JP2007014504A - Extracorporeal circulation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an extracorporeal circulation apparatus which can assuredly prevent air bubbles from being accumulated excessively in an air bubble accumulation chamber of an air bubble elimination device. <P>SOLUTION: The extracorporeal circulation apparatus 100B comprises a centrifugal pump 101 to send blood for extracorporeal circulation, an air bubble elimination device 1B to remove air bubbles in the blood circulating extracorporeally, and a control device 110 to control the action of the centrifugal pump 101. The air bubble elimination device 1B comprises the air bubble accumulation chamber to temporarily accumulate air bubbles in the blood and a detection means to detect the blood surface level in the air bubble accumulation chamber. The detection means comprises a first sensor 13A to detect a first blood surface level and a second sensor 13B to detect a second blood surface level below the first blood surface level. The control device 110 controls the action of the centrifugal pump 101 based on the information acquired from the first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an extracorporeal circulation apparatus having a blood pump for transferring blood to extracorporeal circulation, an air bubble removing apparatus for removing air bubbles in the extracorporeally circulating blood, and a control means for controlling the operation of the blood pump.

  For example, in cardiac surgery, extracorporeal blood is obtained by operating a blood pump to remove blood from a patient's vein (vena cava), performing gas exchange with an artificial lung, and then returning this blood to the patient's artery again. Circulation takes place.

  Such a circuit for extracorporeal blood circulation (extracorporeal circuit) is provided with a bubble removing device that removes (separates) bubbles that have flowed into the blood that has been removed. This bubble removing device is divided into a housing (container body) and a blood inflow space (upper space) through which blood flows and a blood outflow space (lower space) through which blood flows out. A filtering body that applies centrifugal force to the blood flow, collects air bubbles in the center of the housing (blood inflow space), collects air bubbles in the upper part of the housing by buoyancy, and then removes them by deaeration means (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  However, in this air bubble removing device, if air bubbles (gas) are excessively accumulated in the blood inflow space (air bubble storage chamber), the air bubbles may pass through the filter body. ) There is a risk that it will flow out of the bubble removing device together with the blood that has passed through the filter without being removed.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 64-8562

  The objective of this invention is providing the extracorporeal circulation apparatus which can prevent reliably that a bubble accumulates excessively in the bubble storage chamber of a bubble removal apparatus.

Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (18) below.
(1) An extracorporeal circulation apparatus having a blood pump for transferring blood to extracorporeal circulation, a bubble removing apparatus for removing bubbles in the extracorporeally circulating blood, and a control means for controlling the operation of the blood pump. ,
The bubble removing device includes a device main body having an internal space into which blood flows, a bubble storage chamber provided on an upper side of the device main body for temporarily storing bubbles floating from the device main body, and a bubble storage chamber. A detection means for detecting the level of blood or information relating thereto,
The detection means includes a first sensor that detects a first liquid level of blood, and a second sensor that detects a second liquid level lower than the first liquid level,
The extracorporeal circulation apparatus, wherein the control means controls the operation of the blood pump based on information obtained from the first sensor and the second sensor.

  (2) When the first sensor detects that the blood level has reached the first liquid level, the control means reduces the amount of blood flowing into the internal space of the apparatus body. The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to (1), wherein the operation of the blood pump is controlled so as to perform.

  (3) The first sensor indicates that the blood level has reached the first liquid level from a state where the blood level is between the first liquid level and the second liquid level. If detected, the control means controls to maintain the operating state of the blood pump at that time.

  (4) When the second sensor detects that the blood level has reached the second liquid level, the control means controls to stop the operation of the blood pump ( The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of 1) to (3).

  (5) The blood pump according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the blood pump is a centrifugal pump, and the blood flow volume is increased / decreased by increasing / decreasing the rotation speed of the centrifugal pump. Circulation device.

  (6) The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to (5), wherein the rotational speed is controlled to increase / decrease continuously or stepwise.

  (7) The first sensor and / or the second sensor includes a transmission unit that transmits ultrasonic waves and a reception unit that receives the transmitted ultrasonic waves, and transmits ultrasonic waves that pass through blood. The extracorporeal circulation device according to any one of the above (1) to (6), which can detect the liquid level of blood in the bubble storage chamber by utilizing the difference between the rate and the transmittance of ultrasonic waves that pass through the gas .

  (8) The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein an inclined surface inclined with respect to a horizontal direction is provided on a bottom surface of the bubble storage chamber.

  (9) The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to (8), wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are provided along an inclination direction of the inclined surface.

  (10) The extracorporeal circulation device according to (8) or (9), wherein the first sensor is provided near an upper portion of the inclined surface.

(11) The bubble removing device includes:
A negative pressure chamber provided on the upper side of the bubble storage chamber, connected to a deaeration means and maintained at a negative pressure;
The filter according to any one of (1) to (10), further including a filter member that is provided so as to separate the bubble storage chamber and the negative pressure chamber, and allows gas in the bubble storage chamber to pass but does not pass blood. Extracorporeal circulation device.

  (12) The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to (11), wherein the filter member is provided to be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction.

  (13) The extracorporeal circulation device according to (12), wherein the second sensor is provided at a position substantially the same height as a lowermost end portion of the inclined filter member.

  (14) The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are spaced apart from each other by 3 to 30 mm in a vertical direction.

  (15) The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the internal space of the apparatus main body has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

  (16) The bubble removing device is provided substantially in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the internal space, and has an inlet for introducing blood into the internal space so that the blood forms a swirling flow in the internal space. The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to (15) above.

  (17) The extracorporeal circulation device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the device main body has a frustoconical portion having an inner diameter that gradually decreases upward.

(18) The bubble removing device comprises:
A first communication part through which bubbles near the top of the apparatus main body communicate with the bubble storage chamber, and bubbles floating from the apparatus main body pass;
A second communication portion for communicating the vicinity of the peripheral wall portion of the apparatus main body with the bubble storage chamber;
The bubble rising from the device main body flows into the bubble storage chamber through the first communication portion, and the blood in the bubble storage chamber returns to the device main body through the second communication portion. The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (17).

