Integrated Oxygenator with Arterial Filter and Purge Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood perfusion systems for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery require multiple components, leading to increased priming volume and complexity in the extracorporeal circuit, which can result in hemodilution and emboli risks.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a heat exchanger, gas exchanger, and arterial filter into a single oxygenator device, reducing the number of components and simplifying the extracorporeal circuit by combining these functions within a unified structure, with annular filter chambers and purge ports for efficient bubble removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components (heat exchanger, gas exchanger, arterial filter) are used in the extracorporeal circuit, then each component can perform its specific function reliably, but the priming volume increases and the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger, gas exchanger, and arterial filter into a single integrated oxygenator device. The heat exchanger and gas exchanger are disposed concentrically with the filter housing, creating a unified structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate components in the extracorporeal circuit, thereby reducing priming volume and simplifying the circuit while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated oxygenator device serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat exchanger for temperature control, a gas exchanger for oxygenation and decarbonation, and an arterial filter for emboli removal. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require three separate components, reducing overall system complexity and priming volume.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used in the extracorporeal circuit, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the priming volume increases leading to hemodilution
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the heat exchanger, gas exchanger, and arterial filter into a single integrated device, the total volume of the extracorporeal circuit is reduced. The concentric arrangement allows these functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, eliminating the need for separate tubing and connections that would otherwise contribute to priming volume. This reduction in priming volume directly decreases hemodilution.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate component configuration is used, then assembly is straightforward, but bubble removal efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber and second chamber) separated by a filter element. This segmentation allows bubbles to be removed at different stages: larger bubbles are removed in the first chamber before blood passes through the filter, and remaining bubbles are removed in the second chamber after filtration. This multi-stage bubble removal approach significantly improves efficiency compared to a single-chamber design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If arterial filter is added as a separate component after the oxygenator, then emboli can be blocked, but the number of components and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arterial filter is integrated within the oxygenator device housing, with the filter element positioned concentrically. This integration allows the filter to function as part of the oxygenator assembly rather than as a separate component. The filter housing is secured to the oxygenator housing, creating a unified structure that provides both oxygenation and filtration functions in one device, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining emboli prevention capability.
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
This integration reduces the priming volume, simplifies the circuit, and enhances gas and bubble removal efficiency, improving patient outcomes by minimizing hemodilution and emboli risks.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the blood inlet and is disposed about the blood inlet
Implementation Method 2
A gas exchanger is disposed about the heat exchanger such that an inner surface of the gas exchanger is positioned to receive blood exiting an outer surface of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
An arterial filter is added to the extracorporeal circuit, after the oxygenator, as last barrier before the patient, so as to block any solid or gaseous emboli
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygenator combines, in a single structure, a heat exchanger, a gas exchanger and an arterial filter. Such an oxygenator permits fewer fluid connections and thus may simplify an extracorporeal blood circuit, including a heart-lung machine and a blood reservoir, in which it is used. In some cases, the oxygenator may be configured to include multiple purge ports for purging bubbles both before and after filtering the blood.