JPH0410827B2

JPH0410827B2 -

Info

Publication number: JPH0410827B2
Application number: JP62208968A
Authority: JP
Priority date: 1987-08-22
Filing date: 1987-08-22
Publication date: 1992-02-26
Also published as: JPH01139073A

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】［産業上の利用分野］本発明は、体外血液循環において、血液中の二
酸化炭素を除去し、血液中に酸素を添加するため
の中空糸膜型人工肺に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator for removing carbon dioxide from blood and adding oxygen to blood in extracorporeal blood circulation.

［従来の技術］従来、人工肺は、大別して、気泡型と膜型に分
類される。[Prior Art] Conventionally, artificial lungs are broadly classified into bubble type and membrane type.

積層型、コイル型、中空糸型等の膜型人工肺
は、気泡型人工肺に比較して、溶血、蛋白質変
性、血液凝固等の血液損傷が少ない点で優れてお
り、近年かなり普及してきた。 Membrane oxygenators such as stacked, coil, and hollow fiber oxygenators are superior to bubble oxygenators in that they cause less blood damage such as hemolysis, protein denaturation, and blood coagulation, and have become quite popular in recent years. .

しかし、この膜型人工肺において、十分な酸素
添加能を得るためには、血液層を薄くする必要が
あることから、血液の流路の幅が狭く、流路抵抗
が大きいことから、患者と人工肺との落差により
血液を人工肺に灌流する、いわゆる落差灌流を行
うことができなかつた。人工肺の取り扱いにおい
て、人工肺より後方（送血側）にポンプを置く落
差灌流方式の方が、人工肺の前方（脱血側）にポ
ンプを置く方式のものより取り扱いが容易であ
る。 However, in order to obtain sufficient oxygenation capacity in this membrane oxygenator, the blood layer needs to be made thinner, so the width of the blood flow path is narrow and the flow path resistance is large, making it difficult for patients to It was not possible to perform so-called head perfusion, in which blood is perfused into the artificial lung due to the head difference between the artificial lung and the artificial lung. When handling an oxygenator, a head perfusion system in which the pump is placed behind the oxygenator (on the blood supply side) is easier to handle than a system in which the pump is placed in front of the oxygenator (on the blood removal side).

そして、この点を改良し、中空糸膜型人工肺に
おいても落差灌流を可能とした人工肺を本件出願
人が提供している（特開昭59−55256号公報、特
開昭59−57661号公報、特開昭59−67963号公報）。 The present applicant has improved this point and provided an oxygenator that enables head perfusion even in hollow fiber membrane oxygenators (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 59-55256 and 59-57661). Publication, JP-A-59-67963).

［発明が解決しようとする問題点］上記人工肺により、落差灌流は可能となつた
が、体外循環中に、脱血に大量の気泡が、混入し
た場合その大量の気泡が直接人工肺に流入し、人
工肺内部にこの気泡が残り、エアーブロツクし、
酸素添加能および二酸化炭素除去能を低下させる
ことおよびエアーブロツクにより人工肺の圧力損
失が高くなり人工肺に落差にて血液を流入するこ
とができなくなることがあつた。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-mentioned oxygenator makes it possible to perform head perfusion, but if a large amount of air bubbles are mixed into blood removal during extracorporeal circulation, the large amount of air bubbles will directly flow into the oxygenator. However, these air bubbles remain inside the oxygenator and block the air.
The reduction in oxygen addition and carbon dioxide removal capacity and the air block increased pressure loss in the oxygenator, making it impossible for blood to flow into the oxygenator at a drop.

よつて、本件発明は、上記問題点を解決し、体
外循環中に、脱血に大量の気泡が、混入してもエ
アーブロツクを起こすことのない中空糸膜型人工
肺を提供することにある。 Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator that does not cause air block even if a large amount of air bubbles are mixed into blood removal during extracorporeal circulation. .

［問題点を解決するための手段］上記目的を達成するものは、多数のガス交換用
中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束と、該中空糸膜束を
収納するとともに該中空糸膜束の外周と軸方向に
所定長接触する内壁を有する筒状ハウジングと、
該中空糸膜の両端を開口した状態で中空糸膜の両
端部を前記ハウジングに固定する隔壁と、該隔壁
と中空糸膜外面とハウジング内壁とにより形成さ
れた血液室に連通する前記ハウジングの一端側に
設けられた血液流入口と、前記血液室に連通する
前記ハウジングの他端側に設けられた血液流出口
と、前記中空糸膜内部と連通するガス流入口およ
びガス流出口とを有し、さらに一端が前記ハウジ
ングの血液流入口側部分と連通し、他端が前記ハ
ウジングの血液流出口側部分と連通し、前記血液
流入口より前記ハウジング内に流入した血液中の
気泡を多く含む血液を血液流出口側に流出させる
短絡通路とを有することを特徴とする中空糸膜型
人工肺である。[Means for Solving the Problems] What achieves the above object is a hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, a hollow fiber membrane bundle that houses the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and an outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. a cylindrical housing having an inner wall in contact with the housing for a predetermined length in the axial direction;
a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open; and one end of the housing that communicates with a blood chamber formed by the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. a blood inlet provided on one side, a blood outlet provided on the other end side of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, and a gas inlet and a gas outlet that communicate with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane. Further, one end communicates with the blood inlet side portion of the housing, and the other end communicates with the blood outlet side portion of the housing, and blood containing many air bubbles in the blood flows into the housing from the blood inlet. This hollow fiber membrane oxygenator is characterized by having a short-circuit passageway through which the blood flows out to the blood outflow port side.

そして、前記血液流入口は、前記血液室の下方
に連通し、前記血液流出口は、前記血液室の上方
に連通し、前記短絡通路は、小流量の血液が流通
するものであることが好ましい。さらに、前記短
絡通路は、例えば、前記ハウジングの内面に形成
された前記血液流入口側部分と前記血液流出口側
部分とを連通する溝により形成されているもので
あることが好ましい。さらに、前記短絡通路は、
例えば、前記ハウジングの前記血液流入口側部分
と前記血液流出口側部分とを連通する細管により
形成されているものであることが好ましい。さら
に、前記ハウジングは、血液流入口付近に前記中
空糸膜束の外周と接触しない部分を有し、前記血
液室の下方にエアーチヤンバー部を形成してお
り、前記短絡通路の一端は、該エアーチヤンバー
部に連通しているものであることが好ましい。さ
らに、前記ハウジングは、その中間部より上方
は、ハウジング内面と中空糸膜束が接触してお
り、中間部より下方はハウジング内面と中空糸膜
束の少なくとも一部が接触しておらず、該非接触
部にて前記エアーチヤンバー部が形成されている
ことが好ましい。さらに、前記短絡通路は、前記
エアーチヤンバー部と前記血液流出口側部分とを
連通する溝により形成されているものであること
が好ましい。さらに、前記溝は、湾曲しているも
のであつてもよい。さらに、前記ハウジングの血
液流出口付近は、拡径しており前記中空糸膜と接
触しない空間を形成しており、前記短絡通路の他
端が、この空間と連通しているものであることが
好ましい。さらに、前記中空糸膜型人工肺は、前
記血液流出口に接続された貯血槽を有し、前記短
絡通路は、前記ハウジングの前記血液流入口側部
分と、該貯血槽とを連通しているものであつても
よい。さらに、前記ハウジングは、血液流入口付
近に前記中空糸膜束の外周と接触しない部分を有
し、前記血液室の下方にエアーチヤンバー部を形
成しており、前記短絡通路は、該エアーチヤンバ
ー部の上部と前記貯血槽の上部とを連通している
ものであつてもよい。 Preferably, the blood inflow port communicates with the lower part of the blood chamber, the blood outflow port communicates with the upper part of the blood chamber, and the short circuit path is one through which a small flow of blood flows. . Furthermore, it is preferable that the short-circuit passage is formed, for example, by a groove that communicates the blood inlet side portion and the blood outlet side portion formed on the inner surface of the housing. Furthermore, the short circuit path is
For example, it is preferable that the housing be formed by a thin tube that communicates the blood inlet side portion and the blood outlet side portion of the housing. Further, the housing has a portion near the blood inlet that does not contact the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and forms an air chamber below the blood chamber, and one end of the short-circuit passage is connected to the Preferably, it communicates with the air chamber. Further, in the housing, the inner surface of the housing and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are in contact with each other above the intermediate portion, and the inner surface of the housing and at least a portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle are not in contact with each other below the intermediate portion. Preferably, the air chamber portion is formed at the contact portion. Furthermore, it is preferable that the short-circuit passage is formed by a groove that communicates the air chamber part and the blood outflow port side part. Furthermore, the groove may be curved. Furthermore, the vicinity of the blood outflow port of the housing is enlarged in diameter to form a space that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane, and the other end of the short-circuit passage communicates with this space. preferable. Furthermore, the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator has a blood reservoir connected to the blood outlet, and the short circuit passage communicates the blood inlet side portion of the housing with the blood reservoir. It can be something. Furthermore, the housing has a portion that does not contact the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle near the blood inlet, and forms an air chamber below the blood chamber, and the short circuit path is formed in the air chamber. The upper part of the bar part and the upper part of the blood reservoir may be in communication with each other.

また、上記目的を達成するものは、多数のガス
交換用中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束と、該中空糸
膜束を収納するとともに該中空糸膜束の外周と軸
方向に所定長接触する内壁を有する筒状ハウジン
グと、該中空糸膜の両端を開口した状態で中空糸
膜の両端部を前記ハウジングに固定する隔壁と、
該隔壁と中空糸膜外面とハウジング内壁とにより
形成された血液室に連通する前記ハウジングの一
端側に設けられた血液流入口と、前記血液室に連
通する前記ハウジングの他端側に設けられた血液
流出口と、前記中空糸膜内部と連通するガス流入
口およびガス流出口と、前記血液流出口に接続さ
れた血液流路と、一端が前記ハウジングの血液流
入口側部分と連通し、他端が前記血液通路と連通
し、前記血液流入口より前記ハウジング内に流入
した血液中の気泡を多く含む血液を前記血液通路
に流出させる短絡通路とを有することを特徴とす
る中空糸膜型人工肺である。 Further, the device that achieves the above object includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, and a device that houses the hollow fiber membrane bundle and contacts the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle for a predetermined length in the axial direction. a cylindrical housing having an inner wall; a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open;
a blood inlet provided at one end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber formed by the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing; and a blood inlet provided at the other end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber. a blood outlet; a gas inlet and a gas outlet communicating with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane; a blood flow path connected to the blood outlet; one end communicating with the blood inlet side portion of the housing; A hollow fiber membrane type prosthesis characterized by having a short-circuit passage whose end communicates with the blood passageway and allows blood containing many air bubbles in the blood that has flowed into the housing from the blood inflow port to flow out into the blood passageway. It's the lungs.

