Experimental Membrane Oxygenators with Convective Mixing for Gas Transfer Augmentation

Principle of operation, design and oxygenation performance of three membrane oxygenators employing convective mixing for enhanced gas transfer are described. Two oxygenators are of curved rectangular channel geometry, one with vortex formation induced by pressure driven flow and the second with vortices generated by torsional oscillation of the channel. The third oxygenator is of the capillary membrane type incorporating a chamber which functions as a mixing stage and a blood pump. The efficiencies of the units are compared with existing membrane oxygenators and design optimisation of the most promising system is presented.