Abstract: Waterless temperature control of blood in a blood oxygenator is achieved by providing a non-disposable heater/cooler with a temperature-controlled surface that can be intimately mated with a heat-conducting surface of a disposable blood heat exchanger associated with the oxygenator. Blood flows in a shallow path past the heat-conducting surface so that substantially all of the blood will assume the temperature of the heat-conducting surface as it flows past that surface.

Abstract: Blood heat exchanger apparatus with improved heat exchanged capability and improved bonding of micro-conduit heat exchange fibers. The micro-conduit comprises a plurality of elongated fibers, which may be made of a hydrophobic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The micro-conduit fibers may be provided as a heat exchanger micro-conduit wrapping material, wherein the micro-conduit fibers are attached to a thin flexible interconnect, such as woven netting, to maintain the fibers at predetermined and substantially parallel alignment with each other. The wrapping material is wrapped about an elongated spindle to provide a generally cylindrical heat exchange core. A shell is placed around the core to contain the heat transfer fluid which passes around the exterior of the fibers. Opposing first and second seals are created by applying potting compound between fibers proximate the spindle's first and second ends respectively.

Abstract: The obstruction of a curved blood manifold window in a blood oxygenator by oxygenation fibers which lie along a chord of a curved window when wound upon the oxygenator core is avoided by recessing the manifold wall portions most closely adjacent the window sufficiently so that the fibers lying on that chord remain sufficiently spaced from those closest wall portions to allow blood flow between those wall portions and the closest fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and method for delivering a high partial pressure of a gas into a liquid. The apparatus has a gas transfer device 12 with a housing 14 that includes upstream 16 and downstream 18 regions, between which there is located a gas-liquid contacting region 20 with contacting members 22, such as hollow microporous fibers. A reservoir 36 of gas supplies the gas at a high pressure (P) to a flask 38 of gas-depleted liquid and to the gas transfer device 12. The reservoir 36 of gas provides hydrostatic pressure for urging the liquid through the contacting members 22 and propelling the gas around the contacting members 22 so that the gas does not diffuse across the contacting members 22. The gas-enriched liquid is then ducted to a high resistance delivery channel 44 for administration to a site of interest without effervescence, bubble formation, or significant disruption of laminar flow.

Abstract: An extracorporeal membrane pump/oxygenator for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support, which employs a two stage pump system in combination with a membrane oxygenator enclosed in a housing. Where the first pump, in the current embodiment, is an axial flow pump whose primary function is to create secondary flows in the oxygenator at low pressures, and the second pump, in the current embodiment, is a servo-controlled centrifugal pump whose function is to return oxygenated blood back to the patient. It provides the energy needed to overcome the resistance of the return line, and to maintain forward flow at either aortic or venous pressures, thus permitting the use of either veno-arterial or veno-venous bypass. The oxygenator portion of the device consists of two readily made cylindrical membranes suspended to form a tubular flow channel. Blood passing through the oxygenator follows a complicated spiral path such that its effective contact time with the gas exchange membranes is prolonged.

Abstract: Provided is an improved disk oxygenator having a hollow median longitudinal shaft with a plurality of orifices to allow oxygen to be diffused radially through a cylindrical reservoir. Also provided is a disk oxygenator with a hollow longitudinal shaft comprised of a series of disks. The disks are provided with a central annular cylindrical passageway.

Abstract: A low priming volume integrated centrifugal pump and membrane oxygenator comprising a housing (10) containing a mass transfer bed (40) comprising gas permeable hollow membrane fibers (38) placed circumferentially in a ring around an impeller (30). The mass transfer bed (40) is formed by a multiple wrap of a fiber ribbon (42) comprising at least two layers of fibers (38) bonded in precise orientation with fibers in alternate layers positioned in line with the opening between fibers in the layers above and below. Adhesion means ensure precise orientation of the fibers (38). Priming volume is further reduced by a small impeller flow channel volume.