  According to the present invention, by providing the first sensor and the second sensor, it is possible to control the operation of the blood pump based on the information obtained from each sensor. It is possible to adjust the blood flow rate flowing into the bloodstream. Thereby, it is possible to perform smooth and proper extracorporeal blood circulation while reliably preventing excessive accumulation of bubbles flowing in with the blood in the bubble storage chamber.

  Further, when the first sensor detects that the liquid level of the blood in the bubble storage chamber has reached the first liquid level, the control means reduces the amount of blood flowing into the internal space of the apparatus body. In the case where the operation of the blood pump is controlled, the reduction of the blood flow prevents the air bubbles from being excessively accumulated in the air bubble storage chamber, thereby more reliably removing the air bubbles. can do.

  Further, when the second sensor detects that the blood level of the blood in the bubble storage chamber has reached the second liquid level, the control means controls to stop the operation of the blood pump. Since the inflow of blood to the removing device is stopped, it is possible to more reliably prevent the air bubbles from being excessively accumulated in the air bubble storage chamber, and thus the air bubbles can be more reliably removed.

  Hereinafter, the extracorporeal circulation apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
1 is a cross-sectional side view showing an embodiment of a bubble removing device included in an extracorporeal circulation device, FIG. 2 is a view as viewed from the arrow A (bottom view) in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a BB line in FIG. Sectional drawing and FIG. 4 are figures which show the outline | summary of embodiment of an extracorporeal circulation apparatus. For convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIG. 1 is referred to as “upper” or “upper”, and the lower side is referred to as “lower” or “lower”.

  The bubble removing apparatus 1A shown in these drawings is for removing bubbles in blood circulating outside the body. In the air bubble removing device 1A, blood does not circulate in the patient's heart, gas is not exchanged within the patient's body, and blood circulation and gas exchange (oxygen addition and / or carbon dioxide removal) are performed by the extracorporeal circulation device. In both cases of extracorporeal circulation and extracorporeal circulation (auxiliary circulation) in which blood circulates in the patient's heart and gas exchange takes place in the patient's body, but also by the extracorporeal circulation device Can also be used.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the bubble removing device 1A will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the bubble removing device 1 </ b> A is provided on the upper side of the device main body 40, the bubble storage chamber 5 provided on the upper side of the device main body 40 (the swirl flow forming chamber 2), and the bubble storage chamber 5. A first filter provided to separate the negative pressure chamber 8, the liquid storage chamber (room) 15 communicating with the negative pressure chamber 8 via the connecting pipe 18, and the bubble storage chamber 5 and the negative pressure chamber 8. A filter member (deaeration membrane) 9, a second filter 16 provided in the liquid storage chamber 15, and detection means 17 </ b> A for detecting the level of blood in the bubble storage chamber 5.

  In addition, although the constituent material of the apparatus main body 40, the bubble storage chamber 5, the negative pressure chamber 8, the connection pipe 18, and the liquid storage chamber 15 is not specifically limited, For example, a polycarbonate, an acrylic resin, a polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polystyrene, A relatively hard resin material such as polyvinyl chloride, an acrylic-styrene copolymer, and an acrylic-butadiene-styrene copolymer is preferable. Moreover, a substantially transparent material is preferable so that the state of internal blood and the like can be visually confirmed.

  The apparatus main body 40 discharges the swirl flow forming chamber 2, the inlet 3 for introducing blood into the swirl flow forming chamber 2 (internal space), and the blood in the swirl flow forming chamber 2 to the outside of the bubble removing device 1A. It has the outflow port 4, the 1st communication part 6 and the 2nd communication part 7 which connect the swirl | vortex flow formation chamber 2 and the bubble storage chamber 5. As shown in FIG.

  The swirl flow forming chamber 2 has a rotating body-shaped internal space, that is, a space in which the cross-sectional shape is substantially circular, and is a room for forming a swirl flow in the inflowing blood. The bubble removing device 1A is used in a posture in which the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 is set in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Therefore, hereinafter, a plane perpendicular to the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 is referred to as a horizontal plane.

  The swirl flow forming chamber 2 includes a disk-shaped enlarged diameter portion 21 located at substantially the same height as the inlet 3, a frustoconical portion 22 provided on the upper side (upper part) of the enlarged diameter portion 21, and an enlarged diameter portion. It is comprised with the trunk | drum 23 provided in 21 lower side (lower part).

  The internal space of the truncated cone portion 22 has a substantially truncated cone shape whose inner diameter gradually decreases upward. In the illustrated configuration, the internal space of the frustoconical portion 22 has an almost perfect truncated cone shape. However, in the present invention, the internal space of the frustoconical portion 22 may not be completely frustoconical. The peripheral surface may be rounded in a side view.

  The internal space of the enlarged diameter portion 21 has a substantially disk shape whose inner diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the lower end of the truncated cone portion 22.

  The internal space of the trunk portion 23 has a substantially cylindrical shape (substantially columnar shape) whose inner diameter is smaller than that of the enlarged diameter portion 21. The lower part of the trunk | drum 23 has comprised the funnel shape, and the outflow port 4 protrudes and is formed in the lower end.

  The inflow port 3 is provided so as to protrude in a substantially tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion 21 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 (see FIG. 2).

  By the apparatus main body 40 having such a configuration, the blood flowing into the swirl flow forming chamber 2 from the inlet 3 can surely form a swirl flow.

  The bubble storage chamber 5 is a room for temporarily storing bubbles that have risen from the swirl flow forming chamber 2. The bubble storage chamber 5 is filled with blood when the blood flowing into the swirl flow forming chamber 2 contains no bubbles.

  The bubble storage chamber 5 has a substantially disk-shaped internal space. The upper surface of the bubble storage chamber 5 is separated (covered) by the first filter 9. By making the bubble storage chamber 5 substantially disk-shaped, it is possible to secure a large area of the first filter 9 while reducing the filling amount (priming volume), and to reduce the remaining bubbles when filling the priming liquid. It can be surely prevented. The shape of the bubble storage chamber 5 is not limited to a substantially disc shape, and may be a polygonal plate shape.

  The central axis 50 of the bubble storage chamber 5 is eccentric to the left side in FIG. 1 with respect to the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. This makes it easier for bubbles flowing into the bubble storage chamber 5 to gather on one side (eccentric side, left side in FIG. 1) of the bubble storage chamber 5, so that the bubbles can efficiently pass through the first filter 9. it can.

