Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation is provided, advantageously comprising an extracorporeal circuit for the preparation and delivery of hyperoxic or hyperbaric blood. In one embodiment, an apparatus for gas-supersaturating fluids, e.g., physiologic saline, includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive the fluid; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply that maintains pressure within the chamber at a predetermined level, advantageously about 600 p.s.i.; and an outlet advantageously coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet advantageously creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which collects within the chamber below the atomizer nozzle for removal via the outlet.

Abstract: A method for gas-supersaturating fluids, e.g., physiologic saline, includes providing a chamber having a first inlet to receive the fluid; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply that maintains pressure within the chamber at a predetermined level, advantageously about 600 psi; and an outlet advantageously coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet advantageously creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which collects within the chamber below the atomizer nozzle for removal via the outlet.

Abstract: A membrane artificial lung for performing gas exchange between blood and a gas via the membrane by flowing the blood in one side of the membrane and flowing oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the other side of the membrane, wherein said membrane comprises a hollow fiber membrane, said hollow fiber membrane comprising poly-4-methylpentene-1 and having an oxygen permeation rate Q(O2) at 25° C. of from 1×10−6 to 3×10−3 (cm3(STP)/cm2·sec·cmHg) and an ethanol flux of from 0.1 to 100 ml/min·m2, wherein said membrane has, in the side of the blood flow, a surface comprising an ionic complex derived from: quaternary aliphatic alkylammonium salts; and heparin or a heparin derivative, and wherein said quaternary alkylammonium salts comprise a quaternary aliphatic alkylammonium salt having from 22 to 26 carbon atoms in total and a quaternary aliphatic alkylammonium salt having from 37 to 40 carbon atoms in total.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted venous drainage reservoir for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with both hard and soft shell reservoirs. The system utilizes a wall vacuum or other source of negative pressure to create a negative pressure via a regulator within a sealed hard shell reservoir, or within a sealed housing surrounding a soft shell reservoir. The addition of a negative pressure in the venous return line enables the use of smaller cannulas suitable for minimally invasive surgery. The reservoir need not be positioned well below the patient as in conventional gravity venous drainage configurations, thus adding flexibility to the operating room layout and enabling a reduction in the extracorporeal blood prime volume needed. In one embodiment, a flexible membrane in the hard shell reservoir expands to contact the blood surface and reduce blood/air interactions. In another embodiment, a moisture trap is provided between the source of vacuum and hard shell reservoir to reduce environmental contamination.

Abstract: A medical instrument and method is provided for defoaming or preventing formation of foam in blood during extracorporeal blood circulation. The method comprises durably coating hydrophobic blood-contact surfaces with a nontoxic, biocompatible surface-active defoaming agent.

Abstract: Improvements to integrated blood pump/oxygenator having a rotating hollow fiber bundle assembly that both oxygenates and pumps blood are provided. An inner member arranged along a central axis of the device accelerates blood entering the fiber bundle to reduce microbubble generation and blood trauma. Shearing loads imposed on the fiber elements of the fiber bundle are reduced by the addition of a reinforcement structure, while the gas flow path is configured to reduce flooding and loss of oxygenation efficiency due to occasional rupture of fiber elements.

