Modular Extracorporeal Pump and Fiber Cartridge System for Ambulatory Oxygenation and Carbon Dioxide Removal
A compact support system centers on a reusable base unit that houses a centrifugal impeller within a sealed pressurizing chamber and an adjoining molded flow-channel interface. This base hydraulically couples via a quick-connect port to interchangeable fiber-bundle cartridges, each varying in length, material or surface treatment. Inside every cartridge, a transverse bundle of hollow, gas-permeable fibers guides blood flow past a dedicated sweep-gas inlet and outlet circuit, enabling both oxygenation and carbon-dioxide removal in a counter-current configuration. Swapping cartridges allows clinicians to tailor membrane surface area or replace worn fibers without discarding the pump housing, accommodating a broad spectrum of blood flow rates and patient-specific therapy profiles.
Description
The technology sets itself apart through its modular, ambulatory-friendly architecture that minimizes waste and downtime. A single base unit can serve diverse patient populations—from neonates to adults—simply by exchanging fiber-bundle modules designed for precise gas-transfer requirements. Integrated centrifugal pumping and a low-prime volume reduce hemolysis risk, while counter-current gas flow maximizes transfer efficiency. In vitro data demonstrate clinically relevant oxygen and carbon-dioxide exchange at variable flow rates with minimal blood damage, offering a versatile platform for both high-flow ECMO and low-flow ECCO2R applications.Applications
- Portable ambulatory ECMO therapy- Home-based lung support devices
- Emergency respiratory care kits
- Transportable CO2 removal devices
- Pediatric portable lung assist
Advantages
- Modular quick-connect cartridges enable patient-specific customization of membrane surface area, materials, or treatments- Reusable base unit reduces waste and lowers long-term costs by allowing cartridge-only replacement
- Counter-current gas flow and transverse fiber orientation maximize oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal efficiency
- Wide operational flow-rate range supports both high-flow ECMO and low-flow ECCO₂R therapies
- Compact, ambulatory-friendly design enhances patient mobility and enables in- and out-of-hospital use
- Easy cartridge swapping minimizes device downtime and simplifies maintenance
- Demonstrated low hemolysis ensures improved biocompatibility and safer extracorporeal circulation