Enhanced Hemodynamics of Anisometric TPMS Topology Reduce Blood Clotting in 3D Printed Blood Contactors

• Published in: Advanced healthcare materials 2025-01, Vol.14 (2), p.e2403111-n/a
• Main Authors: Hirschwald, Lukas T., Hagemann, Franziska, Biermann, Maik, Hanßen, Paul, Hoffmann, Patrick, Höhs, Tim, Neuhaus, Florian, Tillmann, Maerthe Theresa, Peric, Petar, Wattenberg, Maximilian, Stille, Maik, Fechter, Tamara, Theißen, Alexander, Winnersbach, Patrick, Barbian, Kai P., Jansen, Sebastian V., Steinseifer, Ulrich, Wiegmann, Bettina, Rossaint, Rolf, Wessling, Matthias, Bleilevens, Christian, Linkhorst, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial organs; Blood coagulation; Blood Coagulation - physiology; Cartridges; Clotting; Computational fluid dynamics; Computed tomography; Contactors; dialysis; Dialyzers; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Flow distribution; Hemodynamics; Hemodynamics - physiology; Humans; Hydrodynamics; Isometric; Mass transfer; Minimal surfaces; Modules; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Selective adsorption; Surface chemistry; Topology; topology reduced clotting; triply periodic minimal surface
• ISSN: 2192-2640; 2192-2659; 2192-2659
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202403111

Artificial organs, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenators, dialyzers, and hemoadsorber cartridges, face persistent challenges related to the flow distribution within the cartridge. This uneven flow distribution leads to clot formation and inefficient mass transfer over the device's functional surface. In this work, a comprehensive methodology is presented for precisely integrating triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) into module housings and question whether the internal surface topology determining the flow distribution affects blood coagulation. Three module types are compared with different internal topologies: tubular, isometric, and anisometric TPMS. First, this study includes a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the internal hemodynamics, validated through experimental residence time distributions (RTD). Blood tests using human whole blood and subsequent visualization of blood clots by computed tomography, allow the quantification of structure‐induced blood clotting. The results indicate that TPMS topologies, particularly anisometric ones, serve as effective flow distributors and significantly reduce and delay blood clotting compared to conventional tubular geometries. For these novel TPMS modules, the inner surfaces can be activated chemically or functionalized to function as a selective adsorption site or biocatalytic surface or made of a permeable material to facilitate mass transfer. Non‐ideal flow distribution in blood contactors, such as oxygenators, dialyzers, or hemoadsorbers, leads to drastic efficiency losses. An optimal flow distribution is particularly essential in the inlet and outlet areas. Distorted triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures enable a smooth transition between tubing and module. The more physiological flow leads to significantly less coagulation.