Abstract: An oxygenator of hollow fiber membrane type of the present invention includes a cylindrical core; a cylindrical hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a plurality of gas-exchange hollow fiber membranes wound on an outer surface of the cylindrical core; a housing accommodating the cylindrical hollow fiber membrane bundle; a gas inlet portion and a gas outlet portion both communicating with the interior of the hollow fiber membrane; and a blood inlet portion and a blood outlet portion communicating with the outside of the hollow fiber membrane and the interior of the housing. The hollow fiber membranes of the cylindrical hollow fiber membrane bundle wound on cylindrical core are multi-layered on the outer surface thereof. Each hollow fiber membrane layer has cross portions of the hollow fiber membranes in the neighborhood of the center of the cylindrical core in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, or the heat exchanger component of a multi-function device, comprising a polymeric heat transfer material. The heat exchanger exhibits reduced voltage-induced breakdown of the polymeric material, which can lead to cross-contamination of the two fluids. Either or both of two approaches may be employed. The first approach modifies the polymeric material to increase its resistance to breakdown. The second approach employs at least one electrical bridge between the fluids in the two sides of the heat exchanger, thus placing the two fluids into electrical equilibrium.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane oxygenator of external blood circulation type has a housing and a lot of porous hollow fiber membranes for gas transfer housed in the housing. In the oxygenator, blood flows along the outer side of the hollow fiber membranes, whereas oxygen-containing gas flows along the inner side thereof. An outer surface or outer layer of the hollow fiber membrane as a blood-contacting portion is coated with synthetic polymer mainly formed of alkoxyalkyl(meta)acrylate containing a C(1-4)alkoxy group and a C(1-4)alkyl group. An intermediate layer and inner layer of the hollow fiber membranes contain substantially no synthetic polymer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pumping and oxygenating blood are provided that include a gas removal system and a pump impeller with a single piece metal insert. An integrated blood processing unit is provided in which a gas removal/blood filter, pump and blood oxygenation element are mounted within a common housing. The gas removal system includes a sensor mounted on the housing to sense the presence of gas, and a valve is operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the system when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas.

Abstract: A self-contained pack assembly includes all of the disposable components of an extracorporeal support circuit for cardiac bypass surgery. The pack assembly comprises a blood reservoir, a blood oxygenator, and a carrier for mounting the blood reservoir and blood oxygenator. One or more trays may be releasably attached to the carrier to serve as storage containers for coiled tubing used in the support circuit. Pre-made connections can also be formed between the tubing and the blood reservoir and blood and oxygenator as may be desired.

Abstract: A device generates a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and combines it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The device may take the form of a disposable cartridge. The cartridge may include a fluid supply chamber for delivering physiologic fluid under pressure to an atomizer. The atomizer delivers fluid droplets into a gas-pressurized atomization chamber to enrich the physiologic fluid with the gas. The gas-enriched physiologic fluid is delivered to a mixing chamber in the cartridge where the gas-enriched physiologic fluid is mixed with a bodily fluid, such as blood, to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid.

Abstract: An integrated blood pump/oxygenator having a rotating hollow fiber bundle assembly that both oxygenates and pumps blood is provided that includes a plurality of partitions disposed within or about the fiber bundle assembly to lengthen the flow path of blood passing through the fiber bundle. Alternatively, or in addition, blood flow paths may be lengthened and oxygenation improved by providing internal recirculation paths within the pump/oxygenator, which also advantageously may be used to reduce blood trauma caused by stagnation nearing moving parts and heat build-up.

Abstract: A gas-enriched fluid is provided by the combination of a first fluid, such as a patient's blood, with a second gas-supersaturated fluid, such as an oxygen supersaturated fluid. In this example, a catheter assembly includes a portion that receives the patient's blood from a pump and that receives the oxygen supersaturated fluid from an appropriate fluid source. The oxygen supersaturated fluid is advantageously combined with the blood in an area of laminar flow, and then this gas-enriched fluid is delivered to the patient through an appropriate lumen coupled to the portion of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pumping and oxygenating blood are provided that include a gas removal system. An integrated blood processing unit is provided in which a gas removal/blood filter, pump and blood oxygenation element are mounted within a common housing. The gas removal system includes a sensor mounted on the housing to sense the presence of gas, and a valve is operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the system when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood perfusion system includes a disposable assembly and a control unit having a control interface region. The interface region includes pump assemblies for selective pumping of venous blood, arterial blood, cardioplegia solution, suctioned blood and blood removed from the left ventricle. Valve assemblies control the flow of fluids through the assembly and to/from the patient and sensors monitor various fluid parameters including temperature and pressure within the various fluid circuits. The user interface is a functional screen interface for effecting the operation of the control unit and valve assemblies. The screen interface may be a touch screen having objects that corresponds to the component interface region. The display may be selectively controlled to provide graphic depictions of disposable assembly components with corresponding narrative instructions.

