PHOTOLYTIC ARTIFICIAL LUNG

• US 20080017037A1
• Filed: 07/23/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute, Thoratec LLC
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute, Pharos, LLC (George N. Hatsopoulos, PhD)
• Inventors: Monzyk, Bruce, Dasse, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US11/781,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017037A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 96/136
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/32 Oxygenators without membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/327 using catalytic production of oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3679 by absorption A61M1/3675 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3681 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3683 using photoactive agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3687 Chemical treatment A61M1/3675 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/2073 Manganese
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/20776 Tungsten
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/802 Photocatalytic
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4575 in aeroplanes or space ships
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/326 in electrochemical cells
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/864 Removing carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/885 Devices in general for catalytic purification of waste gases
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/0207 Water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/55 Photoelectrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a photolytic artificial lung. The photolytic artificial lung converts water to oxygen for blood absorption, regulates pH, removes carbon dioxide, and co-produces electrical power. The photolytic artificial lung includes a photolytic cell where all of the chemical reactions occur. The photolytic cell disclosed herein can also be used to direct chemical reactions in organs other than the lung. Also disclosed herein is a gas sorption device for removing carbon dioxide from the system by chemical sorption.

Claims

1. A gas sorption device comprising:

a coalescence compartment comprising a gas head space and a gas coalesor connected to the gas head space; and

a gas sorber connected to the coalescence compartment, wherein gas accumulating in the gas head space moves to the gas sorber, and the gas sorber converts the gas to a solution or solid.

2. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorption device further comprises an entry point connected to the gas head space for entry of hydrogen gas.

3. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorption device further comprises an outlet connected to the gas sorber for the removal of the solution or solid.

4. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorption device does not comprise a gas permeable membrane.

5. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the coalescence compartment is tilted to have an upper end and a lower end, CO₂ enters the coalescence compartment at the upper end, and hydrogen gas enters the coalescence compartment at the lower end.

6. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the coalescence compartment further comprises a means for controlling temperature.

7. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorber contains a sorbent which is reactive with CO₂ gas.

8. The gas sorption device of claim 7, wherein the sorbent is a solid.

9. The gas sorption device of claim 7, wherein the sorbent is a solution.

10. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorber further comprises an outlet which is connected to the coalescence compartment for the recycling of residual hydrogen gas.

11. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorber has a total internal volume of about 25 cubic centimeters.

12. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorber has a plurality of 90°

flow path changes.

13. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the CO₂ gas enters at one end of the gas sorber and sorbent enters at an opposite end of the gas sorber.

14. The gas sorption device of claim 1, wherein the gas sorber further comprises a pH indicator.

15. A gas sorption device comprising:

a coalescence compartment comprising a gas head space and a gas coalesor connected to the gas head space;

a gas sorber connected to the coalescence compartment, wherein gas accumulating in the gas head space moves to the gas sorber, and the gas sorber converts the gas to a solution or solid; and

an entry point connected to the gas head space for entry of hydrogen gas.

16. The gas sorption device of claim 15, further comprising an outlet connected to the gas sorber for the removal of the solution or solid.

17. The gas sorption device of claim 15, wherein the coalescence compartment is tilted to have an upper end and a lower end, CO₂ enters the coalescence compartment at the upper end, and hydrogen gas enters the coalescence compartment at the lower end.

18. A gas sorption device comprising:

a coalescence compartment comprising a gas head space and a gas coalesor connected to the gas head space;

a gas sorber connected to the coalescence compartment, wherein gas accumulating in the gas head space moves to the gas sorber, and the gas sorber converts the gas to a solution or solid; and

an outlet connected to the gas sorber for the removal of the solution or solid.

19. The gas sorption device of claim 18, wherein the gas sorption device further comprises an entry point connected to the gas head space for entry of hydrogen gas.

20. The gas sorption device of claim 18, wherein the coalescence compartment is tilted to have an upper end and a lower end, CO₂ enters the coalescence compartment at the upper end, and hydrogen gas enters the coalescence compartment at the lower end.