JP2005342394A - Hollow fiber type module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hollow fiber type module for keeping airtight property required as a product and raising the yield of the product by preventing adhesion between a buffer board and a hollow fiber bundle and evading the damage of a hollow fiber film. <P>SOLUTION: In the hollow fiber type module, both the ends of the hollow fiber bundle 5 which is mounted on a casing 2 are sealed with a resin composition 10, the inner part of the casing 2 is divided into a treated liquid space for passing a treated liquid and a treating liquid space for passing a treating liquid, and connection ports 15 serving as a flow-in port 13 or a flow-out port 14 of the treating liquid are arranged in the neighborhood of both the ends of the casing 2. A port 31 at the extension side of the connection port 15 has a circle shape and a port 32 at a proximal end has an imperfect circle shape which is deformed in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a hollow fiber type module used for blood purification or the like, and more particularly, to a hollow fiber type module having an improved connection port structure serving as an inlet or outlet for processing liquid.

  In the hollow fiber type module, a hollow fiber bundle is filled in a cylindrical casing, both ends of the hollow fiber bundle are fixed to the inner surface of the casing with a resin composition, and a supply port or a discharge port for a liquid to be processed is provided at both ends of the casing. Each of the cap members is mounted, and connection ports serving as an inlet and an outlet for the processing liquid are provided near both ends of the outer peripheral portion of the casing, and the liquid to be processed is supplied from the supply port and passes through the inside of each hollow fiber membrane. In this case, the purification process is performed by the outside processing liquid.

  The step of fixing the both ends of the hollow fiber bundle with the resin composition is called a potting step. For example, both ends of the casing loaded with the hollow fiber bundle are covered with caps and closed in this state in the casing. A resin liquid such as polyurethane is injected from the inlet and outlet of the processing liquid projecting near both ends of the outer periphery of the resin, and this resin liquid is allowed to flow and cure to the end of the casing by centrifugal force, and then the cap is removed. By cutting off unnecessary portions, the ends of the hollow fiber bundle are fixed to the ends in the casing, and both ends of the hollow fiber membrane are opened.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the openings and outlets of the inlet and outlet and the yarn bundle are located at the position corresponding to the connection port 53 serving as the inlet or outlet of the processing liquid in the casing 52. A buffer plate (baffle plate) 54 is provided between them, and the treatment liquid flowing when the hollow fiber type module 51 is used is applied to the baffle plate 54 and dispersed to prevent the hollow fiber membrane from being damaged. When the mold module 51 is manufactured, the injected resin liquid is guided by the baffle plate 54. The baffle plate 54 is formed as a tongue-like member whose base end portion is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the casing 52 and whose distal end portion extends toward the opening end portion of the casing 52. In FIG. 4, 55 is a resin composition (potting part), and 56 is a hollow fiber bundle.

  In Patent Document 1, ribs that are erected from the center side in the longitudinal direction of the housing toward the end of the housing face the side opening at a position inside the housing and away from the inner surface of the housing. And providing a space between the hollow fiber membrane side surface near the rib top and the surrounding hollow fiber membrane so that the hollow fiber membrane side surface near the rib top of the rib does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane. An invention whose gist is to obtain a shape that can be formed is proposed. In this invention, when the potting agent is injected from the opening provided on the side surface of the housing and the partition is formed, the potting agent contacts and adheres to the hollow fiber membrane other than the partition forming portion, and the partition forming portion is attached to the housing. It prevents the hollow fiber membranes other than those from adhering to each other and prevents leakage due to breakage of the hollow fiber membranes.

Patent Document 2 discloses a hollow fiber membrane hemodialyzer in which a hollow fiber membrane bundle is inserted into a cylindrical container provided with a dialysate inlet nozzle and a dialysate outlet nozzle in a direction perpendicular to a side surface. The dialysate inlet nozzle does not have a dam behind the dialysate inlet nozzle, the cross-sectional area of the flow path at the nozzle inner end is narrower than that of the nozzle outer end, and the center of the flow path at the nozzle inner end is outside the nozzle An invention has been proposed that is eccentric to the upstream side of the dialysate flow from the center of the flow path at the end. In the present invention, the inflow of dialysate is maximally efficient, thereby improving dialysis efficiency.
In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, ribs and weirs correspond to the baffle plate.
JP 2000-42100 A Japanese Patent No. 3186138