Abstract: Process for producing hydrophobic polyolefinic membranes for gas exchange via thermally induced liquid-liquid phase separation is disclosed. A solution of at least one polyolefin in a solvent system, of a compound A and a compound B having a viscosity less than 60 mPa s, is extruded to form a shaped object. The compound A is a solvent and compound B preferably a non-solvent of the polymer, and the boiling point of compound A is at least 50° C. higher than that of compound B. After the shaped object leaves the die, at least one surface thereof is subjected to an atmosphere promoting evaporation of compound B, and the shaped object is subsequently cooled until the phase separation and solidification of the high-polymer-content phase take place.

Abstract: Compounds having thrombin inhibiting activity of the general formula I or II where n is 0.5, 1, 2 and HX is  and HX is optionally substituted once or twice by methyl, ethyl or hydroxyl, and the tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, which compounds have greater thermal stability betaines, and salts of mineral acids or C1-C4-carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A pulsating pumping unit for a fluid, particularly blood, includes means suitable to draw the fluid from an intake connector in order to send it to a outlet connector. The means are contained in an enclosure provided with valves connected to the inlet and the outlet. The valve connected to the outlet has at least one duct passing through the wall of the enclosure, is open at the end that leads into the portion of space. The pumping unit has a flow control element comprising a band of elastic material fixed to the outer wall of the enclosure at the edges, so as to have a blind portion which faces the exit port of the duct and a portion provided with holes which faces the outer wall.

Abstract: An integrated blood oxygenation and pump system suitable for use in a sterile field having a low priming volume is provided in which a blood oxygenator portion of the system includes an active element, separate from the pump, that disrupts the development of laminar flow and stagnation zones in the fiber bundle employed for gas exchange. The integrated system enables the pump and oxygenator to be used independently of one another or be rapidly reconfigured to provide both pumping action and blood oxygenation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation is provided, advantageously comprising an extracorporeal circuit for the preparation and delivery of hyperoxic or hyperbaric blood. In one embodiment, an apparatus for gas-supersaturating fluids, e.g., physiologic saline, includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive the fluid; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply that maintains pressure within the chamber at a predetermined level, advantageously about 600 p.s.i.; and an outlet advantageously coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet advantageously creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which collects within the chamber below the atomizer nozzle for removal via the outlet.

Abstract: An integrated blood oxygenation and pump system suitable for use in a sterile field having a low priming volume is provided in which a blood oxygenator portion of the system includes an active element, separate from the pump, that disrupts the development of laminar flow and stagnation zones in the fiber bundle employed for gas exchange. The integrated system enables the pump and oxygenator to be used independently of one another or be rapidly reconfigured to provide both pumping action and blood oxygenation.

Abstract: A composition including lecithin which is useful for defoaming liquids, such as blood. In one aspect of the invention the composition includes inorganic particles. In another aspect of the invention the composition includes a silicone.

Abstract: Improvements to integrated blood pump/oxygenator having a rotating hollow fiber bundle assembly that both oxygenates and pumps blood are provided. A plurality of vanes arranged along a central shaft of the device increase pressure near the center of the fiber bundle to prevent microbubble generation and blood trauma. Shearing loads imposed on the fiber elements of the fiber bundle are reduced by the addition of a reinforcement structure, while the gas flow path is configured to minimize flooding and loss of oxygenation efficiency due to occasional rupture of fiber elements. Blood trauma may be further reduced by contouring the vanes and other components of the device.

Abstract: An improved cardiopulmonary bypass system which consolidates and miniaturizes the entire CPB circuit on an integrated panel or box-type structure capable of being positioned within (or closely adjacent to) the sterile surgical field.

Abstract: Improvements to integrated blood pump/oxygenator having a rotating hollow fiber bundle assembly that both oxygenates and pumps blood are provided. A plurality of vanes arranged along a central shaft of the device increase pressure near the center of the fiber bundle to prevent microbubble generation and blood trauma. Shearing loads imposed on the fiber elements of the fiber bundle are reduced by the addition of a reinforcement structure, while the gas flow path is configured to minimize flooding and loss of oxygenation efficiency due to occasional rupture of fiber elements. Blood trauma may be further reduced by contouring the vanes and other components of the device.

