Offset Inlet Filtration Unit Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration units for blood or blood components suffer from suboptimal fluid flow due to the thickness of the porous medium obstructing the inlet and outlet nozzles, leading to slowed filling and draining, and complex manufacturing processes that increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A filtration unit with an outer casing formed from two flexible sheets, where the inlet and outlet members are offset with respect to the joint face, allowing for improved fluid flow and homogeneous wetting of the filtering medium, and a manufacturing method using dissymmetrical moulds to position the nozzle offset, reducing obstruction and simplifying production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the porous medium is positioned directly in front of the inlet and outlet nozzles to maximize filtration contact, then the filtration efficiency is improved, but the fluid flow is impeded and filling/draining is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an offset between the nozzle axis and the joint face, creating an asymmetric configuration where the nozzle does not align centrally with the joint face. This asymmetry allows the porous medium to be positioned optimally for filtration contact while maintaining adequate flow pathways, resolving the contradiction between filtration efficiency and fluid flow rate by eliminating the symmetric constraint that caused the obstruction.
2Productivity
If the inlet and outlet orifices are sealed directly on the surface of the flexible sheets to avoid obstruction, then the fluid flow is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The offset configuration of the nozzle relative to the joint face creates an asymmetric sealing arrangement that simplifies the manufacturing process. By positioning the nozzle offset from the center, the sealing operation becomes more straightforward compared to surface sealing, while still achieving unobstructed fluid flow. This asymmetric approach resolves the contradiction by providing a manufacturing solution that is less complex than surface sealing while maintaining improved fluid flow characteristics.
3Power
If the blood flows perpendicular to the filtration medium to maximize pressure differential, then the filtration driving force is improved, but the wetting of the filtration medium is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The offset nozzle configuration creates an asymmetric flow distribution pattern that improves wetting homogeneity across the filtration medium. By positioning the nozzle offset from the center, the fluid enters at an angle that promotes more uniform distribution across the medium surface, rather than concentrating flow at a single point. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining adequate pressure differential while achieving better wetting homogeneity through the asymmetric entry geometry.
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
Enhances fluid flow through the filtration unit by minimizing obstruction and optimizing wetting, reducing the risk of leaks and blockages, while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of the fluid at the inlet and at the outlet of the filtration unit is not optimal. Indeed, due to the thickness thereof, the porous medium faces the opening of the inlet and outlet nozzle, impeding the circulation of the fluid in the filtration unit
Implementation Method 2
the wetting of the filtration medium is not optimised as the blood arrives perpendicular to the filtration medium
Data Source
AI summary
A filtration unit intended to allow the selective elimination of target substances from a fluid such as flood or a blood component, has an outer envelope formed from two flexible sheets joined together over their periphery along a bond line so as to define an inner volume, the envelope containing a filtering medium which delimits, on both sides of the bond line, an inlet compartment of the fluid to be filtered and an outlet compartment of the filtrate, each of the compartments being provided with an element—respectively an inlet and outlet element—for bringing the compartment into communication with the outside, the elements being connected between the sheets and comprising a flow channel that passes through the bond line, the unit being characterized in that at least one channel is offset relative to the bond line towards the compartment with which the channel is in communication.