Oxygenator Gas Compartment Heating to Prevent Wet Lung
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Solution Overview
Problem
The phenomenon of 'wet lung' occurs in extracorporeal blood oxygenators due to gas vapor condensation within hollow fibers, leading to reduced gas transfer capacity, patient embolism, and inaccurate CO2 meter readings, primarily caused by temperature fluctuations of the gas within the fiber lumens.
Innovation Solution
A heating device is coupled to the gas compartment of the oxygenator housing to maintain the gas temperature close to blood temperature, using flexible thermofoil heating elements in the gas inlet and outlet chambers to prevent condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas flows through hollow fiber lumens at lower temperature than blood, then gas transfer capacity is improved, but vapor condensation occurs leading to wet lung
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively adjusting the gas temperature parameter through heating devices positioned in the gas compartment. The gas temperature is raised to match or approach blood temperature, which prevents vapor condensation while preserving the gas transfer capacity benefits of temperature-driven diffusion gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heating devices as intermediary elements between the gas compartment and the external environment. These heating devices act as mediators that regulate gas temperature without directly interfering with the gas flow or membrane structure, thereby preventing condensation while maintaining gas transfer efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gas compartment is heated to prevent condensation, then wet lung is reduced, but gas pressure may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning heating devices specifically in the gas compartment areas where condensation is most likely to occur, rather than uniformly heating the entire oxygenator. This localized heating approach prevents condensation at critical locations while minimizing overall thermal impact on gas pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible heating elements that can be conformally applied to the gas compartment surfaces. These thin, flexible heating films provide efficient thermal contact without creating rigid structures that would restrict gas flow or significantly alter gas pressure dynamics.
3Temperature
If heating devices are added to gas compartment, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by incorporating temperature sensors and control circuits that automatically regulate the heating devices based on real-time gas temperature monitoring. The system self-adjusts to maintain optimal temperature without requiring external intervention, thereby managing the added complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating devices are designed to serve multiple functions: preventing vapor condensation, maintaining gas temperature for optimal transfer efficiency, and providing thermal comfort for the gas phase. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated system.
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 approach effectively reduces wet lung by maintaining consistent gas temperature, ensuring efficient gas transfer and preventing patient embolism, while maintaining stable gas pressure and accurate CO2 readings.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating devices disposed against the gas collector housing, the plurality of heating devices including a first heating device disposed in the gas inlet chamber and a second heating device disposed in the gas outlet chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygenation device for use with extracorporeal blood circulation is disclosed. The device includes an oxygenator housing having a blood inlet end cap having a blood inlet opening, a blood outlet end cap having a blood outlet opening, and a gas collector housing between the blood inlet opening and the blood outlet opening. The gas collector housing defines a gas compartment having a gas inlet chamber with a gas inlet port and a gas outlet chamber with a gas outlet port. Heating devices are disposed against the gas collector housing and include a first heating device in the gas inlet chamber and a second heating device in the gas outlet chamber. During operation of the oxygenation device, the heating devices heat the gas compartment.