Dialyzer Hollow Fiber Wrapping for Higher Packing Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dialyzers face issues with bent fibers during production, leading to discards and restricted packing density due to the need to remove the casing film, which causes blood leaks and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
Use a fluid-permeable and/or water-soluble textile fabric to wrap the hollow fibers, allowing it to remain in the dialyzer and eliminate the need for removal, thereby reducing fiber damage and enabling higher packing density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a casing film is used to wrap hollow fibers during production, then the hollow fibers are protected against damage during insertion, but the casing film must be removed afterward which causes bent fibers and blood leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function of the casing film by replacing it with a soluble film that dissolves completely, removing the need for mechanical extraction that causes fiber bending and damage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameter of the protective film from insoluble to soluble, allowing it to dissolve in water or physiological solutions during or after insertion, eliminating the need for removal while maintaining protection during the critical insertion phase
2Productivity
If the packing density of hollow fibers is increased, then the dialyzer performance is improved, but the risk of bent fibers increases due to higher pressure on the casing film
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the film property from insoluble to soluble, the invention allows higher packing densities to be used during production without the constraint of fiber bending during removal, as the film dissolves instead of being mechanically extracted
Solution Approach 2:
The soluble film performs its protective function preliminarily during insertion and high-density packing, then automatically dissolves afterward, preventing the harmful effect of bent fibers that occurs with conventional insoluble films
3Ease of operation
If the casing film is removed from the dialyzer housing, then the casting compound can properly distribute and dialysate can flow uniformly, but bent fibers occur causing blood leaks and discards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic removal step by using a soluble film that dissolves automatically, eliminating the mechanical extraction process that causes fiber bending and subsequent blood leaks
Solution Approach 2:
The soluble film acts as a temporary, disposable protective element that serves its purpose during insertion and then dissolves, eliminating the need for costly removal operations and reducing discard rates from bent fibers
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
Significantly reduces discard rates, lowers production costs, and facilitates easier handling by maintaining fiber integrity and allowing for a higher packing density without rotation.
Implementation Method 1
the textile fabric being water-soluble in design... the textile fabric can be dissolved and flushed out of the dialyzer housing
Implementation Method 2
the textile fabric offers no significant resistance to dialysate flow during as-intended use of the dialyzer and to a casting compound for producing a hollow fiber embedment
Data Source
AI summary
A dialyzer, a dialysis machine, a kit and a process for producing the dialyzer. The dialyzer includes a plurality of hollow fibers disposed in a housing of the dialyzer. The hollow fibers are wrapped with a textile fabric that is fluid-permeable and/or at least partly water-soluble.