  By the way, in the conventional hollow fiber type module, as shown in FIG. 4, when the hollow fiber type module 51 is manufactured, the resin liquid as the potting agent flows through the baffle plate 54, but the viscosity of the resin liquid is high. In this case, since the speed at which the resin liquid permeates between the hollow fibers is slow, the resin liquid level L is formed closer to the axial direction center side than the designed level, although it is temporary immediately after the resin liquid flows. . At this time, if the tip of the baffle plate 54 interferes with the resin liquid layer, a part of the hollow fiber bundle 56 is fixed to the baffle plate 54, and damage to the hollow fiber may be induced by subsequent vibration or impact. If the hollow fiber is damaged and the airtightness is impaired, the treatment liquid is mixed into the liquid to be treated, so that it is removed as a nonconforming product in the product inspection and the yield of the product is lowered, and the hollow fiber filling rate is particularly high. In some cases it becomes noticeable. In addition, after product inspection, the hollow fiber type module is transported in a state where the casing is filled with liquid, but if vibration or impact is applied during transportation with a part of the hollow fiber bundle fixed to the baffle plate. The inertial force of the liquid is applied to the fixing portion of the hollow fiber and the hollow fiber is damaged. Therefore, there is a possibility that the processing liquid leaks during use.

Since the gap between the baffle plate and the hollow fiber bundle is small, the gap between the inner surface of the cylindrical casing and the baffle plate is small. Even if managed, it was not easy to avoid.
Although it is conceivable to shorten the baffle plate to avoid temporary contact with the resin liquid, simply shortening the baffle plate does not disperse the processing liquid flowing from the connection port when using the hollow fiber module. The hollow fiber membrane cannot be prevented from being damaged. Although it is conceivable that the connection port is moved away from the position of the resin liquid level L together with the baffle plate, if the connection port is moved to the center side in the longitudinal direction of the casing, the processing liquid can be sufficiently distributed in the casing. Therefore, the processing capacity of the hollow fiber type module is reduced. Furthermore, the opening inside the casing (opening facing the baffle plate) of the connection port is opened in a shape that is crushed toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the casing, so that the treatment liquid is sufficiently dispersed even if the baffle plate is short. Although it is conceivable that the flow rate resistance in the connection port increases and the flow rate of the processing liquid decreases, it is difficult to maintain the processing capability of the hollow fiber type module.

  And in patent document 1, it is trying to prevent the induction | guidance | derivation of a hollow fiber by making it a shape which provides a space between the hollow fiber side surface and the hollow fiber of the periphery in the vicinity of the top part of a baffle board (rib). However, when the filling rate of the hollow fiber is increased, the effect is reduced. In addition, the shape is complicated, the cost is low at the time of molding, and it is inferior in economic efficiency, which is not a fundamental solution.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, the shape of the dialysate inlet nozzle is devised without providing a baffle plate (weir) behind the dialysate inlet nozzle, but the dialysate that flows from the nozzle during use of the hollow fiber type module May directly hit the hollow fiber bundle, so that the hollow fiber may still be damaged.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and avoids damage to the hollow fiber membrane by preventing the buffer plate and a part of the hollow fiber bundle from sticking without greatly changing the flow of the processing liquid. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hollow fiber type module that can maintain the airtightness required for a product while preventing a reduction in processing capability and can improve the yield of the product.

The present invention has been made in order to achieve the above object. According to the first aspect of the present invention, both ends of a hollow fiber bundle loaded in a case are sealed with a resin composition to cover the inside of the case. A processing liquid space through which the processing liquid passes and a processing liquid space through which the processing liquid passes are provided, and connection ports serving as supply or discharge ports for the processing liquid are provided at both ends of the case to communicate with the processing liquid space. In the hollow fiber type module in which a connection port serving as an inlet or outlet of the processing liquid is provided near both ends of the case to communicate with the processing liquid space, and a buffer plate is provided between the connection port and the hollow fiber bundle.
The extending end side port opening of the connection port is circular, and the proximal end port opening is a non-circular shape crushed in the longitudinal direction of the case.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the area ratio of the flow path of the base end side port port and the flow path of the extended end side port port of the connection port is 1: 1.2 to 5.0. The hollow fiber module according to claim 1.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the flow path center of the extended end side port port of the connection port and the flow path center of the base end side port port are on the same line. 2. The hollow fiber type module according to 2.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the buffer plate covers the tip of the base end side port opening, and the buffer plate extended from the port side toward the resin composition side has a tip portion of the buffer plate. The hollow fiber type module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hollow fiber type module is set to a length that does not interfere with the level of creeping up.

  The hollow fiber module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a filling rate of the hollow fiber in the cylindrical casing is 40 to 80%. is there.