  Further, the central axis 50 of the bubble storage chamber 5 is inclined with respect to the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. The direction of the inclination is such that the height of the bubble storage chamber 5 increases as the distance from the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 increases. Thereby, bubbles that have flowed into the bubble storage chamber 5 can be collected smoothly and quickly on one side of the bubble storage chamber 5.

  The inclination angle α of the central axis 50 of the bubble storage chamber 5 with respect to the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0 to 50 °, and preferably about 5 to 20 °. More preferred.

  The bottom surface 51 of the bubble storage chamber 5 has a mortar shape in which the depth gradually increases toward the center.

  The vicinity of the top of the frustoconical portion 22 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 communicates with the bubble storage chamber 5 via the first communication portion 6. The 1st communication part 6 is comprised by the circular opening formed in the bottom face 51 of the bubble storage chamber 5 (refer FIG. 3).

  When blood forms a swirl flow in the swirl flow forming chamber 2, bubbles in the blood gather at the center due to the density difference between the gas and liquid due to the action of centrifugal force. The air bubbles gathered at the center part are further lifted by buoyancy and flow into the air bubble storage chamber 5 through the first communication part 6 (see the dotted line in FIG. 1).

  Bubbles that flow into the bubble storage chamber 5 gather to the higher portion (left side in FIG. 1) of the bubble storage chamber 5 due to buoyancy.

  The swirl flow forming chamber 2 and the bubble storage chamber 5 are further in communication with each other via the second communication portion 7. The second communication portion 7 is open near the left peripheral wall portion (mountain portion) of the truncated cone portion 22 in FIG. The second communication portion 7 communicates the bubble storage chamber 5 on the opposite side of the first communication portion 6 and the peripheral wall portion of the frustoconical portion 22 via the central shaft 50.

  Since the volume of the bubble storage chamber 5 is naturally constant, when the bubbles that have risen from the swirl flow forming chamber 2 flow into the bubble storage chamber 5 through the first communication portion 6, they are replaced by the same bubbles. Only blood needs to return from the bubble storage chamber 5 to the swirl flow forming chamber 2.

  In the present invention, by providing the second communication portion 7, the bubbles floating from the swirl flow forming chamber 2 flow into the bubble storage chamber 5 through the first communication portion 6, so that the inside of the bubble storage chamber 5 Blood can return to the swirl flow forming chamber 2 through the second communication portion 7 (see the dotted line in FIG. 1).

  Therefore, when the bubbles rising from the swirl flow forming chamber 2 flow into the bubble storage chamber 5, the order of the truncated cone portion 22 → the first communication portion 6 → the bubble storage chamber 5 → the second communication portion 7 → the truncated cone portion 22. Since the flow in one direction can be formed by the path, the bubbles in the swirl flow forming chamber 2 can be efficiently and smoothly introduced into the bubble storage chamber 5. In addition, since the unidirectional flow is formed, it is possible to prevent the blood from staying in the bubble storage chamber 5, so that a secondary effect that blood coagulation hardly occurs can be obtained.

  Further, since the second communication portion 7 communicates with the peripheral wall portion of the frustoconical portion 22, the vicinity of the outlet of the second communication portion 7 is relatively close to the central axis 20. Therefore, since the flow velocity of the swirling flow is relatively slow near the outlet of the second communication portion 7, the blood from the second communication portion 7 does not flow backward or disturb the swirling flow, and does not flow inside the frustoconical portion 22. Can enter smoothly.

  The outlet of the second communication part 7 may be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the peripheral wall of the frustoconical part 22 in plan view, and matched to the tangential direction of the peripheral wall of the frustoconical part 22, that is, the direction of the swirl flow You may face the direction.

  Unlike the present invention, if there is no second communication portion 7, when the bubbles in the swirl flow forming chamber 2 try to flow into the bubble storage chamber 5 through the first communication portion 6, the bubbles are replaced. Since the blood returning from the storage chamber 5 to the swirl flow forming chamber 2 passes through the first communication part 6 in the opposite direction to the bubbles, the flow in the vicinity of the first communication part 6 is disturbed, and the smooth passage of the bubbles is inhibited. Will end up.

  In the present embodiment, a groove 53 whose depth is one step deeper than the bottom surface 51 is formed in a portion opposite to the first communication portion 6 through the central shaft 50. The inclined surface 52 that is the bottom surface of the groove 53 continues to the second communication portion 7 and is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to descend toward the second communication portion 7. By providing the inclined surface 52, the blood in the bubble storage chamber 5 can flow more smoothly and quickly to the second communication portion 7.

  The inclination angle β of the inclined surface 52 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0 to 90 °, and more preferably 5 to 40 °.

  The first filter 9 is a membrane member configured to pass air (gas) but not blood. The surface of the first filter 9 (the same applies to the second filter 16) is preferably hydrophobized or is a hydrophobic film (hydrophobic film).

  Examples of the constituent material of the hydrophobic film include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene (FEP), and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA). , Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a copolymer of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polypropylene (PP), etc. Can be mentioned. As the first filter 9, a material obtained by making these materials porous by a stretching method, a microphase separation method, an electron beam etching method, a sintering method, argon plasma particles, or the like is preferably used.

  Moreover, the method of the said hydrophobization process is not specifically limited, For example, the method etc. which coat the constituent material which has hydrophobicity on the surface of the 1st filter 9 are mentioned.

  The first filter 9 is provided perpendicular to the central axis 50 of the bubble storage chamber 5. That is, the first filter 9 is inclined with respect to a plane (horizontal plane) perpendicular to the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. As a result, the bubbles flowing into the bubble storage chamber 5 move to one side (left side in FIG. 1) of the bubble storage chamber 5 along the inclination of the first filter 9, so that the bubbles can be collected more smoothly and quickly. it can.

  Moreover, since the 1st filter 9 accept | permits passage of the gas in the bubble storage chamber 5 as mentioned above, the water vapor | steam from the bubble storage chamber 5 can pass the 1st filter 9. FIG. The water vapor that has passed through the first filter 9 is condensed to become the liquid L, and along the inclination of the first filter 9, on the side opposite to the bubbles (right side in FIG. 1), that is, on the liquid storage chamber 15 side. Therefore, the liquid L can easily flow into the liquid storage chamber 15.

