In Vivo Blood Filtration Membranes and Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable filtration devices, such as artificial kidneys, face challenges in achieving high filtration rates and improved mechanical stability of the filtration membrane.

Innovation Solution

The development of a filtration membrane with a planar front side and a non-planar backside featuring ribs, which is fabricated by etching grooves in a substrate and depositing membrane material to create a robust structure with nanopores, supported by ribs on the backside for enhanced mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a thin membrane is used to achieve high filtration efficiency, then filtration rate is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration rateVSAvoidmechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat membrane to a three-dimensional ribbed structure by adding vertical ribs that extend from the backside of the membrane. This dimensional change provides mechanical support without blocking the filtration pores, allowing the membrane to maintain both thinness for high filtration rate and structural integrity for mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural properties to different regions of the membrane. The front side maintains a thin, porous structure optimized for filtration, while the backside incorporates thicker ribs for mechanical support. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If membrane thickness is increased to improve mechanical stability, then strength is improved, but filtration efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidfiltration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the membrane structure into distinct functional zones: a thin front side with nanopores for filtration and a ribbed backside for mechanical support. This segmentation allows the membrane to achieve both mechanical strength and filtration efficiency by assigning different thicknesses to different functional regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a flat membrane structure is used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but pressure resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates ribs into the membrane structure during the fabrication process itself, rather than adding them as a separate post-processing step. The ribs are formed by depositing material into grooves that are etched into the substrate, integrating the structural support features into the manufacturing workflow and maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving pressure resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If ribs are added to the backside of the membrane to enhance mechanical stability, then strength is improved, but pore area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidpore area

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the mechanical support function from the filtration function by placing ribs only on the backside of the membrane, away from the pore-containing front side. This separation ensures that the ribs provide structural support without interfering with or blocking the filtration pores, thus maintaining both mechanical stability and effective pore area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 ribbed membrane design enhances mechanical stability and resistance to pressure, maintaining high filtration efficiency and durability, as demonstrated by improved creatinine clearance and hydraulic rupture threshold tests.

Implementation Method 1

diffusive creatinine clearance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

filtration efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

mechanical stability and resistance to pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical strength:

Data Source

PatentUS20250214040A1In Vivo Blood Filtration Membranes and Devices

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

Filtration membrane with improved mechanical stability and increased resistance to pressure is provided. The filtration membrane is useful for in vivo implantable filtration devices, such as, an artificial kidney. In vivo implantable filtration devices are also provided.