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A perfluorochemical loss/restoration (L/R) system for tidal liquid ventilation
R Libros1, C M Philips, M R Wolfson
1Drexel University School of Biomedical Engineering Science and Health Systems, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. rlibros@ccp.cc.pa.us
Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology
|December 1, 2000
Summary
A novel loss/restoration (L/R) system accurately replenishes perfluorochemical (PFC) liquid lost during tidal liquid ventilation. This PFC L/R system ensures consistent PFC levels, crucial for effective liquid ventilation therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Respiratory Physiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Tidal liquid ventilation (TLV) utilizes perfluorochemical (PFC) liquids for gas exchange, enhancing lung compliance and protection by eliminating surface tension.
- Current TLV systems require precise management of PFC liquid volume, as inefficiencies in vapor condensation lead to liquid loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a feedback-control system designed to automatically compensate for perfluorochemical (PFC) liquid loss during tidal liquid ventilation (TLV).
- To assess the accuracy and efficiency of the developed loss/restoration (L/R) system in maintaining PFC inventory.
Main Methods:
- A feedback-control L/R system was engineered, incorporating a PFC-vapor thermal detector, gas flow detector, and PFC pump.
- Gravimetric studies quantified perflubron loss from evaporation and compared it with L/R system performance.
- The L/R system was integrated with a TLV system for a four-hour evaluation of PFC volume maintenance.
Main Results:
- The L/R system demonstrated high accuracy, with experimental PFC loss measurements within +/- 1.4% of gravimetric flask studies.
- Over a four-hour period, the L/R system maintained the total PFC volume within +/- 1% of the prime volume.
- The difference between experimental PFC loss and L/R system compensation was minimal, averaging 1.8 mL/hr.
Conclusions:
- The developed PFC L/R system effectively and accurately restores perfluorochemical liquid lost during tidal liquid ventilation.
- This technology holds significant potential for improving the economic viability and physiological safety of liquid ventilation procedures by ensuring appropriate PFC dosing and stable lung inventory.