Development and Performance Evaluation of the Oxygenator for Total Liquid Ventilation

Abstract

Total Liquid Ventilation (TLV) is an effective treatment for severe respiratory failure, however, TLV still remains the problem of CO₂ removal. In this study, the membrane oxygenator for TLV (TLV-OX) was developed to introduce into the recirculation TLV system. The in-vitro experiment with the recirculation TLV system were conducted as TLV-OX performance evaluations. The experiment was performed for 1 hrs with 40 mL tidal volume, respiratory rate of 8 breath.min^-1, I:E ratio of 1:1 and Perfluorocarbon(PFC) flow rate of 1.5 L.min^-1. As the result, PpO₂ and PpCO₂ were kept in the normal value (PpO₂ > 400 mmHg, PpCO₂ < 5 mmHg). On receiving the results we conducted ex-vivo evaluation experiments by the use of living lung. The experiment was performed for 3 hrs with 17 mL.kg^-1 tidal volume, I:E ratio of 1:1 and PFC flow rate of 1.5 L.min^-1. As the result, 3 of 4 rabbits were able to achieve TLV for 3 hrs. And it was possible to maintain PaO₂ 100-500 mmHg, PaCO₂ 35-45 mmHg in newly developed TLV system.