さらに、上記目的を達成するものは、多数のガ
ス交換用中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束と、該中空
糸膜束を収納するとともに該中空糸膜束の外周と
軸方向に所定長接触する内壁を有する筒状ハウジ
ングと、該中空糸膜の両端を開口した状態で中空
糸膜の両端部を前記ハウジングに固定する隔壁
と、該隔壁と中空糸膜外面とハウジング内壁とに
より形成された血液室に連通する前記ハウジング
の一端側に設けられた血液流入口と、前記血液室
に連通する前記ハウジングの他端側に設けられた
血液流出口と、前記中空糸膜内部と連通するガス
流入口およびガス流出口と、前記ハウジングの下
方に設けられ前記血液流入口と連通するエアーチ
ヤンバー部と、前記エアーチヤンバー部と外部と
を連通する気泡除去手段とを有することを特徴と
する中空糸膜型人工肺である。 Furthermore, the device that achieves the above object includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, and a device that houses the hollow fiber membrane bundle and contacts the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle for a predetermined length in the axial direction. A cylindrical housing having an inner wall, a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open, and blood formed by the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. A blood inlet provided at one end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, a blood outlet provided at the other end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, and a gas inlet that communicates with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane. and a hollow fiber comprising a gas outlet, an air chamber provided below the housing and communicating with the blood inlet, and a bubble removing means communicating the air chamber with the outside. It is a membrane oxygenator.

そして、前記気泡除去手段は、ハウジングと、
該ハウジングの上端開口に固着されたフイルター
とを有していることが好ましい。さらに、前記気
泡除去手段は、前記エアーチヤンバー部と連通す
るポートにフイルターを固着したものであつても
よい。 The bubble removing means includes a housing;
Preferably, the housing further includes a filter fixed to the upper opening of the housing. Further, the bubble removing means may be a filter fixed to a port communicating with the air chamber.

本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺を図面に示した実施
例を用いて説明する。 The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention will be explained using examples shown in the drawings.

本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺を、第１図に示した
実施例を用いて説明する。 The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention will be explained using the embodiment shown in FIG.

本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺１は、多数のガス交
換用中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束４と、中空糸膜
束４を収納するとともに中空糸膜束４の外周と軸
方向に所定長接触する内壁を有する筒状ハウジン
グ１１と、中空糸膜の両端を開口した状態で中空
糸膜の両端部をハウジング１１にそれぞれ固定す
る隔壁５，６と、隔壁５，６と中空糸膜の外面と
ハウジング１１の内壁とにより形成された血液室
に連通する前記ハウジング１１の一端側に設けら
れた血液流入口２と、血液室に連通するハウジン
グ１１の他端側に設けられた血液流出口３と、中
空糸膜内部と連通するガス流入口７およびガス流
出口８とを有し、さらに一端が血液流入口２側部
分の血液室と連通し、他端が血液流出口３の付近
の血液室と連通し、血液流入口２よりハウジング
１１内に流入した血液中の気泡を多く含む血液を
血液流出口３の付近の血液室に流出させる短絡通
路１４とを有している。 The hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator 1 of the present invention houses a hollow fiber membrane bundle 4 consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, and a hollow fiber membrane bundle 4, and is arranged in a predetermined manner on the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 4 and in the axial direction. A cylindrical housing 11 having an inner wall in long contact with each other, partition walls 5 and 6 that respectively fix both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing 11 with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open, and a structure between the partition walls 5 and 6 and the hollow fiber membrane. A blood inlet 2 provided at one end of the housing 11 that communicates with a blood chamber formed by an outer surface and an inner wall of the housing 11, and a blood outlet 2 provided at the other end of the housing 11 that communicates with the blood chamber. 3, a gas inlet 7 and a gas outlet 8 communicating with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane, one end communicating with the blood chamber in the blood inlet 2 side portion, and the other end communicating with the blood chamber near the blood outlet 3. It has a short-circuit passage 14 that communicates with the blood chamber and allows blood containing many air bubbles in the blood that has flowed into the housing 11 from the blood inlet 2 to flow out into the blood chamber near the blood outlet 3.

より具体的に説明すると、この実施例のもので
は、ハウジング１１の中間部が拘束部１６となつ
ており、その拘束部１６より下部では、中空糸膜
束４の外周とハウジング１１の内壁とが接触して
おらず、エアーチヤンバー部１２が形成されてい
る。そして、短絡通路４溝は、エアーチヤンバー
部１２と血液流出口３またはその付近とを連通す
る溝により形成されている。エアーチヤンバー部
とは、人工肺中のハウジング内に混入した大量の
気泡を含む血液流と、気泡をあまり含まない血液
流とに簡易的に分離するものであり、このような
構成にすることにより、人工肺中のハウジング内
に混入した大量の気泡を含む血液流と気泡をあま
り含まない血液流とに簡易的に分離し、気泡を多
く含む血液流を短絡通路を介して排出させること
ができる。 To explain more specifically, in this embodiment, the middle part of the housing 11 is a restraining part 16, and below the restraining part 16, the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 4 and the inner wall of the housing 11 are connected. They are not in contact, and an air chamber portion 12 is formed. The four short-circuit passages are formed by grooves that communicate the air chamber portion 12 with the blood outflow port 3 or its vicinity. The air chamber is a part that simply separates the blood flow that contains a large amount of air bubbles mixed into the housing of the oxygenator and the blood flow that does not contain many air bubbles. By this, it is possible to easily separate the blood flow containing a large amount of air bubbles mixed into the housing of the oxygenator into the blood flow containing few air bubbles, and to discharge the blood flow containing many air bubbles through the short-circuit passage. can.

そして、本発明の人工肺は、いわゆる落差灌流
を行うことができる中空糸膜型人工肺であり、落
差灌流が可能な人工肺とは、圧力損失が最大流量
時100mmHg以下、好ましくは60mmHg以下のもの
をいう。 The oxygenator of the present invention is a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator that can perform so-called head perfusion, and an oxygenator that can perform head perfusion means that the pressure loss is 100 mmHg or less at the maximum flow rate, preferably 60 mmHg or less. say something

具体的に述べると、第１図に示すようなもので
あり、人工肺１は、血液流入口２と血液流出口３
とを有するハウジング１１と、ハウジング１１内
に軸方向に収納されたガス交換膜である中空糸膜
の集合体と、中空糸膜の両端部をハウジング１１
に液密に保持する隔壁５，６とを有し、ハウジン
グ１１内はガス室と血液室に区画され、ハウジン
グ１１の端部である上側の隔壁５の上方には中空
糸膜の内部空間であるガス室に連通するガス流入
口７を有するキヤツプ状のガス導入側ポート９
と、下側の隔壁６の下方に設けられ中空糸膜の内
部空間に連通するガス流出口８を有するキヤツプ
状のガス排出側ポート１０が取り付けられてい
る。なお、ガス排出ポート１０は取り付けず、中
空糸膜の下側開口端をガス流出口としてもよい。
さらに、ハウジング１１の血液流入口２付近およ
び血液流出口３付近は拡径しており中空糸膜と接
触しない空間を形成している。 To be more specific, it is as shown in FIG. 1, and the artificial lung 1 has a blood inlet 2 and a blood outlet 3.
an assembly of hollow fiber membranes that are gas exchange membranes housed in the housing 11 in the axial direction; and both ends of the hollow fiber membranes are connected to the housing 11.
The interior of the housing 11 is divided into a gas chamber and a blood chamber, and above the upper partition wall 5 at the end of the housing 11 is an internal space of a hollow fiber membrane. A cap-shaped gas introduction port 9 having a gas inlet 7 communicating with a certain gas chamber
A cap-shaped gas discharge port 10 is attached below the lower partition wall 6 and has a gas outlet 8 communicating with the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane. Note that the gas exhaust port 10 may not be attached, and the lower open end of the hollow fiber membrane may be used as the gas outlet.
Further, the diameters of the housing 11 are enlarged near the blood inlet 2 and the blood outlet 3 to form a space that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane.

そして、エアーチヤンバー部１２は、ハウジン
グ１１の長手方向の中間部付近に設けられた中空
糸膜束を拘束する拘束部１６より下方に設けられ
ており、ハウジング１１の内面と中空糸膜の表面
とが接触していない環状の空間部である。このエ
アーチヤンバー部１２を形成する空間部におい
て、人工肺中に混入した大量の気泡を含む血液流
と気泡をあまり含まない血液流とを簡易的に分離
する。ハウジング１１の拘束部１６より上側にお
いては、中空糸膜とハウジング１１の内面は接触
している。さらに上方の血液流出口３付近のハウ
ジング１１の内面は拡径し、中空糸膜と接触しな
い拡径部１８となつている。 The air chamber part 12 is provided below a restraining part 16 that restrains the hollow fiber membrane bundle provided near the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11, and is provided between the inner surface of the housing 11 and the surface of the hollow fiber membrane. This is an annular space where the two are not in contact with each other. In the space forming the air chamber 12, a blood flow containing a large amount of air bubbles mixed into the oxygenator is easily separated from a blood flow containing few air bubbles. Above the restraining portion 16 of the housing 11, the hollow fiber membrane and the inner surface of the housing 11 are in contact. Further, the inner surface of the housing 11 in the vicinity of the blood outflow port 3 located above is enlarged in diameter to form an enlarged diameter portion 18 that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane.