According to the hollow fiber type module of the present invention, the following excellent effects are obtained.
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the buffer plate covers the tip of the base end side port port, the length of the buffer plate is reduced compared to the conventional case where the shape of the base end port port is circular. Can be shortened. Therefore, it is easy to avoid the damage of the hollow fiber membrane by preventing the buffer plate and a part of the hollow fiber bundle from sticking, thereby maintaining the airtightness required for the product and improving the product yield. Can be made.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, by setting the area ratio of the base end side flow path and the extension end side flow path of the connection port to 1: 1.2 to 5.0, the inflow into the casing An excessive speed can be suppressed.

  According to the invention of claim 3, by setting the flow path center of the extension end side and the base end side of the connection port on the same line, the flow of the processing liquid flowing into the casing does not change, It does not affect the performance of the hollow fiber module.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the tip of the buffer plate covering the front end of the base end side port port is present at a position that does not interfere with the rising level of the resin liquid, In addition, it is possible to prevent the hollow fiber membrane from being damaged by preventing the buffer plate and a part of the hollow fiber bundle from sticking to each other.

  According to the invention of claim 5, by setting the filling rate of the hollow fiber in the cylindrical casing to 40 to 80%, it is possible to ensure an appropriate gap between the yarns in the hollow fiber bundle, It is possible to improve the processing capacity by improving the liquid flow of the processing liquid.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view in which a half of a hollow fiber type module according to the present invention is a cross-sectional view.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hollow fiber module 1 is filled with a hollow fiber bundle 5 inside a cylindrical casing 2 (corresponding to the case in the present invention), and one end of the cylindrical casing 2 is treated. A cap member 7 protruding from a supply port 6 for introducing a liquid (for example, blood) is screwed and attached, and a cap member 9 protruding from the other end is provided with a discharge port 8 through which processed blood flows out. A potting portion 10 that is screwed and attached to both ends of the cylindrical casing 2 and that adheres and fixes the end of the hollow fiber bundle 5 to the inner surface of the casing 2 with a resin composition such as polyurethane resin is sealed. The space in 2 is partitioned into a treatment liquid space (inside each hollow fiber) through which the treatment liquid passes and a treatment liquid space (outside each hollow fiber) through which the treatment liquid passes. In addition, a connection port 15 serving as an inlet 13 or an outlet 14 for a treatment liquid (for example, dialysate) to be purified is provided in the vicinity of both ends of the outer periphery of the cylindrical casing 2, so that blood or the like to be supplied from the supply port 6 is provided. The treatment liquid is purified by a treatment liquid such as dialysate injected from the inlet 13 through the hollow fiber 11.

  The cylindrical casing 2 is a member that constitutes the case of the present invention together with the cap members 7 and 9, and in this embodiment, the cylindrical casing 2 has a substantially cylindrical body formed with enlarged diameter portions 2 'at both end portions. In addition, the synthetic resin material such as olefin resin (for example, polypropylene) is integrally formed with the inlet 13 and the outlet 14 and is formed as a transparent container so that the state of the hollow fiber bundle 5 can be easily grasped. Yes. The structure of the connection port 15 serving as the inflow port 13 or the outflow port 14 will be described later.

  The hollow fiber bundle 5 loaded in the cylindrical casing 2 is a bundle of a number of hollow fibers (hollow fiber membranes) 11, and examples of the hollow fiber 11 include cellulose acetate, copper ammonia cellulose, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene. It is possible to use hollow fibers made of an appropriate material such as polyvinyl alcohol, polysulfone, polyamide, polyester polymer alloy, cellulose hollow fibers, synthetic polymer hollow fibers, and the like.

  In this embodiment, the filling rate of the hollow fiber in the cylindrical casing 2 is set to 40 to 80%, for example, and by setting the filling rate to 40 to 80%, an appropriate gap is provided between the yarns in the hollow fiber bundle. Can be ensured, and the liquid flow of the processing liquid can be made substantially uniform.

  The cap members 7 and 9 are lid-like members that are screwed and attached so as to close the opening portions at both ends of the cylindrical casing 2. Molded and provided with a supply port 6 or a discharge port 8 for the liquid to be processed. The supply port 6 projecting from one cap member 7 and the discharge port 8 projecting from the other cap member 9 function as connection ports for a transfer tube for a liquid to be processed such as blood. And the internal thread part 21 is formed in the internal peripheral surface of these cap members 7 and 9. As shown in FIG. The female screw portions 21 of the cap members 7 and 9 are for screwing and mounting to the male screw portions 22 formed on the cap mounting portions 20 at both ends of the cylindrical casing 2, for example, by ultrasonic welding or the like. Fixed. Further, the liquid tightness of the cap members 7 and 9 is ensured by the sealing property of the O-ring 23 mounted therein.

