Abstract: The present invention relates to a bubble elimination method in a medical centrifugal pump wherein a blood outlet 18 is directed upward so that a vertical line X passing through the enter point O of centrifugal pump main body 12 is positioned between two straight lines .alpha.,.beta. which respectively pass through center point O and a point A and center point O and a point B, points A and B lying on the circumference of centrifugal chamber 15 where its periphery connects with blood outlet 18, and a blood inlet 17 is directed upward at an angle which is larger than the angle which is formed between the axis and the inner peripheral surface of centrifuge chamber 15, blood outlet 18 and blood inlet 17 being supported in these states by a drive portion 13 of the centrifugal pump main body 12. After filling the centrifuge chamber with blood and liquid filling, the processes of low speed drive, drive halt and high speed drive are sequentially carried out to rotating body 23.

Abstract: An artificial lung comprises a venous blood reservoir to receive and store venous blood. A heat exchanger communicating with the venous blood reservoir receives the venous blood so the blood temperature is regulated by heat exchange through a wall between flowing water and the venous blood. A blood oxygenator concentrically disposed within a hollow space of said heat exchanger comprises a cylindrical body defining a cylindrical space and at least one gas permeable membrane separating said cylindrical space into a first space and a second space. The first space receives the venous blood from the heat exchanger and the second space communicates with an oxygenating gas feed line so that the blood is oxygenated through the gas permeable membrane.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator includes an elongated hollow housing having an elongated chamber therein, an elongated fiber assembly disposed within the chamber along an axis thereof and including a bundle of hollow fibers of a microporous membrane. The opposite ends of the fiber bundle are sealingly secured to the inner peripheral surface of the housing by a potting material. Gas inlet and outlet members are connected respectively to the opposite ends of the housing and communicate respectively with the opposite ends of the hollow fibers. Blood inlet and outlet are formed on the housing and communicate with the chamber intermediate the opposite ends of the hollow fibers. The fiber assembly includes a plurality of layers of spirally-wound fiber bundles arranged one upon another. Each turn of one of each adjacent spirally-wound bundles is disposed in a plane intersecting the plane in which each turn of the other fiber bundle is disposed.