Blood Oxygenation Device with Cascade Bubble Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood oxygenation devices fail to effectively remove air bubbles from the blood, leading to their reintroduction into patients during extracorporeal circulation, and are often bulky and costly.
Innovation Solution
A compact blood oxygenation device featuring a bundle of hollow fibres with two filtering elements of decreasing filtering capacity, arranged in succession, to trap air bubbles through cascade filtration, ensuring efficient bubble removal during oxygenation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single filtering element is used to remove air bubbles from blood, then the device structure is simple, but the filtration efficiency is insufficient and bubbles are not effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering system is divided into multiple filtering elements (first filtering element and second filtering element) with different filtration capacities. Each element handles different sizes of air bubbles, with the first element capturing larger bubbles and the second element capturing smaller bubbles, thereby improving overall bubble removal efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different filtering elements are positioned at specific locations within the oxygenation chamber to optimize bubble capture. The filtering elements have varying filtration capacities matched to their positions in the blood flow path, creating localized filtration zones that collectively achieve comprehensive bubble removal
2Volume of moving object
If the oxygenation device is designed to be compact, then the device dimensions are reduced, but the filtration and oxygenation functions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering elements are arranged within the oxygenation chamber in a nested configuration where the first and second filtering elements are positioned at different locations and orientations within the same chamber volume. This allows multiple functions (oxygenation and multi-stage filtration) to be accomplished within a compact device footprint without compromising performance
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering elements are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations within the oxygenation chamber. By utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently and arranging filters at various positions and angles, the device achieves comprehensive bubble removal and oxygenation functions in a compact configuration rather than requiring linear extension
3Reliability
If known oxygenation devices are used, then oxygenation function is provided, but air bubbles in the blood are not effectively removed and may be reintroduced into the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering elements are positioned within the oxygenation chamber to perform preliminary filtration of air bubbles from the blood before the blood completes its circulation through the device and returns to the patient. This preliminary removal action prevents bubbles from being reintroduced, enhancing patient safety
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes the natural behavior of air bubbles in blood flow and converts the potential harm of bubbles into a beneficial filtration process. By strategically positioning filtering elements, the device captures and removes bubbles that would otherwise be harmful, transforming the bubble presence from a risk factor into an opportunity for enhanced safety through targeted filtration
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 significantly reduces the risk of air bubbles being reintroduced into patients by effectively filtering them out during the oxygenation process, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution.
Implementation Method 1
a bundle of hollow fibres semi-permeable to gas, placed between the inlet channel and the outlet channel
Implementation Method 2
at least a first and at least a second filtering element suitable for trapping any air bubbles in the blood
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A device (1) for the extracorporeal oxygenation of the blood of a patient, comprising a containment casing (2) which has at least an inlet port (4) of the venous blood and at least an outlet port (5) of the arterial blood, at least an inlet channel (6) and at least an outlet channel (7) of a work gas intended to provide oxygen to blood and/or to remove CO2 from the same, at least a bundle of hollow fibres (8) arranged within the casing (2) and placed between the inlet channel (6) and the outlet channel (7), the hollow fibres being in communication with the inlet and outlet channels (6, 7) and being intended to be crossed by the relative work gas, at least a first and at least a second filtering elements (12, 13) arranged inside the bundle of hollow fibres (8) and spaced apart the one from the other, the filtering elements (12, 13) being able to trap any air bubbles present in the treated blood, where the first and second filtering elements (12, 13) define a relative open profile and where the hollow fibres (8) cross the first and second filtering elements (12, 13) uninterruptedly.