Cardio-Pulmonary Bypass Membrane Oxygenator


Designing a Next-Generation System for Perfusionists in China

CHALLENGE

Create an iconic new design for a cardio-pulmonary bypass membrane oxygenator device that will help our client to compete in both domestic and emerging markets.

OUTCOME

An innovative product and manufacturing system, whose functional and intuitive design was informed by multiple rounds of research, prototyping, and testing.

Worrell China partnered with the client to design and develop an innovative family of next-generation cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) membrane oxygenators and reservoirs that improve quality, usability, and performance levels in order to effectively compete in domestic and international markets.

Worrell China’s research team conducted ethnographic research in the United States, Europe, and Asia in order to observe the perfusion environment and device interactions during CPB surgery. Post-operative, in-depth interviews with the respondents were followed by Co-Creation sessions to gain deeper insights and understanding of the challenges and opportunities for improvement based on modern perfusion principles and preferences.

The Worrell China Design and Engineering team were then able to develop, prototype, and test multiple membrane configuration concepts in a lab setting to validate a novel and patentable approach to membrane oxygenation. Multiple rounds of prototyping and performance testing yielded promising results.

redesigned perfusion system

UPDATES

Worrell China designed and built a manufacturing system to achieve highly efficient membrane-epoxy winding and sealing — a critical manufacturing step that enabled the client to manufacture an iconic new design more efficiently and at a higher level of quality.

The Design team leveraged the insights gained during the research process to develop a highly functional, intuitive design, adding many innovative new features that were well received by leading perfusionists in the United States and in Europe.