Bubble Removal Device Using Gas-Permeable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blood sampling procedures often result in air bubbles within syringes, leading to erroneous blood gas analysis results due to the need for manual bubble removal, which poses biohazard and exposure risks, and require secondary sample containers for analysis, increasing the likelihood of errors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a barrel and filter member that separates gas and liquid portions of a fluid sample using gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membranes, allowing gas bubbles to be expelled while maintaining a fluid-tight seal, and a pierceable membrane for sample probe access to withdraw the liquid portion safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual bubble removal by tapping and forcing gas out is used, then bubbles are expelled from the syringe, but biohazard risk and exposure risk increase due to open syringe tip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bubble removal device as an intermediary component between the syringe and the user. The device includes a membrane separator that allows gas to pass through while blocking liquid, and a valve mechanism that controls gas expulsion. This intermediary device eliminates the need for direct manual manipulation of the syringe tip, thereby reducing biohazard and exposure risks while maintaining effective bubble removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical bubble removal (tapping and forcing) with an automated membrane-based separation system. The gas-permeable membrane automatically separates gas bubbles from liquid blood, and the valve mechanism automatically expels the gas when ready, substituting manual mechanical actions with an automated system that reduces exposure risks.
2Productivity
If syringe is used for blood collection, then blood sample is obtained, but air bubbles are introduced into the syringe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful gas bubbles from the blood sample using a gas-permeable membrane. The membrane allows selective passage of gas while retaining liquid, effectively separating and removing air bubbles from the blood sample without compromising the integrity of the liquid portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different permeability properties to different parts of the system. The membrane separator has specific local quality (gas-permeable but liquid-impermeable) that enables selective separation. This localized functional differentiation allows efficient bubble removal while maintaining blood sample integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If blood sample is transferred to secondary sample container, then sample can be analyzed, but exposure risk increases and errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal interface that directly connects the bubble removal device to the blood gas analyzer. The device includes an adapter portion that can be directly coupled to the analyzer's sample port, eliminating the need for separate secondary sample containers. This multi-functional integration reduces exposure risk and minimizes transfer errors while maintaining compatibility with the analyzer.
4Reliability
If gas-permeable membrane is used to separate gas and liquid, then bubbles are removed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin gas-permeable membrane as the core separation element. This thin film structure provides effective gas-liquid separation while minimizing the overall device size and complexity. The membrane's thin-film construction allows for compact integration into the bubble removal device without significantly increasing structural 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
Effectively removes air bubbles from blood samples without biohazard exposure, ensuring accurate blood gas analysis by maintaining sample integrity and reducing the risk of contamination during testing.
Implementation Method 1
The filter member has at least one gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane to permit at least a portion of the gas portion of the fluid sample to pass across the filter member from the inlet side to the outlet side of the internal chamber
Implementation Method 2
The second gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane is pierceable so a probe may be passed through the gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane to the outlet side to withdraw the liquid portion of the fluid sample from the outlet side of the internal chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for removing bubbles from a fluid sample. The apparatus has a barrel and a filter member. The barrel has a first end, a second end, a sidewall, and an inner surface defining an internal chamber. The first side has an inlet opening and the second side has an outlet opening. The filter member is slidably disposed within the internal chamber and defines an inlet side and an outlet side of the internal chamber. The filter member has a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane which permits the gas portion of the fluid sample to pass across the filter member. The barrel has a second gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane which provides a fluid-tight seal across the outlet opening.