Abstract: An oxygenator of hollow fiber membrane type of the present invention includes a cylindrical core; a cylindrical hollow fiber membrane bundle consisting of a plurality of gas-exchange hollow fiber membranes wound on an outer surface of the cylindrical core; a housing accommodating the cylindrical hollow fiber membrane bundle; a gas inlet portion and a gas outlet portion both communicating with the interior of the hollow fiber membrane; and a blood inlet portion and a blood outlet portion communicating with the outside of the hollow fiber membrane and the interior of the housing. The hollow fiber membranes of the cylindrical hollow fiber membrane bundle wound on cylindrical core are multi-layered on the outer surface thereof. Each hollow fiber membrane layer has cross portions of the hollow fiber membranes in the neighborhood of the center of the cylindrical core in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A heart-lung machine comprises flexible tubing 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 integrated in an extracorporeal blood circuit of the heart-lung machine. A pump 5 pumps the blood of a patient through at least portions of the extracorporeal circuit. Furthermore, compressed fluid actuated control members 20, 21 are provided acting on one flexible tube 6, 10 of the tubing from without. A control means 11 controls the supply of compressed fluid to the control members. In accordance with the invention the compressed fluid supplied to the compressed fluid actuated control members has an operating pressure in the range 2 to 10 bar.

Abstract: The present invention is to a process for blood oxygenation using a microporous fiber membrane. The use of the hollow fiber allows improvements in plasma break through results. The oxygenator includes a housing and microporous membrane cartridge. The cartridge comprises a microporous hollow fiber membrane having a wall thickness greater than 30 microns and having a bubble point of ≧150 psig.

Abstract: A blood membrane oxygenator having a housing defining a blood flow path, a rotor hub in the form of a double lumen shaft, and a plurality of distributor disks each having a plurality of hollow fibers which extend across the housing blood flow path. The plurality of distributor disks rotate within the housing to mix the blood resulting in three-dimensional mixing, disruption of the blood boundary layer and efficient blood oxygenation.

Abstract: A gas-enriched liquid delivered at a site of interest that is substantially bubble free after delivery into a lower pressure liquid or gas environment. The delivered gas-enriched liquid is produced by a process comprising the steps of: a) preparing a mixture of gas and liquid; b) compressing the mixture to a pressure such that the gas completely dissolves in the liquid to form a gas-enriched liquid; c) enclosing the gas-enriched liquid within a confined space while retaining substantially the same pressure. The confined space has at least one dimension less than about 0.2 mm, and has at least one opening to a liquid or gas environment site of interest having a lower pressure than that of the pressure of the confined space; and d) delivering the gas-enriched liquid from the confined space out through the at least one exit opening to the lower pressure environment without formation of bubbles.

Abstract: A self-contained pack assembly includes all of the disposable components of an extracorporeal support circuit for cardiac bypass surgery. The pack assembly comprises a blood reservoir, a blood oxygenator, and a carrier for vertically mounting the blood reservoir and blood oxygenator. Trays may be releasably attached to the carrier to serve as containers for coiled tubing used in the support circuit.

Abstract: The venous reservoir accommodates variations in the total volume of blood circulating in the extracorporeal circuit during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). It is connected between the patient and the arterial pump and serves as a compliance chamber. Venous drainage by gravity alone provides an inadequate rate of blood return during procedures such as minimally invasive cardiac surgery and bypass via femoral cannulation. In these cases the resistance of the venous cannula limits the maximum achievable flow. Vacuum augmented venous drainage (VAVD) is a technique that overcomes flow limitations by applying suction to the hard shell reservoir thereby increasing the pressure difference between the venous site and venous reservoir. VAVD allows for a decrease in the inner diameter of the venous line, thereby reducing prime volume, as well as the use of a smaller cannula that translates to an easier insertion, a better surgical view, and a smaller surgical incision.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary by-pass system having a vacuum assisted venous drainage system including a hard-shelled venous reservoir which is closed to atmosphere. The reservoir having a blood inlet for supplying blood removed under negative pressure during operation of the cardiopulmonary by-pass system to the reservoir, a blood outlet for removing blood from the reservoir, and a vacuum inlet for supplying a vacuum to the reservoir. A vacuum supply is also included for providing a predetermined desired vacuum of approximately −70 to −25 mmHG from a house wall vacuum source to the venous reservoir via the vacuum inlet. A patient support unit is also provided for receiving blood from the reservoir blood outlet, treating and returning revitalized removed blood under positive pressure. A vacuum regulator subassembly is also provided for manually setting the predetermined desired vacuum. A valve subassembly is further provided for manually enabling and disabling a vacuum from being supplied to the reservoir.