そして、ハウジング１１の内面には拘束部１６
より血液流出口３方向にのびる短絡通路１４を形
成する溝が設けられている。この短絡通路１４に
よりエアーチヤンバー部１２の上部と血液流出口
３付近とが直接連通されている。血液流出口３付
近とは、血液流出口３およびその近く、さらに
は、血液流出口付近のハウジング１１の拡径部１
８を含み、短絡通路１４は、それらのどこに連通
していてもよい。より好ましくは、血液流出口３
の下方に直接連通させることである。 A restraining portion 16 is provided on the inner surface of the housing 11.
A groove is provided to form a short-circuit passage 14 extending in the direction of the blood outlet 3. This short-circuit passage 14 directly communicates between the upper part of the air chamber part 12 and the vicinity of the blood outflow port 3. The vicinity of the blood outflow port 3 refers to the blood outflow port 3 and its vicinity, as well as the enlarged diameter portion 1 of the housing 11 near the blood outflow port.
8, and the short circuit path 14 may communicate with any of them. More preferably, the blood outflow port 3
It is to communicate directly with the lower part of the

短絡通路１４は、エアーチヤンバー部１２に
て、簡易的に分離された気泡を多く含む血液流
を、短絡して人工肺より排出させるためのもので
ある。短絡通路１４は、人工肺に流入する血液量
の0.01％〜10％、好ましくは0.1％〜2.0％の通過
を許すものである。この範囲であれば、人工肺に
おける酸素添加能、二酸化炭素除去能をあまり低
下させることなく、人工肺に大量の気泡が混入し
た場合に、その気泡を多く含む血液流を短絡し
て、血液流出口付近に流すことができる。 The short-circuit passage 14 is for short-circuiting the blood flow containing many air bubbles that has been simply separated in the air chamber part 12 and discharging it from the artificial lung. The short-circuit passage 14 allows passage of 0.01% to 10%, preferably 0.1% to 2.0%, of the blood volume flowing into the oxygenator. Within this range, when a large amount of air bubbles enters the oxygenator, the blood flow containing many air bubbles can be short-circuited without significantly reducing the oxygen addition ability and carbon dioxide removal ability of the oxygenator. It can be flowed near the exit.

具体的に述べると、溝の直径が、人工肺の血液
流入口の１／1000〜１／２、好ましくは１／500
〜１／４である。 Specifically, the diameter of the groove is 1/1000 to 1/2, preferably 1/500, of the blood inlet of the oxygenator.
~1/4.

溝の形状は、Ｕ型、Ｖ型などいずれの形状でも
よい。また、溝内に、中空糸膜が入り込まないた
めに、中空糸膜のハウジングへの収納方向に対
し、角度をもつて斜めに設けることが好ましい。
例えば、中空糸膜がハウジングの軸方向に平行に
収納されているならば、溝をゆるやかな湾曲状、
スパイラル状にすることが好ましい。また逆に、
中空糸膜が、ハウジングの軸方向に対し斜傾して
収納されている場合は、溝をハウジングの軸方向
に平行に設けることなどが考えられる。 The shape of the groove may be any shape such as U-shape or V-shape. Further, in order to prevent the hollow fiber membrane from entering the groove, it is preferable to provide the groove at an angle with respect to the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane is housed in the housing.
For example, if the hollow fiber membrane is housed parallel to the axial direction of the housing, the groove may be shaped into a gently curved shape.
It is preferable to form it into a spiral shape. And vice versa,
If the hollow fiber membrane is housed obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the housing, it is conceivable to provide the grooves parallel to the axial direction of the housing.

ガス交換膜としては、多孔質膜、拡散膜（例え
ばシリコン膜）のいずれでもよいが、好ましく
は、多孔質膜である。 The gas exchange membrane may be either a porous membrane or a diffusion membrane (for example, a silicon membrane), but preferably a porous membrane.

多孔質中空糸膜としては、内径100〜1000μm、
肉厚は５〜200μm、好ましくは10〜100μm、空孔
率は20〜80％、好ましくは30〜60％、また細孔径
は0.01〜5μm、好ましくは0.01〜1μmのものが好
ましく使用できる。また、多孔質膜に使用される
材質としては、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン、
ポリスルホン、ポリアクリロニトリル、ポリテト
ラフルオロエチレン、セルロースアセテート等の
疎水性高分子材料が用いられる。好ましくは、ポ
リオレフイン系樹脂であり、特に好ましくは、ポ
リプロピレンであり、延伸法または固液相分離法
により壁に微細孔が形成されたものがより好まし
い。 As a porous hollow fiber membrane, the inner diameter is 100 to 1000 μm,
Those having a wall thickness of 5 to 200 μm, preferably 10 to 100 μm, a porosity of 20 to 80%, preferably 30 to 60%, and a pore diameter of 0.01 to 5 μm, preferably 0.01 to 1 μm are preferably used. In addition, materials used for porous membranes include polypropylene, polyethylene,
Hydrophobic polymeric materials such as polysulfone, polyacrylonitrile, polytetrafluoroethylene, and cellulose acetate are used. Preferably, it is a polyolefin resin, particularly preferably polypropylene, and one in which micropores are formed in the wall by a stretching method or a solid-liquid phase separation method is more preferred.

ハウジング１１は、例えば円筒状をした透明体
で形成される。透明体で形成するのは内部の確認
が容易だからである。 The housing 11 is formed of, for example, a cylindrical transparent body. The reason why it is made of transparent material is that it is easy to check the inside.

そして、このハウジング１１内にその軸方向に
向けて並列に約5000〜100000本の多数の中空糸膜
が収納されており、さらに、中空糸膜はハウジン
グ１１にそれぞれの端部が開放された状態で隔壁
５，６により液密状態に固定されている。隔壁は
５，６、ポリウレタン、シリコーンゴムなどのポ
ツテイング剤で形成される。血液流入口２および
血液流出口３は、ハウジング１１の両端部付近に
設けられている。ハウジング１１内の上記隔壁
５，６ではさまれた部分は、中空糸膜の内部側の
ガス室と中空糸膜の外側の血液室とに仕切られて
いる。 Approximately 5,000 to 100,000 hollow fiber membranes are housed in this housing 11 in parallel in the axial direction, and each hollow fiber membrane is in a state where each end is open in the housing 11. It is fixed in a liquid-tight state by partition walls 5 and 6. The partition wall is formed of a potting agent such as 5,6, polyurethane, or silicone rubber. Blood inlet 2 and blood outlet 3 are provided near both ends of housing 11 . A portion of the housing 11 sandwiched between the partition walls 5 and 6 is partitioned into a gas chamber inside the hollow fiber membrane and a blood chamber outside the hollow fiber membrane.

そして、上側の隔壁５の外側にはガス流入口７
を有するガス導入側ポート９、下側の隔壁６の外
側にはガス流出口８を有するガス排出側ポート１
０が取り付けられており、これらは、締め付けリ
ングまたは、締め付けリングを用いず、各ポート
９，１０をハウジング１１に超音波、高周波など
を用いての融着、接着剤を用いて接着または機械
的に嵌合させることにより取り付けられる。 A gas inlet 7 is provided on the outside of the upper partition wall 5.
A gas inlet port 9 has a gas inlet port 9, and a gas outlet port 1 has a gas outlet port 8 outside the lower partition wall 6
0 is attached to the housing 11 with a tightening ring or without using a tightening ring, each port 9, 10 is fused to the housing 11 using ultrasonic waves, high frequency, etc., bonded using an adhesive, or mechanically bonded. It can be attached by fitting the

次に、第２図に示す本発明の実施例の中空糸膜
型人工肺について説明する。第３図は、第２図に
示した人工肺のＡ−Ａ線断面図である。 Next, a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of the oxygenator shown in FIG. 2.

この中空糸膜型人工肺１は、血液流入口２と血
液流出口３とを有するハウジング１１ａと、ハウ
ジング１１ｂにスパイラル状に巻き着けられ、ハ
ウジング１１ａ内に収納されたガス交換膜である
中空糸膜の集合体からなる中空糸膜束４と、中空
糸膜の両端部をハウジングに液密に保持する隔壁
５，６とを有し、ハウジング１１ａ内はガス室と
血液室に区画され、ハウジングの端部である上側
の隔壁５の上方には中空糸膜の内部空間であるガ
ス室に連通するガス流入口７を有するドーナツ型
をしたキヤツプ状のガス導入側ポート９と、下側
の隔壁６の下方に設けられ中空糸膜の内部空間に
連通するガス流出口８を有するドーナツ型をした
キヤツプ状のガス排出側ポート１０が取り付けら
れている。なお、ガス排出ポート１０は取り付け
ず、中空糸膜の下側開口端をガス流出口としても
よい。さらに、ハウジング１１ａの血液流入口２
付近および血液流出口３付近は拡径しており中空
糸膜束４と接触しない空間を形成している。他の
部分においては、ハウジング１１ａの内壁は中空
糸膜束４の外周に接触している。 This hollow fiber membrane oxygenator 1 includes a housing 11a having a blood inlet 2 and a blood outlet 3, and a hollow fiber that is a gas exchange membrane that is spirally wound around the housing 11b and housed in the housing 11a. It has a hollow fiber membrane bundle 4 consisting of an assembly of membranes, and partition walls 5 and 6 that hold both ends of the hollow fiber membranes in a housing in a fluid-tight manner.The inside of the housing 11a is divided into a gas chamber and a blood chamber, and the housing Above the upper partition wall 5, which is the end of the membrane, there is a donut-shaped cap-shaped gas introduction side port 9 having a gas inlet 7 communicating with the gas chamber, which is the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane, and a gas introduction side port 9 in the shape of a donut-shaped cap, which has a gas inlet port 7 communicating with the gas chamber, which is the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane. A donut-shaped cap-shaped gas discharge side port 10 having a gas outlet 8 which is provided below the hollow fiber membrane and communicates with the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane is attached. Note that the gas exhaust port 10 may not be attached, and the lower open end of the hollow fiber membrane may be used as the gas outlet. Furthermore, the blood inlet 2 of the housing 11a
The diameter of the vicinity and the vicinity of the blood outflow port 3 is enlarged to form a space that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane bundle 4. In other parts, the inner wall of the housing 11a is in contact with the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 4.

そして、ハウジング１１ａの血液流入口２付近
の拡径部によりエアーチヤンバー部１２が形成さ
れている。このエアーチヤンバー部１２が形成す
る空間部において、人工肺中に混入した大量の気
泡を含む血液流と気泡をあまり含まない血液流と
を簡易的に分離する。さらに上方の血液流出口３
付近のハウジング１の内面は拡径し、中空糸膜と
接触しない拡径部１８となつている。 An air chamber portion 12 is formed by an enlarged diameter portion near the blood inlet 2 of the housing 11a. In the space formed by the air chamber 12, a blood flow containing a large amount of air bubbles mixed into the oxygenator is easily separated from a blood flow containing few air bubbles. Further upward blood outflow port 3
The inner surface of the housing 1 in the vicinity is enlarged in diameter to form an enlarged diameter portion 18 that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane.

