Diffusion Device Frustoconical Inlet Blood Flow Homogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diffusion devices, such as blood oxygenators or gas exchangers, face challenges in achieving homogeneous blood flow and preventing the formation of dead zones where blood velocity is nearly zero, which can lead to blood clots and inefficient gas exchange.

Innovation Solution

The diffusion device incorporates a cylindrical housing with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes and a rotationally symmetric blood duct with specific geometric features, including a torus segment and a frustrated cone, to ensure even blood distribution and prevent dead zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the inlet diameter is reduced to match the fiber bundle diameter, then the device can be more compact and better integrated, but the blood flow velocity decreases and dead zones form where blood clots may develop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidblood flow homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curved surface geometry to the inlet structure, specifically using a frustoconical shape with a specific apex angle (30-60 degrees) to guide blood flow smoothly into the fiber bundle. This curvature prevents flow separation and eliminates dead zones while maintaining compact dimensions, resolving the contradiction between device compactness and flow homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If a simple cylindrical inlet is used, then the device structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but dead zones form at the inlet where blood velocity approaches zero

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinlet structure simplicityVSAvoiddead zone formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple cylindrical inlet with a frustoconical inlet having a specifically designed apex angle. This geometric modification creates smooth flow guidance that prevents stagnation zones while adding minimal structural complexity. The curved surface geometry efficiently redirects blood flow into the fiber bundle without creating dead zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If the blood flow rate is increased to prevent dead zones, then flow homogeneity improves, but the risk of shear stress damage to blood cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow homogeneityVSAvoidshear stress on blood cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frustoconical inlet geometry with its optimized apex angle creates smooth, gradual flow redirection that minimizes turbulence and shear stress. The curved surfaces guide blood flow gently into the fiber bundle, achieving homogeneous distribution without requiring excessive flow rates that would cause shear stress damage to blood cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This design enhances blood flow homogeneity and eliminates dead zones, improving the efficiency of gas exchange and reducing the risk of blood clots, thereby optimizing the operation of the diffusion device.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (120) arranged inside the cylindrical shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS12337088B2Diffusion device

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 GAMBRO LUNDIA AB

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a diffusion device, such as a blood oxygenator or gas exchanger, having improved flow characteristics.