Abstract: A combination heat exchanger and oxygenator device is provided. The device includes a generally cylindrical housing having first and second compartments with hollow heat exchange tubes and hollow gas exchange tubes disposed therein, a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a heat exchanges medium inlet, a heat exchange medium outlet, an oxygenating fluid inlet and an oxygenating fluid outlet. The housing has a central axis with the second compartment being concentric thereto. The blood flow passage is defined by blood entering the device generally axially through a path extending along the central axis of the housing and flows generally radially through the second, oxygenating compartment.

Abstract: An intravenous fiber membrane oxygenator is disclosed in several embodiments wherein the fibers either run at a transverse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the oxygenator and/or are of a reduced length to optimize the gas transfer efficiency of the oxygenator. Various helical or spiral wraps of fibers are disclosed. One embodiment utilizes two sets of longitudinally extending fibers wherein the oxygen gas is moved in opposite directions from a central location of the oxygenator.

Abstract: A membrane type oxygenator for effecting exchange of gases with a porous gas-exchange membrane possessing minute through pores forming a path for gas, which membrane type oxygenator is characterized by the fact that minute particles are retained in the minute pores of the porous gas-exchange membrane to permit a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the path for gas and as blood anticoagulant is retained in the minute particles or between the minute particles, and it is manufactured assembling a membrane type oxygenator containing a porous gas-exchange membrane possessing minute through pores forming a path for gas, then causing a dispersion of minute particles to flow through the interior of the membrane type oxygenator thereby allowing the minute pores to retain the minute particles and permitting a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the path for gas, removing the dispersion remaining within the membrane type oxygenator, and further causing a liquid containing a blood anticoagulant to flow through th

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood oxygenation system comprising an integral blood processing unit having a blood reservoir/oxygenator/heat exchanger/pump and pump motor and a remote control console connectable to the integral blood processing unit by way of non-blood containing connections such as electrical cable or the like.

Abstract: A compact, cylindrical integrated blood heater/oxygenator in which the blood flows transversely to the axial direction of hollow heat exchange and oxygenation fibers. Blood enters a longitudinally extending central chamber of the blood heater/oxygenator, and moves radially through annular hollow heat exchange and oxygenation fiber bundles in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the device and generally transverse to the axial direction of the fibers. The blood proceeds toward the outer wall of the oxygenator where the temperature is adjusted and oxygenated blood is collected and passed out of the oxygenator through an exit port.

Abstract: A hollow fiber blood oxygenator is provided having a plurality of enclosed, coaxial heat exchanger coils, having a common header to insure uniform temperature in the coils. An enclosed fiber bundle is concentrically positioned inside the heat exchanger coils to define a flow path around the coils and through the fiber bundle. The heat exchanger coils and the outside of the fiber bundle are tapered to provide a close fit. Gas manifolds direct gas flow to and from the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane fluid treatment apparatus for the transfer of mass or energy through the membrane is disclosed. It is designed particularly, but not only, for use in membrane oxygenators. Hollow fiber membranes extend substantially longitudinally, first inert fibers are spaced between them and also extend substantially longitudinally. Second inert fibers extend generally transverse to the hollow fibers and generally contiguous therewith, so that a first fluid (preferably an oxygen-containing gas) can pass through the hollow fibers and a second fluid (preferably blood) can be passed over their exterior for mass or energy transfer through the membrane.

Abstract: A hollow fiber blood oxygenator is provided having a plurality of enclosed, coaxial heat exchanger coils, having a common header to insure uniform temperature in the coils. An enclosed fiber bundle is concentrically positioned inside the heat exchanger coils to define a flow path around the coils and through the fiber bundle. The heat exchanger coils and the outside of the fiber bundle are tapered to provide a close fit. Gas manifolds direct gas flow to and from the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A device including an integrally formed membrane oxygenator and heat exchange device positioned in a single housing. The device includes a thermally conductive body formed with a plurality of blood pathways on its surface, and a gas permeable membrane, or membranes positioned in the housing in substantial contact with the heat exchange body to cover or lie within a portion of each of the pathways. The membrane defines a gas pathway separate from the blood pathway through which a gas is directed. The blood is directed through the individual blood pathways. The device also includes various ports and passageways for delivering the blood to the individual channels, and for collecting and removing the blood from the device.

