Two-stage system and method for oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from a physiological fluid
Inventors
Galea, Anna • Hirschman, Gordon B. • Truong, Thieu Q • Vitale, Nicholas
Assignees
Publication Number
US-8574309-B2
Publication Date
2013-11-05
Expiration Date
2031-02-10
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Abstract
A two-stage system for oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from a physiological fluid, including: a primary exchange module configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and a carrier fluid having carbon dioxide therein. The primary exchange module is configured to transfer oxygen from the gas to the carrier fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the carrier fluid to the gas to create an oxygen loaded carrier fluid and a carbon dioxide load gas. A secondary exchange module is configured to receive the oxygen loaded carrier fluid and a physiological fluid having the carbon dioxide therein. The secondary exchange module is configured to transfer the oxygen from the oxygen loaded carrier fluid to the physiological fluid and transfer carbon dioxide from the physiological fluid to the carrier fluid to create an oxygen loaded physiological fluid.
Core Innovation
This invention features a two-stage system and method for oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from a physiological fluid. The system comprises a primary exchange module that receives a gas containing oxygen and a carrier fluid containing carbon dioxide and is configured to transfer oxygen from the gas to the carrier fluid while transferring carbon dioxide from the carrier fluid to the gas, producing an oxygen-loaded carrier fluid and a carbon dioxide-loaded gas. A secondary exchange module then receives the oxygen-loaded carrier fluid and physiological fluid containing carbon dioxide and is configured to transfer oxygen from the oxygen-loaded carrier fluid to the physiological fluid and simultaneously transfer carbon dioxide from the physiological fluid to the carrier fluid to create an oxygen-loaded physiological fluid.
The background describes the problem of limited options for patients with diseased or damaged lungs, including chronic lung diseases such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension, as well as lung cancer patients who are typically ineligible for lung transplantation due to immunosuppression risks. Lung transplantation remains constrained by the scarcity of donor organs, complications from surgery and immunosuppression, and long waiting periods. Existing oxygenation systems such as ECMO, ECCO2R, and IVOX devices are limited by being one-stage systems with drawbacks including blood activation, thrombogenesis, limited gas exchange capacity, and insufficient carbon dioxide removal.
This invention addresses these problems by providing a two-stage system. The two-stage design separates the oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal processes into primary and secondary modules, utilizing a carrier fluid that is immiscible with physiological fluid (e.g., perfluorocarbon) and hollow fibers and microfluidic channels to improve the gas exchange process. This approach reduces the complications associated with blood-contacting fibers and improves gas exchange efficiency by enabling oxygen loading and carbon dioxide removal in distinct stages, potentially offering better support or replacement for lung function.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim defining a two-stage system for oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from a physiological fluid and covers the main inventive features related to the configuration and operation of the primary and secondary exchange modules.
Two-stage system configuration for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange
A primary exchange module configured to receive a gas containing oxygen and a carrier fluid containing carbon dioxide, transferring oxygen to the carrier fluid and carbon dioxide to the gas to create an oxygen loaded carrier fluid and carbon dioxide loaded gas; and a secondary exchange module configured to receive the oxygen loaded carrier fluid and physiological fluid having carbon dioxide, transferring oxygen to the physiological fluid and carbon dioxide to the carrier fluid without a membrane between the oxygen loaded carrier fluid and the physiological fluid.
The independent claim establishes the core inventive concept as a two-stage oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal system employing distinct primary and secondary exchange modules configured for transfer of gases between a gas, carrier fluid, and physiological fluid with a unique feature of transfer without a membrane in the secondary module.
Stated Advantages
Reduces or eliminates problems associated with conventional one-stage systems such as ECMO and IVOX.
Effectively removes carbon dioxide from physiological fluid while oxygenating it.
Two-stage design decreases blood activation and thrombogenesis by minimizing direct blood contact with fibers.
Improves gas exchange efficiency by separating oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal into distinct modules.
Documented Applications
Assisting or replacing the function of diseased or damaged lungs in patients with lung diseases such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and supporting patients who are not eligible for lung transplantation.
Use as an artificial lung for short-term or permanent pulmonary support.
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