The supply port 6 and the discharge port 8 are integrally formed with the cap members 7 and 9 as nozzle-like short tube ports. In the present embodiment, the supply port 6 is a central portion of the cap member 7 on the liquid supply side to be processed, That is, it protrudes outward in the axial direction at a portion corresponding to the axial center of the hollow fiber bundle 5, and the discharge port 8 is also opposite to the supply port 8 at a portion corresponding to the axial center of the cap member 9. It protrudes in the direction to go.
As described above, the connection port 15 that becomes the inflow port 13 or the outflow port 14 of the processing liquid is integrally formed in the vicinity of both ends of the cylindrical casing 2, and in this embodiment, the inflow port 13 and the outflow port 14 are Since they have the same structure, the connection port 15 which is a generic name of these will be described below.

2 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure viewed from the side of the connection port and the buffer plate, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure viewed from the front of the connection port and the buffer plate.
As shown in these drawings, the connection port 15 is integrally formed in the vicinity of both ends of the cylindrical casing 2 as a short pipe opening having a larger diameter than the supply port 6 and the discharge port 8 integrally formed with the cap members 7 and 9. An uneven portion 30 is formed on the outer peripheral surface to prevent the transfer tube and the like from coming off. The inside (flow path) cross-sectional shape of the extended end side port port (front end side port port) 31 of this connection port 15 is formed in a circular shape, and the internal (flow path) cross-sectional shape of the base end side port port 32 is the same as that of the casing 2. A non-perfect circle crushed in the longitudinal direction, for example, an elliptical shape having a minor axis in the longitudinal direction and a major axis in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a long hole, a rectangular shape such as a rectangle, etc. It is formed so that the cross-sectional shape of the internal flow path sequentially changes from the side port port 31 to the base end side port port 32. Therefore, the base end port port 32 has the same mouth width D as viewed from the side surface shown in FIG. 2 and the same as the extended end port port 31, but as shown in FIG. Are successively reduced from the extended end side port port 31 toward the base end side port port 32 (to form a taper) so that the mouth width S viewed from the front is larger than the mouth width D. Yes. As described above, even if the base end side port port 32 of the connection port 15 is formed in a non-perfect circle crushed in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2, the base end side port port 32 is formed in the same area as the conventional port outlet. Therefore, the inflow rate can be made constant even if the distance to the resin composition 10 is made longer than before.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the extended end side port port (front end side port port) 31 of the connection port 15 is formed in a circular shape, and the cross sectional shape of the base end side port port 32 is made into a non-circular shape crushed in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2. Although formed, the area ratio of the proximal end side channel formed inside the proximal end side port port 32 and the extended end side channel formed inside the extended end side port port 31 is 1: It is formed to be 1.2 to 5.0. By setting to such an area ratio, it is possible to suppress an excessive flow rate into the cylindrical casing 2. Furthermore, the flow between the flow path defined by the extended end side port port 31 of the connection port 15 (extension side flow path) and the flow path defined by the base end side port port 32 (base end side flow path). The road center is formed so as to exist on the same line. Thus, by setting the flow path centers of the extension end side and the base end side of the connection port 15 to be coaxial, the flow of the processing liquid flowing into the cylindrical casing 2 does not change, and the hollow fiber bundle 5 Does not affect the processing capacity of

  Then, at least the treatment liquid inflow portion 40 of the enlarged diameter portion 2 ′ in the cylindrical casing 2 is a tongue-like baffle plate (buffer plate) from the proximal end of the enlarged diameter portion 2 ′ toward the opening of the casing 2. 41 is provided. The baffle plate 41 is provided between the proximal-side port port 32 and the hollow fiber bundle 5 with a predetermined gap in front of the proximal-side port 32. The baffle plate 41 is a shielding means for dispersing the processing liquid injected at the time of use and preventing the processing liquid from directly hitting the hollow fiber bundle 5, and is manufactured to form the potting portion 10. It also has a function of guiding a liquid resin composition that is sometimes injected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the baffle plate 41 is provided not only in the processing liquid inflow portion 40 in the cylindrical casing 2 but also in the processing liquid outflow portion 42 with a predetermined gap from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical casing 2. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the baffle plate 41 has a base end portion in the axial direction fixed along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical casing 2, and a tip end portion in the axial direction at the potting portion. (Resin composition layer) A bent tongue-shaped member extending to the front of 10.

