Blood oxygenator
Inventors
Wu, Zhongjun • Griffith, Bartley P.
Assignees
University of Maryland Baltimore
Publication Number
US-12178946-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-31
Expiration Date
2034-12-23
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Abstract
A blood oxygenator is disclosed comprising a housing, a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a spiral volute, a gas inlet, an oxygenator fiber bundle, and a gas outlet. The housing encloses the fiber bundle and provides the structure for the blood flow path and connectors. The fiber bundle comprises gas-exchange membranes which transfer oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide when the blood flows across the membranes. The spiral volute guides the blood to flow through the fiber bundle. A gas flow chamber receives sweep gas containing oxygen and distributes the sweep gas into the fiber membranes, which gas is then exchanged with the blood being oxygenated.
Core Innovation
The disclosed blood oxygenator addresses various shortcomings of existing devices by providing a compact and efficient device with a housing, blood inlet and outlet, a spiral volute, an oxygenator fiber bundle composed of gas-exchange membranes, and a gas flow chamber. Blood is introduced into the device and guided by the spiral volute to flow circumferentially and uniformly through the annular space surrounding the fiber bundle. This configuration enables uniform distribution and flow of blood across the membranes for enhanced oxygenation and removal of carbon dioxide.
Conventional oxygenators suffer from issues such as non-uniform blood flow, large blood-contacting surface areas, high priming volume, large physical size, and poor long-term biocompatibility due to problems like laminar boundary flow zones, stasis, and excessive mechanical shear stresses leading to blood activation and thrombosis. These factors limit their usability in long-term and ambulatory applications. Prior art solutions also encountered manufacturing complexity or undesirable flow characteristics.
The innovation incorporates a spiral volute with a decreasing internal cavity to progressively and circumferentially discharge blood into the annular space around the fiber bundle, achieving uniform blood flow and pressure distribution. An optional integrated heat exchanger manages blood temperature, and the overall design optimizes blood contact with membrane surfaces while minimizing trauma and device size. This results in a blood oxygenator suited for applications requiring minimized priming volume and improved biocompatibility.
Claims Coverage
There are three independent claims, each defining major inventive features for blood oxygenation systems, compact ambulatory blood oxygenators, and methods for oxygenating blood in an ambulatory setting.
Integrated blood oxygenation system with spiral volute and cylindrical annular fiber bundle
A blood oxygenation system comprising: - A housing with top and bottom, with a blood inlet at the bottom and a blood outlet at the top. - A spiral volute inside the housing guiding blood from the inlet to flow circumferentially around an oxygenator fiber bundle. - The oxygenator fiber bundle consists of microporous hollow fibers arranged as a cylindrical annulus. - A gas flow chamber distributes oxygen-containing sweep gas through the hollow fibers, enabling oxygen transfer to blood and carbon dioxide removal.
Compact blood oxygenator for ambulatory use with spiral volute and cylindrical fiber bundle
A compact blood oxygenator comprising: - A cylindrical housing with integrated blood and gas inlet/outlet ports positioned for vertical blood flow. - A blood inlet at the lower end and a blood outlet at the upper end of the housing. - A fiber bundle of gas-exchange membranes arranged cylindrically within the housing to transfer oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. - A spiral volute directing incoming blood in a helical pattern around the fiber bundle before blood passes radially inward through the bundle.
Method for oxygenating blood in an ambulatory setting using spiral volute and heat exchanger
A method for oxygenating blood, comprising: 1. Providing a blood oxygenator with cylindrical housing, spiral volute, fiber bundle with gas-exchange membranes, and integrated heat exchanger. 2. Introducing blood through a bottom blood inlet. 3. Guiding the blood helically around the fiber bundle via the spiral volute for uniform distribution. 4. Transferring oxygen and removing carbon dioxide through gas-exchange membranes as blood passes radially through the bundle. 5. Regulating blood temperature with the integrated heat exchanger before the blood contacts the fiber bundle. 6. Discharging oxygenated, temperature-regulated blood from a top blood outlet.
The inventive features include a spiral volute for circumferential and uniform blood distribution around a cylindrical fiber bundle, integration of gas flow chambers for efficient gas transfer, optional heat exchangers for temperature regulation, and methods supporting compact and ambulatory applications.
Stated Advantages
Provides uniform blood flow distribution through the fiber bundle, resulting in significant reduction of membrane surface area and priming volume.
Reduces trauma to blood compared to currently known oxygenator technologies.
Enables compact design suitable for ambulatory and long-term use.
Improves long-term durability and reliability.
Facilitates improved manufacturability with fewer components and easier assembly.
Documented Applications
Cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiothoracic surgeries.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiopulmonary support or respiratory support in hospitals.
Ambulatory ECMO for portable or wearable respiratory support.
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