Integrated Oxygenator Arterial Filter Frame Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood perfusion systems for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery require multiple components, including separate arterial filters, which increase the priming volume and complexity of the extracorporeal circuit, and do not effectively manage blood velocity and bubble removal.
Innovation Solution
A blood processing apparatus integrating a heat exchanger, gas exchanger, and arterial filter into a single structure, with a filter assembly that includes a filter frame with ribs and a net to reduce blood velocity and a dual purge port system for efficient bubble removal, simplifying the circuit and reducing priming volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate arterial filters are used in the extracorporeal circuit, then emboli blocking capability is improved, but device complexity and priming volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the arterial filter with the oxygenator housing to form an integrated assembly. The filter housing is positioned within the oxygenator housing, and the filter net is arranged to receive blood from the gas exchanger. This merging eliminates the need for a separate arterial filter component in the extracorporeal circuit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining emboli blocking capability.
2Reliability
If separate arterial filters are used in the extracorporeal circuit, then emboli blocking capability is improved, but priming volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is integrated within the oxygenator housing, sharing the same extracorporeal circuit space. This integration eliminates the need for additional separate filter components and their associated priming volumes, thereby reducing the total priming volume required for the blood perfusion system while maintaining effective emboli blocking capability.
3Productivity
If blood flow velocity through the filter net is high, then blood processing efficiency is improved, but bubble removal efficiency and flow distribution worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates ribs on the inner surface of the filter housing that create localized flow guidance structures. These ribs divide the blood flow into multiple streams and guide them uniformly across the filter net, creating different flow characteristics in different regions. This local flow management reduces high-velocity concentrated flow, improves bubble separation, and ensures uniform blood distribution across the filter surface.
4Productivity
If blood flow velocity through the filter net is high, then blood processing efficiency is improved, but flow uniformity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs positioned on the filter housing create localized flow distribution zones that guide blood flow uniformly across the filter net. This structural feature divides concentrated high-velocity flow into multiple smaller streams, improving flow uniformity while maintaining overall blood processing efficiency through the integrated oxygenator-filter assembly.
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 solution reduces the complexity and priming volume of the extracorporeal circuit, effectively manages blood velocity, and improves bubble removal efficiency, enhancing the efficacy of blood processing during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is disposed about the blood inlet and in fluid communication therewith
Implementation Method 2
Oxygen may be introduced into the blood by transfer across a membrane or, less frequently, by bubbling oxygen through the blood. Concurrently, carbon dioxide is removed across the membrane.
Implementation Method 3
an arterial filter is added to the extracorporeal circuit, after the oxygenator, as last barrier before the patient, so as to block any solid or gaseous emboli
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygenator combines, in a single structure, a heat exchanger, a gas exchanger, an arterial filter, and a filter frame. Such an oxygenator permits fewer fluid connections and thus may simplify an extracorporeal blood circuit, including a heart-lung machine and a blood reservoir, in which it is used. In some embodiments, the oxygenator may be configured to include multiple purge ports for purging bubbles both before and after filtering the blood.