Tailored 3D Lattice Microstructures for Enhanced Functionality in Blood-Gas Exchange

Current membrane oxygenators for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) are facing their limits regarding gas exchange efficiency and long-term stability. One aspect adding to these limitations is inhomogeneous blood flow distribution inside the oxygenator's membrane structure. Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice structures are proposed to provide increased mass transfer efficiency and local adaptability introducing heterogeneous properties. However, the adaptation of these structures for blood flow, as in ECLS, is challenging as a hemocompatible flow distribution must be established. In this study, this study proposes a novel method for the smooth, multi-scale modification of TPMS lattice structures creating a tailored flow distribution suited for blood-gas exchange. It implements this method into an automatic structure optimization within an oxygenator. After manufacturing prototypes, it experimentally evaluate the 3D flow distribution using time-resolved, contrast enhanced computed tomography comparing the optimized structure to reference geometries. The TPMS structure modification provides a significant change in flow distribution, improving homogeneity by up to 12%. The approach to creating tailored 3D TPMS lattice structures can be directly transferred to various other applications in the field of heat and mass transfer to enhance functionality, e.g., for heat exchangers or membrane contactors.