Disc-Shaped Clot Catcher Sieve Surface for Extracorporeal Blood Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clot catchers in extracorporeal blood circuits often face challenges with clogging and space efficiency, particularly due to their cylindrical or conical designs which can lead to suboptimal flow conditions and increased risk of clot formation.

Innovation Solution

A disc-shaped clot catcher with a sieve surface designed to collect and potentially dissolve clots, featuring a mechanically effective screening surface with adjustable passage openings and a hemocompatible material composition, allowing for optimal flow and reduced clot growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cylindrical or conical designs are used for clot catchers, then they can capture clots in extracorporeal blood circuits, but they lead to suboptimal flow conditions and increased risk of clot formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclot capture effectivenessVSAvoidflow conditions and clot formation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by transitioning from cylindrical/conical straight edges to a disc-shaped design with rounded perimeter. This curved geometry eliminates sharp edges that could trigger clot formation, while maintaining effective clot capture capability through the sieve surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If traditional clot catcher designs are used, then they can filter blood, but they are prone to clogging and occupy excessive space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering capabilityVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from three-dimensional cylindrical/conical volumes to a two-dimensional disc-shaped structure. This dimensional reduction maintains filtering capability through the sieve surface while dramatically reducing the space occupied by the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If passage openings are made larger to improve flow, then flow conditions are optimized, but clot retention capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidclot retention capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameters of passage openings (size, shape, distribution pattern) to achieve a balance between flow rate and clot retention. The specific configuration of openings in the disc-shaped sieve surface allows adequate flow while maintaining effective clot capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 disc-shaped design prevents clogging, optimizes flow conditions, and reduces the risk of clot formation, while the adjustable passage openings and hemocompatible materials enhance the clot catcher's effectiveness and safety in extracorporeal blood circuits.

Implementation Method 1

The screen surface has openings through which the fluid can flow from the inflow side to the outflow side. These openings can be used to achieve a mechanical filtering or screening effect. The dimensions of the openings or the mesh size of the screen surface can be selected such that the clots are retained on the inflow side of the inflowing fluids due to their size.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical filtering: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

A chemical filtering or sieving effect can be achieved by chemically binding the clots to the sieve surface and/or within the sieve surface, for example, in its pores. The clots can be reversibly or irreversibly bound to the sieve surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical binding: Chemisorption

Implementation Method 3

The clots can be physically adsorbed to the sieve surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical adsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

The clot catcher can be made at least partially from a hemocompatible base material. The base material is preferably coated with one or more hemocompatible materials.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHemocompatibility:

Data Source

PatentEP3708201B1Clot catcher, external functional device, blood circuit and treatment device
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3708201B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3708201B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3708201B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a clot catcher (100) which has a disc-shaped sieve surface (1) for collecting clots in a fluid flowing through the sieve surface (1). It further relates to an external functional device, a blood circulation system, and a treatment device.