  The negative pressure chamber 8 is a room having a flat (flat) internal space formed by being separated from the bubble storage chamber 5 by the first filter 9. The negative pressure chamber 8 is provided concentrically with the bubble storage chamber 5. Therefore, the central axis of the negative pressure chamber 8 is also inclined with respect to the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. Thereby, the liquid L in the internal space of the negative pressure chamber 8 can move to the liquid storage chamber 15 side as described above, and thus the liquid L easily flows into the liquid storage chamber 15.

  Blood does not flow into the negative pressure chamber 8. That is, the upper surface 91 of the first filter 9 does not contact blood, and the lower surface 92 contacts blood.

  Bubbles (air) accumulated in the bubble storage chamber 5 pass through the first filter 9 and are sucked into the negative pressure chamber 8, and pass through the degassing port 153 of the liquid storage chamber 15 to the outside of the bubble removal device 1A. Is discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a connecting pipe 18 protruding from the negative pressure chamber 8 is provided below the inclined negative pressure chamber 8.

  There is no step between the bottom surface 181 of the connecting pipe 18 and the upper surface 91 of the first filter 9, that is, the bottom surface 181 of the connecting pipe 18 and the upper surface 91 of the first filter 9 are provided on the same plane. It is preferred that Thereby, it is possible to prevent the liquid L from staying in the negative pressure chamber 8, that is, the liquid L can smoothly flow from the upper surface 91 of the first filter 9 to the bottom surface 181 of the connecting pipe 18, Therefore, the liquid L can be reliably discharged toward the liquid storage chamber 15.

  The negative pressure chamber 8 is connected to (provided with) a liquid storage chamber 15 via a connecting pipe 18.

  The liquid storage chamber 15 has a storage chamber main body 151, a check valve installation portion 152 for installing the check valve 30, and a deaeration port 153 connected to deaeration means (not shown). . As the deaeration means, for example, wall suction in an operating room can be used. Wall suction is one of medical gas piping facilities such as oxygen, therapeutic air, nitrogen, and suction, and is a piping for suction (deaeration) installed on the wall of an operating room. In addition, a separate vacuum pump or the like may be used as the deaeration means.

  The storage chamber main body 151 is a part having a box shape. The storage chamber body 151 can store the liquid L flowing out from the negative pressure chamber 8 and flowing in through the connecting pipe 18. As a result, the liquid L is surely captured by the storage chamber main body 151, and thus the liquid L can be reliably prevented from flowing out of the bubble removing device 1A.

  The check valve installation portion 152 is a cylindrical portion provided in the upper portion 155 of the storage chamber main body 151. Further, the check valve installation portion 152 is inclined in the same direction as the protruding direction (formation direction) of the connecting pipe 18.

  A cylindrical deaeration port 153 protrudes from the end 154 of the check valve installation portion 152. By providing such a deaeration port 153, for example, the tube of the deaeration means can be easily and reliably connected to the deaeration port 153, and therefore the negative pressure chamber 8 has a negative pressure. The gas (air) in the negative pressure chamber 8 is discharged from the deaeration port 153.

  The protruding direction of the deaeration port 153 is substantially the same as the protruding direction of the connecting pipe 18 (check valve installation portion 152). The deaeration port 153 has an outer diameter and an inner diameter that are smaller than those of the check valve installation portion 152.

  A second filter 16 and a check valve 30 are installed in the liquid storage chamber 15 having such a configuration. The second filter 16 is a membrane member that is substantially the same as the first filter 9 and that is configured to pass air (gas) and not liquid L. The check valve 30 is a valve body configured to allow only the flow of gas to the deaeration means side.

  The second filter 16 is provided between the negative pressure chamber 8 and the deaeration means, that is, on the upper portion 155 side from the opening 182 where the connecting pipe 18 of the storage chamber main body 151 opens. Thereby, the liquid L from the connecting pipe 18 can flow into the storage chamber body 151 without contacting the second filter 16. Therefore, the liquid L can be reliably stored in the storage chamber main body 151, and the liquid L can be reliably prevented from flowing out of the bubble removing device 1A.

  The second filter 16 is substantially parallel to the first filter 9, that is, inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Since the second filter 16 is installed in such a posture, even if the liquid L touches the second filter 16, the second filter 16 is inclined (with an inclination angle β) along the second filter 16. Since the liquid L is quickly separated from the second filter 16, it is possible to prevent the ventilation capability (bubble removal capability) of the second filter 16 from being impaired.

  The second filter 16 is located above the first filter 9 in the thickness direction, that is, in the direction of the central axis 50. In other words, the second filter 16 has an uppermost end portion 161 positioned below the uppermost end portion 93 of the first filter 9, and a lowermost end portion 162 having the lowermost end portion 94 of the first filter 9. It is located at almost the same height.

  The first filter 9 and the second filter 16 are provided at different positions in the surface direction, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the central axis 50 (inclination direction). Thereby, the liquid L on the first filter 9 can be prevented from coming into contact with the second filter 16.

  The check valve 30 is provided between the deaeration port 153 and the second filter 16, that is, in the check valve installation portion 152. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the gas discharged by the deaeration means from flowing back to the negative pressure chamber 8, and thus it is possible to reliably remove the gas from the bubble removing device 1A. Moreover, the negative pressure state in the liquid storage chamber 15 can be stably maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the check valve 30 is a duckbill valve (see FIG. 1), but is not limited to this, and is configured to allow only the flow of gas to the deaeration means. Any valve body may be used.

  In such a bubble removing device 1A, by providing the frustoconical portion 22 at the upper part of the swirl flow forming chamber 2, it is possible to collect bubbles using the centrifugal force and buoyancy efficiently, It can be efficiently sent to the bubble storage chamber 5 through the communication portion 6.

