Extracorporeal Bioengineered Organ Support With Automated Circuit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shortage of organs for transplantation and the challenge of organ rejection in transplants are addressed by using biologically engineered organs (BEOs) that require efficient extracorporeal support systems for testing and functional monitoring before implantation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a primary and secondary blood circuit, an enclosure for the BEO, pumps, a gas transfer unit, sensors, and a controller to monitor and adjust conditions automatically, ensuring organ compatibility and patient health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If biologically engineered organs are used to address organ shortage, then organ availability is improved, but the need for complex extracorporeal support systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extracorporeal support system is designed to perform multiple functions including gas exchange, fluid filtration, and metabolic support within a single integrated platform. The system can support different types of biologically engineered organs (liver, kidney, lung) using common infrastructure components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining organ-specific functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into modular functional units that can be independently configured and connected. Each module handles specific physiological functions (oxygenation, CO2 removal, waste filtration) and can be selectively activated based on the organ being supported, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If automated monitoring and adjustment systems are implemented, then labor requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor physiological parameters (gas levels, fluid composition, organ function metrics) and automatically adjust operational parameters. The controller receives real-time data and modulates pump rates, gas flow, and filtration settings to maintain optimal conditions, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment, monitoring its own operational status and correcting deviations without external input. The system can detect anomalies, adjust parameters to compensate for variations, and maintain stable operation autonomously.
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
Reduces labor requirements and ensures organ compatibility by actively monitoring and adjusting the BEO's function and patient health, facilitating reduced wait times and improved health outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a gas transfer unit configured to transfer gas to and from the blood
Data Source
AI summary
A system (200) for supporting a patient organ can include a primary circuit (212b), a secondary circuit (212a), and a controller (214). The primary circuit can include an inlet configured to connect to the patient (54), an outlet configured to connect to the patient, and a primary pump (206a). The secondary circuit can be connected to the primary blood circuit and can include an enclosure (202) configured to support an organ (50) therein in a blood flow, a secondary pump, a gas transfer unit (208), and a secondary sensor (238a). The controller can be configured to operate the gas transfer unit based on the secondary sensor signal. The organ may be a bio-engineered organ. In an example, the organ is a liver and operates to perform functions of a liver in place of or in support of the liver of the patient.