Abstract: A blood oxygenation system includes an oxygenator for oxygenating blood and a heat exchanger for regulating blood temperature. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange coil that provides a flow path for a heat exchange media, the heat exchange coil is configured to define a heat exchange zone, and the oxygenator is disposed in heat transfer relationship with the heat exchange zone in order to transfer heat between the heat exchange coil and the oxygenator. The heat exchange coil may at least partially circumscribe the oxygenator and, preferably, be helically shaped and disposed coaxially over a membrane oxygenator. In one embodiment, single or multiple hollow fiber strands are wound onto a small diameter center core so that the fiber segments provide spiralling helical blood-flow pathways which increase oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange by secondary flow paths.

Abstract: A blood reservoir has a blood storage section for temporarily storing blood, a blood discharge port defined in a bottom of the blood storage section for discharging the blood, the blood discharge port being displaced from a central portion of the blood storage section, and at least one partition disposed substantially vertically in the blood storage section for suppressing resonant suppression of a surface level of the stored blood upon pulsative blood discharge from the blood storage section.

Abstract: The fluid processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet; a fluid processing tubular means received in the housing; partitions securing the opposed ends of the fluid processing tubular means to the housing in a fluid tight seal to partition the housing interior into a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet and a second fluid chamber defined in the fluid processing tubular means; a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber; and projections formed on an inner surface of one end portion of the housing so as to project toward the nearer end opening of the housing, said partition of the one end portion side of said housing being secured to the one end portion of the housing so that the projections are positioned within the partition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood-treatment device including hollow fibers which are suitable for conveying a fluid and are in a plurality of superposed layers arranged in directions which are offset from layer to layer so as to create a uniform flow of blood from an inlet chamber adjacent one end layer of the plurality of superposed layers to an outlet chamber adjacent the other end layer, the blood passing through the layers in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto and bathing the external surfaces of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The device can be used in conjunction with a medical device, such as a membrane oxygenator, for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. In a first embodiment, the device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided. In a second embodiment, an element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir within the fluid therein.

Abstract: A device (10) having a blood oxygenator (12) and heat exchanger (14) of the outside perfusion type. The blood oxygenator (12) employs a tightly packed, crisscrossing bundle of gas permeable hollow fibers (50). The heat exchanger (14) employs a bundle of polyurethane, liquid impermeable hollow tubes (96). A center divider (16) facilitates two separate compartments (30, 40) and allows control over pack densities within each compartment while allowing blood to move in a planar manner throught out the device (10).

Abstract: A medical instrument having a blood contact portion formed of a hydrophobic material, wherein a surface-active agent safe to a human body is deposited onto part or the entirety of the blood contact portion so that the medical instrument is fully primed by introducing liquid into the instrument without leaving fine bubbles adhered to the surface of the blood contact portion. Further, a method for fabricating a medical instrument is provided, comprising steps of assembling a medical instrument having a blood contact portion formed of a hydrophobic material, and contacting a liquid containing a surface-active agent safe to a human body to the blood contact portion, followed by drying, leaving the surface-active agent deposited onto the surface of the blood contact portion so that the surface-active agent is steadily and readily deposited onto the blood contact portion of hydrophobic material.

Abstract: A membrane blood oxygenator having a mechanism for automatically maintaining the total pressure of the oxygenating gas near yet below that of the blood across the membrane is described. This includes a valve for restricting the flow of oxygenating gas exiting the oxygenator with the pressure of the blood exiting the oxygenator. A tubing communicates the pressure of the exiting blood to the valve to activate the valve.

Abstract: A housing accommodates a hollow fiber bundle such that a blood port zone is defined between an open end surface of the hollow fiber bundle and an inner wall surface of the housing. The blood port zone includes an increased distance space, which is formed annularly along an edge portion of the open end surface of the hollow fiber bundle and communicates with the blood port, and a small distance space, which communicates with the blood port and has an end wall surface substantially parallel to V, and at a small distance from V, the open end surface of the hollow fiber bundle. A movable member, such as a flexible membrane facing the end surface of the hollow fiber bundle, is provided for varying the volume of the blood port zone. A restriction is provided for restricting the movement of the movable member.

Abstract: A device having a blood oxygenator and heat exchanger of the outside perfusion type. The blood oxygenator employs a tightly packed, crisscrossing bundle of gas permeable hollow fibers. The heat exchanger employs a bundle of polyurethane, liquid impermeable hollow tubes. A center divider facilitates two separate compartments and allows control over pack densities within each compartment while allowing blood to move in a planar manner throughout the device.

Abstract: A hollow fiber blood oxygenator is provided having a plurality of enclosed, coaxial heat exchanger coils, having a common header to insure uniform temperature in the coils. An enclosed fiber bundle is concentrically positioned inside the heat exchanger coils to define a flow path around the coils and through the fiber bundle. The heat exchanger coils and the outside of the fiber bundle are tapered to provide a close fit. Gas manifolds direct gas flow to and from the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A device including an integrally formed membrane oxygenator and heat exchange device positioned in a single housing. The device includes a thermally conductive body formed with a plurality of blood pathways on its surface, and a gas permeable membrane, or membranes positioned in the housing in substantial contact with the heat exchange body to cover or lie within a portion of each of the pathways. The membrane defines a gas pathway separate from the blood pathway through which a gas is directed. The blood is directed through the individual blood pathways. The device also includes various ports and passageways for delivering the blood to the individual channels, and for collecting and removing the blood from the device.

Abstract: A membrane oxygenator having a gas pressure relief valve operable to release gas when the gas pressure in the oxygenator exceeds a predetermined level. Generally, the membrane oxygenator includes a housing in which is mounted a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane, i.e. a bundle of microporous hollow fibers. This membrane defines separate oxygen enrichable fluid and gas flow pathways. The housing also includes both gas and oxygen enrichable fluid inlet and outlet ports communicating with respective opposite ends of the gas and oxygen enrichable fluid flow pathways. The gas pressure relief valve communicates with the gas flow pathway.

Abstract: An apparatus for concurrently oxygenating and pumping blood circulated extra-corporeally in vascular assistance includes at least one blood-oygenating fluid interface permeable to gas and impermeable to blood. The interface is provided within a container to define an exchange area between a first circulation space for blood and a second circulation space for an oxygenating fluid. A pressure control device is provided for periodically varying the pressure of an oxygenating fluid acting on the interface within the second circulation space. As a result, the oxygenated blood in the first circulation space is pumped therefrom through the oxygenated blood outlet concurrently during oxygenation of blood within the first circulation space.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator having a defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The defoaming device of the oxygenator is designed for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. In a first embodiment, the device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided. In a second embodiment, an element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir within the fluid therein.

Abstract: A membrane type artificial lung uses a gas-exchange membrane having at least the surface thereof for exposure to blood or the minute pores therein coated or blocked with a vinyl type copolymer having as one of the components thereof a vinyl monomer possessing a perfluoroalkyl side chain. The gas-exchange membrane of the artificial lung is manufactured by a method which comprises bringing at least the surface of the gas-exchange membrane for exposure to blood into contact with a solution of the vinyl type copolymer and subsequently vaporizing the solvent in the solution.

Abstract: A heat or material exchanger is provided which comprises a cylindrical housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, an assembly of heat or material-exchange tubes in the housing, partitions securing the opposed ends of the assembly to the housing in a fluid tight seal to partition the housing interior into a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet and a second fluid chamber defined in the assembly, a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber, an independent space defined by the inner wall of the housing and one partition and extending the entire circumference of the housing, but not in fluid communication with the first and second fluid chambers, and a vent in the housing for communicating the space to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: An artificial lung includes a housing having gas inlet and outlet ports, a blood inlet chamber mounted on the upper ends of the housing, a blood outlet chamber mounted on the lower end of the housing, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes for exchanging a gas, disposed within the housing and having ends opening into the blood inlet chamber and opposite ends opening into the blood outlet chamber. A blood inlet port communicates with the blood inlet chamber and is positioned such that the ratio of the distance from the central axis of the blood inlet chamber to the central axis of the blood inlet port to the inside radius of the blood inlet chamber ranges from 0.25 to 0.95, so that blood introduced from the blood inlet port into the blood inlet chamber will be swirled in one direction.

Abstract: A heat or material exchanger is provided which comprises a cylindrical housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, an assembly of heat or material-exchange tubes in the housing, partitions securing the opposed ends of the assembly to the housing in a fluid tight seal to partition the housing interior into a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet and a second fluid chamber defined in the assembly, a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber, an independent spaced defined by the inner wall of the housing and one partition and extending the entire circumference of the housing, but not in fluid communication with the first and second fluid chambers, and a vent in the housing for communicating the space to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel blood oxygenation apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger, and a gas exchanger which functions by internal flow of an oxygen-enriched gas. The heat exchanger is disposed with the gas-exchanger in a common compartment through which blood requiring oxygenation is passed.

Abstract: A defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The device can be used in conjunction with a medical device, such as a membrane oxygenator, for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. The device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood circuit comprises a generally cylindrically shaped blood reservoir; a generally cylindrically shaped oxygenator arranged coaxially and adjacently below said reservoir; and a generally cylindrically shaped heat exchanger attached coaxially and adjacently below said oxygenator. The reservoir encloses an upper defoamer and multiple filter element adapted to receive cardiotomy blood within the interior of said upper element and to discharge treated blood to said reservoir; and a lower defoamer and filter element adapted to receive arterial blood within the interior of said lower element and to discharge treated blood to said reservoir; and has a lower blood outlet. The oxygenator has an inlet adapted to integrally receive blood directly from the outlet of said heat exchanger and an outlet adapted to return the oxygenated blood to the patient.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator is provided wherein a bundle of a plurality of hollow porous fibers presenting gas exchange membranes axially extends through a housing to define a first flow path for oxygen, a pair of partitions support the opposed open ends of the hollow fibers to isolate the open ends from the first flow path to define a second flow path through the fiber cavities for blood, and the micropores in the hollow fibers are filled with a silicone compound, for example, a RTV silicone rubber or a blend thereof with a silicone oil while the hollow fibers on their side wall are substantially free of a layer of the silicone compound. The oxygenator is manufactured by prefabricating an oxygenator module of the above-mentioned construction, impregnating the hollow fibers with a solution of the silicone compound, and passing a cleaning liquid to remove excessive silicone compound, thereby filling only the micropores with the silicone compound.

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: An extracorporeal blood circulating apparatus includes an artificial lung and a blood reservoir which are joined to each other, and a blood inlet port for delivering blood from the artificial lung into the blood reservoir. The blood inlet port is defined in the same plane as that of a bottom of the blood reservoir and lying horizontally.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type artificial lung and a method for the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a blood oxygenating device having an oxygenating chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The oxygenating chamber consists of a bubbler chamber and a mixing chamber. Oxygen is introduced into the bubbler chamber through a porous diffusion means situated near the inlet of the bubbler chamber. Bubbles pass from the bubbler chamber into a mixing chamber which is provided with a plurality of secondary flow-producing deflectors to promote secondary flow of blood bubbles passing therethrough. The secondary flow results in a highly efficient oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer. The blood bubbles are then passed through a heat exchange chamber and a defoaming means prior to exiting the oxygenating device.

