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Publication Number
US-11298447-B2
Publication Date
2022-04-12
Expiration Date
2039-02-04
Abstract
A carbon dioxide absorption medium. The absorption medium includes a plurality of hollow fibers and a plurality of binder particles. The hollow fibers have walls comprising a selectively permeable membrane that is configured to permit passage of gaseous carbon dioxide but not liquids. The plurality bind particles are dispersed between the hollow fibers and comprise an absorbent material configured to absorb gaseous carbon dioxide and to bind the carbon dioxide in a solid state.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a carbon dioxide absorption medium designed for extra-corporeal carbon dioxide removal from the blood of patients suffering from elevated carbon dioxide levels due to respiratory disorders. The absorption medium comprises a plurality of hollow fibers with walls formed from a membrane selectively permeable to gaseous carbon dioxide, and a plurality of binder particles dispersed between the hollow fibers. These binder particles absorb gaseous carbon dioxide and bind it in a solid state, thereby reducing carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
The background highlights the problem with conventional extra-corporeal carbon dioxide removal systems that require a continuous supply of carrier gas to sweep away the carbon dioxide across a membrane. Such systems are bulky and cumbersome due to the need for high-pressure gas cylinders and associated safety equipment, making them impractical for austere or space-limited treatment environments like aeromedical evacuations.
The invention overcomes these issues by providing a system that absorbs and retains carbon dioxide in a solid state within binder particles, eliminating the need for continuous carrier gas flow. The system includes a carbon dioxide absorption cartridge housing the absorption medium and allows blood to flow through hollow fibers where carbon dioxide passes through the semi-permeable membrane and is absorbed by the binder particles. The invention also contemplates the inclusion of hemodialysis to remove other blood waste products concurrently, all while being suitable for use in various medical settings including non-traditional treatment environments.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains three independent claims that cover the absorption medium, the carbon dioxide absorption cartridge, the blood treatment system, and the method of removing carbon dioxide from blood.
Carbon dioxide absorption medium comprising hollow fibers and binder particles
A plurality of hollow fibers each having a lumen and a wall comprising a membrane selectively permeable to gaseous carbon dioxide, and a plurality of binder particles dispersed between the fibers. The binder particles are configured to absorb gaseous carbon dioxide and to bind and retain the carbon dioxide in a solid state.
Carbon dioxide absorption cartridge with housing containing the absorption medium
A housing having an inlet and outlet port with an internal cavity containing the absorption medium described above. Blood flows through the hollow fibers where gaseous carbon dioxide passes through the membrane and is absorbed by surrounding binder particles. The internal cavity may have partitions restricting blood flow to the hollow fibers only, and no carrier or sweep gas flow is required for carbon dioxide removal.
Blood treatment system comprising the carbon dioxide absorption cartridge and blood flow pathways
Includes the carbon dioxide absorption cartridge, a first blood flow pathway from the patient to the cartridge inlet, and a second blood flow pathway from the cartridge outlet back to the patient. The system optionally includes a pump for circulating blood and a dialyzer for performing hemodialysis. Blood flows through the hollow fibers, removing carbon dioxide without requiring carrier or sweep gas.
Method for removing carbon dioxide from blood using the carbon dioxide absorption cartridge
Transporting blood from a patient to the carbon dioxide absorption cartridge containing the absorption medium, moving blood through the cartridge to remove carbon dioxide via diffusion through the selectively permeable hollow fiber membranes and absorption by binder particles. Returning the blood with reduced carbon dioxide to the patient. This method requires neither a carrier fluid flow nor a sweep fluid flow for carbon dioxide removal.
The independent claims collectively cover a carbon dioxide absorption medium that uses hollow fibers and binder particles to remove carbon dioxide from blood without carrier gas, a cartridge incorporating this medium, a blood treatment system using the cartridge and flow pathways, and a method for removing carbon dioxide employing the cartridge and medium. These features emphasize gasless extra-corporeal carbon dioxide removal and solid-state binding of carbon dioxide.
Stated Advantages
Elimination of the need for a continuous flow of carrier gas, thus removing cumbersome bulky high-pressure gas cylinders and associated safety equipment.
Reduction in system size and complexity, making it suitable for austere treatment environments and limited physical space situations such as aeromedical evacuations.
Capability to remove carbon dioxide from blood extra-corporeally in a simpler and more compact system.
Potential to combine with hemodialysis to concurrently remove excess urea and other metabolic waste from blood.
Documented Applications
Treatment of patients suffering from elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood due to respiratory disorders (hypercapnia).
Use in extra-corporeal blood treatment systems for carbon dioxide removal, including in austere treatment environments and limited space settings like aeromedical evacuations.
Integration into blood treatment systems that optionally perform hemodialysis to remove excess urea from blood concurrently with carbon dioxide removal.
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