そして、第２図および第３図に示すように、ハ
ウジング１１ａの内面にはエアーチヤンバー部１
２より血液流出口３方向にのび、拡径部１８に至
る短絡通路１４を形成する溝が設けられている。 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an air chamber 1 is provided on the inner surface of the housing 11a.
A groove is provided that extends from 2 toward the blood outflow port 3 and forms a short-circuit passage 14 that reaches the enlarged diameter portion 18 .

この短絡通路１４によりエアーチヤンバー部１
２の上部と血液流出口３付近とが直接連通されて
いる。この短絡通路１４は、血液流出口３の下方
に直接連通されていることが好ましい。短絡通路
１４は、エアーチヤンバー部１２にて、簡易的に
分離された気泡を多く含む血液流を、短絡して人
工肺より排出させるためのものである。短絡通路
１４は、人工肺に流入する血液量の0.01％〜10
％、好ましくは0.1％〜2.0％の通過を許すもので
ある。この範囲であれば、人工肺における酸素添
加能、二酸化炭素除去能をあまり低下させること
なく、人工肺に大量の気泡が混入した場合に、そ
の気泡を多く含む血液流を短絡して、血液流出口
付近に流すことができる。具体的に述べると、溝
の直径が、人工肺の血液流入口の１／1000〜１／
２、好ましくは１／500〜１／４である。溝の形
状は、Ｕ型、Ｖ型などいずれの形状でもよい。ま
た、溝内に、中空糸膜が入り込まないために、中
空糸膜のハウジング１１への収納方向に対し、角
度をもつて斜めに設けることが好ましい。この実
施例の人工肺では、中空糸膜がハウジング１１ａ
の軸方向に対してスパイラル状に収納されている
ので、第２図に示すように、溝をハウジングの軸
方向に平行、または、中空糸の収納角度と異なる
角度を有するように設けることが好ましい。 This short-circuit passage 14 allows the air chamber part 1 to
The upper part of 2 and the vicinity of the blood outflow port 3 are in direct communication. It is preferable that this short-circuit passage 14 communicates directly with the lower part of the blood outflow port 3. The short-circuit passage 14 is for short-circuiting the blood flow containing many air bubbles that has been simply separated in the air chamber part 12 and discharging it from the artificial lung. The short-circuit passage 14 is 0.01% to 10% of the blood volume flowing into the oxygenator.
%, preferably 0.1% to 2.0%. Within this range, when a large amount of air bubbles enters the oxygenator, the blood flow containing many air bubbles can be short-circuited without significantly reducing the oxygen addition ability and carbon dioxide removal ability of the oxygenator. It can be flowed near the exit. Specifically, the diameter of the groove is 1/1000 to 1/1/1 of the blood inlet of the oxygenator.
2, preferably 1/500 to 1/4. The shape of the groove may be any shape such as U-shape or V-shape. Further, in order to prevent the hollow fiber membrane from entering the groove, it is preferable to provide the hollow fiber membrane at an angle with respect to the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane is housed in the housing 11 . In the oxygenator of this embodiment, the hollow fiber membrane is the housing 11a.
Since the hollow fibers are housed in a spiral shape with respect to the axial direction of the housing, it is preferable to provide the grooves parallel to the axial direction of the housing or at an angle different from the housing angle of the hollow fibers, as shown in FIG. .

次に、本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺の他の実施例
を第４図を用いて説明する。 Next, another embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator of the present invention will be described using FIG. 4.

中空糸膜型人工肺１の基本構成は、第１図に示
した実施例のものと同じであり、相違するのは、
第１図に示した実施例において短絡通路が、ハウ
ジング１１の内面に設けられた溝であつたのに対
し、短絡通路が中空糸膜型人工肺１のエアーチヤ
ンバー部１２と人工肺の血液流出口３またはその
付近とを直接連通する短絡通路２０とした点であ
る。この短絡通路２０は、人工肺に流入する血液
量の0.01％〜10％、好ましくは0.1％〜2.0％の通
過を許すものである。この範囲であれば、人工肺
における酸素添加能、二酸化炭素除去能をあまり
低下させることなく、人工肺に大量の気泡が混入
した場合に、その気泡を多く含む血液流を短絡し
て、血液流出口付近に流すことができる。 The basic configuration of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator 1 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the differences are as follows.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the short-circuit passage was a groove provided on the inner surface of the housing 11, whereas the short-circuit passage was between the air chamber part 12 of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator 1 and the blood flow in the oxygenator. This is because the short-circuit passage 20 is used to directly communicate with the outlet 3 or its vicinity. This short-circuit passage 20 allows passage of 0.01% to 10%, preferably 0.1% to 2.0%, of the blood volume flowing into the oxygenator. Within this range, when a large amount of air bubbles enters the oxygenator, the blood flow containing many air bubbles can be short-circuited without significantly reducing the oxygen addition ability and carbon dioxide removal ability of the oxygenator. It can be flowed near the exit.

具体的に述べると、短絡通路の直径が、人工肺
の血液流入口の１／1000〜１／２、好ましくは
１／500〜１／４である。短絡通路２０は、軟質
チユーブまたは硬質チユーブからなり、透明性材
料にて形成されることが好ましい。短絡通路２０
を取り付ける形態としては、いかなるものでもよ
いが、例えば、第４図に示すように、ハウジング
１１のエアーチヤンバー部１２の上部に外方に突
出するポート２２を設け、さらに血液流出口３に
外方に突出するポート２４を有するコネクター２
５を設けて血液流出口とし、このポート２２とポ
ート２４とを短絡通路２０にて連通することによ
り容易に行うことができる。また、血液流出口付
近の拡径部１８に、外方に突出するポート（図示
せず）を設け、そのポートとエアーチヤンバー部
１２の上部の外方に突出するポート２２とを短絡
通路２０により連通するものであつてもよい。 Specifically, the diameter of the short-circuit passage is 1/1000 to 1/2, preferably 1/500 to 1/4, of the blood inlet of the oxygenator. The short-circuit passage 20 is preferably made of a soft tube or a hard tube, and made of a transparent material. Short circuit passage 20
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, an outwardly protruding port 22 may be provided at the upper part of the air chamber part 12 of the housing 11, and a port 22 may be provided at the blood outflow port 3. Connector 2 having a port 24 protruding toward the
This can be easily achieved by providing a port 5 as a blood outflow port and communicating the port 22 and port 24 through the short-circuit passage 20. Further, an outwardly projecting port (not shown) is provided in the enlarged diameter portion 18 near the blood outflow port, and the port and the outwardly projecting port 22 of the upper part of the air chamber part 12 are connected to a short-circuit passage 20. It may also be something that communicates with each other.

以上の説明では、ハウジング１１の外部にてエ
アーチヤンバー部１２と血液流出口付近とを短絡
通路により連通するものを用いて説明したが、こ
れに限らず、ハウジング１１の内部にエアーチヤ
ンバー部１２と血液流出口３とを連通する短絡通
路を設けたものでものよい。例えば、ハウジング
の内面に短絡通路を形成するチユーブを固着する
ことが考えられる。 In the above description, the air chamber part 12 and the vicinity of the blood outflow port are communicated with each other by a short-circuit passage on the outside of the housing 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 12 and the blood outflow port 3 may be provided with a short-circuit passage. For example, it is conceivable to fix a tube forming a short-circuit passage to the inner surface of the housing.

さらに、第５図に示すように、短絡通路２０
は、人工肺１の血液流出口３に接続される血液通
路７０と連通するものであつてもよい。短絡通路
２０の接続は、ハウジング１１のエアーチヤンバ
ー部１２の上部に設けられた外方に突出するポー
ト２２と、血液通路７０中に外方に突出するポー
ト２４を有するコネクター２５を設けて、ハウジ
ング１１のポート２２とコネクター２５のポート
２４とを短絡通路２０にて連通することにより容
易に行うことができる。 Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
may communicate with the blood passage 70 connected to the blood outlet 3 of the artificial lung 1. The short circuit passage 20 is connected by providing a connector 25 having an outwardly projecting port 22 provided at the upper part of the air chamber portion 12 of the housing 11 and an outwardly projecting port 24 into the blood passageway 70. This can be easily accomplished by communicating the port 22 of the housing 11 and the port 24 of the connector 25 through the short-circuit passage 20.

次に、第６図に示す本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺
の実施例について説明する。 Next, an embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

この中空糸膜型人工肺１は、血液流入口２と血
液流出口３を有するハウジング１１と、ハウジン
グ１１内に収納された多数のガス交換用中空糸膜
からなる中空糸膜束４と、中空糸膜の両端を開口
した状態で中空糸膜束両端部をハウジング１１に
固着する隔壁５，６と、中空糸膜内部と連通する
ガス流入口７とガス流出口８と、ハウジング１１
の中間部より下方に設けられ血液流入口２と連通
するエアーチヤンバー部１２とを有する膜型人工
肺と、この人工肺の血液流出口３と連通する血液
入口３０と血液入口３０と連通する血液貯溜部３
２と該血液貯溜部３２の下方と連通する血液出口
３４とを有する貯血槽３６とからなり、人工肺
は、ハウジング１１の中間部より下方に設けられ
血液流入口２と連通するエアーチヤンバー部１２
と、エアーチヤンバー部１２と前記貯血槽３６内
部と連通し少流量の血液の流通を許す短絡通路３
８を有している。 This hollow fiber membrane oxygenator 1 includes a housing 11 having a blood inlet 2 and a blood outlet 3, a hollow fiber membrane bundle 4 made up of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange housed in the housing 11, and a partition walls 5 and 6 that fix both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle to the housing 11 with both ends of the fiber membranes open; a gas inlet 7 and a gas outlet 8 that communicate with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane; and the housing 11.
A membrane oxygenator having an air chamber part 12 provided below the middle part of the membrane and communicating with the blood inlet 2, and a blood inlet 30 communicating with the blood outlet 3 of this oxygenator and communicating with the blood inlet 30. Blood reservoir 3
2 and a blood reservoir 36 having a blood outlet 34 that communicates with the lower part of the blood reservoir 32. 12
and a short-circuit passage 3 that communicates with the air chamber portion 12 and the inside of the blood storage tank 36 and allows a small flow of blood to flow therethrough.
It has 8.