Abstract: Patients having diminished circulation in the cerebral vasculature as a result of cardiac arrest or from other causes are treated by flowing an oxygenated medium through an arterial access site into the cerebral vasculature and collecting the medium through an access site in the venous site of the cerebral vasculature. In addition to oxygenation, the recirculating blood may also be cooled to hypothermically treat and preserve brain tissue. Isolation and cooling of cerebral vasculature in patients undergoing aortic and other procedures is achieved by internally occluding at least the right common carotid artery above the aortic arch. Blood or other oxygenated medium is perfused through the occluded common carotid artery(ies) and into the arterial cerebral vasculature. Usually, oxygen depleted blood or other medium leaving the cerebral vasculature is collected, oxygenated, and cooled in an extracorporeal circuit so that it may be returned to the patient.

Abstract: A membrane oxygenator may receive a supply of pressurized oxygen and a supply of pressurized fluid, such as water or blood. In one example, a plurality of tubular membranes are disposed in a housing, where the pressurized fluid is delivered into the tubular membranes and where the pressurized oxygen is delivered into the area surrounding the tubular membranes. The oxygen diffuses through the membranes of the oxygenator to produce an oxygenated fluid. Advantageously, the oxygenated fluid is oxygen-saturated and delivered to a high pressure vessel where it may be stored until it is delivered to a patient.

Abstract: A self-contained pack assembly includes all of the disposable components of an extracorporeal support circuit for cardiac bypass surgery. The pack assembly comprises a blood reservoir, a blood oxygenator, and a carrier for vertically mounting the blood reservoir and blood oxygenator. Trays may be releasably attached to the carrier to serve as containers for coiled tubing used in the support circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for oxygenating a liquid. The apparatus includes a liquid pump fluidly connected to an injector having a liquid inlet forming a nozzle, a liquid outlet and an oxygen inlet therebetween, the injector arranged such that the injector liquid inlet is above the injector liquid outlet, and a downwardly opening first diffuser portion connected to the injector outlet. The first diffuser portion is serially connected to a second diffuser portion located below the first diffuser portion. Liquid being pumped by the pump is conducted downwardly through the injector and the first diffuser portion to the second diffuser portion.

Abstract: A composition including lecithin which is useful for defoaming liquids, such as blood. In one aspect of the invention the composition includes inorganic particles. In another aspect of the invention the composition includes a silicone.

Abstract: An apparatus which can solve the problem of participation of NO in hypotension in dialysis, hypoxia in dialysis, and the like during artificial dialysis by continuously monitoring fluctuation in a blood gas, an ionic component, or the like in body fluid such as blood and by suppressing these diseases, and quality evaluating means of an artificial dialyzer and dialyzing fluid are provided. An apparatus for an artificial kidney comprises a measurement monitor for continuously measuring nitric oxide as a component of body fluid or liquid for treatment. Further, an apparatus for an artificial kidney comprises a measurement monitor for measuring a component of body fluid or liquid for treatment, a display means for comparing a measurement measured by the measurement monitor with a control value, and when the measurement equals the control value, displays the equality, and oxygen supplying means.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing gas concentration in blood which has use as a generalized extracorporeal system and method to treat hypoxemic blood from a patient by mixing the blood with an oxygen supersaturated solution to generate hyperoxemic blood to be infused back to the patient. The extracorporeal system comprises an extracorporeal tubing through which blood from the patient is circulated, a blood pump for withdrawing blood from and delivering blood to the patient, at least one channel for delivering oxygen-supersaturated fluid and a mixing region for introducing supersaturated fluid without bubble formation. By infusing the oxygen-supersaturated fluid into the hypoxemic or normoxemic blood from the patient, hyperoxemic blood is thereby produced. The hyperoxemic blood is then returned to a central vein, right heart or artery of the patient with the blood pump at approximately the same volume delivery rate as blood volume withdrawal rate.

