Method and apparatus for circulating or pumping organo-biological liquids, in particular blood

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that draining of the liquid takes place under a limited suction applied to the walls from the outside thereof.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 1, characterized by applying a positive pressure of limited magnitude to the liquid released to the outlet, from the exterior of said walls.

Claim 5

The method according to claim 3, characterized by applying pulsating pressure variations of limited magnitude to the liquid released to the outlet, from the exterior of said walls.

Claim 7

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that upon draining of a predetermined volume of liquid, such liquid volume is cut off from further supply by means of controlled valves affecting the flow cross-sections from the exterior of said walls, and by applying to such liquid volume a given positive pressure potential for transferring said liquid volume to said outlet.

Claim 8

The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the liquid, upon conveyance thereof to means for returning same, is intermittently separated from the pressure applying means by another valve.

Claim 9

The method according to claim 7, characterized in that circulation of the liquid is variably and automatically controlled under the action of central control means, by active operation of said valves and by alternatingly applying positive and negative pressures thereto, while simultaneously automatically measuring the fluid level in the individual circulation stages.

Claim 10

Apparatus for circulating organo-biological liquids, especially blood, in a closed system from and back to a living organism comprising: inlet liquid passage means for receiving the liquid to be circulated from the organism; a first receptacle connected to said inlet passage means for receiving the liquid by gravity from the organism by being positioned at a lower level relative to the original level of the liquid; a device connected to said first receptacle for withdrawing liquid therefrom and for applying a limited positive pressure to the withdrawn liquid for conveyance thereof, said device including a second receptacle through which the liquid flows; a third receptacle connected to said device for receiving liquid therefrom and for uniformly and continuously returning the liquid to the organism; outlet liquid passage means connected to said third receptacle for returning the circulated liquid to the organism; liquid passage means serially connecting said first, second and third receptacles; and valve means for controlling the flow through said passage means serially connecting said receptacles, characterized in that: each of said receptacles is of a collapsible bag-like form; said receptacles and all said liquid passage means are made of resilient or flexible material as one integral disposable assembly which is attachable to rigid parts of supporting structure; said valve means are arranged outside said liquid passage means; and said assembly is adapted to be readily prepared for instant operation by being substantially gas-free at least partially pre-filled with a liquid compatible with the liquid to be circulated, e.g., blood.

Claim 11

Apparatus for circulating organo-biological liquids, especially blood, in a closed system from and back to a living organism comprising: inlet liquid passage means for receiving the liquid to be circulated from the organism; a first receptacle connected to said inlet passage means for receiving the liquid by gravity from the organism by being positioned at a lower level relative to the original level of the liquid; a device connected to said first receptacle for withdrawing liquid therefrom and for applying a limited positive pressure to the withdrawn liquid for conveyance thereof, said device including a second receptacle through which the liquid flows; a third receptacle connected to said device for receiving liquid therefrom and for uniformly and continuously returning the liquid to the organism; outlet liquid passage means connected to said third receptacle for returning the circulated liquid to the organism; liquid passage means serially connecting said first, second and third receptacles; and valve means for controlling the flow through said passage means serially connecting said receptacles, characterized in that: each of said receptacles is of a collapsible bag-like form; said receptacles and all said liquid passage means are made of resilient or flexible material as one integral disposable assembly which is attachable to rigid parts of supporting structure; said valve means are arranged outside said liquid passage means; and said assembly is adapted to be readily prepared for instant operation by being substantially gas-free at least partially pre-filled with a liquid compatible with the liquid to be circulated, e.g., blood.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the internal volume of the assembly is sterilized and substantially gas-free partially filled with blood substitute.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said receptacles and all passage means have their inner surfaces each lined with silica-free silicone.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said receptacles and passage means have their inner surfaces each lined with fine polyurethane.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to claim 9 characterized in that in said walls of said passage means connected to said device, at least a section of the respective wall is formed with a membrane-like elastic configuration, said section having disposed thereabout a pressure-tight compartment adapted to be supplied with a controlled pressure for compressing the flow cross-section of the respective passage means in the manner of a membrane-type or diaphragm-type valve.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 9 characterized in that the valve means each comprises a clamping valve adapted to open and close the flow cross-section of the corresponding passage means from the exterior of the wall thereof.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to claim 9 characterized in that at least one of the receptacles is surrounded by a rigid housing within which a negative or positive pressure may be applied to the receptacle therein and a sensor is provided on said housing for detecting the fluid level in the receptacle therein.

Claim 18

The apparatus defined in claim 9 in which the receptacles and all of the liquid passage means are constructed and designed to provide optimum laminary flow conditions to avoid shear effects and traumatizing or destruction of blood cells and wherein the inner wall surfaces of said receptacles and passage means are made of one of fine polyurethane and silica-free silicone for optimum physiological compatability with blood and to minimize destruction of erythozytes.

Claim 19

The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said valve means each comprise a frame enclosing the associated passage means and a mechanically operable clamping or pinch off element for compressing or opening the flow cross-section of said passage means.

Claim 20

The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that said valve means each include means, for actuating said clamping element by a servomotor or by electromagnetic means operating with predetermined motion characteristics.

Claim 21

The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the side or surface of said clamping element which compresses and releases the flow cross-section of the respective passage means has a rounded, especially parabolic or semi-circularly curved, configuration which during compression maintains a laminary flow in every phase of operation.

Claim 22

The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that said frame includes in its side receiving said passage means, a closable opening for inserting said passage means.

Claim 23

The apparatus according to claim 9 characterized in that the first receptacle is surrounded by a rigid housing within which a negative pressure may be applied to the first receptacle and that the third receptacle is surrounded by a rigid housing within which a positive pressure may be applied to the third receptacle.

Claim 24

The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that said housings are adapted to be swung open for inserting said receptacles.

Claim 25

The apparatus according to claim 9 characterized in that said device is formed as a transport operation reservoir and comprises a pressure-tight housing enclosing the second receptacle with the inner volume or space surrounding said second receptacle within said housing being filled with a liquid and connected to a pump device by means of which said inner volume may be increased or reduced under timed control.

Claim 26

The apparatus according to claim 21 or 23 characterized by means for regulating the temperature of the liquid.

Claim 27

The apparatus according to claim 21 or 23 characterized in that the pressure within the housing surrounding said third receptacle is in communication with a pulsating device.

Claim 28

The apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that said pump device includes a gas-receiving displacement membrane or diaphragm adapted to be inflated, in controlled intermitting fashion, up to an automatically controlled maximum pressure exceeding the pressure of said gas spring.

Claim 29

The apparatus according to claim 23 characterized in that the third receptacle is enclosed in a pressure-tight housing and wherein the inner volume or space surrounding said third receptacle within said housing is filled with a liquid and is connected to a gas spring which exerts a pressure less than the pumping pressure of said pump device.

Claim 30

The apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that at least said transport operation reservoir, said pump device, said third receptacle and said gas spring are disposed within a common temperature-regulated housing.

Claim 31

The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that said gas spring and said pump device are combined in a single pump circulation device.