According to the knowledge of the present inventor, the bubbles gathered in the central part by the action of the swirling flow in the swirling flow forming chamber 2 become a substantially cylindrical lump, and the bubble lump has a diameter of the inner diameter of the first communicating portion 6. It is formed so as to be d ₂ and generally the same. For this reason, the inner diameter d _{2 of} the first communication portion 6 and the maximum inner diameter of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 are approximate values, or the inner diameter d _{2 of} the first communication portion 6 is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. Then, the bubble mass spreads in the swirl flow forming chamber 2 as a whole, and the gas-liquid separation efficiency decreases.

From this point of view, the ratio d ₂ between the inner diameter (maximum inner diameter) d ₁ of the trunk portion 23 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2 and the inner diameter of the first communication portion 6 is d ₁ : d ₂ = 1: 1 to 10 : 1 is preferable, and 2: 1 to 4: 1 is more preferable.

  Further, the apex angle θ of the truncated cone portion 22 is preferably 10 to 170 °, more preferably 30 to 150 °, and further preferably 40 to 120 °.

  If the apex angle θ of the frustoconical portion 22 is too large, the frustoconical portion 22 has a flat shape with a low height. Therefore, it becomes difficult to guide the bubbles to the bubble storage chamber 5 by effectively using buoyancy, and conversely. If the apex angle θ of the frustoconical portion 22 is too small, the height of the frustoconical portion 22 increases and the filling amount increases.

  In the body portion 23 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2, a disk 11 that acts to define the lower end of the bubble mass collected at the center, and a connecting member that connects the disk 11 to the bottom of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. 12 are installed. The disc 11 is installed in a posture perpendicular to the central axis 20 of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. The disk 11 is preferably installed concentrically with the swirl flow forming chamber 2, but may be eccentric.

  By providing the disk 11, the bubble mass is not formed below the disk 11, so that the collected bubbles can be more reliably prevented from flowing out from the outlet 4.

  The height of the upper surface of the disk 11 is substantially the same as or lower than the lower end 31 of the inlet 3. Thereby, the disc 11 does not obstruct the swirl flow formation.

  The diameter of the disk 11 is set to be approximately the same as or larger than the inner diameter of the first communication portion 6. As described above, the diameter of the bubble mass is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the first communication portion 6. Since it becomes more than the diameter of a lump, it can prevent more reliably that a bubble lump is formed below the disc 11.

  The disc 11 is fixed to the upper end portion of the connecting member 12. The connecting member 12 is a cylindrical member having substantially the same diameter as the disk 11, and the lower end thereof is fixed to the bottom surface of the swirl flow forming chamber 2. A plurality of slits or openings are formed in the peripheral wall of the connecting member 12, and blood flows from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the connecting member 12 through the slits or openings, and further flows to the outlet 4.

  A filter that does not allow air bubbles to pass may be installed in the slit or opening of the connecting member 12. Further, the connecting member 12 may be a member such as a leg that simply supports the disk 11.

  The cross-sectional area of the donut-shaped (cylindrical) flow path formed between the outer peripheral surface of the disk 11 and the connecting member 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 23 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the inflow port 3. Increased. Thereby, the channel resistance in this donut-shaped channel can be reduced.

  The bubble removing device 1A is provided with detection means 17A for detecting the level of blood in the bubble storage chamber 5. This detection means 17A is comprised by the 1st sensor 13A provided in the outer side of the upper surface 521 vicinity of the inclined surface 52 (groove 53) (refer FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor 13 </ b> A includes an ultrasonic transmission unit (transmission unit) 131 and an ultrasonic reception unit installed on the opposite side of the ultrasonic transmission unit (transmission unit) 131 through the groove 53. (Receiving unit) 132. The first sensor 13A receives the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmission unit 131 by the ultrasonic wave reception unit 132, and utilizes the fact that the transmittance of the ultrasonic wave is different between the liquid (blood) and the gas (bubble). Thus, it is possible to detect whether there is blood (liquid phase) or bubbles (gas phase) between the ultrasonic transmitter 131 and the ultrasonic receiver 132. That is, when bubbles accumulate in the bubble storage chamber 5 and the liquid level falls to the position of the first sensor 13A, the liquid level (liquid level) can be detected by the first sensor 13A. .

  The ultrasonic transmission unit 131 and the ultrasonic reception unit 132 can also be used together. In this case, the ultrasonic transmission unit 131 and the ultrasonic reception unit 132 can be installed on one side of the groove 53 in the bottom view.

  The first sensor 13A is not limited to the ultrasonic type as described above, but may be another type such as an optical type.

Next, the extracorporeal circulation device 100A will be described with reference to FIG.
The extracorporeal circulation apparatus 100A includes a centrifugal pump (blood pump) 101 for feeding (transferring) blood, a blood removal line 102 connecting the suction port of the centrifugal pump 101 and the patient, and a discharge port of the centrifugal pump 101 and the patient. A blood supply line 103 to be connected, a bubble removing device 1A installed in the middle of the blood removal line 102, an artificial lung 104 installed in the middle of the blood supply line 103 to exchange gas with respect to blood, and a blood supply line 103 A flow meter 105 installed on the way, a recirculation line 106 that short-circuits and connects a blood removal line 102 near the suction port of the centrifugal pump 101 and a blood supply line 103 near the outlet of the artificial lung 104, and a line are configured. Clamps 107, 108, and 109 that open and close the flow path by sandwiching and opening the tube to be opened, and the detection signal of the first sensor 13 A installed in the bubble removing device 1 A There are and a control device (control means) 110 for controlling the opening and closing state of the clamp 107, 108 and 109.

  The clamp 107 is installed in the blood removal line 102 near the outlet 4 of the bubble removing device 1A, the clamp 108 is installed in the blood supply line 103 near the outlet of the oxygenator 104, and the clamp 109 is It is installed in the circulation line 106.

  Further, the deaeration port 153 of the bubble removing device 1A is connected to wall suction (deaeration means) via a deaeration line 111. A negative pressure regulator 112 that adjusts the pressure in the negative pressure chamber 8 is provided in the middle of the deaeration line 111.

  The control device 110 performs control so that the clamps 107 and 108 are opened and the clamp 109 is closed during normal times.

