Abstract
A clinical study of the bubble type oxygenator BEN-IOPLUS was performed on 16 patients. The PO2 Control Valve, integrated on top of this oxygenator, regulates the ratio between bubbling and filming gas transfer. By controlling the ratio of oxygen being diffused into the blood, with the PO2 Control Valve, the desired arterial PO2 can be obtained. Carbon dioxide transfer, which is controlled by the total gas sweep rate, remains largely unaffected by the filming or bubbling process due to the higher diffusability of CO2. This oxygenator provided adequate O2 and CO2 transfer capability without time dependent deterioration. No deleterious hematologic consequences were observed. In hematological data, platelet index (platelet counts/hematocrit) did not significantly decrease during perfusion. The rate of plasma free hemoglobin increase was 0.41±0.24mg/dl/min. Because of low priming volume (static 70ml, dynamic hold up 790ml), this oxygenator can be used for non-hematic primed extracorporeal circulation. The present study indicates that this oxygenator would be suitable for clinical application.
