Oxygenator design by simulation of fluid flow and gas exchange
Blood flow and O2-saturation in a capillary membrane oxygenator model
Oxygenator design by simulation of fluid flow and gas exchange
| Blood flow and O2-saturation in a capillary membrane oxygenator model | ||
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The optimisation of oxygenators aims at the maximisation of gas exchange rates in combination with acceptable blood and gas pressure drops and fluid flow conditions which avoid blood damage and clotting. This can be achieved by an optimisation of the global flow regime and blood velocity distribution as well as the local conditions regarding the fibre arrangement and flow around the fibres.
Similar to a dialyzer, the oxygenator is characterised by a large scale of geometrical dimensions relations the fibre diameter to the housing. Additionally, due to the high amount of fibres, the simulation of the entire oxygenator including the geometrical modelling of all fibres is practically impossible.
Therefore, in the numerical oxygenator model developed by ASD GmbH, a global model of the fluid flow characteristics in the oxygenator is combined with a local model which describes the physical and chemical processes of the oxygen and carbon dioxide transport in blood and which allows the prediction of the spatial distribution of both gases in blood and gas.
In this model, the local transfer rates across the membrane depend both on the local concentration differences across the membrane as well as on the specific membrane properties.
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|  Flow parameters in extraluminal space between hollow fibres | |||
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This complex numerical model allows ASD GmbH to analyse the flow and gas transport processes in oxygenators for more detailed as it is possible with only experimental investigations. Additionally, performance predictions of virtual oxygenator design can be provided. Thus, the further development and design of oxygenators is based on a considerably wider data base and can be therefore performed for more purposefull and efficient.
|  Distribution of blood velocity in fibre bundles with different fibre density
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