Abstract
We have devised the following artififial lungs and evaluated the hardware of these devices. 1) An outside flow membrane oxygenator using a silicone hollow fiber was developed and is available for clinical use. This oxygenator is useful in selective cerebral perfusion. Modification such as heparin coating and minimization of the shape is desirable. 2) Liquid-liquid oxygenators using oxygenated perfluorocarbon (PFC) were devised. These oxygenator had an ability of oxygenation without membrane oxygenator but demerit of thromboembolism of PFC. 3) Intravascular balloon oxygenator (IVBO) was devised and evaluated experimentally. 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. Futher modification is hopeful in progress of the membrane material.
