Rotatable Intracorporeal Gas Exchange Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intracorporeal gas exchange devices for treating lung diseases like ARDS and COPD face limitations due to size constraints, which affect gas exchange efficiency and safety, and existing therapies like mechanical ventilation and ECMO have high mortality rates and complications.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, rotatable shaft with axially spaced agitation mechanisms and hollow gas-permeable fibers positioned radially outward, along with a support member and manifolds for gas exchange, and a drive system to rotate the shaft at high speeds, enhancing gas exchange efficiency while minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device size is reduced to facilitate insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but gas exchange efficiency deteriorates due to limited membrane surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static membrane configuration to a dynamic three-dimensional structure where the membrane can be agitated and rotated. This adds temporal and spatial dynamics to the gas exchange process, allowing enhanced efficiency within a compact form factor by creating turbulent flow patterns and reducing boundary layer thickness through active agitation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates active agitation mechanisms including rotating impellers and oscillating membranes that dynamically adjust the gas exchange interface. This dynamic configuration allows the device to maintain high gas exchange efficiency despite reduced size by continuously renewing the gas-liquid interface and preventing stagnation zones that would limit transfer rates.
2Productivity
If agitation mechanisms are added to enhance gas exchange, then gas exchange efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified components: the rotating shaft serves both as a structural support and as an agitation mechanism; the membrane structure provides both gas exchange surface and structural integrity; and the control system regulates both flow rates and agitation intensity. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining enhanced gas exchange efficiency.
3Productivity
If high-speed rotation is used to enhance gas exchange, then gas exchange efficiency is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable speed control of the rotation mechanism, allowing the system to operate at different rotational velocities depending on clinical needs. The control system can adjust rotation speed to optimize gas exchange while staying below thresholds that would cause mechanical damage to surrounding tissues. This parameter adjustment capability enables the device to achieve high efficiency when needed while maintaining safety during prolonged operation.
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 device achieves significant CO2 removal rates and improved oxygen exchange, reducing the workload on diseased lungs and minimizing complications associated with external therapies, with the potential for easier insertion and reduced hospital resource demands.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers adapted to permit diffusion of gas between intracorporeal fluid and an interior of the hollow fibers
Implementation Method 2
at least one agitation mechanism positioned on the rotatable shaft... enhancing gas exchange efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A system for intracorporeal gas exchange includes a flexible, rotatable shaft; a plurality of axially spaced agitation mechanisms positioned on the rotatable shaft, such that the rotatable shaft can flex between the axially spaced agitation mechanisms; a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers adapted to permit diffusion of a gas between an intracorporeal fluid and an interior of the hollow fibers. The plurality of hollow fibers is positioned radially outward from the agitation mechanisms. A blood contacting medical system includes at least one seal, and a purge system via which a flushing fluid is introduced under pressure over a blood-side face of the at least one seal and caused to flow through a space on the blood-side face of the at least one seal. The system can further include a rotatable member. The space on the blood-side face of the at least one seal can be in fluid connection with an annular space adjacent to a rotating element operatively connected to the rotatable member.