Disposable Blood Filter Circuit for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for extracorporeal blood treatment face challenges in efficiently priming, rinsing, and filling extracorporeal blood circuits with process fluids, which can lead to contamination and require complex pre-treatment steps for filter integrity testing in reusable systems.
Innovation Solution
A medical functional device with a two-stage filtration system, including a sterile first filter and a blood filter, integrated into a disposable process fluid circuit, allows for controlled introduction and management of process fluids using valve and pump systems to prevent contamination and simplify the priming and filtration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable filter systems are used in extracorporeal blood treatment, then filter integrity testing is required, but this increases device complexity and pre-treatment time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable filters that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for complex integrity testing procedures. The disposable nature ensures reliability through manufacturing quality control while simplifying the pre-treatment process, as no testing or cleaning is required before use.
Solution Approach 2:
The filters are pre-sterilized and pre-packaged in a ready-to-use state during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site integrity testing and complex pre-treatment procedures, allowing direct installation and use in the extracorporeal blood treatment system.
2Reliability
If complex pre-treatment steps are performed for filter integrity testing, then filter reliability is ensured, but this increases treatment time and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
By using disposable filters with guaranteed manufacturing quality, the patent eliminates time-consuming integrity testing steps while maintaining reliability. The filters are ready for immediate use, allowing rapid setup and maximizing treatment throughput without compromising safety.
3Loss of substance
If reusable systems are used, then material costs are reduced, but this increases operational complexity and contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable filters eliminate contamination risks associated with reusable systems by being discarded after single use. While individual filter cost may be higher, the elimination of complex cleaning, sterilization, and integrity testing procedures reduces overall operational costs and eliminates contamination pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the filters from the reusable system category and places them in the disposable category, separating them from the need for complex maintenance and testing infrastructure. This extraction simplifies the overall system by removing the contamination risk vector inherent in reusable components.
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 solution reduces the risk of contamination, simplifies the pre-treatment process, and eliminates the need for filter integrity testing in reusable systems, enhancing safety and reducing material and operational costs by using disposable filters adapted for single-use applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter device (1) having a first section (1a) as an input side for process fluid and a second section (1b) as an output side for process fluid
Implementation Method 2
a second filter device (3) arranged in an extracorporeal blood circuit (200), where the second filter device (3) has a section (31) leading to process fluid and a blood-carrying section (33)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical functional device (100) provided and designed to be used just once in a method for extracorporeal treatment of the blood of a patient, which functional device has at least one process fluid circuit (5) or sections thereof, each provided for receiving a process fluid, at least a first filter device (1), which is arranged inside the process fluid circuit (5) or inside a section thereof, and at least a second filter device (3), which is arranged inside the process fluid circuit (5) or inside a section thereof. The present invention further relates to a process fluid and to a medical treatment appliance.