Compact Wearable Hemofiltration Apparatus with Integrated Pump and Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hemofiltration devices require external machines, separate materials for filters and pumps, leading to assembly issues, high costs, and blood stagnation, limiting patient mobility and increasing treatment complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact, wearable filtering and pumping apparatus made from biocompatible, homogeneous plastic materials with integrated components, allowing for easy assembly and minimizing blood withdrawal, while preventing clot formation and blood stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate materials (metal for pump, plastic for filter) are used for pump and filter, then functional performance is achieved, but assembly problems and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump and filter into a single integrated apparatus where both components are made from the same biocompatible plastic material. The pump chamber and filter element are formed as one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate metal and plastic components and their associated assembly complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses homogeneous biocompatible plastic material for both the pump and filter components. This eliminates material incompatibility issues between metal and plastic, simplifies manufacturing, and ensures uniform biocompatibility throughout the entire apparatus.
2Reliability
If external machine is used for hemofiltration, then treatment is performed, but patient mobility is limited and treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the apparatus to be compact and portable, capable of being carried by the patient or inserted into a garment. The integrated pump and filter fit within a small form factor that can be worn on the patient's body, transforming a large external machine into a wearable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a floor-standing external machine to a compact wearable device that can be carried on the patient's body. This dimensional change in device size and placement enables patient mobility while maintaining treatment functionality.
3Reliability
If long conduits are used to connect machine to patient, then treatment is performed, but blood withdrawal volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filter from the external machine and integrates it directly into the wearable apparatus near the patient. This eliminates the need for long external conduits, reducing the volume of blood required to fill the circuit while maintaining effective filtration.
4Reliability
If filter areas with slowed blood flow are present, then filtration is performed, but clot formation and blood stagnation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the filter with a specific fiber arrangement and flow distribution characteristics that prevent localized stagnation. The hollow fiber configuration and pump integration create uniform blood flow distribution across the filter, eliminating areas where clots could form while maintaining effective filtration.
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
Enables continuous hemofiltration during daily activities with reduced blood volume withdrawal, simplified assembly, and reduced costs, ensuring constant and effective filtration without blood stagnation.
Implementation Method 1
the pump is typically a peristaltic pump, i.e. a pump comprising a motor that rotates an eccentric member, which alternately presses an elastic deformable pipe located near the eccentric member, thereby generating a pulsating thrust
Data Source
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AI summary
The filtering and pumping apparatus (1; 100; 200) for medical use comprises: feed lines (13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26) for feeding in and out a liquid to be pumped and filtered; a pumping unit (10, 1 1, 12) for pumping the fluid in said lines (13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26); a filter unit (4) for filtering said liquid; said lines V, said pumping unit (10, 1 1, 12), said filter unit (4) being associated together into a single compact body (2).