A Reduced Resistance, Concentric-Gated Artificial Membrane Lung for Pediatric End-Stage Lung Failure

The goal of the low-resistance pediatric artificial lung (PAL-LR) is to serve as a pumpless bridge-to-transplant device for children with end-stage lung failure. The PAL-LR doubles the exposed fiber length of the previous PAL design. In vitro and in vivo studies tested hemocompatibility, device flow, gas exchange and pressure drop performance. For in vitro tests, average rated blood flow (outlet SO 2 of 95%) was 2.56 ± 0.93 L/min with a pressure drop of 25.88 ± 0.90 mm Hg. At the targeted pediatric flow rate of 1 L/min, the pressure drop was 8.6 mm Hg compared with 25 mm Hg of the PAL. At rated flow, the average O 2 and CO 2 transfer rates were 101.75 ± 10.81 and 77.93 ± 8.40 mL/min, respectively. The average maximum O 2 and CO 2 exchange efficiencies were 215.75 ± 22.93 and 176.99 ± 8.40 mL/(min m 2 ), respectively. In vivo tests revealed an average outlet SO 2 of 100%, and average pressure drop of 2 ± 0 mm Hg for a blood flow of 1.07 ± 0.02 L/min. Having a lower resistance, the PAL-LR is a promising step closer to a pumpless artificial membrane lung that alleviates right ventricular strain associated with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.