  When the centrifugal pump 101 is activated, blood removed from the patient via a blood removal catheter (not shown) passes through the blood removal line 102 and first flows into the inlet 3 of the bubble removing device 1A. In the bubble removing device 1A, the bubbles in the blood are removed as described above. The blood from which bubbles have been removed flows out from the outlet 4 of the bubble removing device 1A, passes through the centrifugal pump 101, and is sent to the oxygenator 104. In the artificial lung 104, the blood is subjected to gas exchange (oxygenated / decarboxylated gas). The blood after gas exchange is returned to the patient via a blood supply line 103 and a blood supply catheter (not shown).

  On the other hand, in the bubble removing apparatus 1A, when a predetermined amount of bubbles are accumulated in the bubble storage chamber 5, that is, when the blood level of the blood is detected by the first sensor 13A, the control device 110 performs clamping. Control is performed so that 107 and 108 are closed and the clamp 109 is opened. As a result, the blood that has left the artificial lung 104 returns to the suction port of the centrifugal pump 101 again through the recirculation line 106. Therefore, blood repeatedly circulates (recirculates) through the annular flow path including the centrifugal pump 101 and the artificial lung 104.

  By performing this recirculation, it is possible to reliably prevent the bubbles in the bubble removing device 1A from being sent to the patient, and even if the centrifugal pump 101 continues to be driven, blood damage in the centrifugal pump 101 is prevented. Can be suppressed.

  During the recirculation, the first sensor 13A detects that bubbles in the bubble storage chamber 5 are absorbed into the negative pressure chamber 8, and that the amount of bubbles in the bubble storage chamber 5 has decreased or disappeared. That is, when the blood level of the blood rises and the liquid level is not detected by the first sensor 13A, the control device 110 returns the clamps 107 and 108 to the open state and the clamp 109 to the closed state. Return to circulation.

  With the control as described above, the extracorporeal circulation device 100A can perform smooth and proper blood extracorporeal circulation while reliably preventing excessive accumulation of bubbles in the bubble storage chamber 5.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view showing an embodiment of the bubble removing device included in the extracorporeal circulation apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the embodiment of the extracorporeal circulation apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. The flowchart which shows the control program of the control apparatus of the extracorporeal circulation apparatus shown, FIG. 8 is a graph which shows typically the time-dependent change of the rotation speed of the blood pump by control of the control apparatus of the extracorporeal circulation apparatus shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIG. 5 is referred to as “upper” or “upper”, and the lower side is referred to as “lower” or “lower”.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the extracorporeal circulation device of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings. However, differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and description of similar matters will be omitted.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the detection means is different.
As shown in FIG. 5, the bubble removing device 1 </ b> B is provided with detection means 17 </ b> B that detects the level of blood in the bubble storage chamber 5. The detection means 17B has a first sensor 13A and a second sensor 13B.

  Each of the first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B has the same configuration as that of the first sensor 13A of the first embodiment, that is, an ultrasonic transmission unit 131 and an ultrasonic reception unit 132. It is a sensor. The first sensor 13A is a sensor that detects a first liquid level Q1 of blood, and the second sensor 13B is a sensor that detects a second liquid level Q2 below the first liquid level. It is.

  The first sensor 13 </ b> A is provided outside the upper surface 521 of the inclined surface 52, and the second sensor is provided outside the central portion of the inclined surface 52. In other words, the first sensor 13 </ b> A and the second sensor 13 </ b> B are provided along the inclination direction of the inclined surface 52. Thereby, the change of the liquid level accompanying the flow of blood along the inclined surface 52 can be reliably detected.

  The first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B are separated by a distance H in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction of the central axis 20. In addition, although the distance H is not specifically limited, For example, it is preferable that it is 3-30 mm, and it is more preferable that it is 5-20 mm.

  If the distance H is less than the lower limit value, the first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B are too close to each other, and immediately after the first sensor 13A detects the first liquid level Q1. The second sensor 13B detects the second liquid level Q2, and the operation of the centrifugal pump 101 stops. For this reason, the operation rate of the extracorporeal circulation device 100B may be significantly reduced.

  When the distance H exceeds the upper limit, depending on other conditions (for example, when the size of the bubble storage chamber 5 is small), the second sensor 13B is positioned below the lowermost surface 511 of the bubble storage chamber 5. May be located. For this reason, the second sensor 13B may not be able to detect the second liquid level Q2 in the bubble storage chamber 5.

Next, the extracorporeal circulation device 100B will be described.
The extracorporeal circulation device 100B is the extracorporeal circulation device 100A of the first embodiment except that the control device 110 controls the operation of the centrifugal pump 101 based on information obtained from the first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B. It is the same.

  The control device 110 performs control so that the clamps 107 and 108 are opened and the clamp 109 is closed during normal times.

  When the centrifugal pump 101 is activated, blood removed from the patient via a blood removal catheter (not shown) passes through the blood removal line 102 and first flows into the inlet 3 of the bubble removing device 1B. In the bubble removing device 1B, the bubbles in the blood are removed in the same manner as the bubble removing device 1A of the first embodiment. The blood from which the bubbles are removed flows out from the outlet 4 of the bubble removing device 1B, passes through the centrifugal pump 101, and is sent to the oxygenator 104. In the artificial lung 104, the blood is subjected to gas exchange (oxygenated / decarboxylated gas). The blood after gas exchange is returned to the patient via a blood supply line 103 and a blood supply catheter (not shown).

  In the extracorporeal circulation device 100B, when the amount of bubbles flowing into the bubble removing device 1B together with the removed blood is equal to the bubble removing ability of the bubble removing device 1B (bubble removing means), the liquid level in the bubble storage chamber 5 is Stable (balanced) at a certain position.

  In the extracorporeal circulation device 100B (bubble removing device 1B), when the rotational speed of the centrifugal pump 101 is decreased, the blood flow to be exsanguinated decreases, and accordingly, the inflow amount of bubbles decreases. For this reason, the bubble removal capability is improved, and the bubbles in the bubble storage chamber 5 are sequentially removed, so that the liquid level of the blood in the bubble storage chamber 5 tends to increase. On the other hand, if the rotational speed of the centrifugal pump 101 is increased too much, the centrifugal pump 101 operates (acts) to forcibly draw blood (blood flow) that is equal to or greater than the patient's proper blood flow, and thus not only blood. And even air is drawn. As a result, the amount of inflow of bubbles increases, exceeds the bubble removal capability of the bubble removal device 1B (bubble removal means), bubbles accumulate in the bubble storage chamber 5, and the blood level drops.

  In the extracorporeal circulation device 100B, it is ideal that the liquid level of the blood in the bubble storage chamber 5 is positioned (maintained) above the first liquid level Q1.

  Therefore, when the liquid level is lowered between the first liquid level Q1 and the second liquid level Q2 from the state where the liquid level is positioned above the first liquid level Q1, the control device 110 The rotational speed of the centrifugal pump 101 is reduced (decreased) so that the liquid level is raised above the first liquid level Q1.

  Further, when the liquid level located between the first liquid level Q1 and the second liquid level Q2 is further lowered and falls below the second liquid level Q2, the control device 110 Since the bubble storage chamber 5 is filled with a large amount of bubbles, it becomes difficult to quickly and sufficiently remove bubbles from the bubble removing device 1B under the control of the rotational speed of the centrifugal pump 101. To stop. After the operation of the centrifugal pump 101 is stopped, the bubbles in the bubble removing device 1B are quickly removed, and then the centrifugal pump 101 is quickly activated again, that is, the extracorporeal circulation of blood is promptly restored.

  During the operation stop of the centrifugal pump 101, there is no new bubble inflow into the bubble removing device 1B, so the bubbles in the bubble removing device 1B are removed by the bubble removing means.

  Hereinafter, the control program of the control device 110 of the extracorporeal circulation device 100B will be described mainly based on the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, when extracorporeal circulation is started, it is determined whether or not the liquid phase is detected by the first sensor 13A, that is, whether or not the liquid level is located below the first liquid level Q1 (step S1). S500) When the liquid phase is detected by the first sensor 13A (the liquid level is above the first liquid level Q1), the rotational speed of the (current) centrifugal pump 101 at that time is maintained. (Step S501).

  After executing step S501, the process returns to step S500, and thereafter, the lower steps are sequentially executed.

  If it is determined in step S500 that the liquid phase is not detected by the first sensor 13A (the liquid level has decreased to the first liquid level Q1), the rotational speed of the centrifugal pump 101 at this time is set in advance. The degree of reduction (decrease rate) is reduced by 10% (in this embodiment, 10%) (step S502).

  Next, a timer built in the control device 110 is activated (step S503), and when it is determined that a predetermined time set by the timer has elapsed (step S504), the liquid phase is detected by the second sensor 13B. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step S505).

  In step S505, if it is determined that the liquid phase has been detected by the second sensor 13B (the liquid level has not dropped to the second liquid level Q2), the process returns to step S500, and thereafter, the steps below it. Are executed sequentially.

  If it is determined in step S505 that the liquid phase is not detected by the second sensor 13B (the liquid level has decreased to the second liquid level Q2), the operation of the centrifugal pump 101 is stopped (step S506). ).

  Through the control as described above, the extracorporeal circulation device 100B can perform smooth and appropriate blood extracorporeal circulation while reliably preventing excessive accumulation of bubbles in the bubble storage chamber 5.

  In step S502, the number of revolutions of the centrifugal pump 101 is decreased by 10% in one process, and the set time and the number of revolutions of the timer are controlled. However, the decrease at this time is reduced in steps S502 and S503. May be continuous as shown in FIG. 8A, or may be stepped as shown in FIG. 8B.

  When the rotation speed is controlled so as to decrease continuously, the pump rotation speed can be quickly reduced in a situation where the amount of inflowing bubbles (bubble inflow amount) greatly exceeds the bubble removal capability. Therefore, extracorporeal circulation can be maintained.

  In addition, when the rotational speed is controlled to decrease stepwise, the liquid level recovers (turns from falling to rising) in a situation where the amount of inflowing bubbles (bubble inflow amount) slightly exceeds the bubble removal capability. In order to give time, it is not necessary to excessively reduce the rotational speed of the centrifugal pump 101 (blood pump).

  In step S502, the rate of decrease in the rotational speed of the centrifugal pump 101 is not limited to 10%, and is preferably a predetermined rate within a range of 5 to 90%, for example, 10 to 10%. More preferably, the rate of decrease is within a range of 50%.

  If it is determined in step S505 that the liquid phase is not detected by the second sensor 13B, the operation of the centrifugal pump 101 is stopped. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation of the centrifugal pump 101 is stopped. Instead, the control device 110 may control the clamps 107 and 108 to be in a closed state and the clamp 109 to be in an open state. As a result, the blood that has left the artificial lung 104 returns to the suction port of the centrifugal pump 101 again through the recirculation line 106. Therefore, blood repeatedly circulates (recirculates) through the annular flow path including the centrifugal pump 101 and the artificial lung 104.

  During the recirculation, the bubbles in the bubble removing device 1B are quickly removed, and then the clamps 107 and 108 are opened and the clamp 109 is returned to the normal extracorporeal circulation state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the second sensor 13 </ b> B is preferably provided at a position substantially the same height as the lowest end portion 94 of the first filter 9. As a result, when the second sensor 13B detects the second liquid level Q2, the operation of the centrifugal pump 101 is stopped, so that the blood level is further lowered, and the entire bubble storage chamber 5 is completely removed. It can be prevented from being filled with air.

  Further, each of the first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B has one ultrasonic transmission unit 131 and one ultrasonic reception unit 132, but is not limited to this. For example, one of the first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B is ultrasonic. The transmitter 131 and the ultrasonic receiver 132 may be used as one sensor, or both may be configured as the ultrasonic transmitter 131 and the ultrasonic receiver 132. It may be.

  The first sensor 13A and the second sensor 13B are each of an ultrasonic type, but are not limited to this, and for example, one of them may be of another type such as an optical type. , Both may be of other systems such as optical.

  As mentioned above, although the illustrated embodiment of the extracorporeal circulation apparatus of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and each part constituting the bubble removing apparatus has any configuration that can exhibit the same function. Can be substituted. Moreover, arbitrary components may be added.

  Further, the detection means is configured to detect the liquid level of the blood in the bubble storage chamber, but is not limited thereto, and is configured to detect information (for example, pressure, mass) related to the liquid level. May be.

