Clot Catcher Gas Detachment via Flow Reversal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Extracorporeal blood tubing systems, such as those used in dialysis and heart-lung machines, often trap gas bubbles in clot catchers, which is undesirable and existing methods are insufficient for effectively detaching them.
Innovation Solution
A method involving reversing the flow direction and building pressure to detach gas accumulations from clot catchers or other components of the extracorporeal blood circuit, using a control device and fluid flow to dislodge trapped gas bubbles, potentially with the assistance of a computer program and digital storage medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas bubbles are allowed to pass through the clot catcher during normal operation, then the blood treatment can proceed without interruption, but gas accumulations will trap on the clot catcher and potentially cause air infusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse flow to detach gas accumulations from the clot catcher. By temporarily reversing the flow direction through the clot catcher, trapped gas bubbles are dislodged and removed, preventing air infusion during normal blood treatment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting procedure is implemented as a periodic reverse flow operation. The system alternates between normal forward flow during blood treatment and periodic reverse flow for gas removal, creating a cyclic operation that maintains system reliability without continuous complexity.
2Reliability
If reverse flow is used to detach gas accumulations, then gas bubbles are effectively removed from the clot catcher, but excessive pressure may build up causing system bursting
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors pressure during the reverse flow venting operation and provides feedback control. When predetermined pressure limits are approached, the system automatically adjusts or terminates the reverse flow, preventing excessive pressure buildup that could cause system bursting while maintaining effective gas removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes flow parameters during the venting procedure. By controlling the magnitude and duration of reverse flow based on monitored conditions, the system optimizes gas detachment effectiveness while maintaining pressure within safe operational limits.
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 gas bubbles and accumulations from clot catchers and other components, improving the venting of extracorporeal blood circuits and preventing air infusion during treatment, enhancing hemocompatibility and preventing system bursting.
Implementation Method 1
building up a pressure by means of a fluid at a point in time which is before a point in time at which a flow of the fluid is generated in the second flow direction
Implementation Method 2
generating a flow of a fluid through or into the component, for example the clot catcher, in a second flow direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detaching gas accumulations from a blot clot catcher (100) of an extracorporeal blood circulation (1), a control device (29) for carrying out the claimed method, a medicinal treatment device (4) comprising at least one control device (29) and/or working therewith for transmitting a signal or connected thereto for transmitting a signal, a digital storage medium, a computer program product and a computer program.