Development of an intravenous membrane oxygenator: enhanced intravenous gas exchange through convective mixing of blood around hollow fiber membranes.
In vitro testing of a new prototype intravenous membrane oxygenator (IMO) is reported. The new IMO design consists of matted hollow fiber membranes arranged around a centrally positioned tripartite balloon. Short gas flow paths and consistent, reproducible fiber geometry after insertion of the device result in an augmented oxygen flux of up to 800% with balloon activation compared with the static mode (balloon off). Operation of the new IMO device with the balloon on versus the balloon off results in a 400% increase in carbon dioxide flux. Gas flow rates of up to 9.5 L/min through the 14-cm-long hollow fibers have been achieved with vacuum pressures of 250 mm Hg. Gas exchange efficiency for intravenous membrane oxygenators can be increased by emphasizing the following design features: short gas flow paths, consistent and reproducible fiber geometry, and most importantly, an active means of enhancing convective mixing of blood around the hollow fiber membranes.
Hattler
B G
BG
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania 15213.
Reeder
G D
GD
Sawzik
P J
PJ
Lund
L W
LW
Walters
F R
FR
Shah
A S
AS
Rawleigh
J
J
Goode
J S
JS
Klain
M
M
Borovetz
H S
HS
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D002417:Cattle; D004867:Equipment Design; D018056:Hemorheology; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010107:Oxygenators, Membrane; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011312:Pressure; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D014618:Vacuum; D014684:Venae Cavae / Q000502:physiology
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen