1971 Volume 41 Issue 6 Pages 393-398
A bubble oxygenator equipped with horizontal perforated baffle plates in the oxyginating column was developed in an attempt to reduce traumatic effects and also to enhance oxygen tranfer performance of bubble oxygenators.The hemolytic and oxygen transfer characteristics of the new oxygenator were studied in vitro and clinically with excellent results.Over the entire range of oxygen flow rates tested, the rate of hemolysis in the baffled bubble oxygenator was found to be less than half of that obtained with the conventional bubble oxygenator without perforated baffles. The results of clinical application also showed that the level of free hemoglobin in plasma after 150 minutes of use was less than 100 mg/dl.This value is far less than that of the conventional bubble oxygenator and comparable with that of the centrifugal oxygenator.Measurements of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient k_La also showed considerable improvement of oxygen transfer characteristics. Thus, dependable oxygenation for bllod fiow rates over 4 l/min.was made possible.The clinical advantages of the baffled bubble oxygenator are discussed.
