Apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow
Inventors
Galea, Anna • Parse, Joseph Beuford • Stengel, Kylie • LeRoy, Kristen • Duong, Minh • Warner, Samuel Harrington • Kamholz, Andrew Evan • Johnson, Brandon
Assignees
Vivonics Inc • Lung Biotechnology PBC • Weavr Health Corp
Publication Number
US-11181132-B2
Publication Date
2021-11-23
Expiration Date
2039-04-29
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Abstract
Apparatuses for flowing multiple fluids in a single channel while substantially maintaining fluid separation are disclosed. In one configuration, the apparatus includes a first internal surface portion with an affinity to a first fluid and a second internal surface portion with an affinity to a second fluid. In another configuration, the apparatus includes a first fluid channel portion, a second fluid channel portion wrapped helically around the first fluid channel portion, and an opening therebetween. Also disclosed is an apparatus for maintaining substantially even fluid flow in fluid pathways having a first flow resistor portion, a second flow resistor portion, and a fluid channel therebetween.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses apparatuses and methods for flowing multiple fluids in a single channel while substantially maintaining fluid separation to enable molecular transport between the fluids. A first configuration employs a fluid channel with distinct internal surface portions having different affinities to different fluids, thus facilitating stable or laminar flow without physical membranes. This separation relies on unique millifluidic considerations, surface tension, and surface affinity to control fluid interfaces acting as pseudo-membranes, reducing intermixture of fluids such as blood and a second fluid.
Another configuration involves a fluid channel comprising a first fluid channel portion and a second fluid channel portion wrapped helically around the first, with an opening allowing fluid contact without substantial mixing. This arrangement leverages the natural tumbling behavior of red blood cells in blood flow to keep fluids separated. Additionally, the invention provides an apparatus for equilibrating fluid flow in multiple parallel fluid pathways by incorporating flow resistor portions that increase fluid resistance without creating high shear rates, thus enabling substantially even flow across parallel channels.
The background problem addressed includes the difficulty of flowing blood and a second fluid in a single channel without intermixture or using physical membranes that hinder molecular transport and induce biofouling and thrombogenesis. Previous methods relying on physical membranes or flow resistors like pinch points in channels created issues such as hemolysis or uneven flow distribution. The invention overcomes these by using surface affinity differences, helical channel configurations, and carefully designed flow resistor portions to maintain fluid separation and even flow without damaging shear forces.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims, each defining a distinct apparatus for flowing multiple fluids in a single channel while maintaining fluid separation with specific structural and functional features.
Fluid channel with internal surfaces having distinct fluid affinities to maintain flow separation
A fluid channel configured to receive first and second fluids, having first and second internal surface portions with different fluid affinities configured to maintain substantially stable, separated flow of the fluids; the channel allows equal volumetric flow rates and satisfies the viscosity relationship u1<2u2 between the fluids.
Fluid channel with a first portion wrapped helically by a second portion allowing fluid contact
A fluid channel comprising a first fluid channel portion and a second fluid channel portion helically wrapped around the first, with an opening facilitating fluid contact while substantially maintaining fluid separation.
The claims cover apparatuses for maintaining separated flow of multiple fluids through surface chemistry and geometric configurations enabling stable laminar flow and fluid contact, including the viscous interface relationship and helical channel wrapping for fluid separation.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates molecular transport between multiple fluids flowing in a single channel without intermixture.
Avoids use of physical membranes, preventing biofouling and thrombogenesis in blood-contacting applications.
Maintains stable or laminar flow through surface affinity differences and channel design.
Enables substantially even fluid flow in multiple parallel fluid pathways without generating damaging high shear regions.
Provides a sanitary environment suitable for biomedical applications involving blood and other fluids.
Documented Applications
Flowing blood and a second fluid in a single channel to facilitate molecular transport such as oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
Hemodialysis and blood oxygenation applications requiring blood to flow in contact with other fluids without physical membranes.
Systems requiring even distribution of fluid flow across multiple parallel channels while avoiding hemolysis.
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