Dual-Membrane ECCO2R Cartridge for Low-Flow CO2 Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) systems require high blood flow rates and specialized clinical expertise due to their reliance on removing only gaseous CO2, limiting their clinical use and invasiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that simultaneously remove both gaseous CO2 and bicarbonate from blood using a dual-membrane approach, allowing for lower flow rates and reducing the need for specialized expertise, with a cartridge design incorporating a sweep gas and dialysate to facilitate CO2 and bicarbonate removal independently of gaseous CO2 concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional ECCO2R systems are used to remove gaseous CO2, then CO2 removal is achieved, but high blood flow rates and large bore cannulae are required increasing invasiveness and requiring specialized expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of CO2 removal by targeting bicarbonate (the predominant form of CO2 in blood) rather than gaseous CO2. This parameter change enables effective treatment at low blood flow rates through the dialysis membrane, eliminating the need for high flow rates and specialized expertise while maintaining CO2 removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/gas-exchange based ECCO2R system with a dialysis-based system that uses semipermeable membranes to remove bicarbonate. This substitution eliminates the need for high flow rates and large bore cannulae, making the system more accessible to general medical facilities
2Productivity
If high flow rates are used to remove gaseous CO2, then adequate CO2 removal is achieved, but vascular access tools become larger and more invasive
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the target from gaseous CO2 to bicarbonate, the system achieves adequate CO2 removal at low blood flow rates, which directly enables the use of small bore cannulae (e.g., 5Fr or 6Fr) instead of large bore cannulae, reducing vascular access invasiveness
3Quantity of substance
If traditional ECCO2R is used, then gaseous CO2 is removed, but bicarbonate remains in blood requiring long term treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes bicarbonate from blood through the dialysis membrane, which is the predominant form of CO2 in blood. This extraction of bicarbonate (rather than just gaseous CO2) enables rapid reduction of total CO2 content, allowing short-term treatment to restore normal blood gas levels
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the removal mechanism from gas exchange to dialysis-based bicarbonate removal, the system achieves complete CO2 clearance (including bicarbonate) in a single treatment session, eliminating the need for prolonged treatment durations
4Reliability
If specialized ECCO2R systems are used, then CO2 removal is effective, but specialized clinical expertise is required limiting availability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex gas-exchange based ECCO2R systems with a simpler dialysis-based system using semipermeable membranes. This substitution maintains CO2 removal effectiveness while eliminating the need for specialized clinical expertise, enabling deployment in general medical facilities and ICUs
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
Enables efficient carbon dioxide removal at lower flow rates, reducing the size and invasiveness of vascular access tools, and can be operated in various medical facilities without highly specialized staff, maintaining blood pH and systemic homeostasis.
Implementation Method 1
A dialysate can be passed through a second membrane component to remove bicarbonate from the blood
Implementation Method 2
A sweep gas can be passed through a first membrane component to remove gaseous CO2 from the blood
Implementation Method 3
the body's total CO2 reserve remains high in the form of bicarbonate ion which is rapidly interconverted to CO2 via the endogenous enzyme carbonic anhydrase
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for removing carbon dioxide from a target fluid, such as, for example, blood, to treat hypercarbic respiratory failure or another condition. A device is provided including first and second membrane components for removing dissolved gaseous carbon dioxide and bicarbonate from the fluid, which can be done simultaneously. The device can be in the form of a cartridge configured for use in a dialysis system. A method of treatment is also provided, involving drawing blood from a patient and bringing the patient's blood in contact with a first membrane component having a sweep gas passing therethrough, and a second membrane component having a dialysate passing therethrough. The dialysate's composition can be selected such that charge neutrality is maintained.