Abstract: A customized pump, filtration, oxygenation and/or debubbler apparatus includes a first pump module, a filtration module, an oxygenation module, a debubbler module and/or a second pump module. Each module is formed of stackable support members with filtration, oxygenation and/or degassing membranes interposed therebetween.

Abstract: Improvements to integrated blood pump/oxygenator having a rotating hollow fiber bundle assembly that both oxygenates and pumps blood are provided. A plurality of vanes arranged along a central shaft of the device increase pressure near the center of the fiber bundle to prevent microbubble generation and blood trauma. Shearing loads imposed on the fiber elements of the fiber bundle are reduced by the addition of a reinforcement structure, while the gas flow path is configured to minimize flooding and loss of oxygenation efficiency due to occasional rupture of fiber elements. Blood trauma may be further reduced by contouring the vanes and other components of the device.

Abstract: A combination mass transfer and pump apparatus, which in a single step actively mixes a first mass and a second mass and simultaneously pumps one of the first mass and the second mass through the apparatus. The combination mass transfer and pump apparatus substantially comprises a housing and at least one distributor element having a plurality of selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements wherein the at least one distributor element is agitated within the second mass such that the first mass diffuses across the selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements, mixing with the second mass, and in the same step the second mass is pumped through the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles of manufacture of polyurethane-generating compositions for the manufacture of non-cytotoxic products for medical use, characterized in that these compositions contain: at least one polyisocyanate, preferably a non-aromatic polyisocyanate, in the monomer or prepolymer state; at least one polyol; and at least one dialkyl sulphoxide compound, preferably in the proportion of at least 2% by weight with respect to the total weight of the polyol or polyols.

Abstract: A gas-enriched fluid is provided by the combination of a first fluid, such as a patient's blood, with a second gas-supersaturated fluid, such as an oxygen supersaturated fluid. In this example, a catheter assembly includes a portion that receives the patient's blood from a pump and that receives the oxygen supersaturated fluid from an appropriate fluid source. The oxygen supersaturated fluid is advantageously combined with the blood in an area of laminar flow, and then this gas-enriched fluid is delivered to the patient through an appropriate lumen coupled to the portion of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A blood treatment system has a housing formed of transparent plastic material configured so that substantially the entire blood flow path is visible. A generally planar blood filtration media assembly divides a blood treatment chamber within the housing into first and second interior spaces that are visible through the transparent housing, with a cardiotomy manifold in fluid communication with the first interior space and a venous blood inlet in fluid communication with the second interior space. A generally planar blood defoamer media assembly is provided generally parallel with and spaced apart from the blood filtration media assembly. The blood defoamer media assembly divides the second interior space from the blood storage chamber. The blood flow path along each side of the blood filtration media assembly and each side of the blood defoamer media assembly is visible.

Abstract: A compact blood oxygenator has a minimal priming volume and is particularly advantageous for pediatric cardiac surgery. A generally rectangular housing has longitudinally spaced and interspersed heat exchanger conduit groups and oxygenator fiber bundles. The conduits and oxygenator fibers extend transversely across the interior of the housing in criss-cross fashion. Cured potting compound and flanges on the interior surfaces of the housing define hermetically sealed heat transfer fluid, blood and gas mixture flow paths. The inlet and outlet ends of the heat exchanger conduits communicate with first and second chambers formed on opposite sides of the housing. The inlet and outlet ends of the oxygenator fibers communicate with third and fourth chambers on the other opposite sides of the housing.

Abstract: An improved perfusion control assembly comprising a console and an oxygenator flanked by at least two flanking units, wherein a first flanking unit is a pump assembly and additional flanking units are at least one of additional pump assemblies, a display monitor, a parameter monitoring assembly, or a controller, is described. The improved assembly can have the advantages of a reduced extracorporeal blood volumes in cardiopulmonary and cardioplegia circuits, and improved ergonomics for the perfusionist. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated console of the assembly is divided into a central and at least two peripheral segments connected by hinged joints. The perfusionist may rotate segments to create a cockpit shaped assembly.

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.