Photolytic artificial lung

• US 7,485,261 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute, Pharos, LLC (George N. Hatsopoulos, PhD)
• Inventors: Monzyk, Bruce F., Dasse, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Deak; Leslie R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wiest; Phil
• Application Number:
  US10/939,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20050040029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,604 Days
• Field of Search: 422/44, 422/45, 204/252, 204/244, 204/254, 604 401- 616, 604 7- 10, 604 23- 25, 210748-766
• US Class Current: 422/45
• 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, the removes carbon dioxide, and co-produces electrical power is disclosed. 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 photolytic artificial lung for oxygenating blood comprising:

an inlet for receiving blood and transporting the blood to a photolytic cell;

a photolytic cell having a light activated catalyst, said light activated catalyst having the ability to convert water to oxygen upon light activation;

a light source for providing light photons to said photolytic cell and activating said catalyst; and

an outlet for transporting oxygenated blood out of said photolytic cell;

wherein the photolytic cell further comprises a transparent window, an anode conductor layer adjacent to the transparent window, a cathode connected to the anode, and a catholyte bordering the cathode.

2. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 1, wherein said light activated catalyst is anatase (TiO₂).

3. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 1, wherein said light source is an ultraviolet laser light at 350-380 nm.

4. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 1, wherein said photolytic artificial lung further comprises a sensor monitoring reaction chemistry in said photolytic cell.

5. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 4, wherein said lung further comprises a processor regulating said photolytic cell in response to said sensor.

6. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 1, wherein said photolytic artificial lung further comprises a gas sorption device connected to said photolytic cell.

7. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 1, wherein said photolytic cell converts water to dissolved oxygen by a series of photochemically initiated reactions.

8. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 1, wherein said photolytic cell contains a second catalyst, MnO₂.

9. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 7, wherein said photolytic cell simultaneously produces dissolved oxygen from water and carbon dioxide from a bicarbonate ion present in the blood.

10. A photolytic artificial lung for producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from blood:

an inlet for receiving blood from a specimen and transporting the blood to a photolytic cell;

a photolytic cell having a light activated catalyst, said light activated catalyst having the ability to convert water to oxygen upon light activation;

a light source for providing light photons to said photolytic cell and activating said catalyst to initiate a series of chemical reactions that result in oxygen generation and carbon dioxide removal; and

an outlet for transporting oxygenated blood out of said photolytic cell;

wherein the photolytic cell further comprises a transparent window, an anode conductor layer adjacent to the transparent window, a cathode connected to the anode, and a catholyte bordering the cathode.

11. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 10, wherein said light activated catalyst is anatase (TiO2).

12. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 10, wherein said light source is an ultraviolet laser light at 350-380 nm.

13. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 10, wherein said photolytic artificial lung further comprises a sensor monitoring reaction chemistry in said photolytic cell.

14. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 10, wherein said lung further comprises a processor regulating said photolytic cell in response to said sensor.

15. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 10, wherein said photolytic cell converts water to dissolved oxygen by a series of photochemically initiated reactions.

16. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 10, wherein said photolytic artificial lung further comprises a gas sorption device.

17. The photolytic artificial lung of claim 10, wherein said photolytic cell contains a second catalyst, MnO₂.