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US 12,296,080 B2Granted
Microfluidic diffusion devices and systems, and methods of manufacturing and using same
AssigneeThe United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
InventorJoseph A. Potkay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are rolled-membrane microfluidic diffusion devices and corresponding methods of manufacture. Also disclosed herein are three-dimensionally printed microfluidic devices and corresponding methods of manufacture. Optionally, the disclosed microfluidic devices can function as artificial lung devices.
Claims20
A three-dimensionally printed diffusion device comprising:
- a liquid distribution pathway extending along a liquid flow axis and comprising:
- at least one liquid inlet;
- at least one liquid outlet;
- and
- a capillary bed positioned between the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one liquid outlet relative to the liquid flow axis, the capillary bed comprising a plurality of capillary elements defining respective lumens that are in fluid communication with the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one liquid outlet;
- and
- a gas flow pathway extending along a gas flow axis that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the liquid flow axis,
- wherein the gas flow pathway intersects at least a portion of the capillary bed to define a gas exchange region, and
- wherein the plurality of capillary elements are formed from a material that permits diffusion of gas from the gas flow pathway into liquid within the plurality of capillary elements, and
- wherein, within the gas exchange region, portions of the gas flow pathway circumferentially surround at least a portion of a length of each capillary element of the plurality of capillary elements.
7 more elements
A method comprising:
- positioning a source of blood in fluid communication with a liquid distribution pathway of a three-dimensionally printed diffusion device, the three-dimensionally printed diffusion device comprising:
- the liquid distribution pathway extending along a liquid flow axis and comprising:
- at least one liquid inlet;
- at least one liquid outlet;
- and
- a capillary bed positioned between the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one liquid outlet relative to the liquid flow axis, the capillary bed comprising a plurality of capillary elements defining respective lumens that are in fluid communication with the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one liquid outlet;
- and
- a gas flow pathway extending along a gas flow axis that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the liquid flow axis,
- wherein the gas flow pathway intersects at least a portion of the capillary bed to define a gas exchange region, and
- wherein the plurality of capillary elements are formed from a material that permits diffusion of gas from the gas flow pathway into liquid within the plurality of capillary elements, and
- wherein, within the gas exchange region, portions of the gas flow pathway circumferentially surround at least a portion of a length of each capillary element of the plurality of capillary elements;
- positioning the gas flow pathway of the diffusion device in fluid communication with a source of gas,
- wherein gas from the source of gas diffuses from the gas flow pathway into blood within the plurality of capillary element.
10 more elements
A method comprising:
- printing a diffusion device with a three-dimensional (3D) printer, the diffusion device comprising:
- a liquid distribution pathway extending along a liquid flow axis and comprising:
- at least one liquid inlet;
- at least one liquid outlet;
- and
- a capillary bed positioned between the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one liquid outlet relative to the liquid flow axis, the capillary bed comprising a plurality of capillary elements defining respective lumens that are in fluid communication with the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one liquid outlet;
- and
- a gas flow pathway extending along a gas flow axis that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the liquid flow axis,
- wherein the gas flow pathway intersects at least a portion of the capillary bed to define a gas exchange region, and
- wherein the plurality of capillary elements are formed from a material that permits diffusion of gas from the gas flow pathway into liquid within the plurality of capillary elements, and
- wherein, within the gas exchange region, portions of the gas flow pathway circumferentially surround at least a portion of a length of each capillary element of the plurality of capillary elements.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.