A Design Calculation Method for Capillary-Tube Oxygenators

摘要

A semi-empirical graphic method to predict the performance of capillary-tube artificial lungs has been developed from a mathematical model and an extensive amount of in vitro data obtained under precisely controlled conditions. This graphical technique predicts the performance of a given oxygenator for exchange of both oxygen and carbon dioxide for a wide range of blood flows and input blood conditions and greatly simplifies the analysis of data taken in evaluation procedures where precise control of test conditions is not achieved. Performance predictions for capillary-tube oxygenators obtained by this method are supported by preliminary in vivo data as well as by extensive in vitro data. The calculation further provides a simple means of designing or selecting a capillary oxygenator for application under known operating conditions. This method has indicated that, for the same blood flow rate, oxygenators staged in series are significantly more effective than when connected in parallel. This prediction has also been verified in the laboratory. (Author)