  In the present embodiment, the base end side port port 32 of the connection port 15 is formed in a non-circular shape that is crushed in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2, so that the baffle plate 41 has a predetermined interval between the entire base end side port port 32. Even if covered, the tip of the baffle plate 41 can be separated from the potting portion (resin composition layer) 10, and the baffle plate 41 and a part of the hollow fiber bundle 5 can be prevented from sticking to each other. Damage can be avoided.

  Further, since the base end side port port 32 of the connection port 15 is formed in a non-perfect circle crushed in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2, the front end portion of the baffle plate 41 covering the entire base end side port port 32 is made of resin. The liquid (potting agent) can be present at a position where it does not interfere with the scooping level L, thereby preventing the baffle plate 41 and a part of the hollow fiber bundle 5 from sticking even when the potting agent scoops up. Thus, damage to the hollow fiber 11 can be avoided.

  That is, according to the hollow fiber type module 1 of the present embodiment, the base end side port port 32 is made into a non-perfect circle crushed in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical casing 2, so that the entire base end side port port 32 is baffled. Even if the plate 41 is covered, the tip of the baffle plate 41 can be separated from the potting portion (resin composition layer) 10 more than before, so that the baffle plate 41 and a part of the hollow fiber bundle 5 are fixed. It is possible to prevent the hollow fiber 11 from being damaged, maintain the airtightness necessary for the product, and improve the yield of the product. Moreover, the cylindrical casing 2 having the connection port structure as described above can be easily obtained simply by exchanging the parts corresponding to the port portion of the molding die and the baffle plate (buffer plate) 41. is there.

  In the above embodiment, for convenience of explanation, one of the connection ports 15 of the cylindrical casing 2 is referred to as the inlet 13 and the other is referred to as the outlet 14, and one of the connection ports of the cap members 7 and 9 is the supply port 6. The other is referred to as the discharge port 8, and one of the other has the function of the other, and the other has the function of the other, and the flow direction of the liquid to be processed and the processing liquid can be appropriately changed according to the purpose of use. . Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the inflow port 13 and the outflow port 14 were provided in the casing 2, this invention is not limited to this. That is, the cap member may be provided with an inlet and an outlet. In short, connection ports that serve as supply or discharge ports for the liquid to be processed are provided at both ends of the case in which the middle yarn bundle is loaded, and communicate with the liquid space to be processed, and an inlet or outlet for the processing liquid is provided near both ends of the case. The connection port may be provided to communicate with the treatment liquid space.

  In the above embodiment, the hollow fiber type module for blood purification treatment (dialysis) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a blood component extractor, a beverage purifier, or the like.

It is the front view which made the half of the hollow fiber type module which concerns on this invention a cross-sectional view. It is a mimetic diagram showing the section structure seen from the side of a connection port and a buffer board. It is a mimetic diagram showing the section structure seen from the front of a connection port and a buffer board. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the malfunction in the conventional hollow fiber type module.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hollow fiber type module 2 Cylindrical casing 5 Hollow fiber bundle 6 Supply port 7,9 Cap member 8 Discharge port 10 Potting part 11 Hollow fiber membrane 13 Inlet 14 Outlet 15 Connection port 20 Cap mounting part 21 Female thread part 22 Male Threaded portion 23 O-ring 30 Uneven portion 31 Extending end side port port 32 Base end side port port 40 Treatment liquid inflow portion 41 Baffle plate
42 Treatment liquid outflow part

Claims (5)

Both ends of the hollow fiber bundle loaded in the case are sealed with a resin composition, and the inside of the case is partitioned into a processing liquid space through which the processing liquid passes and a processing liquid space through which the processing liquid passes. A connection port serving as a supply port or discharge port for the liquid to be processed is provided to communicate with the liquid space to be processed, and a connection port serving as an inlet or outlet for the processing liquid is provided near both ends of the case to provide the processing liquid space. In the hollow fiber type module provided with a buffer plate between the connection port and the hollow fiber bundle,
A hollow fiber type module characterized in that the extended end side port port of the connection port is circular, and the proximal side port port is a non-circular shape crushed in the longitudinal direction of the case.   2. The hollow fiber according to claim 1, wherein the area ratio of the flow path of the base end side port port of the connection port to the flow path of the extended end side port port is 1: 1.2 to 5.0. Type module.   The hollow fiber type module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path center of the extension port port of the connection port and the flow path center of the base port port are on the same line.   The buffer plate covers the tip of the base end side port port, and the buffer plate extended from the port side toward the resin composition side has a length that does not interfere with the rising level of the resin liquid. The hollow fiber type module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hollow fiber type module is set. The hollow fiber module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a filling rate of the hollow fiber in the cylindrical casing is 40 to 80%.

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