PERCUTANEOUS OXYGENATOR FOR INDUCING A RETROGRADE PERFUSION OF OXYGENATED BLOOD

摘要

A percutaneous oxygenator is used to induce a retrograde perfusion ofoxygenated blood in a vein to a compromised organ (e.g., to the brainfollowing a stroke, or to the heart following a heart attack). The oxygenator(10) has an occluding balloon (25) and an oxygenation balloon (20) locatedupstream from the occluding balloon (25). A plurality of hollow gas-permeablefibers (14) surrounds the oxygenation balloon (20). The oxygenator (10) isinserted into a vein (84) downstream from the compromised organ. An externalsupply of air/oxygen is connected to create a flow through the fibers (14) andthereby oxygenate blood in the surrounding vein. A retrograde flow ofoxygenated blood is induced in the vein to the compromised organ by firstinflating the occluding balloon (25) to occlude the vein and then inflatingthe oxygenation balloon (20). Both balloons (25, 20) are then deflated topermit the normal antegrade flow of blood through the vein. This process ofinflation and deflation is periodically repeated at a rate of about 30 to 60cycles per minute. The percutaneous oxygenator (10) may be equipped withmultiple occluding balloons for blocking several branches of the venous systemleading from the compromised organ.