この実施例の中空糸膜型人工肺１の特徴は、貯
血槽３６を有する点およびエアーチヤンバー部１
２と貯血槽３６とを連通する通路を構成する短絡
通路３８を設けた点にあり、この短絡通路は、人
工肺中に混入した大量の気泡を含む血液流と気泡
をあまり含まない血液流とに簡易的に分離し、気
泡を多く含む血液流を短絡して貯血槽側に排出さ
せるためのものである。エアーチヤンバー部１２
の形状は、第１図に示した実施例の説明のところ
で詳述した通りである。この短絡通路は、人工肺
に流入する血液量の0.01％〜10％、好ましくは
0.1％〜２％の通過を許すものである。この範囲
であれば、人工肺における酸素添加能、二酸化炭
素除去能をあまり低下させることなく、気泡を多
く含む血液を貯血槽に流出させることができる。
具体的に述べると、短絡通路３８の直径が、人工
肺の血液流入口の１／1000〜１／２、好ましくは
１／500〜１／４である。短絡通路３８は、軟質
チユーブまたは硬質チユーブからなり、透明性材
料にて形成されることが好ましい。貯血槽３６
は、硬質部材からなる開放型貯血槽、あるいは軟
質部材からなる密閉型貯血槽のいずれでもよい
が、好ましくは開放型貯血槽である。ここでは開
放型貯血槽を用いて説明する。 The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator 1 of this embodiment is characterized by having a blood storage tank 36 and an air chamber 1.
2 and the blood storage tank 36, and this short-circuit path separates the blood flow containing a large amount of air bubbles mixed into the oxygenator from the blood flow containing few air bubbles. This is to simply separate the blood flow, which contains many air bubbles, to short-circuit it and discharge it to the blood storage tank. Air chamber part 12
The shape is as described in detail in the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. This shunt path accounts for 0.01% to 10% of the blood volume entering the oxygenator, preferably
It allows 0.1% to 2% to pass through. Within this range, blood containing many bubbles can flow into the blood storage tank without significantly reducing the oxygen addition ability and carbon dioxide removal ability of the oxygenator.
Specifically, the diameter of the short-circuit passage 38 is 1/1000 to 1/2, preferably 1/500 to 1/4, of the blood inlet of the oxygenator. The short-circuit passage 38 is preferably made of a flexible tube or a hard tube, and made of a transparent material. Blood storage tank 36
The blood reservoir may be either an open blood reservoir made of a hard member or a closed blood reservoir made of a soft member, but is preferably an open blood reservoir. Here, an explanation will be given using an open blood reservoir.

貯血槽３６は、人工肺の血液流出口３と連通す
る血液入口３０と、血液入口３０と連通する貯血
部３２と、貯血部３２の下部に設けられた血液出
口３４と、上方に設けられた貯血槽３６内部と外
部とを連通する連通口４０とを有している。 The blood storage tank 36 includes a blood inlet 30 that communicates with the blood outlet 3 of the artificial lung, a blood storage section 32 that communicates with the blood inlet 30, a blood outlet 34 provided at the bottom of the blood storage section 32, and a blood outlet 34 provided above. It has a communication port 40 that communicates the inside of the blood reservoir 36 with the outside.

さらに、血液入口３０と貯血部３２間にある血
液流入部には血液流入部の血液流路を横切るよう
に消泡部材４４を設けることが好ましい。 Further, it is preferable that a defoaming member 44 be provided in the blood inflow section between the blood inlet 30 and the blood storage section 32 so as to cross the blood flow path of the blood inflow section.

短絡通路３８は、一端が人工肺のエアーチヤン
バー部１２の上方と連通しており、他端が貯血槽
３６の上方と連通している。また、短絡通路３８
の他端は、貯血槽３６の上方でなくいずれに連通
していてもよく、例えば貯血部３２に連通してい
てもよい。この短絡通路３８は、エアーチヤンバ
ー部１２の上方に分離された気泡を多く含んだ血
液流を、短絡して貯血槽３６に流入させるための
ものであり、この短絡通路３８を設けることによ
り、人工肺内に大量の気泡が混入した場合であつ
ても、気泡によりガス交換膜である中空糸膜がエ
アーブロツクされることを防止する。そして、短
絡通路３８の他端は、貯血槽３６内に上記のよう
な消泡部材４４を設ける場合には、短絡通路３８
より貯血槽３６に流入する血液が消泡部材４４を
通過た後、貯血部３２に流入するように取り付け
ることが好ましい。このようにすることにより、
血液中に含まれる気泡を除去できるからである。
貯血槽３６について、より具体的に述べると、貯
血槽３６は、貯血部３２、血液入口３０、短絡通
路３８との連通口、血液出口３４などを有するハ
ウジングとその上方に設けられた蓋体とからな
り、それらは硬質部材で形成され、ハウジング部
分は透明であることが好ましい。貯溜している血
液を容易に確認できるからである。蓋体には貯血
槽３６の内部と外部とを連通する連通口４０が設
けられている。貯血槽３６に用いられる材料とし
ては、硬質塩化ビニル樹脂、スチレン樹脂、カー
ボネイト樹脂などがある。 One end of the short-circuit passage 38 communicates with the upper part of the air chamber part 12 of the oxygenator, and the other end communicates with the upper part of the blood reservoir 36. In addition, the short circuit passage 38
The other end may communicate anywhere other than above the blood reservoir 36, for example, may communicate with the blood reservoir 32. This short-circuit passage 38 is for short-circuiting the blood flow containing many air bubbles separated above the air chamber part 12 and causing it to flow into the blood storage tank 36. By providing this short-circuit passage 38, To prevent a hollow fiber membrane, which is a gas exchange membrane, from being air-blocked by the air bubbles even when a large amount of air bubbles are mixed into the oxygenator. The other end of the short-circuit passage 38 is connected to the short-circuit passage 38 when a defoaming member 44 as described above is provided in the blood storage tank 36.
It is preferable to install the blood storage tank 36 so that the blood flowing into the blood storage tank 36 passes through the defoaming member 44 and then flows into the blood storage section 32. By doing this,
This is because air bubbles contained in blood can be removed.
To describe the blood storage tank 36 more specifically, the blood storage tank 36 includes a housing having a blood storage section 32, a blood inlet 30, a communication port with a short circuit passage 38, a blood outlet 34, etc., and a lid provided above the housing. Preferably, they are formed of a rigid member and the housing portion is transparent. This is because the accumulated blood can be easily confirmed. A communication port 40 that communicates the inside and outside of the blood reservoir 36 is provided in the lid. Materials used for the blood reservoir 36 include hard vinyl chloride resin, styrene resin, and carbonate resin.

そして、人工肺の血液流出口３と血液入口３０
とが液密状に連通している。この血液流出口３と
血液入口３０は液密状に嵌合しているかまた液密
状となるように超音波、高周波または接着剤を用
いて接着される。同様に、通路３８の一端はその
連通口と液密状に連通している。また、通路３８
の他端は、人工肺のハウジング１１のエアーチヤ
ンバー部１２の上部と連通し外方に突出するポー
ト２２と液密に連通している。なお、通路３８
は、貯血槽のハウジングと連通するものを用いて
説明したが、これに限らず貯血槽の上部の蓋体に
連通口を設け、その連通口と連通させてもよい。 And the blood outflow port 3 and blood inlet port 30 of the artificial lung.
and are in liquid-tight communication. The blood outflow port 3 and the blood inlet 30 are fitted in a liquid-tight manner, or are bonded to each other in a liquid-tight manner using ultrasonic waves, high frequency waves, or an adhesive. Similarly, one end of the passage 38 communicates with the communication port in a liquid-tight manner. Also, passage 38
The other end is in fluid-tight communication with a port 22 that communicates with the upper part of the air chamber portion 12 of the housing 11 of the oxygenator and projects outward. In addition, passage 38
has been described using a device that communicates with the housing of the blood reservoir, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a communication port may be provided in the lid at the top of the blood reservoir and communicated with the communication port.

貯血槽３６の血液流入部は人工肺の血液流出口
３から流入した血液が貯血部３２に入るまでの血
液流路を形成するものであり、貯血部３２より高
い位置にありかつ血液入口３０とほとんど落差の
ない底面を有している。底面の形状は、平坦状、
半筒状などでもよいが、平坦状であれば、消泡部
材４４の設置が容易であり好ましい。消泡部材４
４は、気泡を含む血液が流れてきたとき消泡を行
い気泡のない血液を貯血部３２に送るためのもの
である。この消泡部材４４には、一般的に、発泡
体が用いられ、その疎水性を利用して気泡を成長
させ、除去するものである。発泡体とは、網目状
をした三次元立法体をいう。 The blood inflow part of the blood storage tank 36 forms a blood flow path for the blood flowing in from the blood outflow port 3 of the oxygenator to enter the blood storage part 32, and is located at a higher position than the blood storage part 32 and is connected to the blood inlet 30. It has a bottom with almost no drop. The bottom shape is flat,
Although a semi-cylindrical shape may be used, a flat shape is preferable because the defoaming member 44 can be easily installed. Defoaming member 4
4 is for defoaming when blood containing air bubbles flows and sends the blood without air bubbles to the blood storage section 32. Foam is generally used as the foam defoaming member 44, and its hydrophobicity is used to grow and remove air bubbles. A foam is a three-dimensional cubic body with a mesh shape.

消泡部材４４は流れてくる血液のすべてが接触
するように（消泡部材に接触しない血液流路が形
成されないように）貯血槽３６の血液流入部４２
の底面、側面に密着するように配置されている。
さらに消泡部材４４の移動を防止するためにハウ
ジングの内側面に係止部を設けることが好まし
い。消泡部材４４としては、発泡体でありかつメ
ツシユ数の大きい発泡体とメツシユ数の小さい発
泡体の２つの発泡体を密着させたもので構成され
ていることが好ましく、かつ２つの発泡体をメツ
シユ数の大きい発泡体が血液入口３０側となりメ
ツシユ数の小さい発泡体が貯血部３２側となるよ
うにすることが好ましい。このようにメツシユ数
の違う２つの発泡体を用い、さらにそれらを血液
の流れ方向に対しメツシユ数が小さくなるように
並設したので、圧力損失を大きくすることなく、
十分な消泡能を有するのである。 The defoaming member 44 is connected to the blood inlet portion 42 of the blood storage tank 36 so that all of the flowing blood comes into contact with it (so that no blood flow path that does not come into contact with the defoaming member is formed).
It is placed in close contact with the bottom and sides of the
Further, in order to prevent the defoaming member 44 from moving, it is preferable to provide a locking portion on the inner surface of the housing. The defoaming member 44 is preferably composed of two foams, one with a large mesh number and one with a small mesh number, which are brought into close contact with each other. It is preferable that the foam with a large number of meshes be on the blood inlet 30 side and the foam with a small number of meshes be on the blood storage section 32 side. In this way, we used two foams with different numbers of meshes and placed them side by side in such a way that the number of meshes was small in the blood flow direction, so we could avoid increasing pressure loss.
It has sufficient defoaming ability.

