Hemodiafiltration Filter Module with Ribbed Support Structure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter modules for medical fluid delivery systems, particularly in hemodiafiltration, face challenges in withstanding large pressure fluctuations and maintaining structural integrity under irregular pressure patterns, leading to potential membrane rupture and reduced effectiveness in removing cytokine-inducing substances.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a biocompatible housing with a support structure of longitudinal and transversal ribs, a positively charged microporous flat sheet membrane, and additional protection and retention nets, which provide mechanical stability and minimize deformation under pressure variations, ensuring effective cytokine removal and fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a microporous flat sheet membrane is used for filtering medical fluid, then cytokine inducing substances can be removed, but the membrane is vulnerable to pressure fluctuations and may rupture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane integrityVSAvoidpressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple segments including a top part, bottom part, and intermediate part with support structures. The support structure itself is segmented into longitudinal ribs and transversal ribs that work together to distribute and withstand pressure forces across the membrane surface, preventing localized stress concentration that could lead to rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter module employs a composite structure combining the microporous flat sheet membrane with a rigid housing made of biocompatible polymer material. The housing acts as a protective composite structure that reinforces the delicate membrane while maintaining its filtering function, allowing the system to withstand pressure fluctuations without compromising membrane integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the filter module is subjected to large pressure peaks from peristaltic pumps, then fluid can be delivered, but the membrane may deform and lose effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid deliveryVSAvoidmembrane shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure with longitudinal and transversal ribs is designed beforehand to cushion and absorb pressure peaks before they can deform the membrane. This preventive support system maintains the membrane's shape stability even when subjected to large pressure fluctuations during fluid delivery operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing and support structure are designed with specific geometric parameters (rib spacing, thickness, configuration) that optimize the mechanical properties of the overall structure. These parameter changes allow the filter module to maintain membrane shape stability while accommodating the pressure parameters generated by peristaltic pumps during fluid delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the membrane is made more robust to withstand pressure, then pressure resistance improves, but the removal efficiency of cytokine inducing substances may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidcytokine removal efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented and provided by the housing structure with longitudinal and transversal ribs rather than making the membrane itself thicker or more robust. This segmentation allows the membrane to remain thin and highly effective for cytokine removal while the separate support structure provides the necessary pressure resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing and support structure act as an intermediary element between the pressure source and the membrane. This intermediary protects the membrane from direct pressure exposure, allowing the membrane to maintain its original thin, highly permeable structure optimized for cytokine removal while still withstanding pressure fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhanced filter module demonstrates increased resistance to pressure fluctuations, preventing membrane rupture and maintaining sterility assurance levels, even at high fluid flow rates, thus ensuring the production of sterile medical fluids free from cytokine-inducing substances.

Implementation Method 1

a positively charged microporous flat sheet membrane (302) capable of removing cytokine inducing substances (CIS) from a medical fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

filtering the medical fluid through a single use filtration module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10201648B2Filter module

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 GAMBRO LUNDIA AB

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a filter module for a medical fluid delivery system capable of removing cytokine inducing substances (CIS) from a medical fluid.