University of Pittsburgh

Electromedics, Inc.

Medtronic, Inc.

Medtronic Electromedics, Inc.

Gary D Reeder

Harvey S Borovetz

Mark J Gartner

Philip Litwak

Patricia Sawzik

Thomas C Robinson

Robert F Gremel

Brack G Hattler

Sean D Plunkett

Henry W Palermo

Frank R Walters

Thomas P Sahines

Robert K Fernandez

Michael J Janicki

Peter Z Kubisa

Patricia J Sawzik

Peter J Hier

A combination mass transfer and pump apparatus, which in a single step actively mixes a first mass and a second mass and simultaneously pumps one of the first mass and the second mass through the apparatus. The combination mass transfer and pump apparatus substantially comprises a housing and at least one distributor element having a plurality of selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements wherein the at least one distributor element is agitated within the second mass such that the first mass diffuses across the selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements, mixing with the second mass, and in the same step the second mass is pumped through the housing.

Membrane apparatus with enhanced mass transfer, heat transfer and pumping capabilities via active mixing

A blood membrane oxygenator having a housing defining a blood flow path, a rotor hub in the form of a double lumen shaft, and a plurality of distributor disks each having a plurality of hollow fibers which extend across the housing blood flow path. The plurality of distributor disks rotate within the housing to mix the blood resulting in three-dimensional mixing, disruption of the blood boundary layer and efficient blood oxygenation.

Membrane apparatus with enhanced mass transfer via active mixing

A blood membrane oxygenator has a housing defining a blood flow path, a rotor hub in the form of a double lumen shaft, and a plurality of distributor disks each having a plurality of hollow fibers which extend across the housing blood flow path. The plurality of distributor disks rotate within the housing to mix the blood resulting in three-dimensional mixing, disruption of the blood boundary layer and efficient blood oxygenation.

Micro-conduit with enhanced wetting characteristics for use in providing a blood heat exchanger apparatus with improved heat exchange capability. The micro-conduit comprises a plurality of elongated fibers, which may be made of a hydrophobic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Each fiber is open at two opposing ends, and has an inner surface between the open ends. The inner surface is coated with a wetting agent, such as phosphatidyl choline or another ampiphilic material with a hydrophilic end and a hydrophobic end. The fibers may have a shape and size that without presence of the wetting agent, would otherwise substantially impair free passage of water. The micro-conduit may be provided as a heat exchanger micro-conduit wrapping material, wherein micro-conduit fibers are attached to a thin flexible interconnect, such as woven netting, to maintain the fibers at predetermined spacings in substantially parallel alignment with each other. The wrapping material is wrapped about an elongated spindle to provide a generally cylindrical heat exchange core. Opposing first and second seals are created by applying potting compound between fibers proximate the spindle's first end and proximate the spindle's second end. After ends of the fibers are trimmed and sealed, a shell is placed around the core.

Blood heat exchange system employing micro-conduit

An intravenous fiber membrane oxygenator is disclosed in several embodiments wherein the fibers either run at a transverse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the oxygenator and/or are of a reduced length to optimize the gas transfer efficiency of the oxygenator. Various helical or spiral wraps of fibers are disclosed. One embodiment utilizes two sets of longitudinally extending fibers wherein the oxygen gas is moved in opposite directions from a central location of the oxygenator.

Inflatable percutaneous oxygenator with transverse hollow fibers

A gas transfer apparatus readily adapted for oxygenating blood includes a housing with a hollow internal chamber having a fiber mat consisting of two sets of intermingled hollow fibers with one set of fibers having micropores formed in the walls thereof and the other set having solid liquid impermeable walls. The housing for the apparatus is designed such that the blood being processed passes substantially uniformly across the entire cross section of the fiber mat whereby a treating gas such as oxygen being directed through the microporous fibers can be diffused into the oxygen deficient blood while excess CO.sub.2 in the blood can cross diffuse into the interior of the fiber and be removed from the apparatus. Simultaneously with the cross diffusion of gas between the microporous fibers and the blood, a thermal conducting fluid such as water is passed through the solid walled fibers to maintain or regulate the temperature of the blood in the apparatus. The microporous and solid walled fibers may be woven in layers which are laminated to form a predetermined mat thickness separated by layers with only parallel fibers of a single set in each layer.

Gas transfer apparatus

A blood filter device for separating gas bubbles from a flow of blood includes a filter medium in a lower body portion of the device through which the blood must flow before being directed through an outlet tube. An upper cap sealed to the top of the lower body portion includes a blood inlet tube into which a conical dispersion plate is projected so as to decrease the rate of flow of the blood. The rate of flow further decreases as it enters a debubbling chamber in the cap. A top wall of the cap defines a sloped and arched channel around the inlet tube adapted to direct released gas toward a vent tube at the uppermost extent of the sloped top wall.

Blood filter

A method of cleaning red blood cells which have been separated from undesirable components of blood in a centrifugal separating chamber includes the steps of pulsating a washing solution through the red blood cells in an alternating high flow rate/low flow rate sequence so as to alternately agitate the red cells for optimal cleaning and stabilize the red cells to prevent a flushing of the cells from the separation chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Beulah, CO, United States of America

Gary D Reeder