次に、第７図に示す本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺
の実施例について説明する。 Next, an embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

この実施例の中空糸膜型人工肺１は、血液流入
口２と血液流出口３を有するハウジングと１１、
ハウジング１１内に収納された多数のガス交換用
中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束４と、中空糸膜の両
端を開口した状態で中空糸膜束の両端部をハウジ
ング１１に固着する隔壁５，６と、中空糸膜内部
と連通するガス流入口７とガス流出口８と、ハウ
ジング中間部より下方に設けられ血液流入口２と
連通するエアーチヤンバー部１２と、エアーチヤ
ンバー部１２と外部とを連通するポート２２とポ
ート２２に取り付けられた気泡除去手段５２とを
有している。 The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 11 having a blood inlet 2 and a blood outlet 3;
A hollow fiber membrane bundle 4 consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange housed in a housing 11, and a partition wall 5 that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle to the housing 11 with both ends of the hollow fiber membranes open. 6, a gas inlet 7 and a gas outlet 8 that communicate with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane, an air chamber section 12 that is provided below the middle part of the housing and communicates with the blood inlet 2, and an air chamber section 12 that communicates with the outside. It has a port 22 communicating with the air bubble removal means 52 and a bubble removing means 52 attached to the port 22.

この実施例の人工肺の特徴は、エアーチヤンバ
ー部１２に設けられた気泡除去手段５２を有する
点にあり、これにより人工肺中に混入した大量の
気泡を含む血液流と気泡をあまり含まない血液流
とに簡易的に分離し、気泡を人工肺の外部に排出
させることができる。 The feature of the oxygenator of this embodiment is that it has an air bubble removing means 52 provided in the air chamber part 12, so that the blood flow containing a large amount of air bubbles mixed into the oxygenator does not contain much air bubbles. The air bubbles can be easily separated from the blood flow and discharged to the outside of the oxygenator.

より具体的に述べると、人工肺１は、血液流入
口２と血液流出口３とを有するハウジング１１
と、ハウジング１１内に軸方向に収納された多数
のガス交換膜である中空糸膜束４と、中空糸膜の
両端部をハウジングに液密に保持する隔壁５，６
とを有し、ハウジング１１内はガス室と血液室に
区画され、ハウジングの端部である上側の隔壁５
の上方には中空糸膜の内部空間であるガス室に連
通するガス流入口７を有するキヤツプ状のガス導
入側ポート９と、下側の隔壁６の下方に設けられ
中空糸膜の内部空間に連通するガス流出口８を有
するキヤツプ状のガス排出側ポート１０が取り付
けられている。なお、ガス排出ポート１０は取り
付けず、中空糸膜の下側開口端をガス流出口とし
てもよい。さらに、ハウジング１１の血液流入口
付近および血液流出口付近は拡径しており中空糸
膜と接触しない拡径部１８となつている。 More specifically, the artificial lung 1 includes a housing 11 having a blood inlet 2 and a blood outlet 3.
, a hollow fiber membrane bundle 4 that is a large number of gas exchange membranes housed in the housing 11 in the axial direction, and partition walls 5 and 6 that hold both ends of the hollow fiber membranes in a liquid-tight manner in the housing.
The inside of the housing 11 is divided into a gas chamber and a blood chamber, and an upper partition wall 5 at the end of the housing
At the top, there is a cap-shaped gas introduction side port 9 having a gas inlet 7 that communicates with the gas chamber, which is the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane, and a cap-shaped gas introduction side port 9 that is provided below the partition wall 6 on the lower side and has a gas inlet 7 that communicates with the gas chamber that is the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane. A cap-shaped gas discharge side port 10 having a gas outlet 8 in communication is attached. Note that the gas exhaust port 10 may not be attached, and the lower open end of the hollow fiber membrane may be used as the gas outlet. Further, the diameter of the housing 11 near the blood inlet and the blood outlet is enlarged to form an enlarged diameter portion 18 that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane.

そして、エアーチヤンバー部１２は、人工肺１
に流入した血液を気泡を含む血液流と気泡をあま
り含まない血液流とに簡易的に分離するものであ
り、分離された気泡は、気泡除去手段５２より、
外部に流出する。気泡除去手段５２の一例を、第
８図に示す。この気泡除去手段５２は、筒状ハウ
ジング６０の上端開口に、通気性かつ血液非透過
性のフイルター６２を有し、ハウジング６２の上
部の中央部には、ボール弁６４が設けられてい
る。ボール弁６４は、その比重が血液より軽いも
のとされており、ボール弁６４は、枠体６６内に
収納されている。この枠体６６内には、血液が流
入可能である。また、ボール弁６４の上部のハウ
ジング６０内は、閉塞面となつており、連通口７
０によりその上部と下部とが連通している。ま
た、ハウジング６０の下部には、ハウジング１１
に設けられたポート２２と接続するためのポート
６８を有しており、このポート６８は血液入口を
形成する。この気泡除去手段５２内に血液が流入
すると、ボール弁６４は、血液より比重が小さい
ため浮上し、連通口７０を閉塞する。また、気泡
除去手段５２内に気泡を多く含む血液が流入する
と、気泡は、ハウジング６０の閉塞面付近に溜ま
り、ボール弁６４は、気泡の貯留分だけ重力によ
り下降し、連通口７０が開口し、気泡がハウジン
グの上部に流出する。さらにその気泡は、フイル
ター６２を通り外部に排出される。 The air chamber part 12 is connected to the oxygenator 1.
It simply separates the blood that has flowed into the blood stream into a blood stream that contains air bubbles and a blood stream that does not contain many air bubbles, and the separated air bubbles are removed by the air bubble removing means 52.
leak to the outside. An example of the bubble removing means 52 is shown in FIG. This bubble removing means 52 has a breathable and blood impermeable filter 62 at the upper opening of a cylindrical housing 60, and a ball valve 64 is provided at the center of the upper part of the housing 62. The ball valve 64 has a specific gravity that is lighter than blood, and is housed within a frame 66. Blood can flow into this frame 66. Further, the inside of the housing 60 above the ball valve 64 is a closed surface, and the communication port 7 is closed.
0, the upper and lower parts thereof are in communication. Further, the housing 11 is provided at the bottom of the housing 60.
It has a port 68 for connecting with the port 22 provided in the blood inlet, which port 68 forms a blood inlet. When blood flows into the bubble removing means 52, the ball valve 64 floats to the surface and closes the communication port 70 because the ball valve 64 has a lower specific gravity than the blood. Further, when blood containing many bubbles flows into the bubble removing means 52, the bubbles accumulate near the closed surface of the housing 60, and the ball valve 64 descends due to gravity by the amount of accumulated bubbles, and the communication port 70 opens. , air bubbles will flow out to the top of the housing. Furthermore, the air bubbles pass through a filter 62 and are discharged to the outside.

通気性かつ血液非透過性のフイルターとして
は、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン、ポリスルホ
ン、ポリアクリロニトリル、ポリテトラフルオロ
エチレン、セルロースアセテート等の疎水性高分
子材料の多孔質膜、または親水性多孔質膜を疎水
性処理したものが使用できる。 For breathable and blood-impermeable filters, porous membranes made of hydrophobic polymer materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polysulfone, polyacrylonitrile, polytetrafluoroethylene, cellulose acetate, etc., or hydrophilic porous membranes treated with hydrophobic treatment. You can use the one you made.

また、気泡除去手段としては、上記のものに限
らず、フイルターを、ハウジング１１のポート２
２に直接融着したもの、さらに、内部に疎水性多
孔質膜を収納したフイルターをポート２２の開口
に液密に固着してもよい。さらに、血液の露出を
確実に防止するために、多孔質膜を複数枚積層し
たものを用いてもよい。 In addition, as a means for removing air bubbles, a filter is not limited to the above-mentioned one, but a filter may be used as a means for removing air bubbles at
In addition, a filter having a hydrophobic porous membrane housed therein may be fixed to the opening of the port 22 in a liquid-tight manner. Furthermore, in order to reliably prevent exposure of blood, a stack of multiple porous membranes may be used.

［実施例］次に、本件発明の実施例、比較例およびそれら
を用いた実験について説明する。[Example] Next, examples of the present invention, comparative examples, and experiments using them will be described.

（実施例）中空糸膜型人工肺としては、第２図に示すよう
な形状のものを用いた。ハウジングの下部の拡径
部よりハウジングの上部の拡径部まで延びた幅１
mm、深さ１mmの溝を設けたポリカーボネート製の
ハウジングを用い、このハウジング内に、ポリプ
ロピレンにて固液相分離法にて作成した外径約
300μm、内径約200μm、空孔率約35％の多孔質中
空糸膜の集合体を円筒芯にスパイラル状に巻き付
けたものを収納し、ポリウレタンを用いて中空糸
膜の両端部を閉塞することなくハウジングに液密
に固着する隔壁を形成し、ハウジングの端部であ
る上側の隔壁の上方には中空糸膜の内部空間であ
るガス室に連通するガス流入口を有するドーナツ
型のキヤツプ状のガス導入側ポートと、下側の隔
壁の下方に設けられ中空糸膜の内部空間に連通す
るガス流出口を有するドーナツ型のキヤツプ状の
ガス排出側ポートを取り付けた中空糸膜型人工肺
を作成した。膜面積は、約3.0m²であつた。(Example) A hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator having a shape as shown in FIG. 2 was used. Width 1 extending from the enlarged diameter part at the bottom of the housing to the enlarged diameter part at the top of the housing
A polycarbonate housing with a groove of 1 mm in diameter and 1 mm in depth was used, and inside this housing was made of polypropylene using the solid-liquid phase separation method.
A collection of porous hollow fiber membranes of 300 μm, inner diameter of approximately 200 μm, and porosity of approximately 35% is wound spirally around a cylindrical core, and polyurethane is used to store both ends of the hollow fiber membranes without blocking them. A doughnut-shaped gas cap is formed, which forms a partition wall that is liquid-tightly fixed to the housing, and above the upper partition wall, which is the end of the housing, has a gas inlet that communicates with the gas chamber, which is the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane. A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator was created that was equipped with an inlet port and a donut-shaped cap-shaped gas outlet port that was provided below the lower partition wall and had a gas outlet that communicated with the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane. . The membrane area was approximately 3.0 m ² .

