Optimisation of the pressure and flow ration under extracorporeal circulation

The project presented here examines the research cooperation between the Institute for Product Development, Technische Universitat Munchen, and a cardiology centre in Munich, Deutsches Herzzentrum Munchen. The main aim of the project was the optimization of the interaction of the heart lung machine (HLM) and the human organism. The extracorporeal circulation (ECC) - where the HLM takes over the blood circulation, gas exchange and thermoregulation of the blood outside of the body - belongs to the routine procedures of open heart surgery. Nowadays the control in clinical application takes place depending on the evaluation of hemodynamic pressure and flow ratio and chemical data from the laboratory. The control is based on the intuition and experiences of the surgeons, anaesthesiologist and cordiotechnician essentially. Until today no direct feedback between the actual values of the HLM and the reactions in the organism caused thereby exists. Target of the research project is the development of a system, which enables a more physiologic ECC through an improved adjustment to the human organism. In this way the risks and the after-effects of open heart surgery can be permanently reduced.