Integrated Liver Dialysis Filter with Adsorbent Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liver dialysis systems, such as MARS® and Prometheus®, are complex and costly due to the need for multiple adsorber units, with limitations in eliminating strongly bound toxins like unconjugated bilirubin and inflammatory cytokines, which are associated with high mortality in acute liver failure.
Innovation Solution
An integrated filter device combining hollow fiber membranes with incorporated ion exchange particles and hydrophobic adsorber resin in the filtrate space, replacing multiple components with a single module to enhance detoxification efficiency and reduce system complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple adsorber units are used in liver dialysis systems, then detoxification capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adsorber units (activated carbon adsorber, anion exchanger, and hydrophobic adsorber) into a single integrated filter device. The hollow fiber filter incorporates ion exchange particles within the fiber structure and provides a filtrate space for additional adsorbent material, merging functions that were previously separate components into one unified device. This reduces system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detoxification capability for water-soluble, albumin-bound, and hydrophobic toxins.
2Reliability
If multiple adsorber units are used in liver dialysis systems, then detoxification capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adsorber units (activated carbon adsorber, anion exchanger, and hydrophobic adsorber) into a single integrated filter device. The hollow fiber filter incorporates ion exchange particles within the fiber structure and provides a filtrate space for additional adsorbent material, merging functions that were previously separate components into one unified device. This reduces system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detoxification capability for water-soluble, albumin-bound, and hydrophobic toxins.
3Device complexity
If conventional adsorber units are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but removal efficiency of strongly bound toxins is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures where ion exchange particles are incorporated within the hollow fiber membrane matrix, creating a composite filter medium. This composite structure enables simultaneous removal of water-soluble toxins (via ion exchange), albumin-bound toxins (via hydrophobic adsorption in the filtrate space), and hydrophobic toxins (via activated carbon adsorption), achieving superior removal efficiency for strongly bound toxins while maintaining a unified device architecture.
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 integrated device significantly improves the removal of albumin-bound liver toxins, including unconjugated bilirubin and inflammatory cytokines, with improved kinetics and reduced pressure drop, making it more efficient and cost-effective for liver support systems.
Implementation Method 1
hollow fiber membranes which have incorporated therein ion exchange material
Implementation Method 2
hydrophobic adsorber resin in the filtrate space
Data Source
AI summary
An extracorporeal system for liver dialysis comprises a filter device having hollow fibers with integrated ion-exchange particles and hydrophobic adsorbent particles in the filtrate space. The system can be used for the treatment of acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure.