Abstract: A gas exchange apparatus for use as a artificial lung incorporates a hollow fiber module for bundling a plurality of thin-walled hollow silicone fibers. The fibers are wound in the form of a twilled pattern so as to form an internal perfusion passage and an external perfusion passage. A housing encloses the hollow fiber module. The housing incorporates a first inlet and outlet formed on the housing for communication of gas or liquid with the internal perfusion passage, and a second inlet and outlet formed for communication of gas or liquid with the external perfusion passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a small-sized gas exchange apparatus of high performance having an increased gas exchange rate and a reduced priming volume, comprising a hollow fiber module M.sub.1 formed by bundling a plurality of silicone membrane hollow fibers 1 wound in the form of a twilled pattern, a housing H.sub.1 for enclosing the hollow fiber module, an internal perfusion passage and an external perfusion passage formed within the housing H.sub.1, a first inlet A and a first outlet B formed on the housing for gas or liquid for communication with the internal perfusion passage, and a second inlet C and a second outlet D formed on the housing for gas or liquid for communication with the external perfusion passage.