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Publication Number
US-12186464-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention is a cooling unit for a heat exchanger integrated in an oxygenator for the purpose of controlling the temperature of blood conveyed in an extracorporeal blood circuit. The cooling unit has a reservoir in which a liquid is stored, a reaction vessel comprises a reactant and which, in conjunction with the liquid, is able to initiate an endothermal reaction. A fluidic access is generated between the reservoir and the reaction vessel. A fluid line extends at least in part inside the reaction vessel which has an inlet line and outlet line connected to be fluid-tight to a hose system of the heat exchanger.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endothermal-reaction-based cooling unit integrated into an oxygenator heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of blood in an extracorporeal circuit. The cooling unit includes a reservoir for storing a liquid, a reaction vessel comprising a reactant which, in conjunction with the liquid, can initiate an endothermal reaction, and means for providing fluidic access between the reservoir and the reaction vessel.
An expansion tank having an overflow is arranged so that, after fluidic access is generated, liquid from the reservoir flows into the overflow. The overflow provides a fluid connection to the reaction vessel through which a proportion of stored liquid from the reservoir passes into the reaction vessel to initiate an endothermal reaction with the reactant, while a remaining proportion of the stored liquid passes into the expansion tank as heat-transfer liquid.
A fluid line extending at least in part inside the reaction vessel includes an inlet line and an outlet line, each connectable to a hose system of the heat exchanger, so that the fluid line and the hose system form at least part of a fluid circuit. A fluid pump is located along the fluid line such that liquid from the expansion tank passes into the fluid line extending at least in part inside the reaction vessel.
The arrangement further includes a liquid-circulating interior flow path for the fluid line, an optional filter unit for bacterial filtration, venting with a hydrophobic filter, and an agitator driven by an external motor. The system is described as modular with stackable disposable modules using reusable electronics, and an optional binding agent that gels post-use for disposal.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers an integrated cooling unit for a heat exchanger incorporated into an oxygenator, using a reservoir, an endothermal reaction vessel with a reactant, fluidic access between the reservoir and the reaction vessel, an expansion tank with overflow to split liquid, and a fluid line connected to the heat-exchanger hose system and arranged to pass liquid inside the reaction vessel via a pump. Dependent claims further specify additional inventive features.
Integrated cooling unit for an oxygenator heat exchanger with a reservoir and endothermal reaction vessel
A reservoir for storing a liquid, a reaction vessel comprising a reactant which, in conjunction with the liquid, can initiate an endothermal reaction, and means for providing a fluidic access between the reservoir and the reaction vessel.
Fluid line connected to the oxygenator heat-exchanger hose system and extending inside the reaction vessel
A fluid line extending at least in part inside the reaction vessel, having an inlet line and an outlet line, each connectable to a hose system of the heat exchanger, with the fluid line and the hose system forming at least part of a fluid circuit.
Expansion tank with overflow for splitting reservoir liquid between the reaction vessel and heat-transfer liquid
An expansion tank having an overflow into which the liquid from the reservoir flows after fluidic access is generated, so that the overflow provides a fluid connection to the reaction vessel to pass a proportion of the stored liquid into the reaction vessel to initiate an endothermal reaction, while a remaining proportion passes into the expansion tank.
Fluid pump along the fluid line delivering expansion-tank liquid through the reaction vessel
A fluid pump located along the fluid line so that liquid from the expansion tank passes into the fluid line extending at least in part inside the reaction vessel.
Non-return valve on the overflow fluid connection
A non-return valve on the overflow fluid connection to prevent liquid from flowing back from the reaction vessel into the expansion tank.
Peristaltic pump as the fluid pump
The fluid pump is configured as a peristaltic pump.
Legionella filter as the filter unit
The filter unit is configured as a Legionella filter.
Binding agent that forms a gel in the reaction vessel
The reaction vessel stores a binding agent that forms a gel when it contacts the liquid entering the vessel.
Gravity-driven, sharp-edged mechanically penetrative generation of fluidic access
The reservoir is positioned vertically above an expansion tank, with a spacer separating the reservoir from a sharp-edged fluid-access object below, such that removing the spacer allows gravity to drive the reservoir to mechanically penetrate the sharp edge and pour the liquid into the expansion tank to generate fluidic access.
Across the independent claim, the core inventive structure is an oxygenator-integrated cooling unit that uses a reservoir-to-reaction-vessel fluidic access, an expansion tank with overflow to split reservoir liquid between endothermal reaction initiation and heat-transfer liquid, and a fluid line connected to the oxygenator heat-exchanger hose system and pumped to extend at least in part inside the reaction vessel. Dependent claims add specific elements such as a non-return valve, peristaltic pumping, a Legionella filter, binding-agent gel formation in the reaction vessel, and a gravity-driven sharp-edge penetration arrangement for generating fluidic access.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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