  The liquid storage chamber may be provided with a discharge port for discharging the stored liquid. Accordingly, the liquid can be discharged from the liquid storage chamber before the stored liquid comes into contact with (arrives with) the second filter.

  The discharge port is normally sealed, but may be configured to remove the stored liquid by releasing the seal, for example, after surgery.

  The liquid storage chamber may be provided with cooling means for cooling the liquid storage chamber. Thereby, water vapor | steam can be reliably condensed in a liquid storage chamber, Therefore It can prevent reliably that water vapor | steam passes a 2nd filter. Examples of the cooling means include providing a heat sink around the liquid storage chamber body and attaching a Peltier element.

It is a cross-sectional side view which shows embodiment of the bubble removal apparatus which an extracorporeal circulation apparatus has. It is A arrow directional view (bottom view) in FIG. It is the BB sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of embodiment of an extracorporeal circulation apparatus. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows embodiment of the bubble removal apparatus which the extracorporeal circulation apparatus of this invention has. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of embodiment of the extracorporeal circulation apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control program of the control apparatus of the extracorporeal circulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows typically the time-dependent change of the rotation speed of the blood pump by control of the control apparatus of the extracorporeal circulation apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B Bubble removal apparatus 2 Swirling flow formation chamber 20 Central axis 21 Expanded part 22 Frustum part 23 Trunk part 231 Bottom part 3 Inlet 31 Lower end 4 Outlet 5 Bubble storage chamber 50 Central axis 51 Bottom surface 511 Bottom surface 52 Inclined surface 521 Upper part 522 Central part 53 Groove 6 First communication part 7 Second communication part 8 Negative pressure chamber 9 First filter (filter member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 91 Upper surface 92 Lower surface 93 Top end part 94 Bottom end part 11 Disc 12 Connecting member 13A 1st sensor 13B 2nd sensor 131 Ultrasonic transmission part 132 Ultrasonic reception part 15 Liquid storage chamber (room)
151 Storage Chamber Body 152 Check Valve Installation Portion 153 Deaeration Port 154 End 155 Upper 16 Second Filter 161 Top End 162 Bottom End 17A, 17B Detection Unit 18 Connection Tube 181 Bottom 182 Opening 30 Check Valve 40 Device main body 100A, 100B Extracorporeal circulation device 101 Centrifugal pump 102 Blood removal line 103 Blood supply line 104 Artificial lung 105 Flow meter 106 Recirculation line 107, 108, 109 Clamp 110 Control device (control means)
111 Deaeration line 112 Negative pressure regulator L Liquid Q1 First liquid level Q2 Second liquid level S500 to S506 Steps

Claims (18)

An extracorporeal circulation apparatus having a blood pump for transferring blood to extracorporeal circulation, a bubble removing apparatus for removing bubbles in the extracorporeally circulating blood, and a control means for controlling the operation of the blood pump,
The bubble removing device includes a device main body having an internal space into which blood flows, a bubble storage chamber provided on an upper side of the device main body for temporarily storing bubbles floating from the device main body, and a bubble storage chamber. A detection means for detecting the level of blood or information relating thereto,
The detection means includes a first sensor that detects a first liquid level of blood, and a second sensor that detects a second liquid level lower than the first liquid level,
The extracorporeal circulation apparatus, wherein the control means controls the operation of the blood pump based on information obtained from the first sensor and the second sensor.   When the first sensor detects that the blood level has reached the first liquid level, the control means reduces the amount of blood flowing into the internal space of the apparatus body. The extracorporeal circulation device according to claim 1, which controls the operation of the blood pump.   The first sensor detects that the blood level has reached the first liquid level from a state where the blood level is located between the first liquid level and the second liquid level. In this case, the extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls to maintain the operating state of the blood pump at that time.   4. The control unit controls to stop the operation of the blood pump when the second sensor detects that the blood level has reached the second liquid level. The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of the above.   The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the blood pump is a centrifugal pump, and the blood flow volume is increased / decreased by increasing / decreasing the rotation speed of the centrifugal pump.   The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rotational speed is controlled to increase / decrease continuously or stepwise.   The first sensor and / or the second sensor includes a transmission unit that transmits ultrasonic waves and a reception unit that receives the transmitted ultrasonic waves, and the transmittance of ultrasonic waves that pass through blood, The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a liquid level of blood in the bubble storage chamber can be detected by utilizing a difference from a transmittance of ultrasonic waves that pass through a gas.   The extracorporeal circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction is provided on a bottom surface of the bubble storage chamber.   The extracorporeal circulation device according to claim 8, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are provided along an inclination direction of the inclined surface.   The extracorporeal circulation device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first sensor is provided near an upper portion of the inclined surface. The bubble removing device includes:
A negative pressure chamber provided on the upper side of the bubble storage chamber, connected to a deaeration means and maintained at a negative pressure;
The extracorporeal circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a filter member that is provided so as to separate the bubble storage chamber and the negative pressure chamber, and that allows gas in the bubble storage chamber to pass but does not allow blood to pass. .   The extracorporeal circulation device according to claim 11, wherein the filter member is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction.   The extracorporeal circulation device according to claim 12, wherein the second sensor is provided at a position substantially the same height as a lowermost end portion of the inclined filter member.   The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are separated from each other by 3 to 30 mm in a vertical direction.   The extracorporeal circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the internal space of the device main body has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.   The bubble removing device is provided substantially in a tangential direction of an inner peripheral surface of the internal space, and has an inlet for introducing blood into the internal space so that blood forms a swirling flow in the internal space. 15. The extracorporeal circulation apparatus according to 15.   The extracorporeal circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the device main body has a frustoconical portion having an inner diameter that gradually decreases upward. The bubble removing device includes:
A first communication part through which bubbles near the top of the apparatus main body communicate with the bubble storage chamber, and bubbles floating from the apparatus main body pass;
A second communication portion for communicating the vicinity of the peripheral wall portion of the apparatus main body with the bubble storage chamber;
The bubble rising from the device main body flows into the bubble storage chamber through the first communication portion, and the blood in the bubble storage chamber returns to the device main body through the second communication portion. Item 18. The extracorporeal circulation device according to any one of Items 1 to 17.

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