Two-Stage Perfluorocarbon Carrier Fluid Oxygenation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current one-stage systems for oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from physiological fluids, such as ECMO and IVOX devices, face complications like blood activation, thrombogenesis, and inadequate gas exchange support, particularly for patients with diseased or damaged lungs, due to their design and materials.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage system comprising a primary exchange module with hollow fibers for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer, and a secondary microfluidic channel for parallel flow of oxygen-loaded carrier fluid and physiological fluid, designed to enhance gas exchange and carbon dioxide removal, using perfluorocarbon carrier fluids and bio-compatible materials to stabilize and separate fluid flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional one-stage systems (ECMO, IVOX) are used for gas exchange, then oxygenation function is provided, but blood activation and thrombogenesis occur due to fiber contact with blood
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a perfluorocarbon carrier fluid as an intermediary substance between the gas phase and blood. This carrier fluid contacts the gas in the primary exchange module, becomes oxygenated, then contacts blood in the secondary microfluidic channel, transferring oxygen without requiring direct fiber-blood contact. This mediator approach eliminates thrombogenesis while maintaining gas exchange function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the gas exchange process into two separate stages/modules: (1) primary exchange module where gas transfers oxygen to carrier fluid, and (2) secondary microfluidic channel where carrier fluid transfers oxygen to blood. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and eliminates the harmful direct contact between blood and artificial fibers.
2Reliability
If conventional one-stage systems are used, then oxygenation is achieved, but carbon dioxide removal is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The two-stage system separates oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal into distinct functional zones. The primary exchange module with hollow fibers provides large surface area for efficient oxygen transfer to the carrier fluid, while the secondary microfluidic channel with parallel flow configuration optimizes carbon dioxide removal from blood, allowing each process to be optimized independently for maximum efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-stage system to a two-stage system with different spatial configurations. The primary module uses hollow fiber bundles (3D structure) for oxygenation, while the secondary module uses planar microfluidic channels with parallel flow for carbon dioxide removal, utilizing different geometric dimensions to optimize each gas exchange function.
3Productivity
If perfluorocarbon carrier fluid is used in the two-stage system, then gas exchange efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases compared to conventional one-stage systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated two-stage system: the perfluorocarbon carrier fluid simultaneously serves as oxygen transport medium, carbon dioxide removal vehicle, and blood separation layer in the microfluidic channel. This merging of functions into a single circulatory loop eliminates the need for separate oxygenation and ventilation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the unique physical-chemical parameters of perfluorocarbon (high oxygen solubility, immiscibility with blood, appropriate viscosity) to enable efficient gas exchange. By selecting a carrier fluid with optimized parameters, the system achieves superior gas exchange efficiency despite the increased structural complexity of the two-stage configuration.
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 two-stage system effectively oxygenates physiological fluids and removes carbon dioxide, reducing complications associated with existing systems by improving gas exchange efficiency and minimizing blood activation, thus providing reliable support for patients with lung dysfunction.
Implementation Method 1
The primary exchange module is configured to transfer oxygen from the gas to the carrier fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the carrier fluid to the gas
Implementation Method 2
The secondary exchange module configured to transfer the oxygen from the oxygen loaded carrier fluid to the physiological fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the physiological fluid to the carrier fluid
Implementation Method 3
using perfluorocarbon carrier fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A two-stage system for oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from a physiological fluid, including: a primary exchange module configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and a carrier fluid having carbon dioxide therein. The primary exchange module is configured to transfer oxygen from the gas to the carrier fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the carrier fluid to the gas to create an oxygen loaded carrier fluid and a carbon dioxide load gas. A secondary exchange module is configured to receive the oxygen loaded carrier fluid and a physiological fluid having the carbon dioxide therein. The secondary exchange module is configured to transfer the oxygen from the oxygen loaded carrier fluid to the physiological fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the physiological fluid to the carrier fluid to create an oxygen loaded physiological fluid.