Abstract
An intravascular oxygenator (IVBO), consisting of silicone hollow fiber (external diameter 2mm, internal diameter 1.6mm, membrane width 0.2mm) and tubes for air-driving, was devised and evaluated for its effectiveness of oxygenation and circulatory assistance. Both edges of the balloon were fabricated to the silicone tubes (the oxygen inlet and the oxygen outlet), connecting to the outlets of the airdriven artificial heart driver and the vacuum pump. While the driver sent high-pressure oxygen, the balloon was inflated, therepy adding oxygen to the blood. The balloon was deflated by vacuum pressure of the driver. The balloon was pumping as a circulatory assist pump and it served as an oxygenator simultaneously. A preliminary experiment using a vessel model showed that the pump output of the IVBO was 40ml/min under the condition of 60mmHg driving pressure, —150mmHg vacuum pressure and 40% systole. Blood oxygen pressure increased during pumping, according to the increase of driving pressure and percent systole. An animal experiment in which the IVBO was implanted into the inferior vena cava of a mongrel dog, showed an increase of venous return and oxygen pressure of the venous blood during pumping.
