Pulsatile Blood Pump Venting System for Heart-Lung Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current venting systems for heart-lung machines are complex and inefficient in removing air bubbles during the priming process, leading to increased system resistance and prolonged filling times, especially when filling filters with blood from a reservoir.
Innovation Solution
A venting system with an air sensor positioned to detect air bubbles, a pulsatile blood pump controlled by a unit to automatically remove air, and a priming pump or compressor to manage fluid flow, allowing for independent speed adjustment and prevention of air re-entry, enabling fully automatic priming and reduced system resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is filled slowly by operating the blood pump at lower speed at periodic intervals, then air inclusions can be removed and the filter membrane can be properly wetted, but the priming process becomes prolonged and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blood pump operates in pulsatile mode with periodic acceleration phases, creating rhythmic flow variations that effectively move air bubbles through the filter and tubing while maintaining continuous priming progress
Solution Approach 2:
Air sensors detect air bubble presence in real-time and provide feedback to the control unit, which automatically adjusts pump speed and pulsatility to optimize both air removal and priming efficiency
2Reliability
If manual shaking or knocking is used to remove air bubbles after priming, then air can be removed from the circulation, but the process becomes complex and safety cannot be fully ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and removes air bubbles through integrated air sensors and pulsatile pump operation, eliminating the need for manual shaking or knocking operations
Solution Approach 2:
Air sensors continuously monitor the circulation system and provide feedback to the control unit, enabling automatic adjustment of pump parameters to remove air bubbles without manual intervention
3Reliability
If multiple air sensors are used to automatically check different positions for air accumulations, then air removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air sensors at multiple positions provide distributed feedback to the control unit, enabling comprehensive automatic monitoring and control of air bubble removal throughout the circulation system
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system is divided into multiple monitoring zones with air sensors positioned at critical locations, allowing targeted detection and removal of air bubbles in specific segments
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 solution accelerates and simplifies the priming process, ensuring complete air removal and reducing system resistance, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency during therapeutic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The venting system (1) comprises a priming circulation (2) and a fluid container (3). The venting system (1) comprises an air sensor (8, 9)
Implementation Method 2
the blood pump can thus be operated in a pulsatile manner in order to loosen air bubbles that have become stuck in the tubing or the oxygenator and remove them from the priming circulation
Implementation Method 3
A priming pump which is connected to the control pump is arranged between the priming fluid container and the priming circulation
Implementation Method 4
a point of the priming circulation at which the air bubbles collect in practice
Data Source
AI summary
A deaerating device set allows a priming circuit to be deaerated fully automatically using a deaerating unit and a priming control unit, a priming liquid container and preferably a priming pump or a priming compressor. A blood pump is operated in a pulsatile manner during the pumping of a priming fluid.