotting during extended use. The disposable nature ensures consistent performance throughout long treatments without the degradation issues affecting reusable conventional circuits, making them suitable for prolonged intensive care treatments.
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 integrated module significantly reduces assembly time, minimizes extracorporeal blood volume, and prevents blood clotting, making it suitable for continuous renal replacement therapies and other long-lasting treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a second chamber (32) having an opening (33) closed by a hydrophobic membrane (34) and an outlet (35) for discharging the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated blood treatment module comprises a blood treatment device (1) having a housing (2) and a first end-cap (4) and a second end-cap (5) closing both ends of the housing (2). A pump hose (17) for a peristaltic pump has a first end (18) that is secured to the housing (2) and a second end (16) that is connected to a blood inlet port (15) of the first end-cap (4) so as to form a loop. A degassing device (30) is connected to the second end-cap (5). The degassing device (30), which, in use, is full of liquid, comprises a hydrophobic membrane through which bubbles and micro-bubbles escape the degassing device.