Breathable Liquid Treatment Unit for Total Liquid Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current total liquid ventilation systems face limitations due to inefficient and non-precise temperature regulation, potential contamination risks, and slow heat transfer, which hinder their clinical use in providing effective heat and gas exchange for breathable liquids.
Innovation Solution
A total liquid ventilation system with a breathable liquid treatment unit that includes a gas injection system, a heat exchange system with a controlled temperature plate and a bag forming a fluid duct for extended residence time, and a pumping system for recirculating the two-phase mixture, ensuring simultaneous heat and gas exchange while maintaining sterility and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If metal-based heat exchange systems are used to cool or heat the breathable liquid, then heat exchange function is provided, but temperature regulation precision is poor and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sterile barrier (membrane or coating) as an intermediary between the metal heat exchanger and the breathable liquid. This barrier allows thermal energy transfer while preventing contamination of the breathable liquid by metal residues or previous patient contaminants, thus resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable sterile components (such as single-use breathable liquid containers or sterile barriers) that can be replaced between patients. This eliminates the risk of cross-contamination while maintaining effective heat exchange, addressing the reliability issue without sacrificing temperature control capability.
2Temperature
If traditional cooling units are used to bring the breathable liquid to desired temperature, then cooling function is provided, but heat transfer efficiency is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the heat exchange system by using materials with higher thermal conductivity or optimizing the surface area-to-volume ratio of the heat exchanger. This increases the heat transfer coefficient and reduces the time required to bring the breathable liquid to the desired temperature, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and cooling time.
3Productivity
If conventional ventilators are used for respiratory support, then ventilation function is provided, but lung damage and inflammation are induced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of the breathable liquid (such as perfluorocarbon) that allows it to be liquid at body temperature while maintaining high gas solubility. This liquid phase ventilation eliminates the need for high-pressure gas delivery that causes barotrauma, providing effective ventilation without lung injury while the liquid can still carry oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inert breathable liquid environment (perfluorocarbon) that does not trigger inflammatory responses or cause tissue damage like conventional oxygen-gas mixtures. The inert liquid medium provides effective gas exchange while avoiding the harmful effects of mechanical ventilation, resolving the contradiction between ventilation effectiveness and lung protection.
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 system provides optimized heat and gas exchange with precise temperature control, reducing the risk of contamination and enhancing the efficiency of the ventilation process, making it suitable for clinical use.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange system configured to heat and/or cool the two-phase mixture
Implementation Method 2
a gas injection system configured to inject a gas mixture into the breathable liquid, so as to obtain a two-phase mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A total liquid ventilation system configured to deliver a breathable liquid to the lungs of a mammal, the total liquid ventilation system including: an inspiratory circuit, an expiratory circuit, a pumping system; a thermal unit; a gas injection system; and a breathable liquid treatment unit, wherein the breathable liquid treatment unit includes a backing device, a plate and a bag.