Pneumatic Diaphragm Pump for Organ Perfusion Transport

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional perfusion systems for organs outside the body are inefficient due to the use of large electric pumps, which can lead to tissue damage from lack of perfusion during transport.

Innovation Solution

A perfusion system that includes a perfusion module with an oxygenator, one or more pumps, and a cannister with a tissue interface, allowing for the circulation and oxygenation of perfusate through the system, thereby maintaining organ viability during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electric pumps are used to circulate perfusate, then the perfusion system can maintain organ viability, but the pumps become large and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan viabilityVSAvoidpump size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional electric mechanical pumps with a pneumatic pump system that uses compressed gas to drive diaphragms for perfusate circulation. This substitution eliminates complex electrical motors and mechanical drive trains, resulting in a more compact and efficient device while maintaining reliable organ perfusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic actuation where compressed gas pressure is transmitted through fluid communication to move diaphragms that pump the perfusate. The pneumatic system integrates the pump chamber, diaphragm, and gas supply into a unified mechanism that is both compact and highly efficient for maintaining organ viability during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If conventional electric pumps are used to circulate perfusate, then the perfusion system can maintain organ viability, but the pumps become inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan viabilityVSAvoidpump efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional electric mechanical pumps with a pneumatic pump system that uses compressed gas to drive diaphragms for perfusate circulation. This substitution eliminates complex electrical motors and mechanical drive trains, resulting in a more compact and efficient device while maintaining reliable organ perfusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic actuation where compressed gas pressure is transmitted through fluid communication to move diaphragms that pump the perfusate. The pneumatic system integrates the pump chamber, diaphragm, and gas supply into a unified mechanism that is both compact and highly efficient for maintaining organ viability during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system effectively maintains organ viability by delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products, prolonging the organ's functional life outside the body during transport.

Implementation Method 1

an oxygenator configured to oxygenate the perfusate, the oxygenator configured to be fluidly coupled with an oxygen source and configured to receive oxygen therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-liquid exchange: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

pressurizing the pump chamber and pumping the oxygenated perfusate out of the pump chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurization: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250145967A1Tissue perfusion system

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 VASCULAR PERFUSION SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A perfusion system (100) includes a perfusion module (110) configured to circulate a perfusate. The perfusion module includes an oxygenator (112) configured to oxygenate the perfusate, the oxygenator configured to be fluidly coupled with an oxygen source and configured to receive oxygen therefrom, and a first and a second pump, each pump operably coupled with the oxygenator and configured to circulate the perfusate through the oxygenator. The system further comprises a cannister (140) and a tissue interface (150) disposed between the perfusion module and the cannister. The first and second pumps can be diaphragm pumps. The oxygen source can be in fluid communication with the perfusion module to allow flow of oxygen and pressurization of the pump diaphragms (128).