（比較例）ハウジングとして、その下部および上部に拡径
部を、さらに溝を有していないものとした以外
は、上記実施例と同様とする中空糸膜型人工肺を
作成した。(Comparative Example) A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator was produced in the same manner as in the above example except that the housing had enlarged diameter portions at the lower and upper portions and did not have any grooves.

（実験）実施例の中空糸膜型人工肺のおよび比較例の中
空糸膜型人工肺のそれぞれに脱血ラインおよび送
血ラインを取り付け、さらに送血ライン上に送血
ポンプを設けた。(Experiment) A blood removal line and a blood feeding line were attached to each of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the example and the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the comparative example, and a blood feeding pump was further provided on the blood feeding line.

上記実施例および比較例の膜型人工肺装置を用
いて、以下の実験を行つた。 The following experiments were conducted using the membrane oxygenator devices of the above Examples and Comparative Examples.

実験では、新鮮ヘパリン化牛血としてヘマトク
リツト値を生理食塩水により35％に調整したもの
を用い、この牛血をシングルパスで４／minの
流量で流し、ガス流入口より、酸素含有ガスを４
／ｍの流量で流し、さらに、脱血ライン中に、
シリジンを用いてエアーを50ml／minで10分間注
入した。膜型人工肺の血液流入口および血液流出
口での血液のPH、炭酸ガス分圧（pCO₂）、酸素ガ
ス分圧（pO₂）、膜型人工肺での圧力損失を測定
した。その結果、酸素添加能および二酸化炭素除
去能において実施例のものと比較例のものはあま
り差がなかつた。しかし、膜型人工肺の圧力損失
は、実施例の膜型人工肺では、エアー流入を10分
間行つた後においても血液循環当初における20mm
Hgのまま圧力損失の上昇は見られなかつた。比
較例のものでは、血液循環当初では圧力損失が20
mmHgであつたが、徐々に上昇し、10分後では、
圧力損失は、40mmHgに上昇した。 In the experiment, fresh heparinized bovine blood whose hematocrit value was adjusted to 35% with physiological saline was used. This bovine blood was flowed in a single pass at a flow rate of 4/min, and an oxygen-containing gas was added at 4/min from the gas inlet.
/m flow rate, and further, in the blood removal line,
Air was injected at 50 ml/min for 10 minutes using siridine. Blood PH, carbon dioxide gas partial pressure (pCO ₂ ), oxygen gas partial pressure (pO ₂ ), and pressure drop in the membrane oxygenator were measured at the blood inlet and blood outlet of the membrane oxygenator. As a result, there was not much difference between the examples and the comparative examples in terms of oxygen addition ability and carbon dioxide removal ability. However, in the membrane oxygenator of the example, even after air inflow for 10 minutes, the pressure loss in the membrane oxygenator is 20mm compared to the initial blood circulation.
No increase in pressure drop was observed with Hg remaining. In the comparative example, the pressure loss was 20 at the beginning of blood circulation.
The temperature was mmHg, but it gradually rose, and after 10 minutes,
Pressure drop rose to 40mmHg.

［発明の作用］本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺の作用を、第６図に
示した実施例の人工肺を用いて説明する。[Operation of the Invention] The operation of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention will be explained using the oxygenator of the embodiment shown in FIG.

本発明の人工肺１は、中空糸膜型人工肺と中空
糸膜型人工肺の血液流出口３と連通する貯血槽３
６とからなり、人工肺のエアーチヤンバー部１２
の上部と貯血槽３６とを連通する短絡通路３８を
有している。そして、この中空糸膜型人工肺の血
液流入口２に脱血ラインが取り付けられ、貯血槽
３６の血液出口３４には送血ラインと送血ポンプ
が設けられ体外循環回路が構成される。 The oxygenator 1 of the present invention includes a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator and a blood storage tank 3 that communicates with a blood outlet 3 of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator.
6, the air chamber part 12 of the oxygenator
It has a short-circuit passage 38 that communicates the upper part of the blood reservoir 36 with the blood reservoir 36 . A blood removal line is attached to the blood inlet 2 of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator, and a blood supply line and a blood pump are provided to the blood outlet 34 of the blood storage tank 36 to form an extracorporeal circulation circuit.

人体より脱血ラインを経て人工肺に流入した血
液は、血液流出口３に至るまでに中空糸膜に接触
し、二酸化炭素が除去され、酸素が添加される。
さらに、流入する血液中に大量の気泡が含まれて
いると人工肺のエアーチヤンバー部１２内にて、
気泡を大量に含む血液がエアーチヤンバー部１２
の上方に簡易的に分離される。そして、分離され
た気泡を多く含む血液は、短絡通路３８を通り貯
血槽３６に流入する。また、短絡通路３８を通ら
ない血液は、人工肺の拘束部１６より上方に流れ
中空糸膜に接触し、貯血槽３６に流入する。人工
肺を通過した血液および短絡通路３８より貯血槽
３６に流入した血液は、貯血槽３６内部に設けら
れた消泡部材４４に接触し、消泡された後、貯血
部３２に貯留される。貯血槽３６に貯留された血
液は、送血ラインに設けられたポンプにより送血
ラインを通り人体に返却される。 Blood flowing into the artificial lung from the human body via the blood removal line comes into contact with the hollow fiber membrane before reaching the blood outlet 3, where carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is added.
Furthermore, if the inflowing blood contains a large amount of air bubbles, inside the air chamber 12 of the oxygenator,
Blood containing a large amount of air bubbles enters the air chamber 12.
It is simply separated above. Then, the separated blood containing many air bubbles flows into the blood reservoir 36 through the short circuit path 38. Further, blood that does not pass through the short-circuit passage 38 flows upward from the restricting portion 16 of the oxygenator, contacts the hollow fiber membrane, and flows into the blood reservoir 36 . The blood that has passed through the oxygenator and the blood that has flowed into the blood storage tank 36 from the short-circuit passage 38 comes into contact with a defoaming member 44 provided inside the blood storage tank 36 and is defoamed, and then stored in the blood storage section 32. The blood stored in the blood storage tank 36 is returned to the human body through the blood supply line by a pump provided in the blood supply line.

［発明の効果］本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺は、多数のガス交換
用中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束と、該中空糸膜束
を収納するとともに該中空糸膜束の外周と軸方向
に所定長接触する内壁を有する筒状ハウジング
と、該中空糸膜の両端を開口した状態で中空糸膜
の両端部を前記ハウジングに固定する隔壁と、該
隔壁と中空糸膜外面とハウジング内壁とにより形
成された血液室に連通する前記ハウジングの一端
側に設けられた血液流入口と、前記血液室に連通
する前記ハウジングの他端側に設けられた血液流
出口と、前記中空糸膜内部と連通するガス流入口
およびガス流出口とを有し、さらに一端が前記ハ
ウジングの血液流入口側部分と連通し、他端が前
記ハウジングの血液流出口側部分と連通し、前記
血液流入口より前記ハウジング内に流入した血液
中の気泡を多く含む血液を血液流出口側に流出さ
せる短絡通路とを有するものであるので、膜型人
工肺に流入する血液中に大量の気泡が含まれてい
ても、人工肺の内部において気泡を大量に含む血
液が簡易的に分離され、分離された気泡を多く含
む血液は、短絡通路を通り血液流出口またはその
付近に流れるので、人工肺内部にこの気泡が残
り、エアーブロツクし、酸素添加能および二酸化
炭素除去能を低下させることおよびエアーブロツ
クにより人工肺の圧力損失が高くなり人工肺に落
差にて血液を流入することができなくなることを
防止できる。[Effects of the Invention] The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, a hollow fiber membrane bundle that accommodates the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and an outer periphery and an axis of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. a cylindrical housing having an inner wall in contact with each other for a predetermined length in the direction; a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open; the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. a blood inlet provided at one end of the housing that communicates with a blood chamber formed by the blood chamber, a blood outlet provided at the other end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, and an inside of the hollow fiber membrane. further, one end communicates with the blood inlet side portion of the housing, the other end communicates with the blood outlet side portion of the housing, and the blood inlet side communicates with the blood inlet side portion of the housing. Since the housing has a short-circuit passage that allows the blood containing many air bubbles in the blood that has flowed into the housing to flow out to the blood outlet side, it is possible to prevent the blood flowing into the membrane oxygenator from containing a large amount of air bubbles. However, blood containing a large amount of air bubbles is easily separated inside the oxygenator, and the separated blood containing a large number of air bubbles flows through a short circuit path to the blood outlet or its vicinity. This can prevent air from remaining and blocking the oxygen and reducing the ability to add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, and from increasing pressure loss in the oxygenator and making it impossible for blood to flow into the oxygenator due to the air block.

