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Hydrodynamic characteristics of artificial lungs
P W Dierickx1, F De Somer, D S De Wachter
1Hydraulics Laboratory, Institute Biomedical Technology, Gent University, Belgium.
ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|October 4, 2000
Summary
Researchers characterized artificial lung oxygenators using a novel dimensionless approach. This method allows for independent comparison of devices and relates water tests to blood performance.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Medical Device Design
Background:
- Artificial lungs are critical for cardiopulmonary bypass, managing blood oxygenation and temperature.
- Understanding the pressure drop-flow rate characteristics of oxygenators is essential for design optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the pressure drop-flow rate performance of hollow fiber membrane oxygenators.
- To develop a dimensionless relationship for comparing oxygenator designs.
Main Methods:
- In vitro determination of pressure drop-flow rate characteristics for three hollow fiber membrane oxygenators.
- Analysis using a dimensionless relationship involving Euler number (N(Eu)) and Reynolds number (N(Re)).
Main Results:
- A unique dimensionless relationship was established, dependent on device porosity (epsilon) and characteristic length (xi).
- This approach enables independent comparison of different oxygenator models.
- The findings facilitate the correlation of performance data obtained from water tests to actual blood performance.
Conclusions:
- The developed dimensionless approach provides a standardized method for evaluating artificial lung oxygenators.
- This characterization is vital for improving the design and predicting the in vivo performance of membrane oxygenators.