Abstract: An oxygenator has a housing provided with a blood inlet and a blood outlet, a bundled aggregate of a multiplicity of gas-exchange membranes, and a gas inlet and a gas outlet independently formed outside opposite bundle end parts of the bundled membrane aggregate, the bundled membrane aggregate being stowed within the housing in such a manner as to partition a gas flow path for communication between the gas inlet and gas outlet and a blood flow path for communication between the blood inlet and blood outlet from each other, which oxygenator is characterized by the fact that the bundled membrane aggregate is provided in or near the gas outlet with a device for thermally insulating or heating the gas emanating from the gas outlet.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator is provided wherein a bundle of a plurality of hollow porous fibers presenting gas exchange membranes axially extends through a housing to define a first flow path for oxygen, a pair of partitions support the opposed open ends of the hollow fibers to isolate the open ends from the first flow path to define a second flow path through the fiber cavities for blood, and the micropores in the hollow fibers are filled with a silicone compound, for exmaple, a RTV silicone rubber or a blend thereof with a silicone oil while the hollow fibers on their side wall are substantially free of a layer of the silicone compound. The oxygenator is manufactured by prefabricating an oxygenator module of the above-mentioned construction, impregnating the hollow fibers with a solution of the silicone compound, and passing a cleaning liquid to remove excessive silicone compound, thereby filling only the micropores with the silicone compound.

Abstract: Perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations are oxygenated prior to use by means of a portable oxygenation system. The blood substitute is in a closed container or bag. An oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the bag from a separate container. The bag is continuously agitated for a sufficient time to increase the pO.sub.2 of the perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations to a desired pressure, e.g., to at least 600 mmHg. In one embodiment, the system used for oxygenation of the perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations comprises a small tank for gas having an inlet port and an outlet port fitted with shut-off valves. The outlet port is adapted to be connected to a filter which, in turn, is adapted to be connected to the inlet port of a three-way valve. The primary outlet of the three-way valve is adapted to mount a hypodermic needle which is adapted to be pushed through a rubber septum in a port of the bag to communicate with the interior of the bag.

Abstract: In a membrane type artificial lung using as gas-exchange membranes porous hydrophobic membranes having a wall thickness in the range of 5 to 80 .mu.m, a porosity in the range of 20 to 80%, and a pore diameter in the range of 0.01 to 5 .mu.m, the minute pores of the membranes are blocked with minute particles of silica having a diameter smaller than the pore diameter and having a hydrophobic surface at least on the sides thereof intended for exposure to blood. Optionally, the gas-exchange membranes have the surfaces for exposure to blood coated with a biocompatible hydrophobic resin.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and blood oxgenator apparatus includes a housing having a blood inlet portion, a blood outlet portion, and a housing wall defining an enclosed chamber disposed along a chamber axis between the blood input portion and the blood output portion through which to pass a quantity of blood to be temperature controlled. A heat exchanger tube having an exterior surface and a hollow interior through which to pass a heat exchange medium for purposes of exchanging heat with a quantity of blood brought into contact with the exterior surface, is disposed in a generally helical coil that is mounted within the chamber to encircle the chamber axis. A scalloped inner surface is included on the housing wall to face generally inward toward the heat exchanger tube.

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.

Abstract: A combination heat exchanger and oxygenator device is provided. The device includes a generally cylindrical housing having first and second compartments with hollow heat exchange tubes and hollow gas exchange tubes disposed therein, a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a heat exchanges medium inlet, a heat exchange medium outlet, an oxygenating fluid inlet and an oxygenating fluid outlet. The housing has a central axis with the second compartment being concentric thereto. The blood flow passage is defined by blood entering the device generally axially through a path extending along the central axis of the housing and flows generally radially through the second, oxygenating compartment.