また、本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺は、多数のガ
ス交換用中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束と、該中空
糸膜束を収納するとともに該中空糸膜束の外周と
軸方向に所定長接触する内壁を有する筒状ハウジ
ングと、該中空糸膜の両端を開口した状態で中空
糸膜の両端部を前記ハウジングに固定する隔壁
と、該隔壁と中空糸膜外面とハウジング内壁とに
より形成された血液室に連通する前記ハウジング
の一端側に設けられた血液流入口と、前記血液室
に連通する前記ハウジングの他端側に設けられた
血液流出口と、前記中空糸膜内部と連通するガス
流入口およびガス流出口と、前記血液流出口に接
続された血液流路と、一端が前記ハウジングの血
液流入口側部分と連通し、他端が前記血液通路と
連通し、前記血液流入口より前記ハウジング内に
流入した血液中の気泡を多く含む血液を前記血液
通路に流出させる短絡通路とを有するものである
ので、膜型人工肺に流入する血液中に大量の気泡
が含まれていても、人工肺の内部において気泡を
大量に含む血液が簡易的に分離され、分離された
気泡を多く含む血液は、短絡通路を通り血液流出
口またはその付近に流れるので、人工肺内部にこ
の気泡が残り、エアーブロツクし、酸素添加能お
よび二酸化炭素除去能を低下させることおよびエ
アーブロツクにより人工肺の圧力損失が高くなり
人工肺に落差にて血液を流入することができなく
なることを防止できる。 In addition, the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, and a hollow fiber membrane bundle that accommodates the hollow fiber membrane bundle and has a predetermined position on the outer periphery and axial direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. A cylindrical housing having an inner wall in long contact, a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open, and the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. A blood inlet provided at one end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, a blood outlet provided at the other end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, and a blood outlet that communicates with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane. a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a blood flow path connected to the blood outflow port, one end communicating with the blood inlet side portion of the housing, the other end communicating with the blood passage, the blood inflow port; Since the membrane oxygenator has a short-circuit passage that allows blood containing a large number of air bubbles in the blood that has flowed into the housing to flow out into the blood passage, it is possible to prevent a large amount of air bubbles from being contained in the blood that flows into the membrane oxygenator. However, blood containing a large amount of air bubbles is easily separated inside the oxygenator, and the separated blood containing a large number of air bubbles flows through a short circuit path to the blood outlet or its vicinity. This can prevent air from remaining and blocking the oxygen and reducing the ability to add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, and from increasing pressure loss in the oxygenator and making it impossible for blood to flow into the oxygenator due to the air block.

さらに、本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺は、多数の
ガス交換用中空糸膜からなる中空糸膜束と、該中
空糸膜束を収納するとともに該中空糸膜束の外周
と軸方向に所定長接触する内壁を有する筒状ハウ
ジングと、該中空糸膜の両端を開口した状態で中
空糸膜の両端部を前記ハウジングに固定する隔壁
と、該隔壁と中空糸膜外面とハウジング内壁とに
より形成された血液室に連通する前記ハウジング
の一端側に設けられた血液流入口と、前記血液室
に連通する前記ハウジングの他端側に設けられた
血液流出口と、前記中空糸膜内部と連通するガス
流入口およびガス流出口と、前記ハウジングの下
方に設けられ前記血液流入口と連通するエアーチ
ヤンバー部と、前記エアーチヤンバー部と外部と
を連通する気泡除去手段とを有するものであるの
で、膜型人工肺に流入する血液中に大量の気泡が
含まれていても、その気泡は前記エアーチヤンバ
ー部において簡易的に分離され、気泡除去手段よ
り外部に放出される。よつて、人工肺内部に気泡
が残り、エアーブロツクし、酸素添加能および二
酸化炭素除去能を低下させることおよびエアーブ
ロツクにより人工肺の圧力損失が高くなり人工肺
に落差にて血液を流入することができなくなるこ
とを防止できる。 Furthermore, the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, and a hollow fiber membrane bundle that accommodates the hollow fiber membrane bundle and is arranged in a predetermined manner on the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and in the axial direction. A cylindrical housing having an inner wall in long contact, a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open, and the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. A blood inlet provided at one end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, a blood outlet provided at the other end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, and a blood outlet that communicates with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane. The housing includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet, an air chamber provided below the housing and communicating with the blood inlet, and a bubble removing means communicating the air chamber with the outside. Even if a large amount of bubbles are included in the blood flowing into the membrane oxygenator, the bubbles are easily separated in the air chamber and discharged to the outside by the bubble removing means. As a result, air bubbles remain inside the oxygenator, causing an air block and reducing the oxygen addition and carbon dioxide removal capabilities.The air block also increases the pressure loss of the oxygenator, causing blood to flow into the oxygenator with a drop. This can prevent the inability to do so.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

第１図は、本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺の一実施
例を示す図面、第２図は、本発明の中空糸膜型人
工肺の他の実施例を示す図面、第３図は、第２図
に示した中空糸膜型人工肺のＡ−Ａ線断面図、第
４図は、本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺の他の実施例
を示す図面、第５図は、本発明の中空糸膜型人工
肺の他の実施例を示す図面、第６図は、本発明の
中空糸膜型人工肺の他の実施例を示す図面、第７
図は、本発明の中空糸膜型人工肺の他の実施例を
示す図面、第８図は、本の発明の中空糸膜型人工
肺に用いられる気泡除去手段の一例を示す図面で
ある。１……ハウジング、４……中空糸膜束、１２…
…エアーチヤンバー部、１４……短絡通路、３６
……貯血槽、２２，３８……短絡通路、５２……
気泡除去手段。 FIG. 1 is a drawing showing one embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention.
This figure is a diagram showing another embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a bubble removing means used in the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of the present invention. 1...Housing, 4...Hollow fiber membrane bundle, 12...
...Air chamber section, 14...Short circuit passage, 36
...Blood reservoir, 22, 38...Short passage, 52...
Air bubble removal means.

Claims

[Scope of Claims] 1. A hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange, and an inner wall that accommodates the hollow fiber membrane bundle and contacts the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle for a predetermined length in the axial direction. A cylindrical housing, a partition that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open, and communicates with a blood chamber formed by the partition, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. a blood inlet provided on one end side of the housing;
It has a blood outflow port provided on the other end side of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber, and a gas inflow port and a gas outflow port that communicate with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane, and further, one end is connected to the blood inflow port of the housing. a short-circuit passageway that communicates with the side portion and whose other end communicates with the blood outflow port side portion of the housing, through which blood containing many air bubbles in the blood that has flowed into the housing from the blood inflow port flows out to the blood outflow port side; A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator comprising: 2. The blood inlet is in communication with the lower part of the blood chamber, the blood outlet is in communication with the upper part of the blood chamber, and the short circuit passage is one through which a small flow of blood flows. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to item 1. 3. The short-circuit passage is formed by a groove formed on the inner surface of the housing that communicates the blood inlet side portion and the blood outlet side portion. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator described in Section 1. 4. The hollow space according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the short-circuit passage is formed by a thin tube that communicates the blood inlet side portion and the blood outlet side portion of the housing. Thread membrane oxygenator. 5. The housing has a portion that does not contact the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle near the blood inlet, and forms an air chamber below the blood chamber, and one end of the short-circuit passage is connected to the air chamber. Claim 1 which communicates with the chamber part
The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to any one of Items 1 to 4. 6. The housing above the middle portion thereof has:
The inner surface of the housing and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are in contact with each other, and the inner surface of the housing and at least a portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle are not in contact with each other below the intermediate portion, and the air chamber portion is formed in the non-contact portion. A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to claim 5. 7. The hollow fiber membrane type prosthesis according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the short-circuit passage is formed by a groove communicating the air chamber part and the blood outflow port side part. lung. 8. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to claim 3 or 7, wherein the groove is curved. 9. The housing has an enlarged diameter near the blood outflow port to form a space that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane, and the other end of the short-circuit passage communicates with this space. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to any one of items 1 to 8. 10 The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator has a blood reservoir connected to the blood outflow port, and the short circuit passage communicates the blood inflow port side portion of the housing with the blood reservoir. A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to claim 1 or 2. 11 The housing has a portion that does not contact the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle near the blood inlet, and forms an air chamber below the blood chamber, and the short-circuit passage is formed in the air chamber. 11. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to claim 10, wherein the upper part of the blood storage tank is in communication with the upper part of the blood storage tank. 12. A hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange; a cylindrical housing that houses the hollow fiber membrane bundle and has an inner wall that contacts the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle for a predetermined length in the axial direction; a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open; and one end side of the housing that communicates with a blood chamber formed by the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. a blood inlet provided at the other end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber; a gas inlet and a gas outlet that communicate with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane; A blood flow path connected to the outlet communicates with the blood inlet side portion of the housing at one end and communicates with the blood passageway at the other end, and allows air bubbles in the blood to flow into the housing from the blood inlet. A hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator comprising a short-circuit passageway through which a large amount of blood flows out into the blood passageway. 13. Claims in which the blood inlet is in communication with the lower part of the blood chamber, the blood outlet is in communication with the upper part of the blood chamber, and the short circuit passage is one through which a small flow of blood flows. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to item 12. 14 The housing has a portion that does not contact the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle near the blood inlet, and forms an air chamber below the blood chamber, and one end of the short-circuit passage is connected to the air chamber. Claim 1 which communicates with the chamber part
The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to item 2 or item 13. 15 In the housing, the inner surface of the housing and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are in contact with each other above the intermediate portion, and the inner surface of the housing and at least a portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle are not in contact with each other below the intermediate portion, such that the non-contact occurs. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the air chamber portion is formed at a portion. 16. The housing has an enlarged diameter near the blood outflow port to form a space that does not come into contact with the hollow fiber membrane, and the other end of the short-circuit passage communicates with this space. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to any one of items 12 to 15. 17. A hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a large number of hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange; a cylindrical housing that houses the hollow fiber membrane bundle and has an inner wall that contacts the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle for a predetermined length in the axial direction; a partition wall that fixes both ends of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing with both ends of the hollow fiber membrane open; and one end side of the housing that communicates with a blood chamber formed by the partition wall, the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inner wall of the housing. a blood inlet provided at the other end of the housing that communicates with the blood chamber; a gas inlet and a gas outlet that communicate with the inside of the hollow fiber membrane; A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator comprising: an air chamber provided below and communicating with the blood inlet; and a bubble removing means communicating between the air chamber and the outside. 18. The hollow fiber membrane type prosthetic device according to claim 17, wherein the blood inlet is in communication with the lower part of the blood chamber, and the blood outlet is in communication with the upper part of the blood chamber. lung. 19 In the housing, the inner surface of the housing and the hollow fiber membrane bundle are in contact with each other above the intermediate portion, and the inner surface of the housing and at least a portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle are not in contact with each other below the intermediate portion, such that the non-contact occurs. 19. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the air chamber portion is formed at a portion of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator. 20. Claims 17 to 19, wherein the bubble removing means includes a housing and a filter fixed to an opening at an upper end of the housing.
Hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to any of paragraphs. 21. The hollow fiber membrane oxygenator according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the bubble removing means has a filter fixed to a port communicating with the air chamber.