The membrane oxygenator has been recognized as the ideal artificial lung. It must be uniform in capacities, and easy to be handled and industrialized. In these points of view, we compare the three types of the oxygenators, i. e. multi-tube-type, pack-type and coil-type.
1) multi-tube-type:
Because of the limitation of the size of a silicon tube itself, the oxygen mustt be sent in the tube and intermittent compression system is neccessory to get a thin blood film and better oxygenation.
2) pack-type:
An artificial kidney (Kiil type) is modified and used as an artificial lung. In this type, as the blood flow increases, the blood film becomes thicker, resulting in poorer oxygenation.
3) coil-type:
Another artificial kidney (Kolff type) is also utilized as above. This type is the best among the three in oxygenation; and the size is the smallest and the easiest to be handled. Unfortunately, however, it is very difficult to provide the uniform lungs in present state. Nevertheless, this type will be the most hopefull in many points of view.
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