Heat Exchanger

Abstract

A method of controlling thermal transfer in a perfusion system heat exchanger of an extracorporeal fluid treatment device for conditioning an extracorporeal patient fluid for administration to a patient comprises a step of providing a perfusion system heat exchanger, wherein the perfusion system heat exchanger comprises a first fluid passage for a liquid heat transfer medium and a second fluid passage for the extracorporeal patient fluid to be temperature-controlled via exchange of thermal energy with the heat transfer medium, and a step of providing the heat transfer medium through the first fluid passage. The heat transfer medium comprises a component with anti-microbial properties, such as glycol. The provision of antimicrobial fluid reduces the risk of microbe contamination of the extracorporeal fluid, and hence the risk of clinical complications.

1 . A method of controlling thermal transfer in a perfusion system heat exchanger of an extracorporeal fluid treatment device for conditioning an extracorporeal patient fluid for administration to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a perfusion system heat exchanger, wherein the perfusion system heat exchanger comprises a first fluid passage for a liquid heat transfer medium and a second fluid passage for the extracorporeal patient fluid to be temperature-controlled via exchange of thermal energy with the heat transfer medium; and   providing the heat transfer medium through the first fluid passage,   wherein the heat transfer medium comprises a component with anti-microbial properties.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the perfusion system heat exchanger is part of an oxygenator. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the perfusion system heat exchanger is part of a cardioplegic agent delivery system. 
     
     
         4 . The method in according to  claim 1 , wherein the perfusion system heat exchanger is provided to control the temperature of an extracorporeal fluid in a fluid line. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of ensuring that the first fluid passage is fluidically isolated from the second fluid passage. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer medium is heater-cooler fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer medium has biocidal properties. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer medium comprises glycol. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat transfer medium comprises at least one of the constituents selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the perfusion system heat exchanger is part of a system capable of operating at sub-atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         12 . A heater-cooler apparatus for a perfusion system heat exchanger, wherein the heater-cooler apparatus comprises:
 a heater cooler device; and   an antimicrobial fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The heater-cooler apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the heater cooler device includes heater-cooler fluid constituted by the anti-microbial fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The heater-cooler apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising an intermediate heat exchanger between the heater-cooler device and an intermediate passage, wherein the heater-cooler device is provided to supply heater-cooler fluid to the intermediate heat exchanger, the intermediate passage is provided for an intermediate fluid to be supplied to the perfusion system heat exchanger, and wherein the intermediate heat exchanger permits heat exchange between the heater-cooler fluid and the intermediate fluid, whereby the heater-cooler fluid is fluidically isolated from the perfusion system heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The heater-cooler apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate fluid is constituted by the antimicrobial fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The heater-cooler apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the antimicrobial fluid is biocidal. 
     
     
         17 . The heater-cooler apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the antimicrobial fluid comprises glycol. 
     
     
         18 . The heater-cooler apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the glycol comprises at least one of the constituents selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A heater-cooler apparatus for a perfusion system heat exchanger, the heater-cooler apparatus comprising an intermediate heat exchanger between a heater-cooler device and an intermediate passage, wherein the heater-cooler is provided to supply heater-cooler fluid to the intermediate heat exchanger, the intermediate passage is provided for an intermediate fluid to be supplied to the perfusion system heat exchanger, and wherein the intermediate heat exchanger permits heat exchange between the heater-cooler fluid and the intermediate fluid, whereby the heater-cooler fluid is fluidically isolated from the perfusion system heat exchanger. 
     
     
         22 . The heater-cooler apparatus in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the intermediate fluid is antimicrobial fluid. 
     
     
         23 . The heater-cooler apparatus in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the heater-cooler fluid is antimicrobial fluid. 
     
     
         24 - 56 . (canceled)