Silicon Micropore-Based Parallel Plate Membrane Oxygenator.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Cardiopulmonary Support

Background:

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is crucial for cardiopulmonary failure but carries bleeding risks due to high anticoagulation needs.
• A redesigned ECMO system is needed to mitigate these risks and improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and fabricate novel gas exchange membranes using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for ECMO applications.
• To evaluate the oxygen transport capabilities of these SμM-PDMS membranes in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of silicon micropore membranes (SμM) bonded to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using MEMS techniques.
• Testing oxygen transport across SμM-PDMS membranes in a bench-top setup with water and blood.
• Validation of an analytic gas transport model using in vivo porcine data.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated SμM-PDMS membranes with uniform micropores and high pattern fidelity.
• Achieved mass transfer coefficients of 3.03 ± 0.42 mL O2 min⁻¹ m⁻² cm Hg⁻¹ (water) and 1.71 ± 1.03 mL O2 min⁻¹ m⁻² cm Hg⁻¹ (blood).
• Demonstrated adequate oxygen transport, validating the proof-of-concept for SμM-PDMS as a membrane oxygenator.

Conclusions:

• The developed SμM-PDMS membranes show potential for next-generation ECMO devices.
• This technology offers a pathway to reduce anticoagulation requirements and bleeding complications in ECMO.
• Establishes a foundation for future development of silicon micropore membrane oxygenators.