Flared Gas Release Device for Extracorporeal Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas release devices for extracorporeal fluid circuits, such as those used in hemodialysis, are inefficient in removing air bubbles from blood due to the lack of effective mechanisms to recirculate and release gas bubbles back into the inlet stream, leading to potential embolisms and reduced filtration efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A gas release device with an elongate vertical portion and a flared portion that redirects unreleased gas bubbles back toward the inlet port, utilizing the buoyancy of gas bubbles to enhance their removal, combined with a method involving the use of an inlet and outlet port configuration that ensures gas bubbles are re-circulated and released through the vertical chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas bubbles are allowed to rise freely in conventional gas release devices, then gas removal is partially effective, but gas bubbles are not fully recirculated back to the inlet stream resulting in incomplete gas removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas removal completenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: an elongate vertical portion for initial gas separation, a flared portion for redirecting liquid flow, and strategically positioned inlet/outlet ports. This segmentation creates multiple gas release opportunities along the flow path, improving gas removal completeness without requiring overly complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing gas bubbles to escape directly to the outlet, the device inverts the conventional approach by using the flared portion to redirect liquid flow in a way that carries gas bubbles back toward the inlet port. This reverse circulation ensures gas bubbles encounter the inlet stream multiple times, significantly improving gas removal completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the device uses a simple straight-through flow path, then device complexity is low, but gas bubbles are not recirculated leading to reduced gas removal efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas removal efficiencyVSAvoidflow path geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flared portion introduces curvature to the flow path, causing liquid and gas to follow a curved trajectory rather than a straight line. This curvature is essential for redirecting the flow back toward the inlet, improving gas removal efficiency while adding only moderate geometric complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the flow direction parameter by positioning the outlet port below the flared portion rather than in a straight-line configuration. This parameter change in port positioning, combined with the flared geometry, creates the recirculation effect that improves gas removal efficiency without requiring complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If gas bubbles are not recirculated back to the inlet, then device structure is simple, but risk of embolisms increases due to incomplete gas removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolism riskVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device creates a feedback loop where gas bubbles that fail to escape on the first pass are recirculated back toward the inlet through the flared portion. This feedback mechanism ensures multiple removal opportunities, significantly reducing embolism risk while maintaining relatively simple device structure through clever geometric design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 device effectively recirculates and removes gas bubbles from the blood flow, increasing the likelihood of complete gas removal and reducing the risk of air embolisms by leveraging the geometry and buoyancy of the gas bubbles within the device.

Implementation Method 1

gas bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

passing blood through an inlet port and into an elongate vertical portion of a gas release device until upward motion of the bodily liquid is impeded by gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8506684B2Gas release devices for extracorporeal fluid circuits and related methods

Publication Date: 2013.08.13 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

In one aspect, a gas release device for removing gas from a bodily liquid in extracorporeal circuitry is described. The device includes an elongate vertical portion and a flared portion that extends outwardly from the elongate vertical portion. The device also includes an inlet port for delivering a bodily liquid into the device, and an outlet port for evacuating the bodily liquid from the device. The inlet port is positioned below the elongate vertical portion and the outlet port is positioned below the flared portion such that bodily liquid traveling from the inlet toward the outlet is forced around the flared portion to cause air bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port.