Oxygenator Dynamic Distribution Mechanism for Blood Clot Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygenators for organic fluids, such as blood in extracorporeal circuits, suffer from flow stagnation leading to clot and thrombi formation, reduced gas exchange efficiency due to fiber crushing, and uneven blood distribution, which compromises oxygenation capacity and safety.
Innovation Solution
The oxygenator design incorporates a fan-like dynamic distribution mechanism and bi-adhesive spacers to maintain hollow fibers' integrity and uniform blood flow, preventing stagnation and condensation, while optimizing the ratio of size to oxygenation capacity by ensuring all fiber surfaces remain pervious and usable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mass of hollow fibers is packed densely to increase gas exchange surface area, then oxygenation capacity is improved, but fiber crushing occurs reducing the useful passage section and gas exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow fiber mass is segmented into multiple bundles or fascicles, each surrounded by its own protective mesh or编织 structure. This segmentation prevents crushing of individual fibers while maintaining high packing density, as each bundle is mechanically supported independently. The segmentation allows the fiber mass to maintain its structural integrity under compression while preserving the majority of fiber surfaces for gas exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective mesh or编织 structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the hollow fibers and the external compressive forces. This mesh acts as a mechanical mediator that distributes and absorbs compression forces, preventing direct transmission of crushing forces to the delicate fiber walls. The mesh structure maintains fiber spacing and prevents fiber collapse while allowing close packing of multiple fiber bundles to achieve high oxygenation capacity.
2Productivity
If blood flow velocity is reduced to improve oxygen exchange time, then gas exchange efficiency is improved, but flow stagnation occurs leading to clot and thrombi formation
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygenator incorporates a dynamic flow distribution system with movable elements or adjustable structures that actively regulate blood flow velocity and distribution patterns. This dynamic system allows optimization of flow velocity to maintain adequate exchange efficiency while preventing stagnation in specific zones. The dynamic adjustment capability enables adaptation to varying flow conditions to balance exchange efficiency and thrombosis prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distribution system employs periodic variation in flow patterns or velocity, creating oscillating or pulsating flow regimes that enhance gas exchange efficiency through improved mixing and concentration gradients, while simultaneously preventing stagnation and clot formation by maintaining continuous motion in all flow zones. The periodic action disrupts potential stagnation points without significantly reducing overall exchange efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the oxygenator size is reduced to improve manageability, then ease of operation is improved, but the oxygenation chamber volume decreases reducing oxygenation capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow fiber bundles are arranged in a nested or concentric configuration, with multiple bundles organized in nested layers or rings within the oxygenation chamber. This nesting arrangement maximizes the utilization of available chamber volume, allowing high fiber density and large total gas exchange surface area within a compact overall size. The nested structure enables efficient space utilization while maintaining manageable device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber bundles are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration utilizing vertical and radial dimensions, rather than simple linear packing. This multi-dimensional arrangement increases the effective packing density and oxygenation capacity within the same external volume, allowing the device to maintain small manageable size while achieving high oxygenation performance through optimized spatial utilization of the oxygenation chamber volume.
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 design effectively prevents blood clot formation, maintains efficient gas exchange, and optimizes the oxygenation process by ensuring uniform blood distribution and reducing condensation, thereby enhancing the overall performance and safety of the oxygenator.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers adapted to permit diffusion of gas between blood and an interior of the gas permeable fibers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The oxygenator of organic fluids comprises: a container body (2) having a longitudinal axis (A); a first inlet opening (3) for the oxygen and a second outlet opening (4) for an exhaust gas obtained in the container body; a third inlet opening (5) for an organic fluid to be oxygenated and a fourth outlet opening (6) for oxygenated organic fluid obtained in the container body; an oxygenation chamber (7) of the fluid to be oxygenated that is defined inside the container body; a distribution pre-chamber (17) of the fluid to be oxygenated fitted between the third inlet opening (5) and the oxygenation chamber (7); a mass of capillary fibers (8) that are impermeable to liquids and porous to gasses, designed to be lapped by the organic fluid and arranged inside the oxygenation chamber according with a common parallel direction; dynamic distribution means (24) supported in the distribution pre-chamber (17) by support means (20).