Magnetic Filter Module for Biotechnical Liquid Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biotechnological filtration methods and devices suffer from contamination risks and suboptimal flow profiles due to the formation of dead spaces and eddies when pumps and filters are interconnected.

Innovation Solution

A filter module is designed with a filter housing containing a bundle of hollow fibres and a centrifugal pump rotor, where the pump rotor is magnetically driven and fluidically connected to the interior of the hollow fibres, eliminating the need for mechanical interfaces and optimizing flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pump and filter are interconnected using mechanical interfaces (flanges, line sections), then the filtration function is achieved, but dead spaces and eddies are formed resulting in contamination risks and suboptimal flow profiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidmechanical interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump rotor is directly integrated into the filter housing, merging the pumping function and filtration function into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical connections (flanges, line sections) between pump and filter, thereby removing dead spaces and contamination risks while maintaining both pumping and filtration capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A magnetic coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary to transmit rotational force from the drive shaft to the pump rotor without direct mechanical contact. The magnetic field transfers torque through the pump rotor to drive the impeller, eliminating the need for mechanical seals or bearings that would create contamination pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple mechanical interfaces (at least two flanges) are used to connect centrifugal pump rotor and filter, then the pump and filter can be assembled separately, but the number of contamination entry points increases and hygiene is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidcontamination entry points
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pump rotor assembly is integrated directly into the filter housing as a single unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate mechanical interfaces. This unified structure reduces the number of potential contamination entry points while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly of the integrated unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical interfaces and line sections are used between pump and filter, then the system can be constructed from standard components, but dead space increases and flow profile is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent standardizationVSAvoidflow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump rotor is directly coupled to the filter housing with no intervening line sections or mechanical interfaces. This direct integration eliminates dead spaces that would disrupt flow patterns, ensuring optimal flow profile and efficiency while maintaining adaptability through the modular nature of the integrated assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration reduces contamination risks, enhances hygiene, and achieves an optimal flow profile by eliminating mechanical interfaces and minimizing dead spaces, while also effectively concentrating biotechnological materials.

Implementation Method 1

the centrifugal pump rotor is able to be magnetically driven such that it can force a liquid through the hollow fibres

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the centrifugal pump rotor is able to be magnetically driven

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic driving: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

a filter, with a bundle of hollow fibres

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12285726B2Use of a filter module for filtering a biotechnical liquid and filter module for the filtration of a biotechnical liquid
Publication Date: 2025.04.29 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • US12285726B2 patent drawing
  • US12285726B2 patent drawing
  • US12285726B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A filter module provides biotechnological filtration possibilities lessening the danger of contamination while achieving an optimum flow profile. The filter module 100 includes filter housing 110, a filter with a bundle of hollow fibres 114 and a centrifugal pump rotor 132. The filter is arranged in the filter housing 110 such that the centrifugal pump rotor 132 forces a biotechnological liquid into the interior of the hollow fibres 114 via an inlet flow path where liquid enters the filter module perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the filter, flows into a hollow centre of the centrifugal pump rotor and is thereafter deflected to flow parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter before entering the hollow fibers of the filter flowing parallel to the longitudinal axis. A filtration device 1100, 1200, 1300 includes filter module 100 and a drive unit for magnetically driving the centrifugal pump rotor 132.