title: Microchannel technologies for artificial lungs: (1) theory.
abstract: The feasibility of developing micro channel artificial lungs is calculated for eight possible strategies: 12 and 25 microm circular channels imbedded in gas-permeable sheets, 12 and 25 microm high open rectangular channels with gas-permeable walls, 12 and 25 microm high broad open channels with support posts and gas-permeable walls, and two 40 microm high screen-filled rectangular channels with gas-permeable walls. Each strategy is considered by imposing a pressure drop maximum of 10 mm Hg and limiting the possibility of shear-induced blood trauma. The pressure drop limit determines the acceptable channel length and required size to oxygenate 4 L/min of venous blood. Circular channels imbedded in open-pore, gas-permeable materials are especially attractive. With 12 microm channels, such a device would require 140 million, 0.8 mm long channels, but the total size of the gas-exchange section would be only 57 ml and a blood prime of only 13 ml. Also attractive are 12 mum high broad open channels with support posts and 40 mum screen-filled rectangular channels. The total size of the former would be 250 ml with a blood prime of 13 ml, and the total size of the latter would be 270 ml with a blood prime of 27 ml.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kung
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Mockros
mesh_terms: D001187:Artificial Organs; D006439:Hemodynamics; D008168:Lung; D044085:Microfluidics; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen